JP2020167605A - Control program and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a control program for a device that stably performs data communication using a wireless method.SOLUTION: A control program is executed in a communication device for performing wireless data communication with a communication destination device. The communication device includes at least a first communication module and a second communication module. The control program causes the communication device to function as evaluation means for evaluating communication states of the first communication module and the second communication module and control means for controlling communication using the second communication module when the evaluation of the communication state of the first communication module does not meet predetermined criteria.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a control program and a control method executed in a communication device that wirelessly communicates data with a communication destination device.

Conventionally, in order to perform stable data communication, equipments are connected to each other by using a cable or the like to perform communication. There is also a technology for controlling equipment in remote areas by communication.

However, if a disaster such as an earthquake occurs and the cable or the like is disconnected and communication is cut off, there is a risk that the equipment cannot be controlled. In addition, the wireless connection has a problem that communication is not stable due to the influence of the surrounding environment.

At least one object of the present invention is to provide a device for stably performing data communication by a wireless system.

From a non-limiting point of view, the control program according to the present invention is a control program executed in a communication device that performs wireless data communication with a communication destination device, and the communication device is at least a first communication module and a second communication. A module is provided, and the communication device is evaluated by means for evaluating the communication status of the first communication module and the second communication module, and when the evaluation of the communication status of the first communication module does not meet a predetermined criterion, the first 2 It is a control program that functions as a control means for controlling communication using a communication module.

The control program according to the present invention preferably evaluates based on the reception state of radio waves in the communication device and the communication state indicating whether or not the evaluation means is connected to the communication destination device.

The control program according to the present invention preferably causes the communication device to function as a data communication means for transmitting data to the communication destination device at predetermined intervals by the first communication module and the second communication module.

The control program according to the present invention is a case where the control means communicates using the second communication module because the first communication module does not satisfy the predetermined criteria, and the first communication module is used by the evaluation means. When the evaluation of the communication state of the communication module satisfies a predetermined criterion, it is preferable to control the communication by using the first communication module.

From a non-limiting point of view, the control method according to the present invention is a control method executed in a communication device that performs wireless data communication with a communication destination device, and the communication device includes at least a first communication module and a second communication. The module is provided, and when the step of evaluating the communication status of the first communication module and the second communication module and the evaluation of the communication status of the first communication module do not meet the predetermined criteria, the second communication module is provided. It is a control method having a step of controlling to communicate by using.

From a non-limiting point of view, the communication device according to the present invention is a communication device that performs wireless data communication with a communication destination device, and the communication device includes at least a first communication module and a second communication module. , The evaluation means for evaluating the communication status of the first communication module and the second communication module, and when the evaluation regarding the communication status of the first communication module does not meet the predetermined criteria, the second communication module is used for communication. It is a communication device provided with a control means for controlling the module.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a device that stably performs data communication by a wireless system.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the system corresponding to at least one of the Embodiments of this invention. It is a flowchart about communication control corresponding to at least one of the embodiments of this invention. It is a figure which represents the evaluation standard master table corresponding to at least one of the Embodiments of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, the description regarding the effect is one aspect of the effect of the embodiment of the present invention, and is not limited to what is described here. In addition, the order of each process constituting the flowchart described below is random as long as there is no contradiction or inconsistency in the process contents.

Subsequently, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. As an embodiment of the present invention, a communication device for controlling a traffic signal at an intersection will be exemplified. The communication device communicates with the communication destination device, receives control information, and controls the traffic signal. A dedicated wireless communication board may be incorporated in the control panel of the traffic light.

The communication device includes a communication module for enabling communication with a plurality of wireless communication lines. For example, the first communication module uses the line of company A, and the second communication module uses the line of company B. It is preferable that the communication lines have different standards. The communication device is connected to the communication destination device using a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The VPN setting information shall be stored in a memory or the like in advance.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration corresponding to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention. The communication device 1 includes at least a control unit 10 and a communication unit 50, and is composed of members such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and an antenna. The control unit 10 performs processing related to communication control. The communication unit 50 performs wireless communication processing via the antenna. The data transmitted from the communication unit 50 is transmitted to the communication destination device 3 via the network 2.

The control unit 10 includes a timekeeping unit 11, a data transmission unit 12, a reception sensitivity measurement unit 13, an interference radio wave detection unit 14, a communication state confirmation unit 15, an evaluation unit 16, a communication module change unit 17, a VPN connection unit 18, and an abnormality determination unit. It includes at least 19 and a restart processing unit 20.

The evaluation unit 16 includes at least a first communication module evaluation unit 16a, a second communication module evaluation unit 16b, and an nth communication module evaluation unit 16n (n is an integer of 3 or more). That is, the evaluation unit 16 exists in the same number as the number of communicable wireless communication lines, and evaluates each communication module.

The timekeeping unit 11 has a function of posting the time. For timekeeping, for example, the internal timer of the CPU may be used. The data transmission unit 12 has a function of transmitting data to the communication destination device at predetermined intervals. The reception sensitivity measurement unit 13 has a function of measuring the reception sensitivity of the communication device.

