JP5441580B2 - Relay device and communication system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a relay apparatus that receives a radio signal and transmits the received radio signal, and a communication system.

  Conventionally, a wireless sensor is used in a disaster prevention system for monitoring a fire. The wireless sensor is installed in a monitoring target area in a house or a building, and transmits a wireless signal including an output value of a sensor included in the wireless sensor, a fire determination result by the wireless sensor, and the like. This wireless signal is converted into a wired signal through a reception repeater and received by a receiver connected to the reception repeater in a wired manner. The receiver performs predetermined processing such as fire determination and fire display based on information included in the received signal. By using the wireless sensor and the reception repeater, wiring for connecting the sensor and the repeater can be omitted, so that the installation work can be simplified (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-274580 (paragraph 0002)

  Here, when the distance from the wireless sensor to the reception repeater is long, or there is an obstacle between them, the wireless signal transmitted from the wireless sensor is before the reception repeater arrives. As a result of significant attenuation, the S / N ratio may deteriorate, making it difficult to determine the contents of the radio signal. For this reason, a radio wave repeater is installed between the wireless sensor and the receiving repeater, relays the signal from the wireless sensor, and has the same strength as before attenuation from a location closer to the receiving repeater. It is conceivable that the intensity of the radio signal reaching the reception repeater is increased to a level sufficient to determine the contents of the radio signal by transmitting the signal.

  In this case, the radio signal transmitted from the wireless sensor can be received by the radio wave repeater with sufficient reception intensity, and the radio signal relayed by the radio wave repeater can be received with sufficient intensity. It is necessary to install a radio repeater at a proper position.

  However, it has been difficult to conduct a thorough investigation in advance on the arrival status of radio signals in a building. In addition, after the wireless sensor, the radio wave repeater, and the reception repeater are installed, the arrival status of the wireless signal may change due to the installation of furniture, changing the layout, opening / closing of the fire door, or the like. In such a case, it is necessary to change the installation position of the radio repeater according to the arrival status of the radio signal. However, in the case of the radio relay that receives power supply from the power line, the power line Therefore, it is necessary to change the wiring, which increases the work cost.

  On the other hand, it is possible to easily change the installation position by using a battery-type radio wave repeater, but the battery generates only a certain amount of current defined by the dimension of current consumption x time. If the current consumption is not reduced, the operating time, that is, the life of the battery cannot be extended.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a relay device capable of reducing current consumption and extending battery life while maintaining reliability in relaying wireless signals. Objective.

In order to solve the above-described problem and achieve the object, the relay device according to claim 1 is a relay device that relays a radio signal, and includes a communication unit that receives and transmits a radio signal, and the communication unit intermittently operating the, the communication means is operable to determine whether or not it has received a radio signal during the operation, when the communication means has determined that it has received the radio signal, continuously operating the communication means Control means for transmitting, the transmission timing of the radio signal is a transmission time when the radio signal is transmitted and is constant, and a transmission time when the transmission of the radio signal is paused and is constant. It is configured by alternately repeating a certain pause time, and during the constant transmission time, a fixed-length telegram included in the radio signal is repeatedly transmitted, and between the constant transmission time The message Maximum length of remaining time is the time that can not be Shin, when equal to the length of the telegram, the control means, the wireless signal transmission time is transmitted, the transmission time for each message, and the radio It is a time interval set based on a pause time during which signal transmission is paused, and is expressed as (the constant transmission time × 2−the length of the message × 2 + the constant pause time) ÷ 2. The communication means is intermittently operated at a time interval that is equal to or less than a predetermined period and is equal to or longer than the fixed pause time .

The relay device according to claim 2 is the relay device according to claim 1 , wherein the communication unit measures a reception strength of a received radio signal, and the control unit measures the measurement performed by the communication unit. Based on the reception strength, it is determined whether or not the communication means has received a radio signal.

Further, the relay device according to claim 3 is the relay device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the control means is required to continue the operation when the communication means is operated continuously. When the operation is determined to be unnecessary, the operation of the communication means is stopped.

The relay device according to claim 4 is the relay device according to claim 3 , wherein the control means operates when the communication means completes reception of a message included in a radio signal. Is determined to be unnecessary.

Further, the relay device according to claim 5 is the relay device according to claim 4 , wherein the control means receives the electronic message having the same content included in the radio signal a predetermined number of times when the communication means receives a predetermined number of times. It is determined that the communication means has completed receiving the message.

Further, in the relay device according to claim 6 , in the relay device according to any one of claims 3 to 5 , the control unit determines that the communication unit cannot receive a telegram included in a radio signal. In this case, it is determined that it is unnecessary to continue the operation of the communication means.

The relay device according to claim 7 is the relay device according to claim 6 , wherein the control means indicates that the wireless signal received by the communication means within a predetermined time is the beginning of the message. When the predetermined information is not included, it is determined that the communication unit cannot receive the message.

The relay device according to claim 8 is the relay device according to claim 6 or 7 , wherein the communication unit measures reception intensity of a received radio signal, and the control unit is measured by the communication unit. It is determined whether or not the message can be received based on the received strength.

The relay device according to claim 9 is the relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the communication unit measures reception strength of a received radio signal, and the control unit includes: Received strength information based on the received strength measured by the communication unit is added to a message included in the received radio signal, and a radio signal including the message added with the received strength information is transmitted from the communication unit.

