JP2019129395A - Relay device, router, communication device, and communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

To establish communication connection between a relay device for performing communication connection of a management device and a hot water use facility via a communication network and a router for performing communication connection of the communication network and the relay device in a communication system for remote monitoring and/or remote operation of the hot water use facility via the communication network.SOLUTION: The communication adapter 40 includes a first communication unit that transmits/receives information to/from a hot water use facility 10 and a second communication unit that transmits/receives information to/from a management device 20 via a router and a communication network. As the router, either a router 60 dedicated by the communication adapter 40 or a router 90 shared between a plurality of user terminals 80 is selectively connected to the second communication unit. When the second communication unit receives presence information indicating the presence of the router 60 within a predetermined time after activation of the communication adapter 40, the second communication unit starts data transmission/reception with the router 60.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a relay device, a router, a communication device, and a communication system, and more specifically, to a hot water utilization facility (for example, a hot water heater, a multi-hot water supply system, a hot spring water reclamation apparatus, a filtration apparatus, or hot water heating). The present invention relates to a relay device, a router, a communication device, and a communication system applied to a communication system for remote monitoring and / or remote operation of equipment.

  The applicant of the present application discloses a remote management system for a multi-hot-water supply system, which is an example of a hot water utilization facility, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-62054 (Patent Document 1). In the remote management system of Patent Document 1, various information of the hot water supply system is transmitted to the management center (server) by using a communication adapter connected in communication with the hot water supply system as a relay device.

  In Patent Document 1, the communication adapter is communicably connected to the hot water supply system via a two-core communication line, and is connected to a router connected to a communication network such as the Internet by a communication cable. When the communication adapter is communicably connected to the management center (server) via the router and the communication network, bidirectional information transmission via the communication network is possible between the hot water supply system and the management center.

JP 2017-62054 A

  In order to enhance the versatility of the remote management system, the applicant of the present invention uses the router as a router dedicated to a communication adapter (hereinafter also referred to as a dedicated router) and a router shared among a plurality of user terminals (hereinafter referred to as a router). (Also referred to as a general-purpose router).

  In such a configuration, the communication adapter is configured so that either the dedicated router or the general-purpose router can be selectively connected, so that the communication adapter compatible with the dedicated router and the communication adapter compatible with the general-purpose router can be used. Can be made common.

  On the other hand, in order to perform communication suitable for the type of router, the communication adapter needs to identify whether the connected router is a dedicated router or a general-purpose router. For example, a method in which the communication adapter inquires about the existence of a dedicated router using a broadcast packet can be used.

  However, in the above method, when the communication adapter is connected to the general-purpose router, the broadcast packet is transmitted to all the user terminals connected to the user's network, which affects the communication of the user terminals. There is concern that it will

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a user in a communication system for remote monitoring and / or remote operation of a hot water utilization facility via a communication network. Establishing a communication connection between the relay device for communication connection between the management device and the hot water use facility via the communication network and the router for communication connection between the communication network and the relay device without affecting the network It is to be.

  In one aspect of the present invention, a relay device for relaying data transmission and reception between a management device connected to a communication network and a hot water utilization facility is between the hot water utilization facility connected via a communication line. And a second communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from the management apparatus via the router and the communication network. As the router, one of a first router dedicated to the relay device and a second router shared among a plurality of user terminals is selectively connected to the second communication unit. When the second communication unit receives the presence information indicating the presence of the first router within a predetermined time after activation of the relay device, the second communication unit starts data transmission and reception with the first router.

  According to the relay device, the relay device determines whether the connected router is the first router or the second router (general-purpose router) based on the presence information transmitted by the first router (dedicated router) itself. Router) can be identified. According to this, since the relay device does not need to transmit a query to the first router, it is possible to prevent the query from affecting the network of the user to which the second router is communicatively connected. As a result, the communication connection between the relay device and the router can be established without affecting the user's network.

