JP2005236348A - Wireless system, wireless apparatus, wireless communication method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance the secrecy of communication of a wireless system. <P>SOLUTION: A gateway wireless communication section 305 for storing a plurality of scramble codes and applying scramble coding to a message to be transmitted allows a scramble code change instruction transmission section 407 to set an instruction for changing the scramble code utilized for next and succeeding communications to the message transmitted to a hot water unit remote control wireless communication section 309 and transmits the resulting message to the hot water unit remote control wireless communication section 309, and the hot water unit remote control wireless communication section 309 receiving the message and being a communication opposite party can change the scramble code whose change is designated. Since the plurality of scramble codes can dynamically and freely changed between devices, the secrecy can be enhanced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless system, a wireless device, a wireless communication method, and a program related to a wireless system that communicates 1: 1, 1: N, or M: N using, for example, specific low-power radio.

  In recent years, security appliances such as white goods such as air conditioners and refrigerators, intrusion sensors, and home controllers installed in the home are wirelessly connected to a mobile phone via the home controller. In-home network systems that control devices such as homes and inform mobile phones of security information in the home have been developed and commercialized.

  In Japan, the ECHONET® standard has been established as an industry standard for the home network system. In the home appliance network system using the ECHONET (R) standard, since control signals are radiated by radio waves using radio waves of a specific low power radio 400 MHz band, etc., the confidentiality of the control signals is considered. There is a need to. In addition, in the same standard, code conversion using a scramble code (pseudo random code) is performed so that the same bit string does not continue due to the nature of wireless communication, so that the same bit is not continued and code conversion is simplified. Encrypted (see Non-Patent Document 1).

Conventionally, there is a system described in Patent Document 1 described below as a system that ensures confidentiality using such a scramble code (pseudo-random code). In Patent Document 1, when a measurement value of a meter is transmitted to a modem device called T-NCU using a wireless device or the like, the measurement value is received by another system by transcoding the transmission data with a scramble code. Confidentiality is ensured. Further, the scramble code is changed according to the channel of the carrier wave to be transmitted, or is changed at regular intervals by a timer.
JP-A-6-291759 Echonet Consortium issued, ECHONET standard version 2.11, P3-15-17

  However, in the conventional configuration, the confidentiality of the data is improved by the scramble code, and since the scramble code is changed every communication channel and every fixed period, the fixed confidentiality is improved, but the scramble code once set is always the same. Since it is selected and changed by the pattern, the confidentiality of the system data was not very high.

  The present invention addresses the above-described conventional problems, and enables data to be communicated between the first radio apparatus and the second radio apparatus to be dynamically and freely scrambled to conceal data communication. The purpose is to improve the performance and to construct a system at a low cost.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problem, a wireless system of the present invention includes a first wireless device that holds a plurality of scramble codes and scrambles a part or all of a transmitted message, and the first wireless device. A system including a second wireless device that communicates with the device is configured, and the first wireless device sets and transmits an instruction to change a scramble code used in subsequent communication including the next time in a message to be transmitted By doing so, the first radio apparatus can dynamically and freely change a plurality of scramble codes so that the scramble coding code string used for communication with the second radio apparatus which is the communication partner can be changed for each communication. Therefore, it is possible to improve confidentiality.

  A wireless system, a wireless device, a wireless communication method, and a program according to the present invention improve the confidentiality of data when the first wireless device performs wireless communication with the second wireless device, and reduce the cost of the system. Can be built.

  A first invention includes a first wireless device that holds a plurality of scramble codes and scrambles and codes a part or all of a transmitted message, and a second wireless device that communicates with the first wireless device. The first wireless device constitutes a wireless system in which a command for changing a scramble code to be used in subsequent communications including the next time is set and transmitted in a message to be transmitted.

  A scramble code sequence used between the first radio apparatus and the second radio apparatus is held by transmitting a command for changing a scramble code used in subsequent communications including the next time during communication. The scramble code string can be freely changed, and the coding is not constant, so that the secrecy is improved. In addition, since no special code processing or advanced calculation is performed, the processing apparatus can be constructed with a simple and inexpensive system.

  In a second aspect of the present invention, when communication is performed by changing the scramble code, if the communication fails due to a mismatch of the scramble codes, the communication is retransmitted or retransmitted using a predetermined scramble code determined in advance. 1 is configured.

