JP5287842B2 - Server device, client device, and communication system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a server device, a client device, and a communication system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, many techniques for allocating vacant channels in a communication system for communication between a server device and a client device have been widely used. For example, a technique related to a radio communication system that allocates a radio channel that is free to each of a fixed radio terminal and a mobile terminal among a plurality of radio channels used in the same service area is disclosed (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-271063

  However, for example, when the above-described technology is applied to a wireless communication system driven by a battery (primary battery, secondary battery, etc.), selection of a wireless channel capable of improving the operation time by the communication system There was a problem that could not be done.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to select a channel capable of improving the operation time of a communication system driven by a battery. Is to provide new technology.

  In order to solve the above problem, according to an aspect of the present invention, a server device in a communication system having a plurality of client devices and a server device, and determining a remaining battery level of each of the plurality of client devices. Therefore, it is possible to identify a client device having a low battery level and a client device having a high battery level and to use the current channel by a client device having a higher battery level than to continuously use the currently used channel. The channel control unit that determines whether or not the client device with less remaining battery power can communicate with the server device with higher communication quality, and the channel control unit, The client device with a small remaining battery capacity can communicate with the server device with higher communication quality. If it is determined, the information for controlling to use the channel currently used by the client device having a high battery level is transmitted to the client device having a low battery level, and the battery A server device comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit information for controlling to use a channel currently used by a client device having a small remaining amount to the client device having a large remaining battery amount. Provided.

  When the channel control unit determines that the client device with a small remaining battery capacity can communicate with the server device with higher communication quality, the transmission unit controls to reduce transmission power. It is good also as transmitting further the information for doing to the said client apparatus with few battery remaining power.

  When the channel control unit determines that the client device with a small remaining battery capacity can communicate with the server device with higher communication quality, the transmission unit controls to reduce transmission power. The information for performing the transmission may be further transmitted to the client device with a small remaining battery level, and the information for controlling to increase the transmission power may be further transmitted to the client device with a large remaining battery level.

  When the channel control unit determines that the client device with a small remaining battery capacity can communicate with the server device with higher communication quality, the channel control unit continues to use the currently used channel. Whether the client device with the remaining battery level communicates with the server device with lower communication quality when the channel currently used by the client device with the lower battery level is used. The transmission unit increases the transmission power when the channel control unit determines that the client device with a large remaining battery level communicates with the server device with lower communication quality. It is also possible to further transmit information for control to the client device with a large remaining battery level.

  The channel control unit, when a client device having a remaining battery level less than a first threshold value is present in the plurality of client devices, identifies the client device as a client device having a low battery level, and sets a second threshold value. If there is a client device with a remaining battery level exceeding 1, the client device may be identified as the client device with the remaining battery level.

  When the channel control unit includes two client devices having a difference value of the remaining battery level larger than the threshold value among the plurality of client devices, the client device having the lower remaining battery level among the two client devices. May be specified as the client device with a low battery level, and the client device with a high battery level may be specified as the client device with a high battery level.

  The channel control unit further determines the usage status of the client device that has been determined that the remaining battery level is low when identifying the client device that has a low remaining battery level, and determines the client device based on the usage status. It may be determined whether or not the client device is identified as having a small remaining amount.

  The server device further includes a storage unit that stores communication quality between each of the plurality of client devices and the server device for each channel, and the channel control unit stores the communication quality stored in the storage unit. Based on the above, the client device with the low battery level is higher when the channel currently used by the client device with a high battery level is used than when the channel with the current battery level is used continuously It may be determined whether or not communication with the server device can be performed based on communication quality.

  The server device further includes a storage unit that stores use channel information that is information for identifying a channel currently used by each of the plurality of client devices, and the channel control unit is configured to store the channel information using the storage unit. Based on the stored usage channel information, it is better to use the channel currently used by the client device with a higher battery level than to continue using the channel currently being used. It may be determined whether a client device with a small amount can communicate with the server device with higher communication quality.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a client device in a communication system having a plurality of client devices and a server device, the transmitting unit transmitting the remaining battery level of the own device to the server device, and the plurality of the plurality of client devices. A receiving unit capable of receiving from the server device information for controlling to use a channel currently used by a client device other than the own device among the client devices, and the receiving unit, When information for controlling to use the channel currently used by the other client device is received, channel control is performed to switch to use the channel currently used by the other client device. And a client device.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in a communication system having a plurality of client devices and a server device, each of the plurality of client devices transmits a remaining battery level of the own device to the server device. A receiving unit capable of receiving from the server device information for controlling to use a channel currently used by a client device other than the client device among the plurality of client devices; and When the receiving unit receives information for controlling to use the channel currently used by the other client device, the receiving unit switches to use the channel currently used by the other client device. A channel control unit that performs the transmission, and the server device is transmitted from each of the plurality of client devices. By determining the remaining battery level, it is possible to identify a client device with a low battery level and a client device with a high level of battery level, and to continue using the currently used channel. A channel control unit that determines whether or not a client device with less remaining battery power can communicate with the server device with higher communication quality by using a channel that is currently used by many client devices; When the channel control unit determines that the client device with the low battery level can communicate with the server device with higher communication quality, it is currently used by the client device with the high battery level. Information to control to use the current channel is sent to the client device with low battery level A transmission unit that, characterized in that it comprises a communication system is provided.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to select a channel that can improve the operation time of a wireless communication system driven by a battery.

1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the function structure of the server apparatus which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a figure which shows the function structure of the client apparatus which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the quality measurement control packet transmitted by the server apparatus based on the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the quality measurement response packet transmitted by the client apparatus concerning the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the battery remaining charge confirmation control packet transmitted by the server apparatus which concerns on the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the battery remaining charge confirmation response packet transmitted by the client apparatus which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the transmission power control packet transmitted by the server apparatus based on the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the transmission power response packet transmitted by the client apparatus concerning the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the 1st data packet transmitted by the server apparatus based on the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the 2nd data packet transmitted by the client apparatus concerning the embodiment. It is the figure which simplified the block diagram of the communication system which concerns on the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the communication quality management information managed by the server apparatus which concerns on the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the apparatus management information (initial state) managed by the server apparatus which concerns on the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the apparatus management information (after battery remaining charge update) managed by the server apparatus which concerns on the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the apparatus management information (after transmission power update) managed by the server apparatus which concerns on the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the apparatus management information (after utilization channel information update) managed by the server apparatus which concerns on the embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the flow of a process which registers communication quality management information by the communication system which concerns on the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the utilization channel specific process shown in FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows the flow of the process which changes a utilization channel by the communication system which concerns on the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the change process shown in FIG.

  Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in this specification and drawing, about the component which has the substantially same function structure, duplication description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

  First, a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the communication system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a server device 100 and a plurality of client devices 200. The server apparatus 100 can communicate with each of the plurality of client apparatuses 200 using a wireless signal (hereinafter also simply referred to as “channel”) using a wireless signal. Here, FIG. 1 shows a plurality of client devices 200 as client devices 200A to 200N, but the number of client devices 200 is not particularly limited as long as it is a plurality.

  In addition, the communication system 10 includes one server device 100, but may include a plurality of server devices 100. In that case, each of the plurality of client devices 200 may be able to communicate with the plurality of server devices 100. Further, communication may be possible between the client devices 200 (for example, between the client device 200A and the client device 200B).