A relay apparatus according to a tenth aspect is the relay apparatus according to the ninth aspect , further comprising display means for displaying the reception intensity information.

Further, the relay device according to claim 11 is the relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , further comprising operation means for receiving an operation input, wherein the control means is predetermined via the operation means. When the operation input is received, the communication means is continuously operated.

A relay device according to claim 12 is the relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the relay device is a battery-type relay device, and the control means includes the relay device. Power information based on the output voltage of the battery is added to the telegram included in the received radio signal, and the radio signal including the telegram to which the power information is added is transmitted from the communication means.

A communication system according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention receives the radio signal transmitted from the relay apparatus according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects and the relay apparatus, and the reception strength of the received radio signal. And a receiving device that transmits second received strength information based on the measured received strength of the radio signal to the relay device, wherein the communication means is transmitted from the receiving device. Based on the second reception strength information received by the communication unit, the control unit adjusts a transmission strength for transmitting a radio signal from the communication unit.

According to the relay device of claim 1, when the communication unit is intermittently operated and the communication unit determines that the wireless signal is received during the operation, the communication unit is continuously operated. When the necessity for operating the communication means is low, the current consumption can be reduced by reducing the drive time of the communication means. Therefore, it is possible to extend the battery life by reducing the current consumption while maintaining the reliability in relaying the radio signal. In general, the current consumption when the communication means is driven is much smaller than when the communication means is not.
In addition, the communication means is intermittently set at a time interval set based on a transmission time for transmitting a radio signal, a transmission time for each message included in the radio signal, and a pause time for stopping transmission of the radio signal. Since it is operated, it is possible to receive the radio signal early and reliably while reducing the current consumption of the communication means and extending the battery life.
In addition, the reception process can be activated within the range of the reception process activation timing with respect to the transmission time of the first or second radio signal, and the relay apparatus can be activated before the transmission time of the second radio signal ends. The possibility that the radio signal cannot be received can be eliminated.

In addition, according to the relay device of the second aspect , since it is determined whether or not the radio signal is received based on the reception strength of the radio signal measured by the communication unit, it is determined whether or not the radio signal is received. It can be determined with certainty.

Further, according to the relay device of the third aspect , the operation is stopped when it is determined that the operation of the communication unit does not need to be continued, so that the current consumption of the communication unit can be reduced.

Further, according to the relay device of the fourth aspect, it is determined that it is not necessary to continue the operation of the communication unit when the reception of the telegram included in the radio signal is completed. It can be determined with certainty.

Further, according to the relay device according to claim 5 , when the communication means receives the same content message included in the radio signal a predetermined number of times, it is determined that the reception of the message has been completed. It is possible to reliably determine whether or not reception of the included message has been completed.

According to the relay device of claim 6 , when it is determined that the communication unit cannot receive the telegram included in the radio signal, it is determined that the operation of the communication unit is not required. Whether or not is necessary can be determined with certainty.

According to the relay device of claim 7 , the communication means receives the message when the wireless signal received by the communication means within the predetermined time does not include the predetermined information indicating the beginning of the message. Since it is determined that the communication cannot be performed, it is possible to quickly and reliably determine whether or not the communication unit cannot receive the message included in the wireless signal.

Further, according to the relay device according to claim 8 , since it is determined whether or not a message can be received based on the reception intensity measured by the communication unit, whether or not the communication unit cannot receive the message included in the radio signal. It is possible to reliably determine whether or not.

According to the relay device of claim 9 , the reception strength information based on the reception strength measured by the communication unit is added to the message included in the received radio signal, and the radio signal including the message is transmitted from the communication unit. Therefore, it is possible to notify a user, an administrator, an enforcer, and the like of the reception intensity in the relay device.

In addition, according to the relay apparatus of the tenth aspect , since the display means for displaying the reception intensity information is provided, the reception intensity in the relay apparatus can be notified to a user, an administrator, an enforcer, and the like.

According to the relay device of the eleventh aspect, when a predetermined operation input is received via the operation means, the communication means is continuously operated. Therefore, the communication means can be operated only when necessary. In addition, the current consumption of the relay device can be reduced and the battery life can be extended.

According to the relay device according to claim 12 , since the power supply information based on the output voltage of the battery of the relay device is added to the message included in the received radio signal and transmitted, the battery output voltage is quickly reduced. Can be notified to the user, administrator, contractor, etc.

According to the communication system of the thirteenth aspect , since the communication means adjusts the transmission strength for transmitting the radio signal from the communication means based on the second reception strength information received from the reception apparatus, Thus, the transmission strength can be suppressed within a range in which a necessary and sufficient reception strength can be obtained, and an excessive current consumption in the relay device can be reduced, thereby extending the battery life.