  If the scramble code change setting fails, communication can be performed with a predetermined scramble code set in advance, so that it is possible to cope with a synchronization error of the scramble code, and communication reliability and stability are improved. improves.

  A third invention includes a first wireless device that holds a plurality of scramble codes and scrambles and codes a part or all of a transmitted message, and a second wireless device that communicates with the first wireless device. The first wireless device constitutes a first wireless device that transmits a message to be transmitted by setting a command for changing a scramble code used in subsequent communication including the next time.

  Then, a scramble code holding a scramble code sequence used between the first radio apparatus and the second radio apparatus is transmitted by transmitting an instruction to change the scramble code used in subsequent communications including the next time during communication. The code string can be freely changed, and the coding is not constant, so that the secrecy is improved. In addition, since no special code processing or advanced calculation is performed, a simple and inexpensive apparatus can be constructed.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the first radio apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of scramble codes are generated by bit operation and bit rotation of one scramble code.

  Since there is no need to hold a plurality of scramble codes in advance, it is possible to reduce the consumption of memory built in the apparatus and to generate an arbitrary scramble code string by calculation.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when communication is performed by changing a scramble code, if the communication fails due to a mismatch of the scramble codes, the communication is retransmitted or retransmitted using a predetermined scramble code determined in advance. The first wireless device according to 3 or 4 is configured.

  If the scramble code change setting fails, communication can be performed with a predetermined scramble code set in advance, so that it is possible to cope with a synchronization error of the scramble code, and communication reliability and stability are improved. improves.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the first wireless device communicates with at least one second wireless device, and a scramble code used for subsequent communication including the next time for each second wireless device that performs communication. 6. The first radio apparatus according to claim 3, comprising scramble code table information for holding

  Then, by managing the table information of the scramble code used for the next communication for each second wireless device to be communicated with the first wireless device, it is randomly determined for each second wireless device to be targeted. Since the scramble code can be changed, confidentiality is further improved.

  In a seventh aspect of the invention, the first wireless device or the second wireless device is a communication partner when receiving a response message of a transmission message including a scramble code change command or a response reception notification message for a response message. The second radio apparatus or the first radio apparatus or the second radio apparatus provided with a scramble code changing unit for changing a scramble code setting for the first radio apparatus is configured.

  Then, when the first wireless device transmits a scramble code change command to the second wireless device and receives the change response from the second wireless device, the second wireless device also receives the first wireless device. When the response reception notification is received, the scramble code table information is updated, so that the synchronization of the scramble code change can be maintained and the scramble code can be prevented from being changed carelessly.

  An eighth invention includes a first wireless device that holds a plurality of scramble codes and scrambles a part or all of a transmitted message, and a second wireless device that communicates with the first wireless device. The first radio apparatus sets a scramble code change command for specifying a scramble code to be used in subsequent communications including a next time, a scramble encoding procedure for the transmission message, and the scramble code. A wireless communication method including a procedure for transmitting a converted electronic message to a second wireless device.

  Then, a scramble code holding a scramble code sequence used between the first radio apparatus and the second radio apparatus is transmitted by transmitting an instruction to change the scramble code used in subsequent communications including the next time during communication. The code string can be freely changed, and the coding is not constant, so that the secrecy is improved. In addition, since no special code processing or advanced calculation is performed, the processing device can also provide functions with an inexpensive system.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the first wireless device or the second wireless device receives a response message of a transmission message including a scramble code change command or a response reception notification message for the response message, and a communication partner. The wireless communication method according to claim 8, further comprising a procedure for changing a scramble code setting for a second wireless device or a first wireless device.

  Then, when the first wireless device transmits a scramble code change command to the second wireless device and receives the change response from the second wireless device, the second wireless device also receives the first wireless device. When the response reception notification is received, the scramble code table information is updated, so that the synchronization of the scramble code change can be maintained and the scramble code can be prevented from being changed carelessly.

  A tenth aspect of the invention is a program for causing a computer to function as all or part of the means of the apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 7.

