JP2020048073A - Information terminal, communication system, and terminal control method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an information terminal, a communication system, and a terminal control method that can make an information terminal recognize a terminal that can communicate with the information terminal among a plurality of terminals.SOLUTION: In a telemetry system, a second slave unit 22B includes a short range radio communication unit and a control unit. The control unit controls the short range radio communication unit to periodically transmit a first start request signal to other terminals and/or the control unit controls the short range radio communication unit to transmit the first start request signal to the other terminals when an operation unit included in the second slave unit receives transmission instructions on the first start request signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an information terminal, a communication system, and a terminal control method.

  2. Description of the Related Art A telemeter system developed for gas, water, or electricity meter reading is known (for example, Patent Document 1). The telemeter system includes a host computer and a network control device as a configuration on the center side. Further, the telemeter system includes a plurality of terminals such as a master unit and a slave unit as a configuration on the terminal side. The network control device and the base unit are communicably connected via a wide area communication network. In addition, the terminals are communicably connected via a short-range wireless network.

JP-A-2006-208123

  In a conventional telemeter system, an intermittent reception system may be adopted as a communication system between terminals. When the intermittent reception method is adopted, each of the plurality of terminals usually does not recognize a terminal that can communicate with itself. Therefore, when one terminal (information terminal) among a plurality of terminals performs data transmission, the one terminal determines whether or not it can communicate with a transmission destination terminal that is a data transmission destination terminal before performing data transmission. It was necessary to perform a confirmation process for confirming.

  In the confirmation processing, for example, one terminal transmits an activation signal to the transmission destination terminal, and when it receives a response signal as a response to the activation signal, has determined that the terminal can communicate with the transmission destination terminal. When one terminal determines that it can communicate with the destination terminal, it has transmitted data to the destination terminal. However, the confirmation process must be performed every time one terminal transmits data, which is complicated.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an information terminal, a communication system, and a terminal control method that allow an information terminal to recognize a terminal that can communicate with the information terminal among a plurality of terminals.

  According to the first aspect of the present application, the information terminal is one of a plurality of terminals provided in the communication system. The information terminal includes a communication unit and a control unit. The communication unit transmits a first activation request signal to another terminal among the plurality of terminals other than the information terminal. The control unit controls the communication unit. The other terminal can receive the first activation request signal by intermittent reception. Upon receiving the first activation request signal, the other terminal transmits a first confirmation signal to the information terminal. The control unit controls the communication unit so that the communication unit periodically transmits the first activation request signal to the other terminal, and / or an operation unit included in the information terminal includes The control unit controls the communication unit such that the communication unit transmits the first activation request signal to the other terminal when receiving the transmission instruction of the first activation request signal.

  According to a second aspect of the present application, a communication system includes a plurality of terminals. The plurality of terminals include the information terminal.

  According to a third aspect of the present application, a terminal control method controls a plurality of terminals provided in a communication system. The terminal control method includes a step in which the information terminal transmits a first activation request signal to another terminal other than the information terminal among the plurality of terminals. The other terminal can receive the first activation request signal by intermittent reception. Upon receiving the first activation request signal, the other terminal transmits a first confirmation signal to the information terminal. The information terminal periodically transmits the first activation request signal to the other terminal, and / or the operation unit provided in the information terminal receives a transmission instruction of the first activation request signal, and The first activation request signal is transmitted to another terminal.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the information terminal, the communication system, and the terminal control method of this invention, the terminal which can communicate with an information terminal among several terminals can be made to be recognized by an information terminal.

It is a block diagram showing the composition of the telemeter system concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a parent device. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a slave unit. It is a figure showing the appearance of a child unit. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure in which a first confirmation process is performed by a second child device. (A) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a first activation request signal is transmitted periodically. (B) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which intermittent reception is performed. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing two examples of a procedure in which a first confirmation process is performed by a second child device. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state where a first activation request signal is being transmitted at a timing when the operation unit receives a first instruction. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure in which the 2nd confirmation processing is performed by the 2nd child unit. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which a 2nd child machine performs a frame determination. It is a table | surface which shows the conditions for the connection of a 2nd slave unit and a 1st slave unit to be materialized in connection determination.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding portions have the same reference characters allotted, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[First Embodiment]
With reference to FIG. 1, a telemeter system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a telemeter system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Telemeter system 100 is an example of the communication system of the present invention. A communication system is a system that collects information via communication between a plurality of terminals.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the telemeter system 100 according to the first embodiment is a system that collects measurement values measured at a plurality of measurement locations.

  The telemeter system 100 includes a host computer 11, a center-side network control device 12, a plurality of terminals, and a plurality of meters 23.