It is the schematic which shows the structure of a communication system. It is the figure which illustrated the structure of the message | telegram contained in the radio signal which a radio | wireless terminal transmits. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a relay apparatus. It is the block diagram which showed the electric constitution of the receiver. It is the figure which showed notionally the transmission timing of the radio signal by a radio | wireless terminal. It is a flowchart of a reception process. It is the figure which showed the transmission timing of a radio signal, and the starting timing of a reception process. It is the figure which showed the transmission pattern of the message | telegram by a wireless terminal, and the receiving operation pattern of a radio | wireless communication part. It is the figure which showed the transmission pattern of the message | telegram by a wireless terminal, and the receiving operation pattern of a radio | wireless communication part. It is the figure which showed the transmission intensity | strength of the message | telegram by a radio | wireless terminal, the reception operation pattern of a radio | wireless communication part, and the reception intensity which the radio | wireless communication part measured. It is the flowchart which showed the transmission process. It is the flowchart which showed the registration process. It is the flowchart which showed the transmission intensity adjustment process.

  Exemplary embodiments of a relay device and a communication system according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

Embodiment
First, an embodiment will be described.

(Constitution)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a communication system. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes a wireless terminal 10, a relay device 20, a receiving device 30, and a receiver 40.

(Configuration-wireless terminal)
The wireless terminal 10 is a battery-powered wireless terminal 10 that transmits a wireless signal, and includes, for example, a sensor unit that measures temperature, smoke concentration, and the like, and the measured temperature and smoke concentration, or a measurement result in the sensor unit. In addition, a known sensor provided with a transmission unit that transmits information on the result of determining the presence or absence of a fire as a radio signal can be used (not shown).

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a telegram included in a radio signal transmitted by the radio terminal 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the message includes, for example, a preamble, a start code, a communication control code, a transmission source identification code, a data code, and an error check code. Among these, the preamble is data at the beginning of a message, and is data for giving a device that receives a message (for example, the relay device 20 or the receiving device 30) to recognize the start of transmission of the message and giving a timing for synchronization. It is. The start code is a code indicating the head of the message. The communication control code is a code that specifies the type of information included in the data code. (If the type of information is different, such as “registration” or “fire”, the contents of the data code will be described later. (The contents of these data codes can be determined by decoding the communication control codes). The transmission source identification code is data for identifying the transmission source of the message. The data code includes information of the type specified by the communication control code. For example, when the type of information is “fire”, an input / output status code indicating the fire judgment result, etc., an initial transmission code after recovery indicating whether or not the initial transmission after a fire recovery, and whether or not a transmitter is triggered A transmitter notification code, a power supply state code indicating the state of external power input, a battery state code indicating a battery state, a failure state code indicating a failure state, a parity code, and the like are included. In addition, when the type of information is “registration”, the ID and address of the device to be registered are included. The error check code is a check code for detecting an error in the transmitted radio signal.

(Configuration-Relay device)
The relay device 20 receives a radio signal from the radio terminal 10, processes the received radio signal as necessary, and relays it to the receiving device 30. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the relay device 20. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the relay device 20 includes an operation unit 21, a display unit 22, a wireless communication unit 23, a battery 24, a control unit 25, and a storage unit 26.

  The operation unit 21 is an operation unit that receives an operation input to the relay device 20. The operation unit 21 is configured by using known operation means such as a switch or a touch panel (the same applies to an operation unit 31 of the receiving device 30 described later).

  The display unit 22 is display means for displaying various types of information including reception intensity information based on the reception intensity of the radio signal measured by the radio communication unit 23. For example, a known 7-segment display or a liquid crystal display can be used as the display unit 22 (the same applies to the display unit 32 of the receiving device 30 described later).

  The wireless communication unit 23 is a communication unit that receives and transmits a wireless signal. The wireless communication unit 23 includes, for example, a wireless signal receiving circuit and a transmitting circuit (both not shown), receives a wireless signal transmitted from the wireless terminal 10 through the receiving circuit, and passes through the transmitting circuit. A radio signal is transmitted to the receiving device 30.

  The battery 24 supplies power to each part of the relay device 20. As the battery 24, a known dry battery or a rechargeable battery can be used (in addition, illustration of a power supply line from the battery 24 to each part of the relay device 20 is omitted).

  The control unit 25 is a control unit that controls each unit of the relay device 20, and specifically, a CPU, various programs that are interpreted and executed on the CPU (a basic control program such as an OS, and the OS is started on the OS). A computer including an application program for realizing a specific function) and an internal memory such as a RAM for storing the program and various data (the same applies to the control unit 36 of the receiving device 30 described later). . Details of the processing executed by the control unit 25 will be described later.

  The storage unit 26 is a storage unit that stores information related to the relay device 20. The storage unit 26 is configured by using a rewritable recording medium, and for example, a non-volatile recording medium such as a flash memory can be used (the same applies to a storage unit 37 of the receiving device 30 described later).

(Configuration-Receiver)
Returning to FIG. 1, the receiving device 30 is connected to the receiver 40 via the transmission line 2 and the power supply line 3. The receiving device 30 receives a radio signal transmitted from the radio terminal 10 and / or the relay device 20, converts the received radio signal into a signal that can be identified by the receiver 40, and outputs the signal. 2 to the receiver 40. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the receiving device 30. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the reception device 30 includes an operation unit 31, a display unit 32, a wireless communication unit 33, an input / output unit 34, a power supply circuit unit 35, a control unit 36, and a storage unit 37. Note that the configuration of the operation unit 31, the display unit 32, the control unit 36, and the storage unit 37 is the same as that of the operation unit 21, display unit 22, control unit 25, and storage unit 26 in the above-described relay device 20, and therefore will be specifically described. The description is omitted except for the part.