  Since it is a program, it is possible to easily realize at least a part of the wireless device of the present invention by cooperating hardware resources such as an electric / information device, a computer, and a server. In addition, the program can be distributed / updated and installed easily by recording on a recording medium or distributing the program using a communication line.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a radio system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, an air conditioner 1, a security sensor 2, a water heater remote controller 3, and a gas meter 4 are network home appliances having a network connection function, and wireless devices 1 d, 2 d, 3 d, and 4 d are connected to communicate with the gateway 5 wirelessly. It has a function. The wireless devices (1d, 2d, 3d, 4d) are configured by a wireless communication medium such as a wireless LAN, Bluetooth (R), or a specific low power wireless. In this embodiment, a specific low-power radio (400 MHz band) is used, and the ECHONET® protocol, which is a standard for home network systems, is implemented.

  Internet home appliances are concepts that indicate home appliances and equipment having a function of connecting to various networks including the Internet. In addition to the air conditioner 1, the security sensor 2, the water heater remote control 3, and the gas meter 4, they are illustrated. There are no washing machines, refrigerators, microwave ovens, water heaters, dryers, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, gas tables, IH equipment, rice cookers, warm water toilet seats, electronic locks, various security sensors (human sensors, open / close sensors) ), Fuel cell system, cogeneration system, meter equipment (power meter, water meter), IP camera, home server, TV, video, DVD equipment, personal computer, PDA and other information terminals, mobile phone, FAX, telephone, audio equipment , And its remote control.

  When these network home appliances have a network communication function, the control state and maintenance information of the network home appliances are displayed on the central display controller or controlled by the communication means. In addition, new software for Internet home appliances, recipe information in a microwave oven, and a washing course program in a washing machine are downloaded from the server 6 that manages Internet home appliances.

  In addition, Internet home appliances can be controlled from outside the home via the Internet 7 or the gateway 5 using a mobile phone, PDA, or personal computer.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the water heater remote control 3 includes necessary hardware resources such as a CPU 3a, a memory 3b, a display 3c, which is a display means such as an LCD or an EL display, and a wireless device 3d. As shown in FIG. 3, an information processing unit 306, an information storage unit 307, a display unit 308, and a wireless communication unit 309 are functioned.

  The information processing unit 306 controls the water heater connected to the water heater remote controller 3. Moreover, when communicating the control status information and maintenance information of a water heater to the gateway 5 or a third device, a transmission telegram is generated using the status information as data. In addition, it provides a function of determining the content of the control message (command) transmitted from the gateway 5 and performing control on the water heater according to the content.

  The information storage unit 307 (memory 3b) stores control information to be displayed on the water heater remote control 3. Further, ID information necessary for wireless communication is stored. What should not be lost even when the power is turned off is stored in the nonvolatile flash memory and EEPROM, and status information such as the control state stored in a timely manner is stored in the RAM.

  The display unit 308 has a function capable of displaying information, and displays maintenance information acquired from the server 6 via the Internet 7, control information on the water heater, energy usage, usage charges, and the like. The water heater remote control provided by the fuel cell system also displays the amount of power generation.

  The wireless communication unit 309 (wireless device 3d) is installed within an effective transmission distance capable of wireless communication with the wireless device 5d of the gateway 5 described below. Although not shown, the wireless communication unit 309 (wireless device 3d) may be provided separately from the water heater remote controller 3, or may be connected to the water heater. Further, when a control command or control information to be transmitted is acquired from the information processing unit 306, it is processed into a data format for wireless communication, converted into a wireless signal, and radiated as a radio wave to space. Although not shown in FIG. 3, an antenna is connected to the wireless communication unit 309. The wireless communication unit 309 scrambles transmission data using table information for managing a scramble code used for each communication partner, called a scramble code table. Detailed description regarding the scramble code conversion will be described later.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating detailed configurations of the wireless communication unit 309 and a wireless communication unit 305 described later. When the scramble code change command transmission unit 407 of the wireless communication unit 305 of the gateway 5 transmits a scramble code change command and is received and processed by the scramble code update unit 401 of FIG. 4, the next scramble of the scramble code table 408 held therein The received data is set at the code location. This data is held for each communication partner. In addition, a response message transmission / reception unit 402 that receives a response reception notification from the wireless communication unit 305, and a scramble code change unit 403 that permits use of the contents of the next scramble code by the response reception notification.

  Although not shown in the present embodiment, the air conditioner 1 includes a compressor and a heat exchanger for realizing an air conditioning function, the security sensor 2 includes a sensor unit, and the water heater remote controller 3 includes a connected water heater. Each has its own hard resources.

