JP2005311574A - Communication terminal and its program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication terminal capable of performing communication easily without requiring troublesome setting for every device in a network where devices of different communication system exist mixedly. <P>SOLUTION: The communication terminal comprises a means 4 for acquiring a bar code from a communicating device 2 and identifying the bar code thus acquired, and a means 5 for switching the starting point of communication from a bar code identified by the bar code identifying means 4 wherein the starting point of communication is switched by a bar code. Since one communication terminal 1 can change the communication method automatically for each device 2, communication can be carried out easily without requiring troublesome setting for every device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication terminal and a program thereof in a network system that performs communication with a device.

  In recent years, with the development of network technology, a security system that communicates with various sensors (for example, see Patent Document 1), a gas automatic meter reading system that communicates with a gas meter (for example, see Patent Document 2), and a home appliance. A home network system to be controlled (for example, see Patent Document 3) is known. Sensors, gas meters, home appliances, and the like used in these systems may be limited in communication methods depending on conditions such as usage, usage environment, and manufacturer.

A typical limitation is a problem of power consumption, and many devices adopt an intermittent reception method (see, for example, Patent Document 4) in order to reduce power consumption. In addition, in order for these systems to function properly, wireless communication for confirming whether each device and the communication terminal can communicate normally (hereinafter, this operation is referred to as communication diagnosis). A field strength measurement technique (see, for example, Patent Document 5) is also known.
JP 2004-021604 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-070698 JP 2001-218282 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-256583 JP 2002-152853 A

  However, in the conventional technology, when devices with different communication methods are to be mixed in the network, the communication terminal has no way of recognizing the difference, and thus it is difficult to normally communicate with all the devices. For example, in the case of a network integrating a home network system and an automatic gas meter reading system, the assumed condition is that the device is always connected to an AC power source in the former network, whereas batteries are used in the latter network. Therefore, the communication specifications include a device that can always receive and a device that receives intermittently. Therefore, when performing the communication diagnosis, if the latter device is entered into the communication terminal used in the former network, the latter device does not match the reception timing, so the communication diagnosis cannot be performed normally. That happens.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and provides a communication terminal capable of easily performing communication without complicated settings for each device and a program thereof in a network in which devices having different communication methods coexist. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the communication terminal and the program thereof according to the present invention communicate with a product code identifying unit that obtains and identifies a product code from a communicating device and a product code identified by the product code identifying unit. Communication starting point switching means for switching the starting point of the communication, and when starting a communication test, the starting point of communication is switched by a product code.

  Thereby, since the communication diagnostic method can be automatically changed from one communication terminal to each device, it is possible to easily perform communication without making complicated settings for each device.

  The communication terminal and the program of the present invention can easily communicate in a network where devices having different communication methods coexist without making complicated settings for each device.

  1st invention is provided with the goods code identification means which acquires and identifies the goods code from the apparatus which communicates, and the communication origin switching means which switches the starting point of communication from the goods code identified by the said goods code identification means, By using a communication terminal that switches the communication start point by code, in a network where devices that can always transmit and receive communication, devices that have a limited reception function, devices that have a limited transmission function, etc., are mixed from one communication terminal to each device On the other hand, since the communication method can be automatically changed, communication can be easily performed without making complicated settings for each device.

  In particular, according to a second invention, in the first invention, there is provided an operation procedure display means for displaying an operation procedure at the time of self-diagnosis communication, and an operation procedure display switching means for switching contents to be displayed on the operation procedure display means by a product code. Prepared, by switching the operation procedure display by product code, in a network where devices with different communication methods coexist, when the communication diagnosis method is automatically changed from one communication terminal to each device, Differences in the operation procedures that occur can be shown to the operator in an easy-to-understand manner, and operability can be improved.

  In the third invention, in particular, in the first invention, when the product code is unknown, a display to that effect, an alternative procedure guidance display, or a predefined communication procedure display is performed. By providing a process switching means for switching, even when an unknown device is connected in a network where devices with different communication methods coexist, it is possible to notify the operator and prevent erroneous operations. It becomes.

  In particular, the fourth invention is a program for causing a computer to execute at least a part of the functions of the communication terminal of any one of the first to third inventions, so that an electric / information device, a computer, a server, etc. It is possible to easily realize at least a part of the communication terminal of the present invention by cooperating these hardware resources. In addition, it is possible to change or add a program during operation by recording on a recording medium or downloading a program using a communication line, and it is possible to cope with a new specification change.

  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)
The home network system shown in FIG. 1 is provided with security sensors (hereinafter referred to as “sensors”) at doorways and windows, which are openings that communicate with the outside, in buildings such as detached houses and apartment houses. A security system that centrally monitors security devices by detecting sashes that are open / close doors, doors open / closed, broken, locked, etc. This system assumes a system including a network home appliance system that can be operated from a remote location by communicating products.