  The wireless communication unit 33 is a communication unit that receives and transmits a wireless signal. The radio communication unit 33 includes a radio signal reception circuit and a transmission circuit (both not shown), and receives a radio signal transmitted from the radio terminal 10 and / or the relay device 20 via the reception circuit. In addition, a radio signal is transmitted to the relay device 20 via the transmission circuit.

  The input / output unit 34 inputs / outputs various information to / from the receiver 40 via the transmission line 2. Further, the power supply circuit unit 35 supplies the power supplied from the receiver 40 via the power supply line 3 to each unit of the receiving device 30 (note that the power supply line from the power supply circuit unit 35 to each unit of the receiving device 30 is illustrated. Is omitted).

(Configuration-Receiver)
Returning to FIG. 1, the receiver 40 executes various processes such as alarm display and alarm sound output based on information input from the receiver 30 via the transmission line 2. In addition, power is supplied to the relay device 20 through the power line 3. As this receiver 40, a well-known disaster prevention receiver can be used, for example.

(processing)
Next, processing executed by the relay device 20 configured as described above will be described.

(Processing-Reception processing)
First, reception processing in which the relay device 20 receives a wireless signal transmitted from the wireless terminal 10 will be described. Here, as a premise of reception processing, when there is information to be transmitted such as a fire occurrence, the wireless terminal 10 transmits a wireless signal at a predetermined time interval. FIG. 5 is a diagram conceptually showing the transmission timing of the radio signal by the radio terminal 10. As shown in FIG. 5, the wireless terminal 10 repeatedly transmits a telegram (a telegram having the content “A” in FIG. 5) for a certain transmission time (2 seconds in FIG. 5), and then a certain pause time (FIG. 5). Let's pause for 2 seconds). A device that receives a radio signal can acquire necessary information if it can receive the message of the content “A” at least once at any timing as long as the radio signal is being transmitted. Note that a certain extra time may occur as shown in FIG. 5 due to the relationship between the radio signal transmission time, the transmission time for each message, and the transmission pause time required by the Radio Law. No message is sent during the time. The radio terminal 10 repeats transmission and pause of this radio signal. For example, in the standard of the low-power security radio station, the transmission time is required to be within 3 seconds, and the transmission suspension time is required to be 2 seconds or more.

  Moreover, it is good also considering the value in any one of the rest time which exists in multiple times as a value determined at random. Thereby, even when wireless signals are transmitted from a plurality of wireless terminals 10, the transmission timing of the wireless signals from each wireless terminal 10 gradually shifts due to the presence of a randomly determined pause time. It becomes possible for the relay device 20 to sequentially receive the radio signals transmitted from the respective radio terminals 10.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the reception process (in the following description of each process, step is abbreviated as “S”). This reception process is started intermittently at a predetermined cycle, for example, when the relay device 20 is powered on. The specific value of the activation cycle of this reception process is arbitrary, but by increasing the activation cycle as much as possible, the activation time of the wireless communication unit 23 of the relay device 20 can be shortened. The current consumption can be reduced and the battery life can be extended. On the other hand, if the activation period of the reception process is too long, it takes a long time until the timing at which the radio signal is transmitted from the radio terminal 10 and the activation timing of the reception process in the relay apparatus 20 coincide with each other. Radio signal reception may be delayed. Therefore, it is desirable to set the start period of the reception process to a value within an appropriate range.

  For example, consider a case in which the relay apparatus 20 receives a radio signal before the second radio signal transmission time ends after the first pause time after the radio terminal 10 starts transmission of the radio signal. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the transmission timing of the radio signal and the start timing of the reception process. Here, in order to receive a message at least once when the reception process is activated, it is necessary to transmit the message at least once after the reception process is activated. In other words, the reception process needs to be activated during the time obtained by subtracting the transmission time for one message and the surplus time from the transmission time of the radio signal (the range represented as “reception process activation timing” in FIG. 7). .

  In order to activate the reception process within the range of the reception process activation timing with respect to the transmission time of the first or second radio signal by the wireless terminal 10, it is assumed that the maximum length of the remaining time is equal to the length of the message, and τ = ( The reception process may be activated at a period equal to or less than τ represented by (transmission time × 2−message length × 2 + pause time) ÷ 2. As a result, the reception process is activated within the range of the reception process activation timing with respect to the transmission time of the second wireless signal at the latest, and the radio signal telegram is received by the relay device 20.

  Even when the reception processing activation cycle is set to τ or less, if the wireless signal transmission suspension time is larger than the reception processing activation cycle, the reception processing activation timing is within the suspension time. May occur, and there is a possibility that the relay device 20 cannot receive the radio signal before the transmission time of the second radio signal ends. In order to eliminate such a possibility, it is desirable to set the radio signal transmission pause time to be equal to or shorter than the reception processing start cycle. That is, it is desirable that the suspension time ≦ the activation cycle ≦ τ = (transmission time × 2—the length of the message × 2 + the suspension time) ÷ 2. From this inequality, it is desirable that the transmission time is such that transmission time ≧ pause time ÷ 2 + message length.