  Preferably, in the relay device, the second communication unit starts data transmission with the second router when the presence information is not received within a predetermined time.

  According to this, the relay device identifies whether the connected router is the first router or the second router based on whether or not presence information transmitted by the first router is received. Can do. Therefore, the relay apparatus can establish communication connection with the router regardless of whether the connected router is the first router or the second router.

  In another aspect of the present invention, a router for establishing communication connection between a management device connected to a communication network and a relay device connected to a hot water use facility is dedicated by the relay device. The router transmits presence information indicating the presence of the own device to the relay device after activation and before establishment of communication connection with the relay device.

  According to the above-mentioned router, the relay apparatus can eliminate the need to transmit an inquiry to the router by transmitting presence information. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the inquiry from affecting the user network to which the general-purpose router is connected. As a result, the communication connection between the relay device and the router can be established without affecting the user's network.

  Preferably, the router transmits the presence information at a predetermined time interval after activation. According to this, the relay device can reliably receive the presence information transmitted from the router after the start.

  In another aspect of the present invention, the communication device includes a relay device connected to the hot water utilization facility via a communication line, and a router for communication connection between the communication network and the relay device. The router is dedicated by the relay device and configured to transmit presence information indicating the presence of the own device to the relay device after activation and before establishment of communication connection with the relay device. When the relay apparatus receives the presence information within a predetermined time after activation, the relay apparatus starts transmission of data toward the router.

  According to the above communication device, a relay device corresponding to a general-purpose router can be applied to a communication device in which a relay device and a dedicated router are integrated.

  Preferably, the communication device further includes a housing for accommodating the relay device and the router.

  Preferably, in the communication device, the relay device includes a first power supply circuit that receives power supply from the communication line and generates a power supply voltage. The router has a second power supply circuit independent of the first power supply circuit.

  According to this, even when the activation timing differs between the relay device and the dedicated router, the relay device can identify the connected router based on the presence information transmitted by the dedicated router.

  In one aspect of the present invention, a communication system includes a relay device connected to a hot water utilization facility via a communication line, a router for communication connection between the communication network and the relay device, a communication network and a router. And a management device that is communicatively connected to the relay device. The router is dedicated by the relay device and configured to transmit presence information indicating the presence of the own device to the relay device after activation and before establishment of communication connection with the relay device. The relay device starts transmission of data toward the router when receiving the presence information within a predetermined time after activation.

  According to the communication system, the relay device can identify whether the connected router is a dedicated router or a general-purpose router based on the presence information transmitted by the router (dedicated router) itself. . This eliminates the need for the relay device to send an inquiry to the dedicated router, and thus can prevent the inquiry from affecting the network of the user to which the general-purpose router is communicatively connected. As a result, the communication connection between the relay device and the router can be established without affecting the user's network.

  According to the present invention, in a communication system for remote monitoring and / or remote control of a hot water utilization facility via a communication network, using a management device and hot water via the communication network without affecting the user's network A communication connection can be established between a relay device for communication connection of equipment and a router for communication connection of the communication network and the relay device.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the communication system according to this Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the server apparatus which comprises a cloud server and an application server. It is a block diagram showing an example of composition of a communication adapter. It is a block diagram showing an example of composition of a LAN router. It is a block diagram which shows another structural example of the communication system according to this Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram of the determination process procedure of presence of a LAN router (dedicated router).

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or corresponding parts in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated in principle.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a communication system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system according to the present embodiment performs transmission and reception of data for remote monitoring and / or remote control of a hot water utilization facility.

  With reference to FIG. 1, the hot water supply system 10 includes a hot water supply apparatus 100 which is an example of a “hot water utilization facility”, and a remote controller (hereinafter simply referred to as “remote control”) for inputting an operation instruction of the hot water supply apparatus 100 (Also referred to as 105). In the present embodiment, the hot water supply device 100 is a target of remote management and / or remote operation.