  Here, in particular, a case will be described in which server device 100 functions as an AP (Access Point) in a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), and each of a plurality of client devices 200 functions as an ST (Station Terminal) in the wireless LAN. The network through which the server apparatus 100 and the plurality of client apparatuses 200 can communicate is not particularly limited.

  The server apparatus 100 selects a channel used by each of the plurality of client apparatuses 200 for each client apparatus 200, and transmits information for identifying the selected channel to each of the plurality of client apparatuses 200 as use channel information. Each of the plurality of client devices 200 can receive usage channel information transmitted from the server device 100 and communicate with the server device 100 using a channel identified by the received usage channel information.

  Next, the functional configuration of the server apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the server apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The server device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes at least a channel control unit 122 and a transmission unit 130. In addition, the server apparatus 100 includes a receiving unit 110, a transmission / reception control unit 121, an external interface 140, a storage unit 150, a power supply 160, and the like as necessary. The control unit 120 includes a transmission / reception control unit 121 and a channel control unit 122.

  The channel control unit 122 has a function of identifying a client device 200 with a low battery level and a client device 200 with a high battery level by determining the remaining battery level of each of the plurality of client devices 200. . Subsequently, the channel control unit 122 uses a channel that is currently used by the client device 200 with a large remaining battery capacity rather than continuously using a channel that is currently being used. It is determined whether or not the device 200 can communicate with the server device 100 with higher communication quality.

  For example, when the channel control unit 122 determines that the client device 200 with a small remaining battery capacity can communicate with the server device 100 with higher communication quality, the transmission unit 130 receives the following information: It has the function to transmit. That is, in such a case, the transmission unit 130 transmits information for controlling to use the channel currently used by the client device 200 with a large remaining battery level to the client device 200 with a small remaining battery level. . In addition, the transmission unit 130 transmits information for controlling to use the channel currently used by the client device 200 with a low battery level to the client device 200 with a high battery level. For example, the transmission unit 130 can modulate the packet given from the transmission / reception control unit 121 and transmit the modulated packet as a radio wave in the air.

  If the server device 100 includes the channel control unit 122 and the transmission unit 130 described above, the server device 100 can improve the operation time of the client device 200 driven by a battery. Channel selection can be performed.

  The receiving unit 110 can receive the remaining battery level of each of the plurality of client devices 200. In that case, the channel control unit 122 can determine the remaining battery level of each of the plurality of client devices 200 received by the receiving unit 110. The remaining battery level of each of the plurality of client devices 200 is received by, for example, a remaining battery level confirmation response packet as a response to the remaining battery level confirmation control packet transmitted from the server device 100. The configuration of the remaining battery level confirmation control packet will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. The configuration of the remaining battery level confirmation response packet will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. For example, the receiving unit 110 can demodulate a radio wave received from the air and output the demodulated signal to the transmission / reception control unit 121 as a packet.

  The battery remaining amount confirmation control packet is generated by the transmission / reception control unit 121 based on a battery remaining amount confirmation instruction from the channel control unit 122, for example. The battery remaining amount confirmation instruction from the channel control unit 122 is given to the transmission / reception control unit 121 at every predetermined timing, for example, but the timing at which the battery remaining amount confirmation instruction from the channel control unit 122 is given is particularly limited. It is not a thing.

  For example, when the battery remaining amount confirmation response packet is received by the receiving unit 110 and output to the transmission / reception control unit 121, information (for example, packet type, transmission source address, destination) included in the battery remaining amount confirmation response packet is output. Address, remaining battery power, etc.) are output to the channel controller 122 by the transmission / reception controller 121. For example, the channel control unit 122 can recognize that the information included in the battery remaining amount confirmation response packet is output from the transmission / reception control unit 121 by the packet type, and is included in the battery remaining amount confirmation response packet. The remaining battery level of each of the plurality of client devices 200 can be acquired based on the transmission source address and the remaining battery level.

  The channel control unit 122 stores the combination of the transmission source address and the remaining battery level included in the remaining battery level confirmation response packet as a combination of the client device identification information and the remaining battery level in the storage unit 150. It can also be set in the device management information 152. In this way, the channel control unit 122 can grasp the remaining battery level for each client device 200 by referring to the device management information 152. The configuration of the device management information 152 will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS.

  Various methods are conceivable for the channel control unit 122 to identify the client device 200 with a low battery level and the client device 200 with a high battery level. For example, when the client device 200 having a remaining battery level less than the first threshold is present in the plurality of client devices 200, the channel control unit 122 identifies the client device 200 as a client device 200 having a low remaining battery level. be able to. In addition, when there is a client device 200 having a remaining battery level exceeding the second threshold, the channel control unit 122 can identify the client device 200 as a client device 200 having a large remaining battery level. As the first threshold value and the second threshold value, for example, those stored in advance in the storage unit 150 can be used.

  Further, for example, when there are two client devices 200 having a difference value of the remaining battery level that is larger than the threshold value among the plurality of client devices 200, the channel control unit 122 has the remaining battery power among the two client devices 200. The client device 200 with a small amount can be identified as a client device with a low battery level. Further, the channel control unit 122 can identify the client device 200 having a large remaining battery level as the client device 200 having a large remaining battery level. As the threshold value, for example, a threshold value stored in advance in the storage unit 150 can be used. The method by which the channel control unit 122 identifies the client device 200 with a low battery level and the client device 200 with a high battery level is not limited to these methods.

  Further, for example, when specifying the client device 200 with a low battery level, the channel control unit 122 further determines the usage status of the client device 200 that is determined to have a low battery level, and based on the usage status, the client device 200 It may be determined whether or not the device 200 is identified as the client device 200 with a low battery level. For example, when the client device 200 that has been determined that the remaining battery level is low is not frequently used, the channel control unit 122 may not identify the client device 200 as the client device 200 that has a low remaining battery level. For example, when the client device 200 that is determined to have a low battery level is often used, the channel control unit 122 may identify the client device 200 as a client device 200 with a low battery level.

  The channel control unit 122 may determine that the client device 200 is not being used much when the value indicating the usage status of the client device 200 is smaller than the threshold value. Further, the channel control unit 122 may determine that the client device 200 is often used when the value indicating the usage status of the client device 200 is larger than the threshold value. For example, if a packet in which a value indicating the usage status is set is transmitted from the client device 200 to the server device 100, the server device 100 can use the value set in the packet as a value indicating the usage status. . The packet may be periodically transmitted from the client apparatus 200 to the server apparatus 100, or may be transmitted from the client apparatus 200 to the server apparatus 100 in response to a request from the server apparatus 100. Further, the value indicating the usage status may be included in the remaining battery level confirmation response packet.

  The value indicating the usage status of the client device 200 may be, for example, the time when the client device 200 is used or the number of times the client device 200 is used. The time that the client device 200 is used may be, for example, the time that the client device 200 is activated, and the number of times that the client device 200 is used may be, for example, the number of times that the client device 200 is activated. . A value indicating the usage status of the client device 200 is counted by the control unit 220 and stored in the storage unit 250, acquired by the control unit 220 as necessary, and transmitted to the client device 200 via the transmission unit 230. Is done.

  The storage unit 150 can store the communication quality between each of the plurality of client devices 200 and the server device 100 for each channel. For example, the storage unit 150 can store, as communication quality management information 151, a combination of client identification information, which is identification information for identifying each of the plurality of client devices 200, and communication quality for each channel. is there. The configuration of the communication quality management information 151 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. As described above, if the storage unit 150 stores the communication quality management information 151, the channel control unit 122 continues the currently used channel based on the communication quality stored in the storage unit 150. Is it possible for the client device 200 with a small remaining battery amount to communicate with the server device 100 with higher communication quality by using a channel that is currently used by the client device 200 with a large remaining battery amount than when using it? It can be determined whether or not.

