JP2000236292A - Radio communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a system which conducts communication by obtaining the level of an input signal from a master or slave radio communications equipment installed nearby itself, selecting the master or slave radio communications equipment having the best input signal level, and uses the radio communications equipment for repeating if it become difficult to communicate owing to an unexpected obstacle, etc., when information on the slave radio communications equipment installed nearby itself is stored in advance and the master radio communication equipment and slave radio communications equipment communicate with each other. SOLUTION: When slave radio communication devices 11 and 12 having corresponding IDs are not prescribed as to the input signal level of this device, the input signal levels of the slave radio communications equipment 11 and 12, which are installed nearby, are obtained from stored information and sent back to the master radio communications equipment 10. Then the master radio communications equipment 10 is equipped with a means which selects other slave radio communications equipment having the best input signal level and uses the selected equipment as a repeater so as to send data having another added ID for repeating to the object slave radio communication device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a radio communication system comprising a base station radio communication device connected to a telephone line network and a slave radio communication device connected to a meter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional radio communication system of this type, when a radio communication apparatus starts communication, carrier sense is performed in advance so as not to cause interference with others, and it is confirmed that no other communication is being performed. Then, after determining that another communication is not being performed, the communication is started.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a conventional radio communication system, in which a base station radio communication apparatus 2 connected to a telephone network 1 is shown.
Can wirelessly transmit data to the slave wireless communication device 3 and the slave wireless communication device 4, respectively. Meters 5 and 6 are connected to the slave unit wireless communication devices 3 and 4, respectively.

Next, the operation of the above-mentioned conventional radio communication system will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, when the base station radio communication apparatus 2 starts calling (step S1), carrier sense is performed in advance so as not to cause interference with others, and it is confirmed that no other communication is being performed (step S1). Step S2). If it can be confirmed that no other communication is being performed, then a connection request signal is transmitted (step S3). The handset wireless communication devices 3 and 4 receive the transmitted signal, perform carrier sense, and return a connection response signal (step S4). Next, if the master unit wireless communication device 2 can confirm the connection response signal, data communication is performed (step S5).

When communication may be difficult due to a sudden obstacle or the like when communicating with the slave wireless communication devices 3 and 4 far from the master wireless communication device 2, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-13321 discloses In starting the communication, the bit error rate code data transmitted from the master unit wireless communication device 2 is determined by the bit error rate detection circuits in the slave unit wireless communication devices 3 and 4, and the master unit wireless communication device is determined. The base unit wireless communication device 2 that has returned the error rate to the base unit 2 determines whether or not normal data can be sent based on the information. A communication path is automatically secured to perform communication.

[0007]

However, if the number of relaying wireless communication devices increases, the error rate is returned one by one, and if the determination is made, the detection time of the relaying wireless communication device is determined. There is a problem that becomes longer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and stores information of a wireless communication device of a child device installed near the device in advance and stores the information of the wireless communication device between the master device and the child device. When the wireless communication device performs communication, if communication may be difficult due to a sudden obstacle or the like, the input signal level from another master wireless communication device or a slave wireless communication device installed near the wireless communication device may be reduced. It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for acquiring a master wireless communication device or a slave wireless communication device having the best input signal level, and performing communication using the wireless communication device as a relay.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A wireless communication system according to the present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the invention according to claim 1 comprises a base station wireless communication apparatus and a plurality of slave wireless apparatuses. A communication device and a meter, wherein when the master device wireless communication device adds data of the ID of the slave device wireless communication device to be communicated and transmits the data, the plurality of slave device wireless communication devices detect an input signal level. The plurality of slave wireless communication devices store information on the slave wireless communication devices installed near themselves in advance, and communicate with the slave wireless communication target having the corresponding ID. When the input signal level of the device is out of the specified range, the device obtains the input signal level of the other wireless communication device installed nearby from the stored information and returns the input signal level to the master wireless communication device. And the base station wireless communication device is medium. Input signal level data obtained by adding a different ID for use are those to be transmitted to the handset wireless communication device to be communicated by selecting relays addition to the handset wireless communication device is best.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the master unit wireless communication device performs communication with relay until an end message is detected. When an end message is detected, data for returning the wireless communication device to be communicated and another wireless communication device to the original communication system that does not require relaying is transmitted.