The interference radio wave detection unit 14 has a function of detecting other radio waves that cause radio wave interference received by radio waves used for communication. The communication state confirmation unit 15 has a function of confirming the state of communication in communication with the communication destination device. The evaluation unit 16 has a function of evaluating the communication state of each communication module.

The communication module changing unit 17 has a function of changing the communication module used for communication. The VPN connection unit 18 has a function of establishing a VPN connection associated with the communication module to be used. The abnormality determination unit 19 has a function of determining whether or not the communication state is abnormal for each communication module. The restart processing unit 20 has a function of restarting the communication module determined to be abnormal when it is determined by the abnormality determination unit 19 to be abnormal.

The communication unit 50 includes at least a first communication module communication unit 51a, a second communication module communication unit 51b, and an nth communication module communication unit 51n (n is an integer of 3 or more). Each communication module has a function of performing data communication to the communication destination device 3 via the antenna and the network 2.

[Program execution process]
Next, the execution process of the program will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart relating to communication control corresponding to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention. Hereinafter, the first communication module and the second communication module will be described, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

First, the communication device 1 makes initial settings (step S1). In the initial setting, the first communication module is set to be used as the main communication module. In addition, the second communication module is set as a backup communication module. The communication device uses the main communication module for communication until the communication module to be used is changed by the control described later. Then, the timekeeping unit 11 starts the timekeeping.

In the initial setting, a communication path is further set for each communication module. For example, set up a routing table. Here, the combination of the start point and the end point of communication in each communication module is set to the same combination. By doing so, when the communication is switched, the switching can be performed quickly, and the communication interruption time can be shortened.

Next, the communication device 1 measures the reception sensitivity (step S2). The reception sensitivity can be measured using, for example, RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator), which represents the intensity of radio waves received from the communication destination device or the relay device.

Next, the communication device 1 detects the interference radio wave (step S3). Here, as an example, the number of radio waves that cause interference may be specified. Radio wave interference is caused by the reflection of terrain and obstacles, the passage of automobiles, the use of the same channel by other radio waves, or the overlapping of channels, which causes communication delay. That is, it is preferable that the number of radio waves causing interference is small.

Next, the communication device 1 confirms the state of communication in communication with the communication destination device 3 (step S4). The communication state is confirmed, for example, by transmitting predetermined data to the IP address of the communication destination device and measuring the response speed (PING value) from the transmission destination. As a result, the communication status with the communication destination device can be confirmed.

The measurement of the reception sensitivity in step S2, the detection of the interference radio wave in step S3, and the confirmation of the communication state in step S4 are performed for each communication module. For example, the detected value may change depending on the connected network.

Next, the communication device 1 evaluates the communication state of the first communication module by the first communication module evaluation unit 16a, and determines whether or not the predetermined criteria are satisfied (step S5).

[Evaluation criteria]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an evaluation standard master table corresponding to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention. In the evaluation standard master table 100, at least the reception sensitivity 102, the number of interference radio waves 103, and the communication state 104 are stored in association with the communication module 101 used.

The communication module 101 used represents a module used for communication. The reception sensitivity 102 represents a numerical value representing a good radio wave intensity. The interference radio wave number 103 represents the number of radio waves that are assumed to be less affected by other radio waves. The communication state 104 represents a speed at which it can be determined that the response time from the communication destination device 3 is good.

The contents stored in the evaluation standard master table 100 may be changed for each arrangement location of the communication device 1. For example, depending on the location, there may be a location where the reception sensitivity of radio waves is poor or a location where there is a lot of radio wave interference, and there may be situations where the standard must be changed. By designing in this way, it can be operated flexibly.

In step S5, the case where the predetermined criteria are not satisfied means the case where any of the conditions of the reception sensitivity 102, the number of interference radio waves 103, and the communication state 104 is not satisfied. That is, for example, even when the reception sensitivity 102 and the communication state 104 are good and satisfy the standard, when the number of interfering radio waves 103 is larger than the standard, the communication using the communication module can maintain stable quality. However, it is determined that the criteria are not met, and the evaluation of communication using other communication modules is confirmed.

If the first communication module does not meet the criteria (YES in step S5), the communication device 1 evaluates the communication status of the second communication module by the second communication module evaluation unit 16b, and whether or not the communication device 1 meets the predetermined criteria. (Step S6).

If the second communication module satisfies the criteria (YES in step S6), the communication module used for communication is changed to the second communication module (step S7). Then, the communication device 1 connects the communication device 1 and the communication destination device 3 using a VPN (step S8).

For example, if the first communication module becomes unusable due to a disaster or the like, the evaluation of the first communication module does not meet the criteria, so the usable second communication module is used as an alternative communication module. To do. As described above, by using the second communication module having good quality instead of the first communication module having poor communication quality, the risk of communication failure can be avoided.

