JP2001016666A - Communication equipment, method and system, and computer-readable storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow an infrared ray control signal to reach an equipment to be controlled wherever a user carrying a remote controller is resident. SOLUTION: Each of equipments A-E to be controlled is provided with a repeater and a remote controller 2 transmits a command including an ID of the equipment C. The equipments A, B receive this command, and since the IDs of their own of the equipments A, D are dissident with the ID of the equipment C, the equipments A, D relay the command. The equipment B further relays the command from the equipment A and the equipment C receives the command, since the ID of the equipment C matches that of the command, the equipment C transmits a reply signal. The relay signal is relayed by the equipments B, A and reaches the remote controller 2 and the equipments B, A adds its own ID to the reply signal and relays the resulting reply signal. The remote controller 2 discriminates a relay route on the basis of each ID added to the received reply signal. Then in the case of controlling the equipment C, the remote controller 2 transmits the command with the ID of each equipment added thereto on the relay route. The equipments A, B relays the command after eliminating its own ID from the command.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication device, a method, and a system suitable for a system capable of remote control by a remote controller such as a home network, and a computer-readable storage medium used for the communication device and method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, home appliances have been flooded with products that can perform wireless control using infrared rays, that is, so-called remote control, from television, video, air conditioner, audio, and even lighting. The number of attached remote controls increases in proportion to the number and types of home appliances that can be controlled by these remote controls, causing confusion such as mistaking the remote controls and complicating wireless control, which should be convenient. It is getting. A technique for improving such a situation and integrating a plurality of remote controls for each device into one remote control has also been proposed.

[0003] In addition, infrared rays used as a wireless communication means used in an ordinary remote controller have a weak directivity, and communication is impossible when the distance to the controlled device is long or when the distance is short but there is an obstacle in the middle. Will be. Conventionally, to improve this, the user with the remote control approaches the controlled device up to the reach of infrared rays, or the control range of the remote control is determined in advance, and a predetermined position where communication to the controlled device is not hindered. This was dealt with by devising such means as installing an infrared transponder.

[0004]

However, in the method of installing the repeater described above, the layout of the room is changed to place a new obstacle, or the user operates the remote controller in a lying down low posture. When the positional relationship with the repeater becomes worse, not only the same problem occurs, but also complicated work and time for moving and adjusting the repeater each time are required. Has caused problems such as an unpleasant user interface.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and has as its object to enable a user to control a controlled device from a remote controller regardless of the position where the user is located.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, in a communication apparatus according to the present invention, a wireless transmitting means for transmitting a first signal including transmission source identification information and transmission destination identification information; Wireless receiving means for receiving a response signal sent from the destination in response to the transmission of the first signal;
Determining means for determining a relay route to the transmission destination using the response signal;

In another communication apparatus according to the present invention, there is provided a wireless receiving means for receiving a first signal including transmission source identification information and transmission destination identification information, and a transmission destination identification signal included in the first signal. Comparing means for comparing the information with its own identification information; transferring the first signal to another device if the comparison result does not match; and comparing the own signal if the comparison result matches, There is provided transmission means for transmitting a response signal to which identification information and transmission source identification information included in the first signal are added.

[0008] In another communication apparatus according to the present invention, receiving means for receiving a first signal for which a transmission route is not set and a second signal for which a transmission route is set, and receiving the second signal. If so, a determining means for determining whether to transfer the second signal based on the transmission route,
When the first signal is transferred, the first signal is transferred without changing the content. When the second signal is transferred, the transmission route of the second signal is updated and transferred. And transmission means for performing the transmission.

Further, in the communication system according to the present invention, a wireless transmitting means for transmitting a first signal including transmission source identification information and transmission destination identification information, and the transmission destination transmitting the first signal in response to the transmission of the first signal. A first communication device having first wireless receiving means for receiving a response signal sent from the first communication apparatus, and first determination means for determining a relay route to the destination using the response signal; A second wireless receiving unit that receives the first signal; a comparing unit that compares the destination identification information included in the first signal with its own identification information; Transmitting means for transmitting the first signal to another device, and transmitting a response signal to which the identification information of itself and the transmission source identification information included in the first signal are added when the comparison result indicates a match; A plurality of second communication devices each having It is provided with a door.