  In the first embodiment, the plurality of terminals include a master unit 21 and a plurality of slave units 22. The plurality of slaves 22 include a first slave 22A to a fifth slave 22E.

  Hereinafter, the host computer 11 and the center-side network control device 12 may be referred to as a center side. Further, the master unit 21, the plurality of slave units 22, and the plurality of meters 23 may be described as a terminal side.

  The meter 23 is installed for each customer such as a private home, a company, and various facilities. The meter 23 measures the amount of gas, water, or electricity used, for example. It is a measuring instrument that outputs the measurement result (meter reading).

  The plurality of meters 23 correspond to the plurality of slaves 22, respectively. The meter 23 outputs a measured value (a meter reading value) to the corresponding slave unit 22.

  The host computer 11 controls the master unit 21 and a plurality of slave units 22. The host computer 11 collects measurement values measured by the plurality of meters 23 via the master unit 21 and the plurality of slave units 22.

  The center side network control device 12 is connected to a wide area wireless network N1 such as a PHS network and a FOMA network, for example. The center-side network control device 12 performs wireless communication with the master unit 21 via the wide area wireless network N1. The center-side network control device 12 and the parent device 21 may be connected by a wired communication network.

  The center side network control device 12 transmits and receives data to and from the terminal side via the wide area wireless network N1. The center side network control device 12 has a function of controlling communication with the terminal side via the wide area wireless network N1.

  When data is input from the host computer 11 to the center-side network control device 12, the center-side network control device 12 transmits data to the terminal using a communication method that conforms to the communication standard of the wide area wireless network N1. . When receiving the data transmitted from the terminal side, the center side network control device 12 transmits the received data to the host computer 11.

  The master unit 21 has an NCU (Network Control Unit) function to enable connection to the wide area wireless network N1, and performs wireless communication with the center side via the wide area wireless network N1. The communication between master device 21 and the center side is not limited to wireless communication, but may be wired communication. In this case, master device 21 and center-side network control device 12 are connected by a wired communication network.

  The parent device 21 forms a mesh-type wireless network N2 with a plurality of child devices 22. In FIG. 1, a communication path that allows direct communication between the master unit 21 and the plurality of slave units 22 is indicated by a broken line. The fact that direct communication is possible means that wireless communication can be performed directly without passing through a terminal other than the terminal to be communicated.

  In the first embodiment, the master unit 21 can directly communicate with each of the first slave unit 22A and the fifth slave unit 22E. The communication route between the other slave units 22 is also as shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, the master unit 21 and the plurality of slave units 22 may be collectively described as a wireless device.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1, one master unit 21 and five slave units 22 are configured in the wireless network N2, but the number of wireless units installed in the wireless network N2 and each wireless unit Is not limited to the example shown in FIG. For example, within the range of the maximum number of installations specified by the communication specifications of the wireless network N2 and / or the maximum number of connections per wireless device, the number of wireless devices and the connection relationship between the wireless devices can be changed as appropriate. .

  With reference to FIG. 2, master device 21 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the master unit 21.

  As shown in FIG. 2, master device 21 includes a wide-area wireless communication unit 210, a narrow-area wireless communication unit 211, a display unit 212, an operation unit 213, a storage unit 214, and a control unit 215.

  The wide area wireless communication unit 210 performs communication with the center-side network control device 12 by transmitting or receiving radio waves through the antenna 210a. For example, upon receiving the meter reading data from the slave unit 22, the wide area wireless communication unit 210 transmits the radio wave from the antenna 210 a, thereby centering the meter reading data in a method conforming to the communication standard of the wide area wireless network N 1. Send to the side.

  When receiving a radio wave by the antenna 210a, the wide area wireless communication unit 210 decodes the received radio wave to obtain data in a predetermined format. Wide area wireless communication section 210 outputs data obtained by decoding the received radio wave to control section 215. When acquiring the data output from the wide area wireless communication unit 210, the control unit 215 performs various controls based on the acquired data.

  The short-range wireless communication unit 211 performs wireless communication with the slave unit 22 by a predetermined wireless communication method by transmitting or receiving a radio wave through the antenna 211a. As the wireless communication method, for example, wireless communication in a 920 MHz band is adopted. When having data to be transmitted, the short-range wireless communication unit 211 of the base unit 21 continuously transmits a start signal specifying a destination. When a response signal (Ack) to the activation signal is returned from the child device 22 specified as the destination, the parent device 21 establishes a communication connection with the child device 22 of the destination. As a result, master device 21 performs data communication with slave device 22. In addition, the short-range wireless communication unit 211 performs intermittent reception when there is no data to be transmitted (see FIG. 6B). The description of the intermittent reception will be described later.