  In the hot water supply system 10, the hot water supply device 100 and the remote controller 105 are connected via a two-core communication line 50 so as to be able to communicate with each other. More specifically, each of hot water supply apparatus 100 and remote controller 105 has a built-in control unit (not shown) including a microcomputer or the like, and these control units communicate with each other with a predetermined communication protocol. Serial communication is configured via 50. Moreover, the hot water supply apparatus 100 can be configured to output a power supply voltage for an external device to the two-core communication line 50. In this case, the communication data can be superimposed on the power supply voltage.

  Furthermore, the control unit of the hot water supply apparatus 100 is connected to the communication adapter 40 via the two-core communication line 50. For example, the hot water supply system 10 can be installed outdoors, for example, around the outer wall of a house or in a garage. The communication adapter 40 is communicatively connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) router 60 disposed indoors.

  The LAN router 60 is communicably connected to the communication adapter 40 by a communication cable 65 (for example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable) conforming to a predetermined communication standard. The LAN router 60 is further connected to the Internet, which is a representative example of a communication network. Thereby, the communication adapter 40 can communicate with the Internet via the LAN router 60.

  In the configuration of FIG. 1, the LAN router 60 is a dedicated router dedicated by the communication adapter 40. The communication adapter 40 and the LAN router 60 are both housed in the housing 110 and constitute an integral communication device. The housing 110 is disposed indoors or outdoors. That is, the LAN router 60 corresponds to an example of “first router”, and the communication adapter 40, the LAN router 60, and the housing 110 constitute an example of “communication device”. In the configuration example of FIG. 1, the communication adapter 40 and the LAN router 60 are wire-connected by the communication cable 65, but the communication adapter 40 and the LAN router 60 may be communication-connected by a wireless LAN. Details of the communication adapter 40 and the LAN router 60 will be described later.

  Furthermore, in the communication system according to the present embodiment, management center 20 and support center 70 are connected to the Internet (communication network). The management center 20 includes a cloud server 21a and an application server 21b. The cloud server 21a and the application server 21b are connected to be communicable with each other via the Internet or a dedicated line, and can provide various services in cooperation with each other.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the server device 21 configuring the cloud server 21a and the application server 21b.

  Referring to FIG. 2, server device 21 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 25 for controlling the entire device, a communication unit 26, a memory 27, and a display unit 28 connected to CPU 25. The communication unit 26 has a function of communicating with other devices or servers by communication connected to a communication network (Internet).

  The memory 27 is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 27a, which is a memory for storing a program executed by the CPU 25, and a work area when the program is executed by the CPU 30, or for storing a calculated value. It includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) 27 b which is a memory, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 27 c as an example of a large storage device.

  The server device 21 can be configured with a function corresponding to a general computer. The display unit 28 can be configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display. Server device 21 may further include an operation unit for accepting an operation input.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the communication adapter 40. As shown in FIG.
Referring to FIG. 3, the communication adapter 40 includes a control unit 41, communication units 42, 43, 46, a power supply circuit 44, a memory 45, an antenna 47, and a manual switch 49.

  The control unit 41 can be configured by a microcomputer including a CPU 41a and an interface (I / F) 41b.

  The communication unit 42 is configured to be able to transmit and receive data bidirectionally between the hot water supply apparatus 100 and the remote control 105 via the two-core communication line 50. The power supply circuit 44 receives power from the two-core communication line 50 and generates an operation power supply voltage for each element in the communication adapter 40.

  The communication unit 43 is configured to have a function of bidirectionally transmitting / receiving data to / from an external device such as the smartphone 30 by wireless communication via the antenna 47.

  The communication unit 46 is configured to have a function of bidirectionally transmitting / receiving data to / from the LAN router 60 (dedicated router) shown in FIG. 1 by wired communication via the communication cable 65.