  The communication quality between each of the plurality of client devices 200 and the server device 100 can be acquired by a quality measurement response packet as a response to the quality measurement control packet transmitted from the server device 100, for example. The configuration of the quality measurement control packet will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. The configuration of the quality measurement response packet will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.

  The quality measurement control packet is generated by the transmission / reception control unit 121 based on a quality measurement instruction from the channel control unit 122, for example. For example, the quality measurement instruction from the channel control unit 122 is given to the transmission / reception control unit 121 before the communication system 10 is operated, but the timing at which the quality measurement instruction from the channel control unit 122 is given is not particularly limited. Absent. For example, the quality measurement instruction from the channel control unit 122 may be given to the transmission / reception control unit 121 at every predetermined timing.

  For example, when the quality measurement response packet is received by the reception unit 110 and output to the transmission / reception control unit 121, information (for example, packet type, transmission source address, destination address, etc.) included in the quality measurement response packet is included. The data is output to the channel controller 122 by the transmission / reception controller 121. For example, the channel control unit 122 can recognize that the information included in the quality measurement response packet is output from the transmission / reception control unit 121 based on the packet type, and the transmission source included in the quality measurement response packet. The client device 200 that is the transmission source of the quality measurement response packet received by the receiving unit 110 can be specified by the address.

  The channel control unit 122 can specify the client device 200 that is the transmission source of the quality measurement response packet received by the reception unit 110, based on the transmission source address included in the quality measurement response packet. For example, if the reception power when the quality measurement response packet is received by the reception unit 110 can be measured, the channel control unit 122 can acquire a value corresponding to the reception power as the communication quality. For example, the higher the received power, the higher the communication quality. For example, if the rate at which reception of the quality measurement response packet is failed by the receiving unit 110 can be measured as the error occurrence rate, the channel control unit 122 can acquire a value corresponding to the error occurrence rate as the communication quality. For example, the higher the error rate, the lower the communication quality.

  The storage unit 150 can store use channel information that is information for identifying a channel currently used by each of the plurality of client devices 200. For example, the storage unit 150 can store, as device management information 152, a combination of client identification information that is identification information for identifying each of the plurality of client devices 200 and usage channel information. Thus, if the storage unit 150 stores the device management information 152, the channel control unit 122 continues the currently used channel based on the used channel information stored in the storage unit 150. Is it possible for the client device 200 with a small remaining battery amount to communicate with the server device 100 with higher communication quality by using a channel that is currently used by the client device 200 with a large remaining battery amount than when using it? It can be determined whether or not.

  Further, when the usage channel is switched as described above, the communication quality of the client device 200 with a small remaining battery capacity is improved. Therefore, the server apparatus 100 can suppress battery consumption by reducing the power used when a packet is transmitted from the client apparatus 200 with a small remaining battery capacity. In addition, the communication quality of the client device 200 with a large remaining battery capacity may deteriorate. Therefore, since it is assumed that there is sufficient remaining battery power in the client device 200 with a large remaining battery level, the server device 100 is used when a packet is transmitted from the client device 200 with a large remaining battery level. The decrease in communication quality of the client device 200 with a large remaining battery capacity may be suppressed by increasing the power that is generated. At the same time, the server apparatus 100 can suppress battery consumption by reducing the power used when a packet is transmitted from the client apparatus 200 with a small remaining battery capacity.

  More specifically, it is assumed that the channel control unit 122 determines that the client device 200 with a small remaining battery capacity can communicate with the server device 100 with higher communication quality. In that case, the transmission unit 130 may transmit information for controlling the transmission power to be lowered to the client device 200 with a low remaining battery level. Thereby, the server apparatus 100 can suppress battery consumption by reducing the power used when a packet is transmitted from the client apparatus 200 with a small remaining battery capacity.

  When the channel control unit 122 determines that the client device 200 with a small remaining battery capacity can communicate with the server device 100 with higher communication quality, the transmission unit 130 reduces the transmission power. The information for controlling to be further transmitted to the client device 200 with a small remaining battery level, and the information for controlling to increase the transmission power may be further transmitted to the client device 200 with a large remaining battery level. Thereby, the server apparatus 100 can suppress the deterioration of the communication quality of the client apparatus 200 with a large remaining battery level.

  In addition, when the channel control unit 122 determines that the client device 200 with a small remaining battery capacity can communicate with the server device 100 with higher communication quality, the channel control unit 122 continues to use the currently used channel. Rather than using the channel currently used by the client device 200 with a low battery level, whether or not the client device 200 with a high battery level communicates with the server device 100 with lower communication quality. It may be judged. When the channel control unit 122 determines that the client device 200 with a large remaining battery level is to communicate with the server device 100 with lower communication quality, the transmission unit 130 controls to increase the transmission power. Information may be further transmitted to the client device 200 with a large remaining battery level.

  Thereby, the server apparatus 100 can suppress more reliably the fall of the communication quality of the client apparatus 200 with much battery remaining charge. Of course, the transmission unit 130 determines that the channel control unit 122 determines that the client device 200 with a large remaining battery level cannot communicate with the server device 100 with lower communication quality. Therefore, it is not necessary to transmit information for controlling to increase the transmission power to the client device 200 having a large remaining battery level. Information for controlling the transmission power to be lowered can be transmitted by a transmission power control packet, for example. The configuration of the transmission power control packet will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. The response to the transmission power control packet is received by the receiving unit 110 as a transmission power response packet, for example. The configuration of the transmission power response packet will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.

  The transmission power control packet is generated by the transmission / reception control unit 121 based on a transmission power control instruction from the channel control unit 122, for example. The transmission power control instruction from the channel control unit 122 is given to the transmission / reception control unit 121 when, for example, it is necessary to change the transmission power, but the timing at which the transmission power control instruction from the channel control unit 122 is given is It is not particularly limited.

  For example, when the transmission power response packet is received by the reception unit 110 and output to the transmission / reception control unit 121, information (for example, packet type, transmission source address, destination address, etc.) included in the transmission power response packet is included. The data is output to the channel controller 122 by the transmission / reception controller 121. For example, the channel control unit 122 can grasp that the information included in the transmission power response packet is output from the transmission / reception control unit 121 by the packet type, and the transmission source included in the transmission power response packet. The client device 200 that is the transmission source of the transmission power response packet received by the reception unit 110 can be specified by the address.

  The channel control unit 122 can specify the client device 200 that is the transmission source of the transmission power response packet received by the reception unit 110, based on the transmission source address included in the transmission power response packet. For example, the channel control unit 122 uses the transmission power after the change of the client device 200 that is the transmission source of the identified transmission power response packet, in the client device 200 that is the transmission source of the transmission power response packet that is set in the device management information 152 The transmission power can be updated.

  In addition, the transmission unit 130 can transmit the first data packet to each of the plurality of client devices 200. The configuration of the first data packet will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. The first data packet is generated by the transmission / reception control unit 121 based on a packet transmission instruction from the external interface 140, for example. The packet transmission instruction from the external interface 140 is given to the transmission / reception control unit 121 when a predetermined signal is input from the external device 300 to the external interface 140, for example, but the timing at which the predetermined signal from the external interface 140 is given Is not particularly limited.