  The display unit 212 includes an LED lamp (LED: Light Emitting Diode) and a liquid crystal display panel. The display unit 212 displays, for example, information indicating an installation work of the master unit 21 and information to be notified to a worker who performs maintenance work of the master unit 21.

  The operation unit 213 includes various switches such as a dip switch and buttons. The operation unit 213 receives an external instruction. The control unit 215 operates based on the instruction received by the operation unit 213.

  The storage unit 214 includes a main storage device (for example, a semiconductor memory) such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and may further include an auxiliary storage device (for example, a hard disk drive). The storage unit 214 stores various computer programs executed by the control unit 215.

  The control unit 215 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 215 controls each element of the parent device 21 by executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 214.

  The child device 22 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the slave unit 22. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an appearance of the child device 22.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the slave device 22 includes a short-range wireless communication unit 220, a connection port 221, a display unit 222, an operation unit 223, a storage unit 224, and a control unit 225.

  The short-range wireless communication unit 220 performs wireless communication with the master unit 21 and another slave unit 22 by a predetermined wireless communication method by transmitting or receiving a radio wave through the antenna 220a. As the wireless communication method, for example, wireless communication in a 920 MHz band is adopted. When having data to be transmitted, the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the child device 22 continuously transmits an activation signal specifying a destination. When a response signal (Ack) to the activation signal is returned from the parent device 21 or another child device 22 designated as the destination, the child device 22 establishes a communication connection with the parent device 21 or another child device 22 as the destination. Establish. As a result, the child device 22 performs data communication with the parent device 21 or another child device 22. In addition, when the short-range wireless communication unit 220 has no data to be transmitted, it performs intermittent reception (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

  The short-range wireless communication unit 220 is an example of the communication unit of the present invention.

  The meter 23 is connected to the connection port 221. The control unit 225 of the slave unit 22 acquires the meter reading value of the meter 23 through the connection port 221.

  The display unit 222 has an LED lamp and a liquid crystal display panel. The display unit 222 displays, for example, information indicating an installation operation of the slave unit 22 and information to be notified to a worker who performs a maintenance operation of the slave unit 22.

  The operation unit 223 includes various switches such as a dip switch 223a and buttons. The operation unit 223 receives an external instruction. The control unit 225 operates based on the instruction received by the operation unit 223. The operation unit 223 includes a plurality of DIP switches 223a and a push switch 223b. The plurality of dip switches 223a receive, for example, an instruction for measuring a radio field intensity and an instruction for a start request. The push switch 223b causes the control unit 225 to execute an instruction received by the plurality of DIP switches 223a.

  The storage unit 224 includes a main storage device such as a ROM and a RAM, and may further include an auxiliary storage device. The storage unit 224 stores various computer programs executed by the control unit 225.

  The control unit 225 includes a processor such as a CPU and an MPU. The control unit 225 controls each element of the child device 22 by executing the computer program stored in the storage unit 224.

  With reference to FIGS. 1, 5, 6A, and 6B, an example of a procedure in which the first confirmation process is performed by the second child device 22B will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure in which the first confirmation process is performed by the second child device 22B.

  The first confirmation process of the first embodiment is a process in which the second slave device 22B checks a terminal that can directly communicate with the second slave device 22B.

  The second slave unit 22B is an example of the information terminal of the present invention.

  In step S101, the control unit 225 of the second handset 22B performs the short-range wireless communication so that the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the second handset 22B periodically transmits the first activation request signal to another terminal. The communication unit 220 is controlled. As a result, the first activation request signal is periodically transmitted to another terminal.

  In the first embodiment, the other terminals are terminals other than the second slave unit 22B among the master unit 21 and the plurality of slave units 22.

  In the first embodiment, the first activation request signal includes information that instructs the terminal that has received the first activation request signal to transmit a beacon (Beacon) to the second slave unit 22B. The beacon of the first embodiment is an example of a first confirmation signal of the present invention. Note that the first confirmation signal of the present invention is not limited to a beacon, and may be any signal that can be received by the second handset 22B.

  The first activation request signal also includes information indicating the identifier of the second child device 22B.

  FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram illustrating a state where the first activation request signal is periodically transmitted.

  FIG. 6A shows time T11 and time T12. Time T11 indicates the length of time during which the terminal transmits the first activation request signal. Time T12 indicates a time length during which the terminal does not transmit the first activation request signal. The time length indicates a continuous time.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the second child device 22B alternates between transmitting the first activation request signal only during the time T11 and not transmitting the first activation request signal during the time T21. , The first activation request signal is transmitted periodically. One cycle when the first activation request signal is periodically transmitted is an added value of the time T11 and the time T21. The time T11 is, for example, several seconds. The time T21 is, for example, several weeks or months.

  FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which intermittent reception is performed.

  FIG. 6B shows time T12 and time T22. Time T12 indicates the length of time during which the terminal is ready to receive the first activation request signal when performing intermittent reception. Time T22 indicates the length of time during which the terminal cannot receive the first activation request signal when performing intermittent reception.

  As shown in FIG. 6 (b), another terminal enters a state in which it can receive the first activation request signal only during time T12, and a state in which it cannot receive the first activation request signal only during time T22. The intermittent reception is performed by alternately repeating the processing of Each of the time T12 and the time T22 is, for example, several seconds. When the other terminal performs the intermittent reception, power saving of the other terminal is achieved.

  Time T11 is longer than time T12 (time T11> time T12). As a result, another terminal can effectively receive the first activation request signal.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, when the second slave 22B transmits the first start request signal, each of the first slave 22A, the third slave 22C, and the fourth slave 22D receives the first start request. Receive the signal.

  In step S102, upon receiving the first activation request signal, the first child device 22A transmits a beacon including the identifier of the first child device 22A to the second child device 22B. As a result, the second handset 22B receives the beacon from the first handset 22A.

  In step S103, upon receiving the first activation request signal, the third slave device 22C transmits a beacon including the identifier of the third slave device 22C to the second slave device 22B. As a result, the second handset 22B receives the beacon from the third handset 22C.

  In step S104, upon receiving the first activation request signal, the fourth slave device 22D transmits a beacon including the identifier of the fourth slave device 22D to the second slave device 22B. As a result, the second handset 22B receives the beacon from the fourth handset 22D.

  Note that each of the master unit 21 and the fifth slave unit 22E does not receive the first activation request signal. Therefore, each of the parent device 21 and the fifth child device 22E does not transmit a beacon to the second child device 22B.

  In step S105, the control unit 225 of the second child device 22B determines that the terminal that transmitted the beacon to the second child device 22B is a terminal that can directly communicate with the second child device 22B. In the first embodiment, the control unit 225 of the second handset 22B determines that the first handset 22A, the third handset 22C, and the fourth handset 22D are terminals that can directly communicate with the second handset 22B. judge. Therefore, the control unit 225 of the second child device 22B can confirm a terminal that can directly communicate with the second child device 22B among the plurality of terminals by performing the first confirmation processing shown in steps S101 to S104. .

  The control unit 225 of the second child device 22B transmits the identifier of the first child device 22A, the identifier of the third child device 22C, and the identifier of the fourth child device 22D to the terminal that can directly communicate with the second child device 22B. The identifier is stored in the storage unit 224 of the second child device 22B as an identifier.

  When the process shown in step S105 ends, the process ends.

  The second handset 22B performs not only the process of periodically transmitting the first activation signal shown in FIG. 6A but also the intermittent reception shown in FIG. 6B. Specifically, the second slave unit 22B periodically transmits the first activation signal (see FIG. 6A), but during the period in which the first activation request signal is not transmitted, other data to be transmitted. If not, intermittent reception is performed (see FIG. 6B).

  The other terminals also perform the processing shown in FIG. 6A as well as the intermittent reception shown in FIG. Specifically, similar to the second slave unit 22B, the other terminals periodically transmit the first activation signal (see FIG. 6A), but during a period during which the first activation request signal is not transmitted. In, if there is no other data to be transmitted, intermittent reception is performed (see FIG. 6B). Therefore, other terminals also periodically check terminals that can directly communicate with each other by performing the first check processing in the same manner as the second slave unit 22B.

  As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6B, in the second handset 22B, the short-range wireless communication unit 220 periodically transmits the first activation request signal to another terminal. As described above, the control unit 225 controls the short-range wireless communication unit 220. The terminal that has received the first activation request signal transmits a beacon to the second child device 22B. Therefore, the second handset 22B can recognize that the terminal that transmitted the beacon to the second handset 22B is a terminal that can communicate with the second handset 22B. As a result, the second handset 22B can recognize in advance a terminal capable of communicating with the second handset 22B before transmitting / receiving data to / from another terminal.

  By recognizing a terminal that can communicate with the second child device 22B, the second child device 22B needs to perform an operation for confirming whether communication with the terminal of the data transmission destination is possible each time data transmission is performed. Absent. Therefore, the second child device 22B can perform data transmission smoothly.

  Even when the configuration of a plurality of terminals is changed by the short-range wireless communication unit 220 periodically transmitting the first activation request signal to the other terminals, the second child device 22B is connected to the second child device. The information of the terminal that can communicate with the terminal 22B can be updated to the latest information that matches the configuration of the plurality of terminals after the change.