  Here, the communication cable 65 is configured to be selectively connectable to either one of the LAN router 60 (dedicated router) shown in FIG. 1 and the LAN router 90. The LAN router 90 is a general-purpose router disposed indoors and shared among a plurality of user terminals 80 connected to the user's network 85. The LAN router 90 corresponds to an example of a “second router”. Although FIG. 1 exemplifies a personal computer as the user terminal 80, the present invention is not limited to this.

  That is, the communication unit 46 is configured to be selectively connectable to one of the LAN router 60 (dedicated router) and the LAN router 90 (general-purpose router) via the communication cable 65. According to this, the configuration of the communication adapter can be made common between the communication adapter 40 compatible with the LAN router 60 and the communication adapter 40 compatible with the LAN router 90. As described later, when the communication cable 65 is connected to the LAN router 90 (general-purpose router), the communication unit 46 communicates with the LAN router 90 (general-purpose router) by wired communication via the communication cable 65. It becomes possible to transmit and receive data bidirectionally.

  The memory 45 includes a ROM 45a and a RAM 45b. Since the ROM 45a is configured by a nonvolatile memory (typically, a flash memory), the stored contents are retained even when the communication adapter 40 is turned off. The storage contents of the ROM 45a can be rewritten by the control unit 41. For example, a program for controlling the operation of the communication adapter 40 is stored in the ROM 45a.

  Since the RAM 45b is composed of a volatile memory (typically, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)), the stored contents are cleared when the communication adapter 40 is powered off. In particular, the storage content of the RAM 45 b is initialized at the time of activation processing of the communication adapter 40. In FIG. 3, the memory 45 and the control unit 41 are shown as separate elements, but a part or all of the memory 45 may be built in the control unit 41.

  The manual switch 49 can be configured by a push switch operable by a user or a worker. A predetermined electrical signal is input from the manual switch 49 to the control unit 41 in accordance with the operation of the manual switch 49. Thereby, the control unit 41 can detect the operation of the manual switch 49. For example, the manual switch 49 includes a push switch for turning on / off the access point mode (AP mode) of the communication adapter 40.

  The communication adapter 40 can use the communication unit 46 to communicate with the communication unit 26 of the management center 20 via the LAN router 60 and the Internet. Thereby, the communication adapter 40 can transmit and receive data and information to and from the management center 20. Further, when the communication adapter 40 operates in the AP mode, the communication unit 43 can communicate with an external device within a certain distance by wireless LAN. Thus, it is understood that the communication adapter 40 has a data transmission / reception relay function between the hot water supply system 10, the management center 20, and the smartphone 30 described later in the communication system shown in FIG. .

  In the configuration example of FIG. 3, the communication unit 42 corresponds to an example of a “first communication unit”, and the communication unit 46 corresponds to an example of a “second communication unit”.

  As described above, the LAN router 60 is a dedicated router dedicated by the communication adapter 40. The LAN router 60 basically converts the information received from the communication adapter 40 and transmits it to the management center 20 through the Internet. On the other hand, the information transmitted from the management center 20 through the Internet is converted and transmitted to the communication adapter 40. As the LAN router 60, for example, a broadband router and a switching hub having a constant connection function with the Internet, a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server function, and a HUB function are used. In the present embodiment, the LAN router 60 is a 3G router.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the LAN router 60. Referring to FIG. 4, LAN router 60 includes a control unit 61, a communication unit 62, a power supply circuit 64, a memory 66, and an antenna 67.

  The control unit 61 can be configured by a microcomputer including a CPU 61a and an interface (I / F) 61b.

  The communication unit 62 is configured to be able to transmit and receive data bidirectionally with the communication adapter 40 via the communication cable 65. The power supply circuit 64 receives power supply from a power supply line (for example, a commercial power supply line) independent of the two-core communication line 50, and generates an operating power supply voltage of each element in the LAN router 60. That is, the LAN router 60 is a separate power source from the communication adapter 40.

  The communication unit 63 is communicatively connected to a mobile communication network including a 3G line via an antenna 67. Thus, when the communication connection with the LAN router 60 is established, the communication adapter 40 can connect to the Internet via the LAN router 60 and the mobile communication network.