  Next, the gateway 5 uses a communication medium configured by PSTN, ISDN, ADSL, CATV network, optical cable, PHS, wireless communication network, and the like, is connected to the ISP, and is connected to the server 6 via the Internet. In addition, the gateway 5 has a function for converting the home appliance communication protocol (ECHONET (R) protocol) and the protocol used for Internet communication to each other, and an ID for user authentication required when connecting to the server 6, Retain passwords. Furthermore, ID information of a wireless device that communicates with the gateway 5 is also held. In addition to the external storage device 5c such as the CPU 5a, the memory 5b, the Flash ROM, the ROM, and the HDD (Hard Disk Drive), the gateway 5 includes a wireless device 5d that communicates with the wireless device of the Internet home appliance as shown in FIG. A hardware resource such as a communication interface 5e such as a modem or Ethernet (R) is provided, and in cooperation therewith, a transmission / reception unit 300, an authentication processing unit 301, an information storage unit 302, and second information as shown in FIG. The storage unit 303, the information processing unit 304, and the wireless communication unit 305 are functioned.

  The transmission / reception unit 300 connects the gateway 5 to an external communication network such as the Internet 7 or a telephone line, and realizes a state where data can be transmitted / received to / from the server 6 as shown in FIG. Specifically, in FIG. 3, the transmitting / receiving unit 300 is connected to an ISP (Internet Service Provider) via a protocol such as PPP, PPPoE, PPPoA via an NCU (Network Control Unit) or a router device (not shown), and then the Internet. TCP / IP connection to the server 6 is possible.

  The authentication processing unit 301 is a terminal which is client authentication information indicating that the server 6 is a gateway 5 of a legitimate user who receives a service with respect to the server 6 in order to communicate with the server 6 via the Internet 7 through TCP / IP connection When an ID and a password are transmitted, or when the server 6 accesses the gateway 5, the server 6 performs an authentication process to determine whether the server 6 is a legitimate server to communicate with.

  The information storage unit 302 includes a memory 5b. The downloaded service information and control information (control telegram) are temporarily stored, and are used as work areas for developing programs and processes executed by the gateway 5. When a process or the like developed on the information storage unit 302 stops its processing, it is dynamically allocated to that process to release the memory space and can be used when another process is started next time.

  The second information storage unit 303 includes an external storage device 5c such as a Flash ROM. In the information storage unit 302, the terminal ID and password used in the authentication processing unit 301 are recorded.

  The information processing unit 304 processes a control message transmitted between the network home appliance and the server 6, and transmits the message to the network home appliance as appropriate, or transmits a message from the network home appliance to the server 6.

  In addition, it has a function of timely protocol conversion and transmission / reception of a communication protocol (ECHONET (R) protocol) for telegrams communicated with Internet home appliances and a communication protocol for telegrams communicated over the Internet. The communication message is control information for the network home appliance, a program downloaded to the network home appliance or the gateway 5, content information, and the like. It also performs relay control when wireless communication is performed between home appliances. In addition, a control message (command) to be transmitted to the network home appliance is generated.

  The wireless communication unit 305 includes a wireless device 5d, and wirelessly communicates a control message received from the server 6 and a control message periodically transmitted to the network home appliance to the network home appliance. A specific low power radio (400 MHz band) is used as the radio medium. The communication protocol uses ECHONET (R), which is a standard for home networks, and scramble code conversion is performed on data to be transmitted so that the same bits do not continue.

  For the scramble conversion, XOR (exclusive OR) with a pseudo-random code (M sequence code) is used. In the conversion method, error control coding is performed on data to be transmitted, and the data with the error control code and a predetermined scramble code used by the wireless communication unit are XORed to perform scramble coding. As shown in FIG. 8, the scramble code is formed of 32 bits of 31-bit pseudo random code + “0”, and there are 31 different 31-bit pseudo random codes, and 31 types of SCR 0 to SCR 30 are classified into the wireless communication unit 305. Managed and held by. This scramble code is changed according to communication to realize simple secrecy.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 4, a scramble code update unit 404, a response message transmission / reception unit 405, a scramble code change unit 406, and a scramble code change command that sets and transmits a scramble code change command when transmitting a control message to an Internet home appliance A command transmission unit 407 and a gateway 5 scramble code table 409 are provided. As for the scramble coding function, the wireless communication unit of the wireless device connected to each network home appliance also has the same function.