[Second embodiment]
Next, a telemeter system 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6B, FIG. 7 and FIG.

  The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the second slave unit 22B transmits a first activation request signal when the operation unit 223 is operated.

  Hereinafter, points different from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  Referring to FIGS. 6B, 7 and 8, two examples of a procedure in which the first confirmation process is performed by the second slave device 22B will be described. FIG. 7 illustrates a first confirmation process by the second slave device 22B. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing two examples of a procedure in which is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in step S100, operation unit 223 of second child device 22B receives a first instruction. The first instruction is an instruction for transmitting a first activation request signal. The first instruction is an example of the transmission instruction of the present invention.

  For example, after the operator turns on a dip switch for executing the first confirmation process among the plurality of dip switches 223a shown in FIG. 4, the operator presses the push switch 223b to thereby operate the operation unit of the second slave unit 22B. 223 receives the first instruction.

  When the operation unit 223 of the second handset 22B receives the first instruction, in step S101, the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the second handset 22B transmits a first activation request signal to another terminal. The control unit 225 of the second handset 22B controls the short-range wireless communication unit 220. As a result, the first activation request signal is transmitted to another terminal in response to the operation of the operation unit 223. When the second activation signal is transmitted from the second child device 22B to another terminal, the processing shown in steps S102 to S105 is performed.

  The control unit 225 of the second child device 22B performs the first confirmation processing shown in steps S101 to S104, thereby confirming a terminal that can directly communicate with the second child device 22B among the plurality of terminals in step S105. Can be.

  The worker may, for example, input the first instruction from the operation unit 223 of the second slave unit 22B when installing the second slave unit 22B in a customer. In this case, the first confirmation process is performed by the second child device 22B when the second child device 22B is installed.

  Further, the worker may periodically input the first instruction from the operation unit 223 of the second child device 22B. In this case, the first confirmation process by the second child device 22B is periodically performed.

  By configuring the first confirmation process to be performed when the operation unit 223 receives the first instruction, the first confirmation process can be performed at a desired timing.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state where the first activation request signal is transmitted at the timing when the operation unit 223 receives the first instruction.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the operation unit 223 of the second slave 22B receives the first instruction, the second slave 22B transmits the first start request signal only during the time T11.

  The second slave unit 22B performs not only the process of transmitting the first activation signal shown in FIG. 8 but also the intermittent reception shown in FIG. 6B. More specifically, the second slave unit 22B transmits the first activation signal upon receiving the first instruction (see FIG. 8), but should transmit another signal during a period in which the first activation request signal is not transmitted. If there is no data, intermittent reception is performed (see FIG. 6B).

  Other terminals also perform the processing shown in FIG. 8 and the intermittent reception shown in FIG. 6B. Specifically, similar to the second terminal 22B, the other terminal transmits a first activation signal when receiving the first instruction (see FIG. 8), but during a period during which the first activation request signal is not transmitted. In, if there is no other data to be transmitted, intermittent reception is performed (see FIG. 6B).

  As described above with reference to FIGS. 6B to 8, in the second handset 22 </ b> B, when the operation unit 223 receives the first instruction, the short-range wireless communication unit 220 transmits the first instruction to the other terminal. The control unit 225 controls the short-range wireless communication unit 220 so as to transmit one activation request signal. Therefore, the second handset 22B can recognize a terminal that has transmitted a beacon to the second handset 22B among other terminals as a terminal that can communicate with the second handset 22B. The second handset 22B can recognize in advance a terminal that can communicate with the second handset 22B before transmitting / receiving data to / from another terminal.

[Third embodiment]
Next, a telemeter system 100 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the second slave unit 22B checks a bypass route when communicating with the first slave unit 22A. Hereinafter, points different from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 9, a procedure in which the second confirmation process is performed by the second child device 22B will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure for performing the second confirmation processing by the second child device 22B.

  The first slave unit 22A is an example of a specific terminal of the present invention.

  The second confirmation process of the third embodiment is a detour terminal for confirming the communication status when the second slave unit 22B directly communicates with the first slave unit 22A and performing the detour communication with the first slave unit 22A. Is shown.

  The detour communication of the third embodiment indicates that the second handset 22B communicates with the first handset 22A via a terminal other than the first handset 22A. The detour terminal according to the third embodiment is a terminal that can be routed when the second child device 22B performs detour communication with the first child device 22A.

  In step S200, operation unit 223 of second handset 22B receives the second instruction. The second instruction is an instruction for performing a second confirmation process.