  The external device 300 is configured by, for example, a PC (Personal Computer), a sensor, or the like, and has a function of detecting some signal from the outside, for example. When the server device 100 is incorporated in a device corresponding to, for example, ATM (Automated Teller Machine), the external device 300 has a function of detecting, for example, banknotes and coins received from a customer. In that case, the external device 300 gives a predetermined signal to the transmission / reception control unit 121 via the external interface 140 every time the detected banknote or coin is detected. The transmission / reception control unit 121 includes data based on a predetermined signal in the first data packet, and transmits the data to the client device 200 via the transmission unit 130. The client device 200 that has received the first data packet can perform, for example, a process of updating the customer balance based on this data, a depositing process of cash, or the like.

  For example, when the second data packet is received by the receiving unit 110 and output to the transmission / reception control unit 121, information included in the second data packet (for example, packet type, transmission source address, destination address, data, etc.) ) Is acquired by the transmission / reception control unit 121. For example, the transmission / reception control unit 121 can recognize that the information included in the second data packet has been acquired based on the packet type, and perform predetermined processing on the data included in the second data packet. Can be executed. The transmission / reception control unit 121 can also output a result obtained by executing a predetermined process to the external device 300.

  The power supply 160 has a function of supplying power to each block in the server device 100. The power supply 160 may be constituted by a battery, and may be able to acquire power from another device.

  Next, the functional configuration of the client apparatus 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the client device 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The client device 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes at least a transmission unit 230, a reception unit 210, and a channel control unit 222. In addition, the client device 200 includes a transmission / reception control unit 221, an external interface 240, a storage unit 250, a battery 260, a battery remaining amount confirmation unit 270, and the like as necessary. The control unit 220 includes a transmission / reception control unit 221 and a channel control unit 222. The battery 260 has a function of supplying power to each block in the client device 200, and may be a primary battery, a secondary battery, or a fuel cell.

  The transmission unit 230 has a function of transmitting the remaining amount of the battery 260 of the own device to the server device 100. For example, the transmission unit 230 can modulate the packet given from the transmission / reception control unit 221 and transmit the modulated packet as a radio wave in the air. The transmission unit 230 can use, for example, the one acquired by the battery remaining amount confirmation unit 270 as the remaining amount of the battery 260 of the own device. The remaining amount of the battery 260 acquired by the remaining battery amount confirmation unit 270 can be stored in the storage unit 250 as the remaining battery amount 251, for example. In this way, the remaining battery level 251 can be acquired from the storage unit 250 as necessary. The remaining amount of the battery 260 of the own device is transmitted by, for example, a remaining battery amount confirmation response packet as a response to the remaining battery amount confirmation control packet transmitted from the server device 100.

  The battery remaining amount confirmation response packet is generated by the transmission / reception control unit 221 every time the receiving unit 210 receives the battery remaining amount confirmation control packet, for example. For example, when the battery remaining amount confirmation control packet is received by the receiving unit 210 and output to the transmission / reception control unit 221, information (for example, packet type, transmission source address, destination) included in the battery remaining amount confirmation control packet is output. Address, etc.) is output to the channel controller 222 by the transmission / reception controller 221. For example, the channel control unit 222 can recognize that the information included in the battery remaining amount confirmation control packet is output from the transmission / reception control unit 221 based on the packet type, and is included in the battery remaining amount confirmation control packet. The return address of the remaining battery level can be acquired from the source address. For example, the channel control unit 222 can acquire the remaining battery level 251 from the storage unit 250 and output it to the transmission / reception control unit 221.

  The transmission / reception control unit 221 can generate a remaining battery level confirmation response packet including the remaining battery level 251 output from the channel control unit 222, and can output the generated remaining battery level confirmation response packet to the transmission unit 230. The transmission unit 230 can transmit the remaining battery level confirmation response packet output from the transmission / reception control unit 221 to the destination server device 100.

  The receiving unit 210 can receive, from the server device 100, information for controlling to use a channel currently used by a client device 200 other than the own device among the plurality of client devices 200. . Here, for example, when the own device is the client device 200A, the client devices 200 other than the own device correspond to the client devices 200B to 200N. For example, the receiving unit 210 can demodulate radio waves received from the air and output them to the transmission / reception control unit 221 as packets.

  When the receiving unit 210 receives information for controlling to use the channel currently used by the other client device 200, the channel control unit 222 is currently used by the other client device 200. It has a function of switching so as to use a channel. For example, the channel control unit 222 can store information for identifying a currently used channel in the storage unit 250 as a used channel. By doing so, referring to the use channel stored in the storage unit 250, communication using the channel identified by this use channel can be made possible.

  If the client device 200 includes the transmission unit 230, the reception unit 210, and the channel control unit 222 described above, the server device 100 can reduce the operation time of the client device 200 driven by a battery. It is possible to select a channel that can be improved.

  The transmission / reception control unit 221 can also generate a quality measurement response packet. The quality measurement response packet is generated by the transmission / reception control unit 221 each time a quality measurement control packet is received by the reception unit 210, for example. For example, when the quality measurement control packet is received by the reception unit 210 and output to the transmission / reception control unit 221, information included in the quality measurement control packet (for example, packet type, transmission source address, destination address, wireless channel) (Number etc.) is output to the channel controller 222 by the transmission / reception controller 221.

  For example, the channel control unit 222 can grasp that the information included in the quality measurement control packet is output from the transmission / reception control unit 221 based on the packet type, and the transmission source included in the quality measurement control packet. A reply destination of communication quality can be acquired from the address. Further, the channel control unit 222 can grasp the channel used for returning the communication quality based on the wireless channel number.

  The transmission / reception control unit 221 can generate a quality measurement response packet and output the generated quality measurement response packet to the transmission unit 230. The transmission unit 230 can transmit the quality measurement response packet output from the transmission / reception control unit 221 to the destination server device 100 using the channel recognized by the channel control unit 222.

  The transmission / reception control unit 221 can also generate a transmission power response packet. The transmission power response packet is generated by the transmission / reception control unit 221 every time a transmission power control packet is received by the reception unit 210, for example. For example, when the transmission power control packet is received by the reception unit 210 and output to the transmission / reception control unit 221, information included in the transmission power control packet (for example, packet type, transmission source address, destination address, transmission power) Are transmitted to the channel controller 222 by the transmission / reception controller 221.

  For example, the channel control unit 222 can grasp that the information included in the transmission power control packet is output from the transmission / reception control unit 221 based on the packet type, and the transmission source included in the transmission power control packet. The return destination of the transmission power response packet can be acquired from the address. Further, the channel control unit 222 can grasp whether the power used for transmitting the packet needs to be increased or decreased based on the transmission power included in the transmission power control packet. The channel control unit 222 can store the transmission power included in the transmission power control packet in the storage unit 250.

  The transmission / reception control unit 221 can generate a transmission power response packet and output the generated transmission power response packet to the transmission unit 230. The transmission unit 230 can transmit the transmission power response packet output from the transmission / reception control unit 221 to the destination server device 100.

  In addition, the transmission unit 230 can transmit the second data packet to the server device 100. At that time, the second data packet is transmitted using the transmission power stored in the storage unit 250. The configuration of the second data packet will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. For example, the second data packet is generated by the transmission / reception control unit 221 based on a packet transmission instruction from the external interface 240. The packet transmission instruction from the external interface 240 is given to the transmission / reception control unit 221 when a predetermined signal is input from the external device 400 to the external interface 240, for example, and the timing at which the predetermined signal from the external interface 240 is given Is not particularly limited.