  Various devices are connected to this network system, and the device group 2A that can always transmit to and receive from the communication terminal 1 can transmit, but the device group 2B that has limited reception can only receive. It is roughly divided into a device group 2C.

  The device group 2A is assumed to be a device mainly connected to an AC power source such as a washing machine, a refrigerator, and a TV. Since these devices are always supplied with power, they are transmitted from the communication terminal 1. Data can always be received and a response can always be returned.

  In addition, the device group 2B is assumed to be a small device such as a remote controller or an energy flow measuring device represented by a gas meter that is important for mobility and a device that is expected to be used for a long time. Because it is a drive, we want to reduce power consumption as much as possible ", and" Since it is important to be small and lightweight, and to make it a simpler circuit structure ", there are restrictions on data transmission and reception with the communication terminal 1, and so on. It uses the function only for transmission.

  The restriction of the transmission / reception function here means that the reception function is restricted. The restriction is (1) the circuit itself is not implemented (hardware restriction) or (2) is implemented. However, because it consumes a lot of power when it waits at all times, it can receive only for a limited time (it can be received only for a certain time after sending a message, it can be received for a certain time when the device is operated, a certain interval For example, it is possible to receive intermittently only on the Internet).

  The device group 2C is assumed to be a pager. These devices are limited to data transmission / reception with the communication terminal 1 for the same reason as the device group 2B, and mainly have a reception only function.

  The restriction of the transmission / reception function here means that the transmission function is restricted. The restriction is (1) the circuit itself is not implemented (hardware restriction) or (2) is implemented. For example, transmission is possible only under certain conditions (transmission processing is performed only at initial startup, transmission is possible only by operating the device, etc.).

  For this reason, in order to perform communication diagnosis with each device, the communication terminal 1 sets a time t ′ longer than the intermittent interval as a communication time for devices belonging to the device group 2B that intermittently receives at the intermittent interval t. A function that switches the operation for each device such that the device belonging to the device group 2C that performs only reception measures the electric field strength with a message transmitted from the device and makes a diagnosis by notifying the device of the result. Have

  FIG. 2 shows the internal configuration of the communication terminal 1. The communication terminal 1 has a communication means 3 that communicates with the device 2, a product code identifying unit 4 that acquires and identifies a product code from the communicating device, and a product code that is identified by the product code identifying unit 4. A communication start point switching unit 5 for switching, and a process switching unit 8 for switching to display a message to that effect, an alternative procedure guidance display, or a predefined communication procedure when the product code is unknown. The operation procedure display means 7 for displaying the operation procedure at the time of self-diagnosis communication and the operation procedure display switching means 6 for switching the contents to be displayed on the operation procedure display means 7 by a product code. Here, for simplification, the operation procedure display means 7 also serves as a display means for displaying a result display or the like.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of information identified from the product code using the product code identifying means 4.

  FIG. 3 (a) shows a product code, which expresses “what manufacturer's product” using numbers and symbols, and there is no competition among manufacturers. This product code is set unique to the manufacturer depending on the manufacturer, model, function, and version. FIG. 3B shows a correspondence table associating these with the communication information of the device 2. The communication terminal 1 has this correspondence table therein, and the product code identification means 4 determines the starting point of communication from the product code based on this correspondence table.

  Taking as an example a product code (manufactured by Company A, security-related equipment, sensor-related equipment, human sensor, version 1.0) defined as shown in FIG. 3A, FIG. From the correspondence table, it is possible to identify that the communication channel F and the scramble code can always be reset.

  This correspondence table is held inside the communication terminal 1, which can be set in advance in the communication terminal 1, manually set, or registered using an external memory, a server, etc. It is possible to make settings such as acquisition through an external database and network, and it can be rewritten from the outside, so that it can always be updated to the latest information.

  In addition to the function, communication channel, communication state, scramble code, inquiry interval / number of times, information such as connection server, usage base, etc. can be adopted as information to be included in the correspondence table. It is also possible to provide calculation means and judgment means in the communication terminal 1, input basic information on equipment, specification information of equipment, and obtain the inquiry interval and communication start point for the target equipment from the processing result of the information. It is.

  FIG. 4 shows an operation sequence between the communication terminal 1 and the device 2 in the device group 2A that can always transmit and receive. Since the product code shown in FIG. 3A is determined to be a device that can always be received, the product code identification unit 4 is set to perform communication diagnosis in the sequence shown in FIG.

  At the time of initial registration, the communication terminal 1 inquires about the product code from the device 2 (S1), and acquires the product code from the device 2 (S2). The acquired product code is identified by the product code identification means 4, and as a result, it can be seen that the device 2 can always transmit and receive, so when shifting to the communication diagnosis mode (S3) According to the inquiry interval and the number of times set in the correspondence table, the current electric field strength between the device 2 and the communication terminal 1 is measured by transmitting a field strength measurement message to the device 2 and receiving the response ( S4, S5), and the result is displayed on the operation procedure display means 7 (S6).