  In step S201, the control unit 225 of the second handset 22B performs the short-range wireless communication so that the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the second handset 22B transmits a radio wave for intensity measurement to the first handset 22A. The unit 220 is controlled. As a result, a radio wave for intensity measurement is transmitted from the second slave unit 22B to the first slave unit 22A.

  In step S202, when receiving the radio wave from the second handset 22B, the first handset 22A measures the strength of the received radio wave (wave strength).

  In step S203, the first slave unit 22A transmits information indicating the measurement result of the radio wave intensity to the second slave unit 22B. As a result, the second slave unit 22B acquires information indicating the measurement result of the radio wave intensity.

  The control unit 225 of the second handset 22B causes the storage unit 224 of the second handset 22B to store information indicating the measurement result of the radio wave intensity.

  The control unit 225 of the second slave unit 22B can check the communication status with the first slave unit 22A based on the measurement result of the radio field intensity acquired in step S203.

  In step S204, the control unit 225 of the second handset 22B so that the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the second handset 22B transmits the second activation request signal to terminals other than the first handset 22A. Controls the short-range wireless communication unit 220. As a result, the second activation request signal is transmitted to the third slave unit A22C to the fifth slave unit 22E and the master unit 21.

  The second activation request signal of the third embodiment is a signal instructing to transmit a beacon to the second child device 22B when the terminal that has received the second activation request signal can directly communicate with the first child device 22A. is there. The beacon of the third embodiment is an example of the second confirmation signal of the present invention. The second confirmation signal of the present invention is not limited to a beacon, and may be any signal that can be received by the second slave unit 22B.

  The second activation request signal also includes information indicating the identifier of the second child device 22B.

  When the second child device 22B transmits the second activation request signal, the third child device 22C and the fourth child device 22D receive the second activation request signal. The third slave unit 22C and the fourth slave unit 22D receive the second activation request signal by intermittent reception, similarly to the first embodiment and the second embodiment. On the other hand, the parent device 21 and the fifth child device 22E do not receive the second activation request signal. Therefore, the parent device 21 and the fifth child device 22E do not transmit a beacon to the second child device 22B.

  The third child device 22C can directly communicate with the first child device 22A. Accordingly, in step S205, upon receiving the second activation request signal, the third slave device 22C transmits a beacon including the identifier of the third slave device 22C to the second slave device 22B. As a result, the second handset 22B receives the beacon from the third handset 22C.

  On the other hand, the fourth child device 22D cannot directly communicate with the first child device 22A. Therefore, the fourth slave unit 22D does not transmit a beacon to the second slave unit 22B even when receiving the second activation request signal. As a result, the second handset 22B does not receive the beacon from the fourth handset 22D.

  In the third embodiment, each of the third slave unit 22C and the fourth slave unit 22D is, for example, the first confirmation process described in the first embodiment or the second embodiment, or the first slave unit in the past. By performing the radio field intensity measurement on 22A, it is previously recognized whether or not it is possible to directly communicate with the first slave unit 22A. Therefore, when each of the third slave unit 22C and the fourth slave unit 22D receives the second activation request signal from the second slave unit 22B, it determines whether or not to transmit a beacon to the second slave unit 22B. it can.

  In step S206, the control unit 225 of the second child device 22B determines that the terminal that has transmitted the beacon to the second child device 22B is a detour terminal. In the third embodiment, the control unit 225 of the second child device 22B determines that the third child device 22C is a detour terminal. Therefore, the control unit 225 of the second child device 22B can confirm the detour terminal by performing the processing shown in step S204 and step S205.

  The control unit 225 of the second handset 22B stores the identifier of the third handset 22C in the storage unit 224 of the second handset 22B as the detour terminal identifier.

  In step S207, the display unit 222 of the second child device 22B displays the result of the second confirmation processing performed in steps S200 to S206. The display unit 222 of the second handset 22B displays, for example, the measurement result of the intensity of the radio wave received by the second handset 22B in step S203 and the number of bypass terminals confirmed by the second handset 22B in step S206. indicate. The worker can recognize the result of the second confirmation processing by confirming the display unit 222 of the second child device 22B.

  When the process shown in step S207 ends, the process ends.

  As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 9, in the second handset 22B, the short-range wireless communication unit 220 sends a second activation request to a terminal other than the first handset 22A among other terminals. The control unit 225 controls the short-range wireless communication unit 220 to transmit a signal. The terminal that has received the second activation request signal transmits a beacon to the second child device 22B. Therefore, the second handset 22B can recognize the terminal that has transmitted the beacon addressed to the second handset 22B as a detour terminal for the detour communication with the first handset 22A. As a result, the second handset 22B can recognize the detour terminal in advance in case the communication situation when directly communicating with the first handset 22A deteriorates.