  The external device 400 is configured by, for example, a PC or a sensor, and has a function of detecting some signal from the outside, for example. For example, when the client device 200 is incorporated in a device corresponding to ATM, the external device 400 has a function of detecting, for example, banknotes and coins dispensed by a customer. In that case, the external device 400 gives a predetermined signal to the transmission / reception control unit 221 via the external interface 240 every time a detected banknote or coin is detected. The transmission / reception control unit 221 includes data based on a predetermined signal in the second data packet and transmits the data to the server device 100 via the transmission unit 230. The server apparatus 100 that has received the second data packet can perform, for example, a process of updating the customer balance based on this data, a cash withdrawal process, or the like.

  For example, when the first data packet is received by the receiving unit 210 and output to the transmission / reception control unit 221, information included in the first data packet (for example, packet type, transmission source address, destination address, data, etc.) ) Is acquired by the transmission / reception control unit 221. The transmission / reception control unit 221 can grasp that the information included in the first data packet has been acquired based on, for example, the packet type, and perform predetermined processing on the data included in the first data packet. Can be executed. The transmission / reception control unit 221 can also output a result obtained by executing a predetermined process to the external device 400.

  Next, the configuration of the quality measurement control packet transmitted by the server apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a quality measurement control packet transmitted by the server apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the quality measurement control packet transmitted to the client apparatus 200 by the server apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is based on the control field, packet type, transmission source address, destination address, radio channel number, and the like. Composed. The control field corresponds to various control information used for communication between the server device 100 and the client device 200. The packet type corresponds to information for identifying the quality measurement control packet. As the packet type of the quality measurement control packet, for example, “1” can be used, but it is not particularly limited.

  The transmission source address corresponds to an address for identifying the transmission source device of the quality measurement control packet. As the source address of the quality measurement control packet, for example, the address of the server device 100 can be used. The destination address corresponds to an address for identifying the destination device of the quality measurement control packet. As the destination address of the quality measurement control packet, for example, the address of the client device 200 that is the destination of the quality measurement control packet can be used.

  The wireless channel number corresponds to an example of information for identifying a channel used when a quality measurement response packet is transmitted by the client device 200 that has received the quality measurement control packet. The server device 100 can grasp the quality of communication by the client device 200 using the channel identified by the wireless channel number, based on the quality measurement response packet transmitted from the client device 200 using the wireless channel number. it can.

  Next, the configuration of the quality measurement response packet transmitted by the client device 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a quality measurement response packet transmitted by the client device 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the quality measurement response packet transmitted to the server apparatus 100 by the client apparatus 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a control field, a packet type, a source address, a destination address, and the like. The control field corresponds to various control information used for communication between the server device 100 and the client device 200. The packet type corresponds to information for identifying a quality measurement response packet. As the packet type of the quality measurement response packet, for example, “2” can be used, but it is not particularly limited.

  The transmission source address corresponds to an address for identifying the transmission source device of the quality measurement response packet. As the source address of the quality measurement response packet, for example, the address of the client device 200 can be used. The destination address corresponds to an address for identifying the destination device of the quality measurement response packet. As the destination address of the quality measurement response packet, for example, the address of the server apparatus 100 that is the destination of the quality measurement response packet can be used.

  Next, the configuration of the remaining battery level confirmation control packet transmitted by the server device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a remaining battery level confirmation control packet transmitted by the server apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the remaining battery level confirmation control packet transmitted to the client device 200 by the server device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a control field, a packet type, a source address, a destination address, and the like. The The control field corresponds to various control information used for communication between the server device 100 and the client device 200. The packet type corresponds to information for identifying the battery remaining amount confirmation control packet. As the packet type of the battery remaining amount confirmation control packet, for example, “3” can be used, but it is not particularly limited.

  The transmission source address corresponds to an address for identifying the transmission source device of the battery remaining amount confirmation control packet. For example, the address of the server device 100 can be used as the transmission source address of the battery remaining amount confirmation control packet. The destination address corresponds to an address for identifying the destination device of the remaining battery level confirmation control packet. As the destination address of the remaining battery level confirmation control packet, for example, the address of the client device 200 that is the destination of the remaining battery level confirmation control packet can be used.

  Next, the configuration of the remaining battery level confirmation response packet transmitted by the client device 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a battery remaining amount confirmation response packet transmitted by the client device 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, the battery remaining amount confirmation response packet transmitted to the server device 100 by the client device 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a control field, a packet type, a transmission source address, a destination address, and a remaining battery amount. Etc. The control field corresponds to various control information used for communication between the server device 100 and the client device 200. The packet type corresponds to information for identifying the battery remaining amount confirmation response packet. For example, “4” can be used as the packet type of the battery remaining amount confirmation response packet, but it is not particularly limited.

  The transmission source address corresponds to an address for identifying the transmission source device of the remaining battery level confirmation response packet. For example, the address of the client device 200 can be used as the transmission source address of the battery remaining amount confirmation response packet. The destination address corresponds to an address for identifying the destination device of the remaining battery level confirmation response packet. As the destination address of the remaining battery level confirmation response packet, for example, the address of the server device 100 that is the destination of the remaining battery level confirmation response packet can be used.

  The battery remaining amount corresponds to the remaining amount of the battery 260 of the client device 200 that is the transmission source of the battery remaining amount confirmation response packet. The server device 100 can appropriately change the usage channel of the client device 200 that is the transmission source of the remaining battery level confirmation response packet based on the remaining battery level.

  Next, the configuration of a transmission power control packet transmitted by the server apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a transmission power control packet transmitted by the server apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the transmission power control packet transmitted to the client apparatus 200 by the server apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a control field, a packet type, a transmission source address, a destination address, transmission power, and the like. Is done. The control field corresponds to various control information used for communication between the server device 100 and the client device 200. The packet type corresponds to information for identifying a transmission power control packet. As the packet type of the transmission power control packet, for example, “5” can be used, but is not particularly limited.

  The transmission source address corresponds to an address for identifying the transmission source device of the transmission power control packet. As the source address of the transmission power control packet, for example, the address of the server device 100 can be used. The destination address corresponds to an address for identifying the destination device of the transmission power control packet. As the destination address of the transmission power control packet, for example, the address of the client device 200 that is the destination of the transmission power control packet can be used.

  The transmission power corresponds to information for identifying the power used when transmitting the packet of the client apparatus 200 that is the destination of the transmission power control packet. Based on this transmission power, the client device 200 can appropriately change the power used during packet transmission. The transmission power may be set to the transmission power after the change, may be set to the difference between the transmission power before and after the change, and simply indicates that the transmission power is increased or the transmission power is decreased. Information may be set.

  Next, the configuration of a transmission power response packet transmitted by the client device 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a transmission power response packet transmitted by the client device 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the transmission power response packet transmitted to the server apparatus 100 by the client apparatus 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a control field, a packet type, a source address, a destination address, and the like. The control field corresponds to various control information used for communication between the server device 100 and the client device 200. The packet type corresponds to information for identifying a transmission power response packet. As the packet type of the transmission power response packet, for example, “6” can be used, but it is not particularly limited.

  The transmission source address corresponds to an address for identifying the transmission source device of the transmission power response packet. As the transmission source address of the transmission power response packet, for example, the address of the client device 200 can be used. The destination address corresponds to an address for identifying the destination device of the transmission power response packet. As the destination address of the transmission power response packet, for example, the address of the server apparatus 100 that is the destination of the transmission power response packet can be used.