  In this embodiment, communication is performed using TCP / IP, HTTP, or the like generally used on the Internet as a communication protocol with the server.

  Next, FIG. 5 shows a data format of transmission data according to the Echonet standard. In FIG. 5, (1) shows the overall configuration of the data format. In FIG. 5 (1), the section (a) is called a header, and in order to cope with intermittent reception, the block is divided into N blocks so that the bit synchronization signal 1 + frame synchronization signal 1 + data signal 1 is one block or more and the intermittent reception cycle is reached. Send repeatedly. The block is repeated 6 times for continuous standby, but the block is repeated 67 times for 3-second intermittent reception standby. The section (b) is called an information part. The section (c) is a signal indicating the end of transmission, but may not be present.

  The detailed configuration of data 1 is shown in FIG. The detailed configuration of data 2 is shown in (3) of FIG. Data 1 includes a receiving device identification code indicating a destination and a partial wireless system identification code which is a part of a wireless system identification code for identifying whether or not the system belongs to itself. The partial radio system identification code is obtained by dividing the radio system identification code into three parts. Data 2 includes a wireless system identification code and a transmission device identification code indicating a transmission source. Whether it is a message of the system to which it belongs is determined by a wireless system identification code, and whether it is a broadcast is determined by a certain bit of the control code 1 and the pattern of the receiving device identification code. Although details will be described later, data 1 and data 2 are scrambled after the data body is subjected to error control coding.

  The following operation | movement and effect | action are demonstrated about the radio | wireless system which mounted the communication apparatus comprised as mentioned above, referring FIG. 6, FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining operations of the wireless communication unit and the information processing unit of the wireless device and wireless system of the present invention shown in FIGS.

  The operation of transmitting a control command from the gateway 5 to the water heater remote controller 3 and changing the scramble code will be described. First, the information processing unit 304 of the gateway 5 generates a message of command 1 that is a control command. The command 1 may be anything, for example, a regular status confirmation command when the regular status is confirmed from the gateway 5 to the network home appliances such as the water heater remote control 3. Alternatively, it is a scramble code change command for changing the scramble code at an arbitrary timing. The scramble code is freely set from 31 SCR0 to SCR30 by a random number or the like (step 601).

  The scramble code change command transmission unit 407 that has received the command 1 changes the data to be changed from the scramble code 1 (SCR1) currently used for the data of the command 1 to the scramble code 3 (SCR3) freely determined by a random number. In combination with the command 1, command 1 + SCR3 is scrambled and encoded by SCR1 and transmitted by radio (step 602).

  The wireless communication unit 309 of the water heater remote control 3 that has received the data receives the command 1 and determines the content to be changed from the scramble code 1 (SCR1) to the scramble code 3 (SCR3) by the scramble code update unit 401. And stored in the internal information storage unit 307 (step 603).

  FIG. 7 shows scramble (SCR) code table information 701 held inside the water heater remote controller 3. In the scramble code table information 701, after receiving and setting a target radio apparatus to be communicated, a current scramble (SCR) code, a next scramble (SCR) code, and a next scramble code, a response reception notification from the change transmission source is received. It is provided with item information of a response reception flag indicating whether it has been received. The validity / invalidity of the next scramble (SCR) code is determined based on the response reception flag.

  Then, the information processing unit 306 of the water heater remote control 3 receives the instruction 1 and controls its contents. If it is the regular state confirmation command, the status information of the device held in the information storage unit 307 of the water heater remote control 3 is set, and a response message for the command 1 is generated. Then, a response is transmitted from the information processing unit 306 to the wireless communication unit 309 (step 604).

  The response message transmission / reception unit 402 generates an SCR3 change response, sets it in the response message of the command 1, scrambles it with SCR1, and wirelessly transmits it (step 605).

  The response message transmission / reception unit 405 of the gateway wireless communication unit 305 receives the SCR3 change response. Then, the content of the response message of the command 1 is received and processed by the information processing unit 305 of the gateway (step 606).

  Upon receiving the SCR3 change response, the response message transmission / reception unit 405 transmits the response reception notification scrambled and encoded with the SCR1 to notify the wireless communication unit 309 of the water heater remote control 3 that the message has been correctly received. The wireless communication unit 309 of the water heater remote control 3 receives the data (step 607).