[0011] The invention according to claim 3 is based on claim 1.
In the invention described, the master wireless communication device checks an input signal level of the slave wireless communication device to be communicated while not performing communication, and the slave wireless communication device to be communicated receives an input signal. After the master wireless communication device confirms that the signal level is within the specified range, the original wireless communication device that does not need to relay the slave wireless communication device to be communicated with the other slave wireless communication device is not required. This is for transmitting data to be returned to the communication system.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the slave wireless communication apparatus to be communicated having the corresponding ID has an input signal level out of a specified range. The input signal level of another wireless communication device installed in the vicinity is acquired from the stored information, and data to which another ID for relay is added is input to the other wireless device having the best input signal level. The wireless communication device is selected, relayed, and transmitted to the slave wireless communication device to be communicated with.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the slave wireless communication apparatus to be communicated performs communication with relay until detecting an end message, and the slave to be communicated. When detecting the end message, the wireless communication device transmits data for returning the other wireless communication device and the master wireless communication device to the original communication system that does not require relaying.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 4.
In the invention described, the slave wireless communication device to be communicated checks an input signal level while not performing communication,
When it is detected that the condition is within the regulation, data for returning the other wireless communication device and the master wireless communication device to the original communication system that does not require relaying is transmitted.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when data is transmitted from the meter to the relay wireless communication device performing the relay, the relay is performed in parallel processing. The data from the meter is stored, and after the communication via the relay is completed, the data of the meter is transmitted to the master unit wireless communication device.

[0016] In the wireless communication system according to claim 8,
There are a plurality of systems that constitute one master wireless communication device, one slave wireless communication device, and a meter, add data of the ID of the slave wireless communication device to be communicated, perform communication, and perform communication. Other master wireless communication devices than the above detect the input signal level.

The master wireless communication device previously stores information of the master wireless communication device installed near itself, and receives an input signal of the slave wireless communication device having a corresponding ID to be communicated. When the level is out of the specified range, the master wireless communication device obtains an input signal level of another master wireless communication device, and selects another master wireless communication device having the best input signal level, A relay ID is added to the selected master wireless communication device and the selected master wireless communication device is relayed and transmitted to the slave wireless communication device to be communicated.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the radio communication system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

<First Embodiment> A first embodiment of the radio communication system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a wireless communication system according to the present invention. A master wireless communication device 12 connected to a telephone network 11 comprises a slave wireless communication device 13 and a slave wireless communication device 14.
Can be transmitted wirelessly. Meters 15 and 16 are connected to the slave unit wireless communication devices 13 and 14, respectively. Further, data can be wirelessly transmitted between the slave wireless communication device 13 and the slave wireless communication device 14.

Next, the operation of the wireless communication system of the present invention having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, when the base station radio communication apparatus 12 starts calling (step S11), carrier sense is performed in advance so as not to cause interference with others, and it is confirmed that no other communication is being performed (step S11). Step S12). If it can be confirmed that no other communication is being performed, then the data of the connection request with the slave unit ID added is transmitted (step S1).
3). The other wireless communication device 13 (14) receives the transmitted data and detects the input signal level (step S14).

The handset wireless communication devices 13 and 1 having the corresponding ID
4 judges whether or not the input signal level is out of the specified range (step S15). If the input signal level is within the specified range, communication is performed without relaying (step S2).
0), if not specified, the other handset wireless communication devices 13, 1
The data for acquiring the input signal level of No. 4 is transmitted (step S16). At this time, the data of the IDs of the other wireless communication devices 13 and 14 installed near the own device are stored in advance. To register the IDs of other wireless communication devices installed near the device itself, the IDs are registered by using a data setting device at the time of installation, or set by data communication from the center device.