  Next, the configuration of the first data packet transmitted by the server apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the first data packet transmitted by the server apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As illustrated in FIG. 10, the first data packet transmitted to the client device 200 by the server device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a control field, a packet type, a source address, a destination address, data, and the like. The The control field corresponds to various control information used for communication between the server device 100 and the client device 200. The packet type corresponds to information for identifying the first data packet. As the packet type of the first data packet, for example, “7” can be used, but it is not particularly limited.

  The transmission source address corresponds to an address for identifying the transmission source device of the first data packet. As the source address of the first data packet, for example, the address of the server device 100 can be used. The destination address corresponds to an address for identifying the destination device of the first data packet. As the destination address of the first data packet, for example, the address of the client device 200 that is the destination of the first data packet can be used.

  The data is set by the transmission / reception control unit 121 of the server apparatus 100, for example. The transmission / reception control unit 221 of the client device 200 can execute a predetermined process on this data. This data is mainly used by each application of the server apparatus 100 and the client apparatus 200.

  Next, the configuration of the second data packet transmitted by the client device 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a second data packet transmitted by the client device 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the second data packet transmitted to the server apparatus 100 by the client apparatus 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a control field, a packet type, a transmission source address, a destination address, data, and the like. The The control field corresponds to various control information used for communication between the server device 100 and the client device 200. The packet type corresponds to information for identifying the second data packet. As the packet type of the second data packet, for example, “8” can be used, but it is not particularly limited.

  The transmission source address corresponds to an address for identifying the transmission source device of the second data packet. As the source address of the second data packet, for example, the address of the client device 200 can be used. The destination address corresponds to an address for identifying the destination device of the second data packet. As the destination address of the second data packet, for example, the address of the server device 100 that is the destination of the second data packet can be used.

  The data is set by the transmission / reception control unit 221 of the client device 200, for example. The transmission / reception control unit 121 of the server apparatus 100 can execute a predetermined process on this data. This data is mainly used by each application of the server apparatus 100 and the client apparatus 200.

  FIG. 12 is a simplified diagram of the configuration of the communication system 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the simplified communication system 10 includes client devices 200 </ b> A to 200 </ b> C as examples of the client device 200. In the following, description will be made using FIGS. 13 to 17 with reference to a simplified communication system 10 as shown in FIG.

  First, before the communication system 10 operates, the server apparatus 100 measures the communication quality for each channel of the client apparatus 200. As described above, the communication quality is expressed by a numerical value, for example. Here, for the sake of convenience, the communication quality is indicated by five-stage numerical values “1” to “5”, and “5” indicates that the communication quality is the highest.

  When confirming the communication quality, the server device 100 instructs each of the client devices 200A to 200C to confirm the communication quality. First, the server apparatus 100 transmits a quality measurement control packet to each of the client apparatuses 200A to 200C. Each of the client devices 200 </ b> A to 200 </ b> C that has received the quality measurement control packet returns a quality measurement response packet to the server device 100.

  When the server apparatus 100 receives the quality measurement response packet from each of the client apparatuses 200A to 200C, the server apparatus 100 acquires a value corresponding to the received power when the quality measurement response packet is received as the communication quality of each of the client apparatuses 200A to 200C. To do. Alternatively, when the quality measurement response packet is continuously transmitted from each of the client devices 200 </ b> A to 200 </ b> C to the server device 100, the server device 100 does not receive the quality measurement response packet normally. May be measured as an error occurrence rate, and a value corresponding to the error occurrence rate may be acquired as communication quality.

  When the server device 100 acquires the communication quality of each of the client devices 200A to 200C, the server device 100 can register the acquired communication quality of each of the client devices 200A to 200C in the storage unit 150 for each channel. For example, the server apparatus 100 registers the information in the storage unit 150 as communication quality management information 151A illustrated in FIG.

  Next, the server apparatus 100 selects a channel to be used by each of the client apparatuses 200 </ b> A to 200 </ b> C so that a preferable channel is used in the communication system 10 as a whole. For convenience of explanation, each channel can be used by only one client device 200, but each channel may be used by a plurality of client devices 200.

  Referring to FIG. 13, for example, the client device 200 </ b> C (client device identification information “3”) can obtain higher communication quality by using channel 3 than by using channel 1. However, since the client device 200B (client device identification information “2”) can obtain higher communication quality, the server device 100 selects a channel so that a preferable channel is used in the communication system 10 as a whole. Then, channel 3 is selected as a channel used by client device 200B (client device identification information “2”).

  Assuming that channels 1 to 3 are assigned to each of client devices 200A to 200C in this way, server device 100 assigns channel 2 to client device 200A (client device identification information “1”), and client device 200B. Channel 3 is assigned to (client device identification information “2”), and channel 1 is assigned to client device 200C (client device identification information “3”). At this time, the server apparatus 100 can set the battery remaining amount of each of the client apparatuses 200A to 200C to a maximum value (for example, 100 dBm), for example, as in the apparatus management information 152A illustrated in FIG. The transmission power of each of the client devices 200A to 200C can be set to a predetermined value (for example, 10 dBm).

  Here, it is assumed that the communication system 10 is operated and communication between the server device 100 and each of the client devices 200A to 200C is started. During communication, the server apparatus 100 transmits a battery remaining amount confirmation control packet to each of the client apparatuses 200A to 200C, and each of the client apparatuses 200A to 200C stores the remaining battery capacity stored in the storage unit 250. The amount 251 is acquired, and the battery remaining amount 251 is notified to the server device 100 by a battery remaining amount confirmation response packet. Thereby, the server apparatus 100 can confirm the battery remaining amount of each of the client apparatuses 200A to 200C at predetermined time intervals, for example.

  If the communication is continued, the amount of traffic generated by each of the client devices 200 </ b> A to 200 </ b> C is different. Therefore, it is assumed that the consumption amount of the battery 260 is different for each client device 200 and the battery remaining amount 251 is different for each client device 200. . As in the device management information 152B illustrated in FIG. 15, for example, it is assumed that the remaining battery level 251 of the client device 200C is “30”, which is less than that of the client devices 200A and 200B. For example, it is assumed that it is essential that all of the client devices 200A to 200C operate in order for the communication system 10 to continue operation. In such a case, it is necessary to suppress consumption of the battery 260 of the client device 200C in order to give priority to continuing the operation by the communication system 10.

  Therefore, the server device 100 can suppress the consumption of the battery 260 of the client device 200C by controlling the transmission power of the client device 200C to be lowered. At this time, the server apparatus 100 transmits a transmission power control packet to the client apparatus 200C and instructs the client apparatus 200 to reduce the transmission power. The client device 200C reduces the power used for data transmission and returns a transmission power response packet to the server device 100. When receiving the transmission power response packet from the client apparatus 200C, the server apparatus 100 updates the transmission power, for example, as in the apparatus management information 152C illustrated in FIG.

When the power used by the client device 200C for data transmission is lowered, it is assumed that the communication quality is lowered. Therefore, the server apparatus 100 can suppress a decrease in the communication quality of the client apparatus 200C by assigning a higher communication quality channel to the client apparatus 200C. Referring to the communication quality management information 151A shown in FIG. 1 3, the communication quality of the client device 200C is than when using the channel 1, is higher in case of using the channel 3. Therefore, the server apparatus 100 newly assigns channel 3 to the client apparatus 200C and assigns channel 1 to the client apparatus 200B.