  When the response reception notification is accepted, it can be confirmed that the response of the scramble code change command has arrived correctly at the transmission source. Therefore, the scramble code change unit 403 writes the response reception flag of the scramble code table 701 and starts the next communication from the next communication. It records that the SCR code (SCR3) is valid (step 608).

  Also, in the gateway wireless communication unit 305, after receiving the response message or sending the response reception notification, the scramble code changing unit 406 stores the scramble code table 409 held in the gateway 5 in the same manner as the wireless communication unit 309 of the water heater remote control 3. Change (step 609).

  In subsequent communication, the wireless communication unit 309 of the gateway 5 and the water heater remote controller 3 confirms whether or not there is a next scramble code and a response reception flag in each scramble code table, and scrambles using the set scramble code. Wireless communication is performed after encoding.

  Note that if the gateway wireless communication unit 305 and the hot water heater remote control wireless communication unit 309 cannot correctly receive a response message or a response reception notification, the response reception flag remains null, and even if there is a set next scramble code, Communication is performed using a scramble code (SCR1).

  When the scramble code table information is updated with each other, scramble coding is performed using the changed scramble code (SCR3) in the subsequent communication, and wireless communication is performed. Similarly, in the next communication, a scramble code change command is set in command 2 and transmitted by radio, and the above process is repeated.

  The scramble code change command may be set and transmitted when a normal control command is communicated. Further, the setting may be changed and set by a synchronization process (for example, periodic status confirmation or periodic setting change) between specially provided devices. Further, it may be changed and set by broadcast transmission from the gateway 5. Further, the scramble code change command may be communicated using the same scramble code, for example, SCR0 each time as a special process, and does not depend on the communication message. In the present embodiment, the scramble code change command is transmitted from the wireless device of the gateway 5, but the change command may be transmitted from the network home appliance side. The scramble code change instruction may be issued from the gateway information processing unit or the water heater information processing unit, or may be issued from the gateway wireless communication unit or the water heater wireless communication unit.

  Further, in this embodiment, the configuration having a plurality of scramble codes in the table has been described. However, the code table includes a basic scramble code sequence so that different scramble codes can be generated by operation of bits or rotation. Also good. In this case, the number of rotations is held in the scramble code table. According to this configuration, the memory consumption can be reduced, and an arbitrary scramble code string can be generated.

  Further, the command for changing the scramble code communicated may be rotation number information based on SCR0.

  In addition, when communication is performed by changing the scramble code, if communication fails due to a mismatch of the scramble codes, communication is performed from the reception side using a predetermined scramble code, basic scramble code (SCR0) determined in advance by the wireless system. The configuration is such that a retransmission request command for retransmitting the command is transmitted, or when the transmission source does not respond to the transmission command, the communication content is retransmitted with the basic scramble code (SCR0), thereby changing the scramble code. It is possible to prevent communication failure if it does not work, and to deal with the case where the scramble code between the communication systems is out of sync for some reason. Can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the specific low-power radio (400 MHz band) is used for the radio communication has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  Moreover, although operation | movement and an effect | action were demonstrated using the gateway 5 and the water heater remote control 3, it is not limited to this, If it is a radio | wireless apparatus with which the function of this invention is mounted, it will not be limited to an apparatus.

  Although the gateway 5 has been described as a device that converts the Internet protocol and the specific low-power radio ECHONET® protocol, the gateway 5 may include a display unit and an information terminal function.

  The gateway 5 and the server 6 have been described as being connected via the Internet 7, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the connected communication line may be any medium that can communicate with the Internet communication protocol. That is, ADSL, CATV, FTTH (optical cable), wireless LAN, dedicated line, etc. may be used.

  The specific configuration of each part is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the scramble code change command is set in the control command and transmitted, and the scramble code can be freely changed, so that the scramble code string to be converted is constant. Since the control communication can be performed without the need for confidentiality, confidentiality is improved. In addition, since it uses a scramble code that is normally used to provide simple confidentiality, it does not perform advanced arithmetic processing for encrypted communication, thus improving confidentiality with an inexpensive system. Can be made.

  Further, by providing the wireless device with a scramble code table, it becomes possible to change the scramble code for each counterpart wireless device communicating with the own wireless device, thereby improving the secrecy.