[Fourth embodiment]
Next, a telemeter system 100 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The fourth embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that, after the second confirmation processing shown in steps S200 to S206 is completed, the second child device 22B performs the frame determination.

  The framing determination of the fourth embodiment indicates that it is determined whether or not the second child device 22B and the first child device 22A are to be framed. Marriage indicates authentication as a communication partner. Hereinafter, points different from the third embodiment will be mainly described.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure in which the second child device 22B makes a frame determination.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the second confirmation processing shown in steps S200 to S206 ends, the processing shifts to step S208.

  In step S208, the second child device 22B performs the framing determination based on the result of the second confirmation process.

  FIG. 11 is a table showing conditions for establishing an association between the second child device 22B and the first child device 22A in the association determination.

  FIG. 11 shows the first framing condition Y1 to the tenth framing condition Y10. Each of the first framing condition Y1 to the tenth framing condition Y10 is an example of a condition for establishing a fringe between the second child device 22B and the first child device 22A (a condition for edge composition).

  FIG. 11 shows the first combination condition X1 to the fifth combination condition X5. The first combination condition X1 to the fifth combination condition X5 indicate conditions constituting the first framing condition Y1 to the tenth framing condition Y10.

  Satisfaction of the first combination condition X1 (“direct route, present”) indicates that the second handset 22B has received the information indicating the measurement result of the radio wave intensity from the first handset 22A in step S203. In other words, satisfying the first combination condition X1 indicates that the second slave unit 22B has been able to directly communicate with the first slave unit 22A. On the other hand, when the second slave unit 22B cannot directly communicate with the first slave unit 22A, the first combination condition X1 is not satisfied.

  Satisfaction of the second combination condition X2 (“detour route, present”) indicates that the second slave unit 22B has received at least one beacon in step S205. In other words, satisfying the second combination condition X2 indicates that at least one bypass terminal exists. On the other hand, when there is no detour terminal, the second combination condition X2 is not satisfied.

  Satisfaction of the third combination condition X3 (“direct route, RSSI”) indicates that the measurement result of the intensity of the radio wave received by the second handset 22B in step S203 is equal to or greater than the first threshold. The first threshold is predetermined. On the other hand, if the measurement result of the radio wave intensity is not equal to or greater than the first threshold, the third combination condition X3 is not satisfied.

  Satisfaction of the fourth combination condition X4 (“detour route, number of terminals”) indicates that the second child device 22B has received beacons from a predetermined number or more of terminals in step S205. In other words, satisfying the fourth combination condition X4 indicates that a predetermined number or more of bypass terminals exist. The predetermined number is predetermined. On the other hand, when there are no more than a predetermined number of bypass terminals, the fourth combination condition X4 is not satisfied.

  Satisfaction of the fifth combination condition X5 (“bypass route, RSSI”) indicates that the bypass radio wave intensity is equal to or greater than the second threshold. The detour radio wave intensity indicates the intensity of the radio wave transmitted from the detour terminal to the first slave unit 22A. The second threshold is predetermined. On the other hand, when the intensity of the bypass radio wave is not equal to or larger than the second threshold, the fifth combination condition X5 is not satisfied.

  The detour radio wave intensity indicates a measurement result obtained when the detour terminal transmitted radio waves to the first slave unit 22A and performed radio wave intensity measurement in the past.

  When the detour terminal transmits a beacon corresponding to the second activation request signal to the second slave unit 22B, it also transmits information indicating the detour radio field intensity. As a result, the second slave unit 22B acquires information indicating the intensity of the detour radio wave.

  Each of the first combination condition X1 and the third combination condition X3 is an example of a condition relating to the measurement result of the radio wave intensity of the present invention. Each of the second combination condition X2, the fourth combination condition X4, and the fifth combination condition X5 is an example of a condition relating to the detour terminal of the present invention.

  In step S208, any one of the first to tenth edge setting conditions Y1 to Y10 is applied as the edge composition condition when the edge determination is performed.

  In FIG. 11, “Δ” indicates a condition adopted in each of the first framing condition Y1 to the tenth framing condition Y10 among the first combination condition X1 to the fifth combination condition X5.

  Hereinafter, the condition applied in step S208 among the first framing condition Y1 to the tenth framing condition Y10 may be described as an application condition.