  The memory 66 includes a ROM 66a, a RAM 66b, and a storage unit 66c. Since the ROM 66a is configured by a nonvolatile memory (typically, a flash memory), the stored contents are retained even when the power of the LAN router 60 is turned off. The storage contents of the ROM 66a can be rewritten by the control unit 61. For example, a program for controlling the operation of the LAN router 60 is stored in the ROM 66a.

  Since the RAM 66b is composed of a volatile memory (typically, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)), the stored contents are cleared when the LAN router 60 is powered off. In particular, the stored contents of the RAM 66b are initialized at the time of activation processing of the LAN router 60.

  Since the storage unit 66c is configured by a nonvolatile memory, the stored contents are retained even when the LAN router 60 is powered off. The storage unit 66 c stores information (hereinafter, also referred to as “presence information”) indicating the presence of the own device. This presence information is used to notify the communication adapter 40 that the router connected via the communication cable 65 is the LAN router 60 (dedicated router). As will be described later, the LAN router 60 is configured to transmit the presence information to the communication adapter 40 at predetermined time intervals until the response from the communication adapter 40 is received after activation. When the LAN router 60 is further disconnected from the mobile communication network (3G line), the LAN router 60 is connected to the mobile communication network again, and then receives a response from the communication adapter 40 for a predetermined time. It is configured to send presence information at intervals.

  In FIG. 4, the memory 66 and the control unit 61 are shown as separate elements. However, a part or all of the memory 66 can be incorporated in the control unit 61.

  Referring back to FIG. 1, the smartphone 30 is configured to communicatively connect to the Internet via a mobile communication network such as an LTE line, a 4G line, or a 3G line. Furthermore, the smartphone 30 can form a wireless LAN connection with the communication adapter 40 by the communication adapter 40 operating in the access point mode (AP mode).

  The cloud server 21a collects various information of the hot water supply system 10 of each home by mainly communicating with the communication adapters 40 with a large number of communication adapters 40 installed in each home constantly connected. And manage. For example, the information to be collected can include the amount of hot water supply per unit time, the amount of fuel consumed, the hot water supply temperature, and error information generated in each hot water supply system 10.

  The application server 21b manages a large number of user accounts for a large number of users in each home, accepts a login from a smartphone 30 (wireless operation terminal) owned by the user, and performs various services for the operation terminal. Can be provided.

  Preferably, dedicated application software for using a service provided by the application server 21b can be installed in the smartphone 30 so that a login operation and various operations after login can be performed from the application software. Alternatively, by providing a web-based service, it is possible to perform login and other operations using an appropriate web browser.

  The application server 21b provides only application services for user terminals such as the smartphone 30, and customer information including a user account can be configured to be managed by another customer information management center. Alternatively, the cloud server 21a and the application server 21b may be configured by an integrated server device.

  Services provided by the cloud server 21a and the application server 21b can be designed as necessary. For example, remote management services such as a connected device confirmation service, an operation information collection management service, an error monitoring service, and a maintenance monitoring service can be provided.

  According to the connected device confirmation service, it is possible to confirm the system configuration of the hot water supply system 10 and the model of the hot water supply device 100 connected to the communication adapter 40 described later. Based on the information collected from the hot water supply system 10 by the communication adapter 40, the model and system configuration can be determined on the server side.

  According to the operation information collection and management service, operation information of the hot water supply system 10 can be periodically collected and managed from the communication adapter 40 every unit time (for example, every hour). Although the operation information to collect is arbitrary, for example, the accumulated hot-water supply amount or the accumulated fuel consumption amount per unit time can be collected. The collected driving information can be used to create development materials by big data analysis.

  According to the error monitoring service, when an error occurs in the hot water supply system 10, information related to the error is acquired from the communication adapter 40, and the error is sent to the terminal 71 of the support center 70 or to the user's mail address. Notification can be made.