As another example, communication using the first communication module does not satisfy the evaluation criteria of the first communication module when the communication state with the communication destination device is good but the reception sensitivity of radio waves is poor. In such a case, the reception sensitivity and communication state of the radio wave in the second communication module are confirmed, and the communication is changed to the communication using the second communication module. If the second communication module does not meet the criteria, it is confirmed whether or not there is a communication module that meets the criteria with the third, fourth, and so on. On the other hand, if none of the communications using the communication modules other than the first communication module satisfy the evaluation criteria, the first communication module is used. This is to eliminate the risk of communication and provide stable communication.

On the other hand, when the first communication module satisfies the standard (NO in step S5), the communication module used in the current communication is changed to use the second communication module in step S7. , It is determined whether communication is performed using the second communication module (step S9). When communication is performed using the second communication module (YES in step S9), the communication module used for communication is changed to the first communication module (step S10). Then, the communication device 1 connects the communication device 1 and the communication destination device 3 using a VPN (step S8).

That is, when the second communication module for backup is used and the communication quality of the first communication module used in the main returns to a level satisfying the standard, the first communication module is used again. For example, if there is a difference in communication charges between the first communication module and the second communication module, and the communication charges of the first communication module are lower, the communication of the first communication module is used more. As a result, the user can obtain economic benefits.

Further, for example, when emphasizing communication quality, the communication of the first communication module is set so as to use the communication network of the communication company with high communication quality, and the communication network of the communication company with slightly inferior communication quality is used. The communication of the second communication module can be set as described above. By doing so, it is possible to operate the second communication module whose communication quality is inferior to that of the first communication module only when a trouble occurs while the communication is based on high quality.

Used when the second communication module does not meet the criteria in step S6 (NO in step S6) or when communication is not performed using the second communication module in step S7 (NO in step S9). The process returns to step S2 again without changing the communication module to be used.

The program repeats the processes of steps S2 to S10 at predetermined time intervals. For example, it may be executed every 30 seconds.

Although not shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2, all communication modules may be unable to communicate. For example, the communication module is stopped, the antenna is damaged, and wireless communication is not possible. In such a case, the reception sensitivity becomes 0 dbm, and no radio wave can be received. At this time, the abnormality determination unit 19 determines that the condition is abnormal, and the restart processing unit 20 restarts the communication module. If the communication status is not improved by restarting, it may be regarded as a failure and an alert may be automatically displayed to the outside.

Apart from the flowchart of FIG. 2, the data transmission unit 12 may transmit data from each communication module to the communication destination device at predetermined intervals. By doing so, the communication environment can always be in the active mode, and even if the communication module to be used is switched, for example, it is quicker than in the case of the passive mode. It has the advantage that communication can be started, and stable data communication can be performed.

The measurement of the reception sensitivity in step S2 and the detection of the interference radio wave in step S3 are evaluations regarding the state of the radio wave received by the communication device 1. On the other hand, the confirmation of the communication state in step S4 is an evaluation regarding the communication status with the communication destination device 3. According to the present invention, a high-quality communication module can be selected by evaluating the communication state using two different types of axes in this way. That is, data communication by wireless method can be performed stably.

The present invention provides stable communication and high-quality communication by controlling a plurality of wireless communication modules having different standards even when the communication device cannot be moved from the installation location. Can be done. Of course, it can also be applied when the communication device can be moved from the installation location.

In the above description, the traffic signal has been illustrated as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. It is also possible to change the described contents as appropriate and apply it to, for example, public infrastructure equipment.

1 Communication device 2 Network 3 Communication destination device 10 Control unit 11 Timekeeping unit 12 Data transmission unit 13 Reception sensitivity measurement unit 14 Interference radio wave detection unit 15 Communication status confirmation unit 16 Evaluation unit 17 Communication module change unit 18 VPN connection unit 19 Abnormality judgment unit 20 Restart processing unit 50 Communication unit 100 Evaluation standard master table

Claims (5)

A control program executed in a communication device that performs wireless data communication with a communication destination device.
The communication device includes at least a first communication module and a second communication module.
Communication device,
Evaluation means for evaluating the communication status of the first communication module and the second communication module,
A control program that functions as a control means for controlling communication using the second communication module when the evaluation of the communication state of the first communication module does not meet a predetermined criterion. The control program according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation means evaluates based on a reception state of radio waves in the communication device and a communication state indicating whether or not the communication device is connected to the communication destination device. Communication device,
The control program according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first communication module and the second communication module function as a data communication means for transmitting data to a communication destination device at predetermined intervals. When the control means communicates using the second communication module because the first communication module does not satisfy the predetermined criteria, the evaluation means evaluates the communication state of the first communication module. The control program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which controls communication using the first communication module when a predetermined criterion is satisfied. A control method executed in a communication device that performs wireless data communication with a communication destination device.
The communication device includes at least a first communication module and a second communication module.
Steps to evaluate the communication status of the first communication module and the second communication module,
A control method comprising a step of controlling communication using the second communication module when the evaluation of the communication state of the first communication module does not meet a predetermined criterion.

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