  When all the combination conditions adopted as the application conditions among the first combination condition X1 to the fifth combination condition X5 are satisfied, in step S208, the control unit 225 of the second child device 22B makes the second child device 22B It is determined that the connection with the first slave unit 22A is established. For example, in a case where the application condition is the fourth combination condition Y4, when all the combination conditions of the first combination condition X1 to the third combination condition X3 are satisfied, in step S208, the control unit 225 of the second child device 22B performs It is determined that the connection between the second slave unit 22B and the first slave unit 22A is established.

  If all of the combination conditions adopted as the application conditions among the first combination condition X1 to the fifth combination condition X5 are not satisfied, in step S208, the control unit 225 of the second child device 22B makes the second child device 22B It is determined that the connection with the first slave unit 22A is not established.

  When the control unit 225 of the second slave unit 22B performs the edge determination, it is possible to introduce the concept of the edge used in the cascade type wireless network into the mesh type wireless network N2 as in the fourth embodiment. it can. A cascade-type wireless network is a wireless network that uniquely determines a communication partner.

  The embodiment of the invention has been described with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 11). However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention (for example, (1)). Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. In the drawings, each component is schematically shown mainly for easy understanding, and the number of each component shown may be different from the actual one for convenience of drawing. The components shown in the above embodiments are merely examples and are not particularly limited, and various changes can be made without substantially departing from the effects of the present invention.

  (1) The second slave unit 22B may perform both the processing shown in the first embodiment and the processing shown in the second embodiment. Further, the second slave unit 22B may perform one of the processing described in the first embodiment and the processing described in the second embodiment. The process shown in the first embodiment is a process in which the second child device 22B periodically transmits the first activation request signal. The process described in the second embodiment indicates a process in which the second child device 22B transmits a first activation request signal when the operation unit 223 of the second child device 22B receives an instruction to transmit a first activation request signal. .

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used in the fields of an information terminal, a communication system, and a terminal control method.

22A First child unit (specific terminal)
22B Second child unit (information terminal)
22C Third child unit (terminal for bypass)
100 Telemeter system (communication system)
220 Narrow area wireless communication unit (communication unit)
222 display unit 223 operation unit 225 control unit N2 mesh type wireless network

Claims (10)

An information terminal which is one of a plurality of terminals provided in the communication system,
A communication unit that transmits a first activation request signal to another terminal that is a terminal other than the information terminal among the plurality of terminals;
And a control unit for controlling the communication unit,
The other terminal can receive the first activation request signal by intermittent reception, and upon receiving the first activation request signal, transmits a first confirmation signal to the information terminal,
The control unit controls the communication unit so that the communication unit periodically transmits the first activation request signal to the other terminal, and / or an operation unit included in the information terminal includes An information terminal, wherein the control unit controls the communication unit such that the communication unit transmits the first activation request signal to the another terminal when receiving a transmission instruction of the first activation request signal.   The time length in which the communication unit transmits the first activation request signal is longer than the time length in which the first activation request signal can be received when the other terminal performs intermittent reception. Item 2. The information terminal according to item 1.   The information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines that the terminal that has transmitted the first confirmation signal to the information terminal is a terminal that can directly communicate with the information terminal. The information terminal transmits a radio wave to a specific terminal among the other terminals, thereby acquiring information indicating a measurement result of the radio wave intensity,
After the information terminal obtains the information indicating the measurement result, the control unit transmits the second activation request signal to a terminal other than the specific terminal among the other terminals, Controlling the communication unit,
4. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein the terminal that has received the second activation request signal transmits a second confirmation signal to the information terminal when the terminal can directly communicate with the specific terminal. 5. Information terminal.   The control unit determines that the terminal that transmitted the second confirmation signal to the information terminal is a detour terminal that can pass through when the information terminal performs detour communication with the specific terminal. The information terminal according to claim 4.   The information terminal according to claim 5, further comprising a display unit that displays information indicating a measurement result of the intensity of the radio wave and information regarding the detour terminal.   The control unit determines whether or not the information terminal and the specific terminal are associated with each other based on at least one of a condition relating to the measurement result of the radio wave intensity and a condition relating to the detour terminal. The information terminal according to claim 5, wherein   The information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of terminals form a mesh-type wireless network. A communication system comprising a plurality of terminals,
A communication system, wherein the plurality of terminals include the information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 8. A terminal control method for controlling a plurality of terminals provided in a communication system,
For another terminal that is a terminal other than the information terminal of the plurality of terminals, the information terminal includes a step of transmitting a first activation request signal,
The other terminal can receive the first activation request signal by intermittent reception, and upon receiving the first activation request signal, transmits the first confirmation signal to the information terminal,
The information terminal periodically transmits the first activation request signal to the other terminal, and / or the operation unit included in the information terminal receives a transmission instruction of the first activation request signal, and A terminal control method for transmitting the first activation request signal to another terminal.

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