  FIG. 5 shows an operation sequence between the communication terminal 1 and the device 2 in the device group 2B capable of one-way communication (transmission) (reception function is limited). In the case of performing communication diagnosis with the device 2 determined to be transmittable (reception function is limited) in the same manner as in FIG. 4 described above, the device 2 shifts to the communication diagnosis mode (S7). Then, since the field strength measurement (S8, S9) is transmitted to the communication terminal 1, the result of the field strength measurement is included in the response message and returned. At this time, the communication terminal 1 may or may not shift to the communication diagnosis mode. The measurement result is displayed on the device 2 in the sequence of FIG. 5 (S10), but can be displayed on the communication terminal 1 using the operation procedure display means 7.

  Here, in the sequence of FIGS. 4 and 5, the product code is acquired from the communication terminal 1 by an inquiry at the time of initial registration. However, the method of acquiring the product code is not limited to this, and the characteristics and applications of the device 2 (1) The communication terminal 1 is shifted to the registration mode depending on the conditions, and transmitted from the device 2 during that period (the device has a limited reception function, valid for the dedicated transmission device), (2 ) It is possible to manually register with the communication terminal 1 (the device has a limited transmission function or is effective for a dedicated reception device).

  FIG. 6 shows a screen flow when communication diagnosis is performed on all the device group 2A, device group 2B, and device group 2C in the communication terminal 1.

  The communication terminal 1 is operated to shift the communication terminal 1 to the communication diagnosis mode (9 in FIG. 6). Here, when the diagnosis button 9a of the device group 2A is pressed, the procedure of the screen A (10) is shown by the operation procedure display switching means 6. Thereafter, the device 2 and the communication terminal 1 that can transmit and receive at all times perform communication diagnosis (13) in the sequence shown in FIG.

  When the diagnosis button 9b of the device group 2B is pressed in the communication diagnosis mode 9, the procedure of the screen B (11) is shown by the operation procedure display switching means 6, and the device 2 that can transmit (restricted to the reception function) Yes) to shift to the communication diagnosis mode and prompt communication diagnosis.

  When the diagnosis button 9c of the device group 2C in the communication diagnosis mode 9 is pressed, the procedure of the screen C (12) is shown by the operation procedure display switching means 6, and the receivable device 2 (transmission function) The device is called to perform communication diagnosis (restricted to), and communication diagnosis is encouraged.

  If the acquired product code is not defined in the correspondence table (it is an unrecognizable product), the process switching means 8 in the communication terminal 1 displays the operation procedure or default-specified communication It is selected whether to perform processing (processing as shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5). When the operation procedure display is selected, “Not a device that can perform communication diagnosis. Please read the instruction manual.” “Please set the device to communication diagnosis mode according to the instructions of the device”, etc. To display. When communication processing designated as default is selected, communication diagnosis is performed by the method shown in the default of the correspondence table.

  As a result, a communication condition unique to the device is acquired from the product code, and the communication terminal 1 can automatically select a communication diagnosis method according to the device 2 based on the information. Further, by guiding the difference in operation procedure caused by switching the communication diagnosis method for each device 2 using the operation procedure display means 7, it is possible to perform a correct communication diagnosis without imposing a burden on the operator. .

  In this embodiment, the communication method for communication diagnosis is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be used for registration communication and regular communication at the time of initial setting.

  If a program for causing a computer to execute at least a part of the functions of the communication terminal in the present embodiment is used, a part or all of the system can be easily realized using a microcomputer or a personal computer. Also, the program can be easily distributed by recording on a recording medium or using a communication line.

  As described above, the communication terminal and the program according to the present invention can easily communicate without complicated settings for each device in a network in which devices having different communication methods coexist. It can be used for a network system that integrates a home network system and an automatic gas meter reading system.

Configuration diagram of a home network system using a communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention Internal configuration diagram of the communication terminal (A) Explanatory diagram of product code (b) Diagram showing correspondence table between devices and communication information Operation sequence diagram during communication diagnosis at the communication terminal origin Operation sequence diagram during communication diagnosis at the device origin Diagram showing screen flow during communication diagnosis

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication terminal 2 Apparatus 3 Communication means 4 Product code identification means 5 Communication origin switching means 6 Operation procedure display switching means 7 Operation procedure display means 8 Process switching means

Claims (4)

Product code identifying means for acquiring and identifying a product code from a communicating device, and communication start point switching means for switching a communication starting point from the product code identified by the product code identifying means. The communication terminal to be switched. An operation procedure display means for displaying an operation procedure at the time of self-diagnosis communication and an operation procedure display switching means for switching contents to be displayed on the operation procedure display means by a product code are provided. The communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the communication terminal is switched. The communication according to claim 2, further comprising a process switching means for switching to display a message to that effect, a display of an alternative procedure guidance, or a display of a predefined communication procedure when the product code is unknown. Terminal. The program for making a computer perform at least one part of the function in the communication terminal of any one of Claims 1-3.