  As described above, for example, when the length of the message is 100 msec and the pause time is 2 sec, it is desirable that the transmission time is 2 sec ÷ 2 + 100 msec = 1.1 sec or more. Therefore, for example, when the transmission time is 2 seconds, it is desirable that the reception processing start cycle be 2 seconds or more as the pause time and (2 sec × 2-100 msec × 2 + 2 sec) ÷ 2 = 2.9 sec or less. .

  Returning to FIG. 6, when the reception process is activated, the control unit 25 of the relay device 20 causes the wireless communication unit 23 to start a reception operation (SA1). For example, the reception operation is started by turning on the reception circuit of the wireless communication unit 23.

  Subsequently, the control unit 25 waits until a predetermined time elapses after starting the reception operation at SA1 (SA2). The specific value of the predetermined time is arbitrary and is determined in consideration of, for example, the rise time of the oscillator in the wireless circuit, the set time of the wireless circuit, or the time required for measuring the reception intensity.

  After a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the reception operation at SA1 (SA2, Yes), the control unit 25 causes the wireless communication unit 23 to measure the reception strength of the wireless signal (SA3). Then, it is determined whether the reception intensity of the radio signal measured by the radio communication unit 23 is within a predetermined range stored in the storage unit 26 in advance (SA4).

  As a result, when the reception intensity is not within the predetermined range (when it is less than the threshold value) (SA4, No), it is assumed that the wireless signal is not transmitted from the wireless terminal 10, and the control unit 25 performs the wireless communication unit 23. The wireless signal reception operation by is stopped (SA5), and the reception process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the reception intensity of the radio signal is within the predetermined range (SA4, Yes), the control unit 25 causes the radio communication unit 23 to continue the reception operation (SA6). Subsequently, the control unit 25 determines whether or not reception of the electronic message included in the wireless signal is completed (SA7). The criteria for determining whether or not the reception of the message has been completed is arbitrary. For example, the presence or absence of an error is confirmed based on an error check code included in the message, and it is determined that the reception of the message has been completed when there is no error. Furthermore, the reliability of reception may be improved by determining that the reception of the message has been completed when a message having the same content is received a predetermined number of times.

  As a result, when it is determined that the reception of the message included in the wireless signal has been completed (SA7, Yes), the control unit 25 determines that it is unnecessary to continue the operation of the wireless communication unit 23, and the wireless communication unit 23 The reception operation is stopped (SA8), and the reception process is terminated.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a message transmission pattern by the wireless terminal 10 and a reception operation pattern of the wireless communication unit 23. As shown in FIG. 8, the radio terminal 10 repeatedly transmits a telegram including predetermined data such as a start code during a predetermined transmission time. On the other hand, the wireless communication unit 23 of the relay device 20 starts the reception operation at SA1 (the state of “ON” in FIG. 8), and when the reception intensity measured at SA2 is within a predetermined range, SA6. The receiving operation is continued with the message waiting state. When the start code included in the message is recognized during the message waiting state, the wireless communication unit 23 starts to interpret the received message. If it is determined from the result of interpretation of the received message that reception of the message has been completed normally, the receiving operation is stopped (in the “OFF” state in FIG. 8). When receiving a message with the same content a predetermined number of times is a criterion for completion of message reception, the reception operation is stopped after receiving the message a predetermined number of times (for example, twice) (dotted line in FIG. 8). .

  Returning to FIG. 6, when the reception of the message included in the wireless signal is not completed in SA7 (SA7, No), the control unit 25 determines whether the wireless communication unit 23 cannot receive the message included in the wireless signal. Determine (SA9).

  The criterion for determining whether or not a message can be received is arbitrary. For example, a wireless signal received by the wireless communication unit 23 in a message waiting state within a predetermined time does not include a start code indicating the beginning of the message. In this case, it is determined that the wireless communication unit 23 cannot receive a message. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a message transmission pattern by the wireless terminal 10 and a reception operation pattern of the wireless communication unit 23. As shown in FIG. 9, while the wireless terminal 10 is transmitting a message, the wireless communication unit 23 of the relay device 20 starts the reception operation at SA1, and continues the reception operation at SA6 and is in a message waiting state. When the wireless terminal 10 stops transmitting wireless signals, the wireless communication unit 23 cannot recognize the start code even if the message waiting state is continued for a predetermined time (“t” in FIG. 9). In addition, when a radio signal transmitted from a device that uses the same frequency but communicates according to a different telegram system is received, a predetermined start code cannot be received. In such a case, since the electronic message cannot be received even if the receiving operation is further continued, in such a case, the control unit 25 determines that the wireless communication unit 23 cannot receive the electronic message included in the wireless signal. . As a result, it is possible to determine whether or not a message cannot be received simply by interpreting the beginning of the message, and a quick determination can be made.

  Alternatively, the control unit 25 causes the wireless communication unit 23 to measure the reception strength of the received wireless signal, and determines whether or not a message can be received based on the measured reception strength. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a transmission pattern of a message by the wireless terminal 10, a reception operation pattern of the wireless communication unit 23, and a reception intensity measured by the wireless communication unit 23. As shown in FIG. 10, while the wireless terminal 10 is transmitting a message, the wireless communication unit 23 of the relay device 20 starts the reception operation at SA1, and continues the reception operation at SA6 and is in a message waiting state. When the radio terminal 10 stops transmitting radio signals, the reception intensity in the radio communication unit 23 decreases. Therefore, for example, when the reception strength is periodically measured by the wireless communication unit 23 and the reception strength is less than a predetermined threshold, the control unit 25 determines that the wireless communication unit 23 cannot receive a message included in the wireless signal. To do.