  According to the maintenance monitor service, the operation status of the hot water supply system 10 can be monitored in real time when the hot water supply system 10 is repaired. Specifically, the operation status of the hot water supply system 10 connected to the specified communication adapter 40 may be monitored in real time by a tablet terminal (not shown) for a site worker communicatively connected to the cloud server 21a. Is possible.

  Furthermore, in the remote management system of the hot water utilization facility according to the present embodiment, the remote control service of the hot water supply system 10 can be provided.

  According to the remote control service, the predetermined operation of the hot water supply system 10, for example, the switching operation of the hot water supply operation switch and the change of the hot water supply temperature setting from the terminal 71 of the support center 70 or the smartphone 30 owned by the user. It is possible to perform operations etc. remotely. For example, the remote control by the user can be performed by logging in to the application server 21b from the smartphone 30 or the like.

  In addition, as part of the service of the remote management system, it is also possible to display the operation information collected from the communication adapter 40 in a logged-in state so that it can be viewed on the smartphone 30. The communication system according to the present embodiment can be configured to perform only one or both of remote monitoring and remote control of the hot water supply system 10.

  Thus, in the communication system according to the embodiment, remote monitoring and / or remote control of the hot water supply system 10 is performed by transmitting and receiving data between the hot water supply system 10 and the management center 20 by relay by the communication adapter 40. Is realized. Furthermore, since the user can connect to the communication system by the wireless operation terminal such as the smartphone 30, the user convenience of remote monitoring and / or remote control of the hot water utilization facility is improved.

  That is, in the configuration example of FIG. 1, the communication adapter 40 corresponds to an embodiment of “relay device”, and the LAN router 60 corresponds to an embodiment of “router” or “first router”. The center 20 corresponds to an example of the “management apparatus”.

  Here, in the communication system according to the present embodiment, either one of LAN router 60 (dedicated router) and LAN router 90 (general-purpose router) shown in FIG. 1 is selectively connected to communication adapter 40 as a router. Is done. In other words, the communication adapter 40 is shared by the LAN router 60 (dedicated router) and the LAN router 90 (general-purpose router). The LAN router 90 corresponds to an example of a “second router”.

  FIG. 5 shows a communication system in which a LAN router 90 (general-purpose router) is connected to communication adapter 40 as another configuration example of the communication system according to the present embodiment.

  In the configuration example of FIG. 5, the LAN router 90 (general-purpose router) is shown as a wired LAN router that is communicatively connected to the user network 85 and communicatively connected to the communication adapter 40 via the communication cable 65. The LAN router 90 may be a wireless LAN router. Note that the LAN router 90 is also provided with an antenna (not shown) similar to the antenna 67 of the LAN router 60. The LAN router 90 is further connected to the Internet. Thereby, the communication adapter 40 can communicate with the Internet via the LAN router 90. As the LAN router 90, for example, a broadband router / switching hub provided with a constant connection function with the Internet, a DHCP server function, and a HUB function is used.

  When the communication adapter 40 is activated by power-on, in order to establish a communication connection with the Internet via a LAN router, the router to which the communication adapter 40 is connected is the LAN router 60 (dedicated router) or the LAN router 90 It is necessary to identify whether it is a (general purpose router). This is to perform communication corresponding to the connected router.

  Here, as a method for determining whether or not the LAN router 60 (dedicated router) is connected, a method in which the communication adapter 40 inquires of the LAN router 60 about the presence of the LAN router 60 using a broadcast packet. Can be used. A broadcast is a data communication that specifies all destinations in the same data link and is performed by one-to-one unspecified majority.

  In the above method, the communication adapter 40 inquires about connection information of the LAN router 60 using a broadcast packet. This connection information includes the IP (Internet Protocol) address and MAC (Media Access Control) address of the LAN router 60, and information indicating the communication state between the LAN router 60 and the mobile communication network (3G line). included. The information indicating the communication state includes received signal strength, carrier to interference and noise ratio, and the like.