  Further, when the wireless device transmits a scramble code change command to the transmission destination wireless device and receives a change response from the transmission destination wireless device, the scramble code table information is updated by updating the scramble code table information. Therefore, the scramble code is not changed carelessly, so that it is possible to prevent the scramble codes from deviating from each other to prevent communication.

  Note that the means described in this embodiment causes hardware resources such as a CPU (or microcomputer), a RAM, a ROM, a storage / recording device, an electrical / information device including an I / O, a computer, a server, and the like to cooperate. You may implement with the form of a program. Convenience and versatility are improved, making it easier to build a system. Also, in the form of a program, new functions can be easily distributed / updated and installed by recording them on a recording medium such as magnetic media or optical media or distributing them using a communication line such as the Internet.

  As described above, in the wireless system, the wireless device, the wireless communication method, and the program according to the present invention, the scramble code installed in the wireless device can be freely changed, and the communication between the wireless devices is concealed. Because of this, the energy usage information measured by Internet home appliances and network equipment, billing information such as the energy usage fee measured by the meter device, and maintenance information on the equipment transmitted from the equipment, etc. The present invention can be applied to uses for communicating information related to privacy and control information.

Configuration diagram of home network wireless system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention Block configuration diagram of a water heater remote control gateway in Embodiment 1 of the present invention The block block diagram which shows the function of the water heater remote control gateway in Embodiment 1 of this invention The block block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the radio | wireless communication part in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the ECHONET (R) transmission data format in Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure which shows the change operation | movement of a scramble code in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the scramble code table of the water heater remote control in Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure which shows the scramble code table in Embodiment 1 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1d, 2d, 3d, 4d wireless device (second wireless device)
5d wireless device (first wireless device)
305 Wireless communication unit (first wireless device)
309 Wireless communication unit (second wireless device)
403, 406 Scramble code change unit 407 Scramble code change command transmission unit 701 Scramble code table (scramble code table information)

Claims (10)

A first wireless device that holds a plurality of scramble codes and scrambles and codes a part or all of a transmitted message; and a second wireless device that communicates with the first wireless device, the first wireless device The apparatus sets a command for changing a scramble code to be used in subsequent communications including the next time in a message to be transmitted, and transmits the message to the second wireless apparatus. The wireless communication according to claim 1, wherein, when communication is performed after changing the scramble code, if the communication fails due to a mismatch of the scramble codes, the communication is retransmitted or retransmitted using a predetermined scramble code determined in advance. system. A first wireless device that holds a plurality of scramble codes, scrambles a part or all of a message to be transmitted, and transmits the scrambled code to a second wireless device, wherein the first wireless device includes a message to be transmitted, A first radio apparatus including a scramble code change command transmission unit that sets and transmits a command for changing a scramble code used in subsequent communication including the next time. The first radio apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of scramble codes are generated by bit operation and bit rotation of one scramble code. 5. The communication according to claim 3, wherein, when communication is performed by changing the scramble code, if communication fails due to a mismatch of the scramble codes, the communication is retransmitted or retransmitted using a predetermined scramble code determined in advance. First wireless device. The first radio apparatus communicates with at least one or more second radio apparatuses, and a scramble code table that holds a scramble code used in subsequent communications including the next time for each second radio apparatus that performs communication. The first wireless device according to claim 3, 4 or 5, comprising information. When the first wireless device or the second wireless device receives a response message of a transmission message including a scramble code change command or a response reception notification message for the response message, the second wireless device that is a communication partner, Or the 1st radio | wireless apparatus or 2nd radio | wireless apparatus provided with the scramble code change part which changes the setting of the scramble code with respect to a 1st radio | wireless apparatus. A first wireless device that holds a plurality of scramble codes and scrambles and codes a part or all of a transmitted message; and a second wireless device that communicates with the first wireless device, the first wireless device The apparatus sets a procedure for setting a scramble code change command for specifying a scramble code to be used in subsequent communications including the next time, a procedure for scramble encoding the transmission message, and a scrambled encoded message. A wireless communication method comprising a procedure of transmitting to a second wireless device. The first radio apparatus or the second radio apparatus receives a response message of a transmission message including an instruction to change a scramble code or a response reception notification message for the response message, and a second radio that is a communication partner. The wireless communication method according to claim 8, further comprising: a step of changing a scramble code setting for the device or the first wireless device. The program for making a computer perform at least one part of the function of the radio | wireless apparatus of any one of Claims 3-7.

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