In another communication system according to the present invention, a control device for wirelessly transmitting a first signal containing destination identification information and a second signal containing destination information and transmission route information, A controlled device that transmits a response signal corresponding to the first signal when receiving the first signal, and performs control corresponding to the first signal when receiving the second signal And when the first signal is received, relays the first signal, and when the response signal is received, relays the response signal by adding its own identification information to the response signal,
And a relay device that controls whether to relay the second signal based on the transmission route information when the second signal is received.

In the communication method according to the present invention,
A first signal radio including transmission source identification information and transmission destination identification information is transmitted, a response signal transmitted from the transmission destination in response to the transmission of the first signal is wirelessly received, and the response signal is transmitted. To determine the relay route to the destination.

In another communication method according to the present invention, a first signal including transmission source identification information and transmission destination identification information is wirelessly received, and transmission destination identification information included in the first signal and self-identification information are received. And if the comparison result does not match, the first signal is transferred to another device. If the comparison result matches, the own signal and the first identification signal are compared with each other. A response signal to which the transmission source identification information included in the signal is added is wirelessly transmitted.

[0013] In another communication method according to the present invention, when a first signal not setting a transmission route and a second signal setting a transmission route are received, and the second signal is received, It is determined whether or not to transfer the second signal based on the transmission route. If the first signal is transferred, the first signal is transferred without being changed, and the second signal is transferred. In the case of transferring this signal, the transmission route of the second signal is updated and transferred.

In the storage medium according to the present invention,
A process of wirelessly transmitting a first signal including source identification information and a destination identification information, a process of wirelessly receiving a response signal sent from the destination in response to the transmission of the first signal, And a process of determining a relay route to the transmission destination using the response signal.

In another storage medium according to the present invention, a process for wirelessly receiving a first signal including transmission source identification information and transmission destination identification information, and a process for transmitting destination identification information included in the first signal, A process of comparing the first signal to another device if the comparison result does not match, and a process of comparing the identification signal with the own device if the comparison result matches. Wirelessly transmitting a response signal to which the transmission source identification information included in the first signal is added. Computer-readable storage medium.

Further, in another storage medium according to the present invention, a process of wirelessly transmitting a first signal including transmission source identification information and transmission destination identification information, and transmitting the first signal in response to the transmission of the first signal. A program for executing a process of wirelessly receiving a response signal sent from a destination and a process of determining a relay route to the destination using the response signal is stored.

In another storage medium according to the present invention, a process for wirelessly receiving a first signal including transmission source identification information and transmission destination identification information, and a process for transmitting the transmission destination identification information included in the first signal, A process of comparing the first signal to another device if the comparison result does not match, and a process of transferring the first signal to another device if the comparison result does not match. A program for executing processing for wirelessly transmitting a response signal to which identification information and transmission source identification information included in the first signal are added is stored.

In another storage medium according to the present invention, a process for receiving a first signal for which a transmission route is not set, a process for receiving a second signal for which a transmission route is set, and a process for receiving the second signal. A process of determining whether or not to transfer the second signal based on the transmission route;
In the case of transferring the first signal, the process of transferring the first signal without changing the content, and in the case of transferring the second signal, the transmission route of the second signal is updated and transferred. A program for executing the processing is stored.

[0019]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a wireless communication device having a function as a repeater according to the communication protocol of the present embodiment, and 2 includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit of an infrared communication system, which is one of wireless systems. A remote controller 3 for remotely controlling the wireless communication device 1 is an infrared ray that is wirelessly transmitted when a transfer command is sent from the remote controller 2.

In the wireless communication apparatus 1, reference numeral 4 denotes an infrared light receiving section composed of a photo sensor or the like, and 5 demodulates data from the infrared light received by the light receiving section 4, converts the data into a specific format, and receives the demodulated data in a subsequent circuit. A receiving circuit 6 to be passed is used to temporarily save received data for relay transmission, or a buffer memory used for synchronizing an infrared communication rate with a system rate of a control device, and 7 is saved to a buffer memory 6. A transmission circuit for converting the relay data or a new control command into a transmission signal; 8, an infrared light emitting unit such as an LED; 9; an infrared light transmitted wirelessly when a transfer command is transmitted from the light emitting unit 8; Is an external switch for setting a device Id unique to the wireless communication device 1.