  When the communication adapter 40 receives the response packet from the LAN router 60, it can determine that the LAN router 60 exists (that is, the LAN router 60 is connected). The response packet includes connection information of the LAN router 60.

  However, on the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, when the communication adapter 40 is connected to the LAN router 90 (general-purpose router) instead of the LAN router 60 (dedicated router), the broadcast packet transmitted from the communication adapter 40 Is transmitted to all user terminals 80 connected to the user's network 85. Thus, there is a concern that the communication of the user terminal 80 connected to the network 85 may be affected by the transmission of the broadcast packet to the network 85 that does not need to respond.

  Therefore, a method is required to determine the presence of the LAN router 60 (dedicated router) without using a broadcast packet.

  In the following, the process of determining the presence of the LAN router 60 (dedicated router) in the communication system according to the present embodiment will be described using FIG.

  FIG. 6 shows a sequence diagram of a determination processing procedure for the presence of the LAN router 60 (dedicated router).

  Referring to FIG. 6, when the hot water supply system 10 is activated (S1), power is supplied from the two-core communication line 50, and the communication adapter 40 is also activated. Since the LAN router 60 is a power source different from that of the communication adapter 40, it is assumed that the LAN router 60 is already activated at a time before the time when the communication adapter 40 is activated.

  The LAN router 60 transmits presence information (information indicating the presence of the own device) to the communication adapter 40 using a broadcast packet at predetermined time intervals (for example, 60 seconds) after activation. The LAN router 60 periodically transmits the presence information until the communication adapter 40 responds.

  After being activated, the communication adapter 40 enters a standby state waiting for reception of presence information from the LAN router 60. When the presence information is received after a predetermined time (for example, 300 seconds) has elapsed since the start (S2), the communication adapter 40 has the LAN router 60 (that is, the LAN router 60 is connected). Determined). The predetermined time is set to be longer than the time interval at which the LAN router 60 transmits the presence information.

  On the other hand, when the presence information is not received after the predetermined time has elapsed since the activation, the communication adapter 40 does not have the LAN router 60 and is connected to the LAN router 90 (general-purpose router). It is determined that

  If the communication adapter 40 determines that the LAN router 60 is present, the communication adapter 40 subsequently inquires of the LAN router 60 about connection information of the LAN router 60 (S3). When receiving the inquiry from the communication adapter 40, the LAN router 60 transmits its connection information to the communication adapter 40 as a response (S4). As described above, the connection information includes the IP address and MAC address of the LAN router 60, and information indicating the communication state between the LAN router 60 and the mobile communication network (3G line) (received signal strength and carrier pair). Interference noise ratio) and the like.

  When the communication adapter 40 receives the response of the LAN router 60, the communication adapter 40 acquires connection information of the LAN router 60 included in the response. Then, the communication adapter 40 transmits the acquired connection information of the LAN router 60 to the server 20 via the LAN router 60 and the Internet (S5).

  When the server 20 receives the connection information of the LAN router 60 from the communication adapter 40, the communication connection between the communication adapter 40 and the server 20 is established (S6). Thereafter, the communication adapter 40 can communicate with the server 20 via the LAN router 60 and the Internet.

  Here, a case where the communication connection between the communication adapter 40 and the server 20 is disconnected due to disconnection of the LAN router 60 and the mobile communication network (3G line) during communication. Assume (S7).

  In this case, when the LAN router 60 is connected again to the mobile communication network (S8), the LAN router 60 transmits the presence information to the communication adapter 40 at predetermined time intervals.

  After the communication connection (S8), the communication adapter 40 enters a standby state waiting for reception of presence information from the LAN router 60. If the presence information is received before the predetermined time elapses after the communication connection (S9), the communication adapter 40 determines that the LAN router 60 is present.

  When it is determined that the LAN router 60 is present, the communication adapter 40 next inquires of the LAN router 60 again about connection information of the LAN router 60 (S10).