  Returning to FIG. 6, when the wireless communication unit 23 does not determine that the electronic message included in the wireless signal cannot be received (when it is determined that the electronic message included in the wireless signal can be received) (SA9, No), the control unit 25 It is determined again whether or not reception of the telegram included in the radio signal is completed (SA7). On the other hand, when the wireless communication unit 23 determines that the electronic message included in the wireless signal cannot be received (SA9, Yes), the control unit 25 determines that further operation of the wireless communication unit 23 is unnecessary, and the wireless communication unit The reception operation at 23 is stopped (SA8), and the reception process is terminated.

(Processing-Transmission processing)
Next, a transmission process in which the relay device 20 transmits a radio signal received from the radio terminal 10 in the reception process will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the transmission process. This transmission process is activated when the reception operation of the wireless communication unit 23 is stopped and the reception process is terminated, for example, by completing the reception of the message in the reception process of FIG.

  When the transmission process is activated, the control unit 25 causes the display unit 22 to display reception intensity information based on the reception intensity of the radio signal measured by the radio communication unit 23 in SA2 of the reception process illustrated in FIG. SB1). The specific content of the reception strength information is arbitrary. For example, a numerical value corresponding to the reception strength may be displayed on the display unit 22 as reception strength information, or a message indicating the strength of the reception strength is displayed on the display unit 22. May be. Further, it may be displayed on the display unit 22 only when the reception intensity is within a predetermined range or less than a predetermined threshold value, or may be always displayed on the display unit 22 regardless of the reception intensity.

  Subsequently, the control unit 25 generates a message in which power supply information based on the output voltage of the battery 24 is added in addition to the ID information and reception intensity information of the relay device 20 (SB2). The specific contents of the power supply information are arbitrary. For example, a numerical value indicating the output voltage of the battery 24 or a message indicating that the battery capacity is decreasing when the output voltage of the battery 24 is within a predetermined range is used as a power supply information message. Append. These reception strength information and power supply information may be added to the message only when the reception strength and the output voltage of the battery 24 are within a predetermined range or less than a predetermined threshold, or are always irrespective of the reception strength and output voltage. It may be added to a message.

  Thereafter, the control unit 25 causes the wireless communication unit 23 to transmit a wireless signal including the message generated in SB2 (SB3), and ends the transmission process. The receiving device 30 that has received the radio signal including the message with the received strength information and the power information added displays the received strength information and the power information on the display unit 32 or transfers the information to the receiver 40. Alarm and display. At this time, only when the reception strength specified based on the reception strength information and the power supply information or the output voltage of the battery 24 is within a predetermined range or less than a predetermined threshold, the reception device 30 displays or transfers the reception strength information and the power supply information. Information may be displayed, or display or information transmission may be performed at all times regardless of the reception intensity or output voltage.

(Processing-Registration process)
Next, a registration process for registering the wireless terminal 10 that should relay a wireless signal to the relay device 20 will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the registration process. This registration process is started when the relay device 20 is powered on, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 12, when the registration process is started, the control unit 25 determines whether or not an operation input for executing the registration process is received via the operation unit 21 (SC1). As a result, when the operation input for executing the registration process is not received (SC1, No), the control unit 25 performs the determination of SC1 again.

  On the other hand, when an operation input for executing the registration process is received (SC1, Yes), the control unit 25 operates the wireless communication unit 23 continuously (SC2). Next, the control unit 25 determines whether or not the registration of the wireless terminal 10 has been normally completed (SC3). The criterion for determining whether or not the registration of the wireless terminal 10 has been normally completed is arbitrary. For example, a wireless signal including identification information that uniquely identifies the wireless terminal 10 is received, and the identification information is stored in the storage unit 26. In this case, it is determined that registration of the wireless terminal 10 has been normally completed.

  As a result, when it is determined that the registration of the wireless terminal 10 has been completed normally (SC3, Yes), the control unit 25 stops the operation of the wireless communication unit 23 (SC4) and ends the registration process.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the registration of the wireless terminal 10 has not been completed normally (SC3, No), the control unit 25 has determined that an operation input indicating that the registration process is to be performed is received in SC1, and a predetermined time has elapsed. It is determined whether or not (SC5). As a result, when it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (SC5, No), the process returns to SC3, and the control unit 25 determines whether registration of the wireless terminal 10 has been normally completed (SC3).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined time has passed (SC5, Yes), the control unit 25 stops the operation of the wireless communication unit 23 (SC4) and ends the registration process.

  In addition, during execution of the registration process, when the wireless communication unit 23 receives a message other than the message related to the registration of the wireless terminal 10, or the wireless terminal 10 registered in the relay device 20 (for example, the storage unit of the relay device 20). When the wireless communication unit 23 receives a message transmitted from the wireless terminal 10) in which the identification information is stored in 26, the above reception processing and transmission processing can be interrupted and executed.