Next, a connection response signal to which the input signal level is added is returned to the master unit wireless communication device. (Step S1
7). Next, the base unit wireless communication device selects a slave unit wireless communication device which is the best input signal level and can be relayed (step S18). Using another relay ID, data communication is performed via the relay (step S19).

Thereafter, communication via the relay is continued. If an end message is detected on the way, the master unit wireless communication device transmits data for returning to the original mode. In addition, the slave unit wireless communication device checks the input signal level while not communicating, and detects that the input signal level is within the specified range. Send the data back to.

<Second Embodiment> A second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of the wireless communication system of the present invention.

When the base station radio communication apparatus starts calling (step S21), carrier sense is performed in advance so as not to cause interference with others, and it is confirmed that no other communication is being performed (step S22). ). If it can be confirmed that no other communication is being performed, then the connection request signal is sent to the slave unit ID.
Is transmitted (step S23). The other handset wireless communication device receives the transmitted data and detects the input signal level (step S24). The slave wireless communication device having the corresponding ID determines whether the input signal level is out of the specified range (step S25). If the input signal level is within the specified range, communication is performed without relaying (step S29). If not, data for acquiring the input signal level of another wireless communication device is transmitted. (Step S26). Next, the slave wireless communication device selects a slave wireless communication device having the best input signal level and capable of relaying (step S27). Data communication is performed via the relay using another relay ID (step S2).
8).

Thereafter, the communication via the relay is continued. When the end message is detected, the slave wireless communication device automatically transmits data for returning to the original mode. Alternatively, the slave wireless communication device checks the input signal level while not communicating, and detects that the input signal level is within the specified range, the slave wireless communication device automatically returns to the original mode. Send the data to return.

When data is transmitted from the meter, the data from the meter is stored while operating in parallel processing, and the data of the meter is transmitted after the communication via the relay is completed.

<Third Embodiment> A third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the wireless communication system according to the present invention. The master wireless communication device 23 connected to the telephone line network 21 includes a slave wireless communication device 25 and a master wireless communication device 24.
Can be transmitted wirelessly. A meter 27 is connected to the slave wireless communication device 25.
Further, the base unit wireless communication device 24 is connected to the telephone line network, and the slave unit wireless communication device 25 and the slave unit wireless communication device 26.
It is also possible to wirelessly transmit data between the wireless communication device 23 and the base unit wireless communication device 23.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the base station radio communication apparatus. The base station radio communication apparatus comprises a terminal network controller 31 connected to a telephone line network, and a microcomputer having a memory, a CPU, and the like. A wireless transmission / reception unit 34 for transmitting / receiving data to / from the control circuit 32 and the handset wireless communication device; a power supply unit 33 for supplying power to each unit; an input signal level detection circuit 35 for detecting an input signal level when receiving data; And a relay ID detecting circuit 36 for detecting the relay ID when the slave wireless communication device is used for relay.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the wireless communication device of the slave unit. The wireless communication device of the slave unit includes a control circuit 42 comprising a microcomputer having a memory and a CPU and a wireless communication device for transmitting and receiving data to and from the master unit wireless communication device. A transmitting / receiving unit 34;
A power supply unit 33 for supplying power to each unit, an input signal level detection circuit 35 for detecting an input signal level when data is received, and a relay ID when the slave wireless communication device is used for relaying. It is composed of a relay ID detection circuit 36 and a meter I / F circuit 47 connected to the meter.

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of the wireless communication system of the present invention.

When the base station radio communication apparatus starts calling (step S31), carrier sense is performed in advance so as not to cause interference with others, and it is confirmed that no other communication is being performed (step S32). . If it can be confirmed that no other communication is being performed, then data is transmitted to which a slave unit ID has been added to the connection request signal (step S33). The wireless communication device receives the transmitted data and detects the input signal level (step S34). The slave wireless communication device having the corresponding ID determines whether the input signal level is out of the specified range (step S35). If the input signal level is within the specified range, communication is performed without relay (step S
39) If not, transmit data for acquiring an input signal level of another master wireless communication device (step S36). At this time, the data of the ID of the other base station wireless communication device installed near the own device is stored in advance.
ID of other base station wireless communication device installed near itself
Is registered when setting with a data setting device at the time of installation, or set by data communication from the center-side device. Next, the master wireless communication device selects a master wireless communication device that can relay data at the best input signal level (step S37). Data communication is performed via the relay by using another relay ID (step S38).