  When receiving the inquiry from the communication adapter 40, the LAN router 60 transmits its own connection information to the communication adapter 40 as a response (S11). When the communication adapter 40 receives a response from the LAN router 60, the communication adapter 40 acquires connection information of the LAN router 60 included in the response. Then, the communication adapter 40 transmits the acquired connection information of the LAN router 60 to the server 20 via the LAN router 60 and the Internet (S12).

  When the server 20 receives the connection information of the LAN router 60 from the communication adapter 40, the communication connection between the communication adapter 40 and the server 20 is established again (S13). Therefore, the communication adapter 40 can resume communication with the server 20 via the LAN router 60 and the Internet.

  As described above, according to the communication system according to the present embodiment, a communication adapter configured such that either one of the dedicated router (LAN router 60) and the general-purpose router (LAN router 90) is selectively connected. At 40, it can be determined whether the dedicated router is connected or the general-purpose router is connected based on the presence information sent by the dedicated router itself. According to this, since the communication adapter 40 does not need to transmit a query to the dedicated router, the query can be prevented from affecting the user's network. As a result, the communication connection between the communication adapter 40 and the router can be established without affecting the user's network.

  It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and non-restrictive in every respect. The scope of the present invention is indicated not by the above description but by claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to claims.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Hot water supply system, 20 Management center (server), 21 Server apparatus, 21a Cloud server, 21b Application server, 26, 42, 43, 46, 62, 63 Communication unit, 27, 45, 66 Memory, 28 Display part, 30 Smartphone, 40 communication adapter, 41, 61 control unit, 44, 64 power supply circuit, 45a, 66a ROM, 45b, 66b RAM, 47, 67 antenna, 49 manual switch, 50 two-core communication wire, 60, 90 LAN router, 65 Communication cable, 66c storage unit, 70 support center, 71 terminals, 80 user terminals, 85 networks, 100 hot water supply devices, 105 remote controls, 110 cases.

Claims (8)

A relay apparatus for relaying data transmission and reception between a management apparatus connected to a communication network and a hot water utilization facility,
A first communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from the hot water utilization facility connected via a communication line;
A router and a second communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from the management device via the communication network;
As the router, either the first router dedicated by the relay device or the second router shared among a plurality of user terminals is selectively connected to the second communication unit. ,
The second communication unit starts data transmission / reception with the first router when receiving presence information indicating the presence of the first router within a predetermined time after activation of the relay device. apparatus.   The relay apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second communication unit starts data transmission with the second router when the presence information is not received within the predetermined time. A router for communication connection between a management device connected to a communication network and a relay device connected to a hot water utilization facility, the router is dedicated by the relay device,
A router, which transmits presence information indicating presence of an own device to the relay device after startup and before establishment of communication connection with the relay device.   The router according to claim 3, wherein the router transmits the presence information at a predetermined time interval after activation. A relay device connected to the hot water utilization facility via a communication line,
A router for establishing communication connection between a communication network and the relay device;
The router is dedicated to the relay device, and is configured to transmit presence information indicating the presence of the own device to the relay device after startup and before establishing a communication connection with the relay device. And
The communication apparatus, when the relay apparatus receives the presence information within a predetermined time after activation, starts transmission of data to the router.   The communication device according to claim 5, further comprising a housing that accommodates the relay device and the router. The relay device includes a first power supply circuit that receives power supply from the communication line and generates a power supply voltage.
The communication device according to claim 5, wherein the router has a second power supply circuit independent of the first power supply circuit. A relay device connected to the hot water utilization facility via a communication line,
A router for establishing communication connection between a communication network and the relay device;
And a management device communicably connected to the relay device via the communication network and the router.
The router is dedicated to the relay device, and is configured to transmit presence information indicating the presence of the own device to the relay device after startup and before establishing a communication connection with the relay device. And
The communication system, wherein the relay device starts transmitting data directed to the router when the presence information is received within a predetermined time after activation.

Images