(Processing-Transmission strength adjustment processing)
Next, transmission intensity adjustment processing for adjusting the transmission intensity of the radio signal from the relay device 20 will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing transmission intensity adjustment processing. The start timing of the transmission strength adjustment process is arbitrary. For example, an operation input for executing the transmission strength adjustment process is input to the relay device 20 via the operation unit 21 of the relay device 20, and On the other hand, when an operation input for executing the transmission intensity adjustment process is performed via the operation unit 31 of the reception apparatus 30, the transmission intensity adjustment process is activated in the relay apparatus 20 and the reception apparatus 30.

  As shown in FIG. 13, when the transmission intensity adjustment process is activated, the control unit 25 of the relay device 20 transmits a radio signal (SD1). The specific contents of the radio signal are arbitrary, and can include, for example, identification information for uniquely identifying the relay device 20, information indicating that the signal is for transmission intensity adjustment processing, and the like.

  The control unit 36 of the receiving device 30 causes the wireless communication unit 33 to receive the wireless signal transmitted from the relay device 20 in SD1, and causes the wireless communication unit 33 to measure the reception strength of the received wireless signal (SD2). Then, the second reception strength information based on the reception strength of the wireless signal is transmitted by the wireless communication unit 33 (SD3). As the second reception strength information, for example, a numerical value that specifies the reception strength of a radio signal can be used.

  The control unit 25 of the relay device 20 causes the wireless communication unit 23 to receive the second reception strength information transmitted from the reception device 30, and transmits a wireless signal from the wireless communication unit 23 based on the received second reception strength information. The transmission strength to be adjusted is adjusted (SD4). The method for adjusting the transmission strength is arbitrary. For example, when the reception strength of the radio signal in the receiving device 30 specified based on the second reception strength information exceeds a predetermined range, the transmission strength is decreased, and the reception strength is within the predetermined range. If it is less, increase the transmission strength. Thereafter, the transmission strength adjustment process is performed again, and the transmission strength is repeatedly adjusted until the reception strength of the radio signal in the receiving device 30 falls within a predetermined range. Alternatively, a relational expression between the adjustment range of the transmission intensity and the fluctuation range of the reception intensity in the reception device 30 is stored in the storage unit 26 of the relay device 20, and the reception intensity specified based on the second reception intensity information Based on the relational expression, an adjustment range of the transmission strength is determined. After adjusting the transmission strength in this way, the relay device 20 and the receiving device 30 end the transmission strength adjustment process.

(effect)
As described above, according to the embodiment, when the wireless communication unit 23 is intermittently operated and the wireless communication unit 23 determines that the wireless signal is received during the operation, the wireless communication unit 23 is continuously set. Since the operation is performed, when the necessity of operating the wireless communication unit 23 is low, the current consumption can be reduced by reducing the drive time of the wireless communication unit 23. Therefore, it is possible to extend the battery life by reducing the current consumption while maintaining the reliability in relaying the radio signal.

  Further, since it is determined whether or not a radio signal has been received based on the reception strength of the radio signal measured by the radio communication unit 23, it can be reliably determined whether or not a radio signal has been received.

  In addition, the wireless communication unit 23 is intermittently set at a time interval set based on a transmission time for transmitting a wireless signal, a transmission time for each message included in the wireless signal, and a pause time for stopping transmission of the wireless signal. Therefore, the wireless signal can be received early and reliably while reducing the current consumption of the wireless communication unit 23 and extending the battery life.

  Further, when it is determined that it is not necessary to continue the operation of the wireless communication unit 23, the operation is stopped, so that the current consumption of the wireless communication unit 23 can be reduced.

  In particular, when the reception of the electronic message included in the wireless signal is completed, it is determined that the operation of the wireless communication unit 23 does not need to be continued.

  Further, when the wireless communication unit 23 receives a message with the same content included in the wireless signal a predetermined number of times, it is determined that the reception of the message has been completed, so whether or not reception of the message included in the wireless signal has been completed. Can be determined reliably.

  In addition, when it is determined that the wireless communication unit 23 cannot receive the electronic message included in the wireless signal, it is determined that the operation of the wireless communication unit 23 is not required. Can be determined.

  In particular, when the wireless signal received by the wireless communication unit 23 within a predetermined time does not include a start code, the wireless communication unit 23 determines that the electronic message cannot be received, so the wireless communication unit 23 is included in the wireless signal. Whether or not a message can not be received can be determined early and reliably.

  In addition, since it is determined whether or not a message can be received based on the reception intensity measured by the wireless communication unit 23, it is possible to reliably determine whether or not the wireless communication unit 23 cannot receive the message included in the wireless signal. Can do.

  In addition, since reception strength information based on the reception strength measured by the wireless communication unit 23 is added to a message included in the received wireless signal, and the wireless signal including the message is transmitted from the wireless communication unit 23, the reception in the relay device 20 The strength can be notified to the user, administrator, enforcement contractor, and the like.

  Moreover, since the display unit 22 for displaying the reception intensity information is provided, the reception intensity in the relay device 20 can be notified to a user, an administrator, an enforcer, and the like.

  Further, when a predetermined operation input is received via the operation unit 21, the wireless communication unit 23 is continuously operated. Therefore, the wireless communication unit 23 can be operated only when necessary, and the consumption of the relay device 20 The battery life can be extended by reducing the current.

  Moreover, since the power supply information based on the output voltage of the battery 24 of the relay device 20 is added to the message included in the received radio signal and transmitted, the decrease in the output voltage of the battery 24 is promptly reduced by the user, administrator, operator, etc. Can be notified.