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the level judgment of the input signal. The voltage value of the signal received by the slave radio communication device of No. 1 and the slave radio communication devices of Nos. 2 to 4 installed near it. Perform based on. If the reference voltage value is specified to be 2.5 to 3.5 V, the value of the number 1 is out of the reference and is out of the specified range. At that time, the value of the other wireless communication device is compared.
Number 1 as a relay with the slave wireless communication device of number 4 in the standard
Perform data communication with the slave wireless communication device. If there are a plurality of slave wireless communication devices within the criterion, priorities are selected in ascending order of numbers.

[0038]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the input signal level of the slave wireless communication device to be communicated is out of the specified range, the wireless communication system of the present invention has the above-described configuration. Since the other wireless communication device detects the input signal level in advance, by notifying the input signal level to the wireless communication device, the wireless communication device having the best input signal level By selecting a communication device and relaying the selected slave wireless communication device to communicate with the slave wireless communication device to be communicated, a good communication path can be efficiently selected.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when communication is performed via the relay slave wireless communication device, the slave wireless communication device to be communicated transmits an end message. Upon detection, the master wireless communication device transmits command data that does not need to be relayed, returns all slave wireless communication devices to the original state, and can confirm the input signal level of the slave wireless communication device to be communicated again. Then, it can be determined whether or not it is necessary to relay each time the communication is executed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when communication is performed via a relay slave wireless communication device, the slave wireless communication device to be communicated has an input signal level. Is detected, the master wireless communication device is notified and the master wireless communication device can cancel the relay, so that the communication path with the slave wireless communication device to be communicated is good. , The relay is released as soon as the wireless communication system is in good condition.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, when the input signal level of the slave wireless communication device to be communicated is out of the specified range, another slave wireless communication device detects the input signal level in advance. Therefore, by acquiring the input signal level, the slave wireless communication device automatically selects the slave wireless communication device having the best input signal level, and relays the selected slave wireless communication device to perform communication. By communicating with the target wireless communication device and the master wireless communication device, the wireless communication device can be switched to the wireless communication system via the relay, and the relay operation on the master wireless communication device can be performed. Since the process of selecting a wireless communication device for the slave unit can be omitted, the total communication time is reduced.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the case of the fourth aspect of the present invention, when communication is performed via the relay slave wireless communication device, the communication completion message of the slave wireless communication device is determined. Is detected, the slave wireless communication device automatically transmits command data that does not need to be relayed, returns all slave wireless communication devices to the original state, and again receives the input signal level of the slave wireless communication device to be communicated. Can be confirmed, and it can be determined whether or not relaying is required each time communication is performed.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the case of the fourth aspect of the present invention, when communication is performed via a relay slave wireless communication device, the slave wireless communication device to be communicated has an input signal level. Is detected, the wireless communication device side can automatically control the release of the relay.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the master unit wireless communication device and the slave unit wireless communication device are communicating via the relay, the relay unit wireless communication device is connected to the master unit wireless communication device. If there is data communication from the meter, the data from the meter cannot be transmitted to the master wireless communication device due to the relay process.Therefore, after the relay process, the user must wait for retransmission from the meter. Since the data from the meter is stored, the stored data can be sent immediately after the relay processing.