  As a result, the client device 200B uses channel 1, which is a channel with lower communication quality than before, but since the remaining battery level is sufficient, the server device 100 reduces the transmission power of the client device 200B. It can be controlled to raise. By such control, it is possible to suppress a decrease in communication quality of the client device 200B. The state after increasing the transmission power of the client device 200B is, for example, the device management information 152D shown in FIG.

  Next, the flow of processing for registering the communication quality management information 151 by the communication system 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of processing for registering the communication quality management information 151 by the communication system 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 18, first, the server apparatus 100 generates a quality measurement control packet (step S101). The server device 100 transmits the generated packet (quality measurement control packet) to the client devices 200A to 200C (steps S102A to S102C). When each of the client devices 200A to 200C receives the generated packet (quality measurement control packet) from the server device 100 (steps S103A to S103C), the client devices 200A to 200C generate a quality measurement response packet (steps S104A to S104C). Each of the client devices 200A to 200C transmits a generated packet (quality measurement response packet) to the server device 100 (steps S105A to S105C).

  When the server apparatus 100 receives the generated packet (quality measurement response packet) from each of the client apparatuses 200A to 200C (steps S106A to S106C), the client apparatus 200A receives the client based on the quality measurement response packet received from each of the client apparatuses 200A to 200C. The communication quality for each channel of the devices 200A to 200C is calculated, and the communication quality is registered in the storage unit 150 (step S107). The server device 100 specifies a channel that each of the client devices 200A to 200C uses for communication based on the communication quality for each channel (step S108). A method of identifying the use channel by the server apparatus 100 will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

  Next, the details of the method for identifying the use channel shown in FIG. 18 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing details of the use channel specifying process shown in FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 19, first, the channel control unit 122 of the server device 100 refers to the communication quality management information 151 and selects the first channel (step S1081). For example, the channel control unit 122 may refer to the communication quality management information 151 and select the channel 1 as the first channel or the channel 3 as the first channel. When channel 1 is selected as the first channel, the next channel after channel 1 corresponds to channel 2, for example, and the next channel after channel 2 corresponds to channel 3, for example. When channel 3 is selected as the first channel, the next channel after channel 3 corresponds to, for example, channel 2, and the next channel after channel 2 corresponds to, for example, channel 1.

  Subsequently, the channel control unit 122 selects the client device 200 having the highest communication quality of the selected channel (step S1082). For example, when channel 1 is selected as the first channel, channel control unit 122 selects client device 200C (client device identification information “3”) as the client device 200 with the highest communication quality of the selected channel. To do.

  The channel control unit 122 determines whether the use channel of the selected client device 200 has been specified (step S1083). If the channel control unit 122 determines that the use channel of the selected client device 200 has been identified (“Yes” in step S1083), the channel control unit 122 selects the client device 200 with the next highest communication quality of the selected channel. (Step S1084), the process returns to step S1083. If the channel control unit 122 determines that the use channel of the selected client device 200 has not been specified (“No” in step S1083), the channel control unit 122 sets the combination of the identification information of the selected client device 200 and the selected channel, The combination of the client device identification information and the usage channel is registered in the device management information 152 (step S1085).

  Subsequently, the channel control unit 122 determines whether the channel assignment has been completed for each of the client devices 200A to 200C (step S1086). If the channel control unit 122 determines that the channel assignment has not been completed for each of the client devices 200A to 200C (“No” in step S1086), the channel control unit 122 selects the next channel (step S1087). Return to step S1082. If the channel control unit 122 determines that each of the client devices 200 </ b> A to 200 </ b> C has ended (“Yes” in step S <b> 1086), the channel control unit 122 ends the process of specifying the use channel.

  Next, the flow of processing for changing the usage channel by the communication system 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of processing for changing a use channel by the communication system 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 20, first, the server apparatus 100 generates a battery remaining amount confirmation control packet (step S201). The server device 100 transmits a generated packet (battery remaining amount confirmation control packet) to the client devices 200A to 200C (steps S202A to S202C). When each of the client devices 200A to 200C receives the generated packet (battery remaining amount confirmation control packet) from the server device 100 (steps S203A to S203C), each of the client devices 200A to 200C generates a remaining battery amount confirmation response packet (steps S204A to S204C). Each of the client devices 200A to 200C transmits a generated packet (battery remaining amount confirmation response packet) to the server device 100 (steps S205A to S205C).

  When the server apparatus 100 receives the generated packet (battery remaining capacity confirmation response packet) from each of the client apparatuses 200A to 200C (steps S206A to S206C), the server apparatus 100 uses the battery remaining capacity confirmation response packet received from each of the client apparatuses 200A to 200C. The notified remaining battery level is registered in the device management information 152 (step S207). The server device 100 performs change processing (step S208) for changing the channel used by each of the client devices 200A to 200C based on the remaining battery level of each of the client devices 200A to 200C. A method of changing the use channel by the server apparatus 100 will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

  Next, the details of the method for changing the usage channel shown in FIG. 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing details of the changing process shown in FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 21, first, the channel control unit 122 of the server device 100 refers to the device management information 152 to determine whether there is a first client device with a low remaining battery level among the client devices 200A to 200C. It is determined whether or not (step S2081). When the channel control unit 122 determines that there is no first client device with a low remaining battery level among the client devices 200A to 200C (“No” in step S2081), the channel control unit 122 ends the process of changing the use channel. To do. If the channel control unit 122 determines that there is a first client device with a low remaining battery level among the client devices 200A to 200C (“Yes” in step S2081), the channel control unit 122 proceeds to step S2082.

  Subsequently, the channel control unit 122 determines whether or not there is a channel with higher communication quality than the current usage channel for the first client device (step S2082). When the channel control unit 122 refers to the communication quality management information 151 and determines that there is no channel with a communication quality higher than the current use channel for the first client device (“No” in step S2082), the use is performed. Terminates the process of changing the channel. If the channel control unit 122 determines that there is a channel with higher communication quality than the current use channel for the first client device (“Yes” in step S2082), the channel control unit 122 proceeds to step S2083.

  The channel control unit 122 sets the channel (channel having a higher communication quality than the current use channel for the first client device) as the use channel of the first client device (step S2083), and the channel control unit 122 uses the channel. The channel used by the first client device is set as the used channel of the two client devices (step S2084). The channel control unit 122 transmits a transmission power control packet indicating that the transmission power is to be decreased to the first client device via the transmission unit 130 (step S2085), and transmits a transmission power control packet indicating that the transmission power is increased. It transmits to the second client device (step S2086), and the process of changing the use channel ends.

According to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
It is possible to select a channel capable of improving the operation time of a wireless communication system driven by a battery. For example, the power used for data transmission by the client device 200 with a small remaining battery level can be set low in order to save power consumption. However, when the transmission power is set low, it is assumed that the communication quality deteriorates. Therefore, the server device 100 can preferentially assign a channel capable of securing a high quality communication quality to the client device 200 with a small remaining battery level while controlling the transmission power to be low. By such control, the operation time of the entire communication system 10 can be improved.