  In addition, since the wireless communication unit 23 adjusts the transmission intensity for transmitting the wireless signal from the wireless communication unit 23 based on the second reception strength information received from the receiving device 30, the wireless signal is reliably received by the receiving device 30. Therefore, the transmission strength can be suppressed within a range in which a necessary and sufficient reception strength can be obtained, and an excessive current consumption in the relay device 20 can be reduced to extend the battery life.

[Modifications to Embodiment]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the specific configuration and means of the present invention can be arbitrarily modified and improved within the scope of the technical idea of each invention described in the claims. Can do. Hereinafter, such a modification will be described.

(About problems to be solved and effects of the invention)
First, the problems to be solved by the invention and the effects of the invention are not limited to the above-described contents, and the present invention solves the problems not described above or has the effects not described above. There are also cases where only some of the described problems are solved or only some of the described effects are achieved.

(About distribution and integration)
Further, each of the electrical components described above is functionally conceptual and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the specific form of distribution / integration of each part is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and all or a part thereof may be functionally or physically distributed / integrated in arbitrary units according to various loads and usage conditions. Can be configured.

(About relay device)
In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that in the registration process illustrated in FIG. 12, the wireless communication unit 23 is continuously operated when an operation input for executing the registration process is received via the operation unit 21. Not limited to the registration process, the wireless communication unit 23 may be continuously operated whenever a predetermined operation is received via the operation unit 21.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication system 2 Transmission line 3 Power supply line 10 Wireless terminal 20 Relay device 21, 31 Operation part 22, 32 Display part 23, 33 Wireless communication part 24 Battery 25, 36 Control part 26, 37 Storage part 30 Receiving device 34 Input / output part 35 Power supply circuit 40 Receiver

Claims (13)

A relay device for relaying a radio signal,
Communication means for receiving and transmitting radio signals;
Intermittently operates the communication means, when the communication means during the operation determines whether it has received a radio signal, determines that the communication means receives a radio signal, continuously the communication means Control means to operate automatically,
The transmission timing of the radio signal is alternately a transmission time that is a transmission time when the radio signal is transmitted and a pause time that is a constant pause time when the transmission of the radio signal is paused. Is repeated and
A fixed-length telegram included in the wireless signal is repeatedly transmitted during the constant transmission time; and
In the case where the maximum length of the remaining time, which is a time during which the message cannot be transmitted during the constant transmission time, is equal to the length of the message,
Wherein, the radio signal transmission time is transmitted, the transmission time for each message, and said a set time interval based on transmission is paused downtime radio signals, with (a constant (A certain transmission time × 2−the length of the message × 2 + the constant pause time) ÷ 2, which is a cycle equal to or less than the cycle represented by 2 and is equal to or longer than the constant pause time, Intermittently operating the communication means,
Relay device. The communication means includes
Measure the received strength of the received radio signal,
The control means includes
Based on the received intensity measured by the communication means, it is determined whether the communication means has received a radio signal,
The relay device according to claim 1. The control means includes
In the case where the communication unit is continuously operated, it is determined whether the operation needs to be continued, and when it is determined that the operation does not need to be continued, the operation of the communication unit is stopped.
The relay device according to claim 1 or 2. The control means includes
When the communication means completes reception of the telegram included in the wireless signal, it is determined that it is unnecessary to continue the operation of the communication means.
The relay device according to claim 3 . The control means includes
When the communication means has received a predetermined number of telegrams included in a wireless signal, the communication means determines that the reception of the telegram has been completed,
The relay device according to claim 4. The control means includes
When it is determined that the communication means cannot receive a message included in a wireless signal, it is determined that it is not necessary to continue the operation of the communication means.
The relay device according to any one of claims 3 to 5 . The control means includes
When the wireless signal received by the communication means within a predetermined time does not include the predetermined information indicating that it is the beginning of the message, the communication means determines that the message cannot be received;
The relay device according to claim 6 . The communication means includes
Measure the received strength of the received radio signal,
The control means includes
Determining whether or not the message can be received based on the received intensity measured by the communication means;
The relay device according to claim 6 or 7 . The communication means includes
Measure the received strength of the received radio signal,
The control means includes
Adding reception intensity information based on the reception intensity measured by the communication means to a message included in the received radio signal, and causing the communication means to transmit a radio signal including the message to which the reception intensity information is added,
The relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 . Comprising display means for displaying the received intensity information;
The relay device according to claim 9 . An operation means for accepting operation input is provided,
The control means includes
When a predetermined operation input is received via the operation means, the communication means is continuously operated.
The relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 . The relay device is a battery type relay device,
The control means includes
Adding the power information based on the output voltage of the battery of the relay device to the telegram included in the received radio signal, and causing the communication means to transmit the radio signal including the telegram to which the power information is added,
The relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 11. The relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
A receiving device that receives a radio signal transmitted from the relay device, measures a reception strength of the received radio signal, and transmits second reception strength information based on the measured reception strength of the radio signal to the relay device; A communication system comprising:
The communication means includes
Receiving the second reception strength information transmitted from the receiving device;
The control means includes
Based on the second reception strength information received by the communication means, adjust the transmission strength for transmitting a radio signal from the communication means,
Communications system.

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