According to the invention of claim 8, when the input signal level of the slave wireless communication device to be communicated is out of the specified range, the input signal level of another master wireless communication device is obtained. The master wireless communication device to be communicated selects the master wireless communication device having the best input signal level, and relays the master wireless communication device to communicate with the slave wireless communication device and the master wireless communication device to be communicated , Because only one slave wireless communication device is compatible with one master wireless communication device, communication can be performed without a slave wireless communication device to relay when the input signal level is out of the specified range. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a first embodiment of a wireless communication system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of the first embodiment of the wireless communication system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the wireless communication system according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless communication system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a base station wireless communication device according to a third embodiment of the wireless communication system of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a slave wireless communication device according to a third embodiment of the wireless communication system of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the wireless communication system according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of level determination of an input signal.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of a conventional wireless communication system.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of the embodiment of the conventional wireless communication system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 master unit wireless device 11 slave unit wireless device 31 terminal network control device 32 control circuit 33 power supply unit 34 wireless transmission / reception unit 35 input signal level detection circuit 36 relay ID detection circuit 47 meter I / F circuit

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A wireless communication device comprising a master wireless communication device, a plurality of slave wireless communication devices and a meter, wherein the master wireless communication device adds ID data of the slave wireless communication device to be communicated and transmits the data. Then, the plurality of slave wireless communication devices have input signal level detecting means, and the plurality of slave wireless communication devices which store information of the slave wireless communication devices installed near themselves in advance. When the communication target wireless communication device having the corresponding ID is out of the range of its own input signal level, the device determines the other wireless communication devices installed in the vicinity from the stored information. An input signal level of the device is obtained and returned to the master wireless communication device, and the master wireless communication device transmits data to which another ID for relaying is added to the other child device having the best input signal level. Select a wireless communication device and relay A wireless communication system for transmitting data to the slave wireless communication device of the elephant. 2. The base unit wireless communication device performs communication with relay until an end message is detected, and when the master device wireless communication device detects the end message, the slave unit wireless communication to be communicated is performed. 2. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication system transmits data for returning an apparatus and another slave wireless communication apparatus to an original communication system that does not require relaying. 3. The master wireless communication device checks an input signal level of the slave wireless communication device as a communication target while not performing communication, and the slave wireless communication device as a communication target is
After detecting that the input signal level falls within the specified range, the master wireless communication device confirms that the slave wireless communication device to be communicated with the other slave wireless communication device does not need to be relayed. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein data to be returned to the communication system is transmitted. 4. When the input signal level of the slave unit wireless communication apparatus having a corresponding ID is out of a specified range, the other slave unit installed in the vicinity from the stored information. The input signal level of the wireless communication device is acquired, and data to which another ID for relaying is added is selected and relayed to another slave wireless communication device having the best input signal level, and the slave wireless device to be communicated with is selected. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission is performed to a communication device. 5. The slave wireless communication device to be communicated performs relaying communication until an end message is detected, and when the slave wireless communication device to be detected detects an end message, another slave wireless communication device detects another end message. The wireless communication system according to claim 4, wherein the wireless communication system transmits data for returning the slave unit wireless communication device and the master unit wireless communication device to an original communication system that does not require relaying. 6. The slave wireless communication device to be communicated checks an input signal level while not performing communication, and when it detects that it is within a specified range, the other slave wireless communication device. 5. The wireless communication system according to claim 4, further comprising transmitting data for returning the master wireless communication device to an original communication system that does not require relaying. 7. When data is transmitted from a meter to the slave wireless communication device that is performing relaying, data from the meter is stored while performing relaying in parallel processing, and communication via the relay is terminated. 2. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, further comprising: transmitting data of a meter to the master wireless communication device. 8. There are a plurality of systems that constitute one master wireless communication device, one slave wireless communication device, and a meter, and perform communication by adding ID data of the slave wireless communication device to be communicated. Perform, the other master wireless communication device other than the communication target detects the input signal level, the master wireless communication device stores the information of the master wireless communication device installed in the vicinity of itself in advance When the input signal level of the slave wireless communication device having the corresponding ID is out of the specified range, the master wireless communication device acquires the input signal levels of the other master wireless communication devices. Selecting the other master wireless communication device having the best input signal level, adding another relay ID and relaying the selected master wireless communication device to communicate with the slave device. Wireless transmission to a wireless communication device Communications system.