  The function of each part of the terminal described in the above embodiment is actually a ROM (not shown) that stores a control program that describes a processing procedure for an arithmetic device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) to realize these functions. This is achieved by reading a control program from a storage medium such as a Read Only Memory (RAM) or a RAM (Random Access Memory), and interpreting and executing the program. For example, in the server device 100 according to the above-described embodiment, each function of the control unit 120 is actually achieved by the CPU executing a program describing a processing procedure for realizing these functions. Further, for example, in the client device 200 according to the above-described embodiment, each function of the control unit 220 and the remaining battery level confirmation unit 270 actually executes a program describing a processing procedure for realizing these functions by the CPU. Is achieved.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is obvious that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can come up with various changes or modifications within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. Of course, it is understood that these also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

  In the present specification, the steps described in the sequence diagram are not necessarily processed in time series in addition to the processes performed in time series in the described order, but in parallel or individually. Also includes processing to be performed. Further, it goes without saying that the order can be appropriately changed even in the steps processed in time series.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Communication system 100 Server apparatus 110 Reception part 120 Control part 121 Transmission / reception control part 122 Channel control part 130 Transmission part 140 External interface 150 Storage part 151,151A Communication quality management information 152,152A, 152B, 152C, 152D Device management information 160 Power supply DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 200 Client apparatus 200A Client apparatus 200B Client apparatus 200C Client apparatus 210 Reception part 220 Control part 221 Transmission / reception control part 222 Channel control part 230 Transmission part 240 External interface 250 Memory | storage part 260 Battery 270 Battery remaining charge confirmation part 300 External apparatus 400 External apparatus

Claims (9)

A server device in a communication system having a plurality of client devices and server devices,
By determining the remaining battery level of each of the plurality of client devices, the client device with the lower battery level and the client device with the higher battery level are specified, and the currently used channel is continuously used. Rather than using a channel that is currently used by a client device with a large remaining battery level, whether or not a client device with a small remaining battery level can communicate with the server device with higher communication quality A channel control unit for determining
When the channel control unit determines that the client device with the low battery level can communicate with the server device with higher communication quality, it is currently used by the client device with the high battery level. Information for controlling to use a certain channel is transmitted to the client device with a low battery level, and control is performed so as to use a channel currently used by the client device with a low battery level. A transmission unit for transmitting the information to the client device with a large remaining battery level,
With
The channel controller
If it is determined that the client device with a small remaining battery level can communicate with the server device with higher communication quality, the remaining battery level is used rather than continuing to use the currently used channel. It is determined whether or not the client device with a large amount of remaining battery is to communicate with the server device with lower communication quality by using the channel currently used by the client device with less
The transmitter is
When the channel control unit determines that the client device with a large remaining battery level is to communicate with the server device with lower communication quality, information for controlling to increase transmission power Send more to client devices with a lot of battery power,
The server apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned .   A storage unit storing communication quality management information in which communication quality for each channel in each of the plurality of client devices and the server device is set for each client device;
  The channel controller
  Based on the communication quality management information stored in the storage unit, the channel currently used by the client device with a low remaining battery level is used rather than continuously using the channel currently used. Which determines whether or not the client device with a large amount of remaining battery will communicate with the server device with lower communication quality,
  The server device according to claim 1, wherein: The channel controller
When a client device having a remaining battery level less than a first threshold is present in the plurality of client devices, the client device is identified as a client device having a low remaining battery level, and a remaining battery level exceeding a second threshold is determined. If a client device is present, identify the client device as a client device with a large amount of remaining battery power,
The server device according to claim 1, wherein: The channel controller
In the case where there are two client devices having a difference value of the remaining battery level that is larger than the threshold value among the plurality of client devices, a client device having a lower remaining battery level is selected from the two client devices. Identifying a client device with a low battery level, and identifying a client device with a high battery level as the client device with a high battery level,
The server device according to claim 1, wherein: The channel controller
When specifying the client device with a low battery level, the client device that has determined that the battery level is low is further determined based on the usage status, and the client device with the low battery level is determined based on the usage status To determine whether to identify as,
The server device according to claim 1, wherein: A storage unit that stores communication quality between each of a plurality of client devices and the server device for each channel;
The channel controller
Based on the communication quality stored by the storage unit, it is better to use the channel currently used by the client device with a large amount of remaining battery than to use the currently used channel continuously. Determining whether the client device with a low remaining battery capacity can communicate with the server device with higher communication quality;
The server device according to claim 1, wherein: A storage unit that stores use channel information that is information for identifying a channel currently used by each of the plurality of client devices;
The channel controller
Based on the use channel information stored in the storage unit, it is better to use the channel currently used by the client device with a large remaining battery capacity than to continue using the currently used channel. Determining whether the client device with a low remaining battery capacity can communicate with the server device with higher communication quality;
The server device according to claim 1, wherein: A client device in a communication system having a plurality of client devices and a server device,
A transmission unit for transmitting the battery level of the own device to the server device;
A receiving unit capable of receiving from the server device information for controlling to use a channel currently used by a client device other than the own device among the plurality of client devices;
When the information for controlling to use the channel currently used by the other client device is received by the receiving unit, the channel currently used by the other client device is used. A channel control unit for switching,
Equipped with a,
The server device
By determining the remaining battery power transmitted from each of the plurality of client devices, the client device with a lower battery level and the client device with the higher battery level are identified, and the currently used channel is continued. Use of a channel currently used by a client device with a large remaining battery level allows a client device with a small remaining battery level to communicate with the server device with higher communication quality A channel control unit for determining whether or not
If the channel control unit determines that the client device with the low battery level can communicate with the server device with higher communication quality, it is currently used by the client device with the high battery level. A transmission unit that transmits information for controlling to use a certain channel to the client device with a low battery level;
With
The channel controller
If it is determined that the client device with a small remaining battery level can communicate with the server device with higher communication quality, the remaining battery level is used rather than continuing to use the currently used channel. It is determined whether or not the client device with a large amount of remaining battery is to communicate with the server device with lower communication quality by using the channel currently used by the client device with less
The transmitter is
When the channel control unit determines that the client device with a large remaining battery level is to communicate with the server device with lower communication quality, information for controlling to increase transmission power Send more to client devices with a lot of battery power,
Client device. In a communication system having a plurality of client devices and server devices,
Each of the plurality of client devices is
A transmission unit for transmitting the battery level of the own device to the server device;
A receiving unit capable of receiving from the server device information for controlling to use a channel currently used by a client device other than the own device among the plurality of client devices;
When the information for controlling to use the channel currently used by the other client device is received by the receiving unit, the channel currently used by the other client device is used. A channel control unit for switching,
With
The server device
By determining the remaining battery power transmitted from each of the plurality of client devices, the client device with a lower battery level and the client device with the higher battery level are identified, and the currently used channel is continued. Use of a channel currently used by a client device with a large remaining battery level allows a client device with a small remaining battery level to communicate with the server device with higher communication quality A channel control unit for determining whether or not
If the channel control unit determines that the client device with the low battery level can communicate with the server device with higher communication quality, it is currently used by the client device with the high battery level. A transmission unit that transmits information for controlling to use a certain channel to the client device with a low battery level;
Equipped with a,
The channel controller
If it is determined that the client device with a small remaining battery level can communicate with the server device with higher communication quality, the remaining battery level is used rather than continuing to use the currently used channel. It is determined whether or not the client device with a large amount of remaining battery is to communicate with the server device with lower communication quality by using the channel currently used by the client device with less
The transmitter is
When the channel control unit determines that the client device with a large remaining battery level is to communicate with the server device with lower communication quality, information for controlling to increase transmission power Send more to client devices with a lot of battery power,
A communication system characterized by the above.

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