Reference numeral 11 denotes Id input from the switch 10.
A device Id conversion unit for converting the format into a format corresponding to the device Id used in the communication protocol of the present embodiment;
Extracts the device Id added to the header of the received command request, and extracts the device Id from the device Id conversion unit 11.
The Id comparison unit 13 that compares and matches with the wireless communication device 1
This is a control unit that performs a dedicated system control of the system, and is configured by a dedicated circuit or a microcomputer. Reference numeral 14 denotes a request detection unit having a request counter for automatically resetting itself when the same command is repeatedly received at a certain time.

A device control microcomputer 16 controls the main functions of the entire device including the wireless communication device 1, and is interfaced with the control unit 13 through a wire 15. Reference numeral 17 denotes a device-specific function unit, which realizes a function specific to a television when the controlled device is a television, a function specific to a video when the controlled device is a video, and a function specific to a light when the controlled device is a lighting.

If the control device microcomputer 16 and the device specific function unit 17 are not provided, only the wireless communication device 1 is provided.
Only in this case, the wireless communication device 1 operates only as a repeater according to the protocol of the present embodiment.

Next, an example of a wireless communication system composed of a plurality of electronic devices including the wireless communication device 1 of the present embodiment and its operation will be described. First, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system configured in a home. FIG. 6 is a sequence chart showing the operation. This will be described with reference to FIGS.

In FIG. 2, reference numerals 20 to 24 denote electric equipment product groups (equipment A to E) which are common in homes, such as televisions, videos, audios, air conditioners, and lights. These devices are controlled devices, and are Slave devices that operate only after giving a predetermined command. The remote controller 2 is a multifunctional remote controller capable of issuing a command command for requesting a desired operation to each of the Slave devices 20 to 24.
ter equipment.

<Sequence at Initialization> In FIG.
The case where the remote controller 2 controls the device 22C will be described as an example. It is assumed that the device C22 is too far from the remote controller 2 and cannot be directly controlled from the remote controller 2.

In order to solve the problem of the distance, the slave devices 20 to 24 in FIG. 2 include the wireless communication device 1 in FIG. Then, the user enters the switch 10
The identification information of each of the SIave devices 20 to 24 (that is, the device Id) is determined so as not to overlap. For example, Id = 1 for device A20, Id = 2 for device B21,
Id = 3 for device C22, Id = 4 for device D23, device E
24 sets Id = 5. The remote controller 2 as the master device defaults to Id = 0.

In the initialization operation mode, the remote controller 2
First, search and confirm the transfer route topology from the remote controller 2 to the device C22. Hereinafter, this method will be described specifically. (1) Issuance of a Master Request (Remote Control 2) After the remote control 2 selects the device C22 as a controlled device (target) (601 in FIG. 6), the remote control 2 sets the device C22.
, A request packet as a first signal is issued (602 in FIG. 6). FIG. 3A shows an example of the request packet transferred at this time.

In FIG. 3A, the start of the transfer can be recognized by the start bit 301 and the end of the transfer can be recognized by the end bit 304, during which the packet type 302 and the REQ information 3
03 is included. In this mode, packet type 30
2 is “0: REQ (request)”.

The REQ information 303 includes a mode bit 305 (in this case, 0: initialization) indicating an initialization mode or a normal mode, and a target slave Id 306 (indicating destination identification information) of a controlled device (target). In this case, Id of device C22 = 3), control device (controller)
Id (transmission source identification information)
(In this case, Id = 0 of the remote controller 2). The transfer command sent from the remote controller 2 in the above packet configuration is
The device A20 and the device D23 which are within range of the distance are reached by the transfer routes 26 and 27, respectively.

(2) Relay of Master Request (Device A and Device D) Device A2 that has received a request packet from the master
The operations of D0 and D23 will be described with reference to FIG. The request packet received by the light receiving unit 4 is demodulated by the receiving circuit 5,
The receiving circuit 5 converts the data into a predetermined format and transfers it to the buffer 6 at the subsequent stage. At this time, when the start bit 301 of the request packet is recognized, all parts including the buffer 6 are reset, and the packet type 302 and the REQ information 303 are temporarily latched in the buffer 6 until the end bit 304 is recognized.

In the Id comparison section 12, the target slave Id 306 output from the receiving circuit 5 (here, the device C
22 of the device A20 (or device D23) itself extracted from the device Id conversion unit 11 by extracting only the Id = 3) of the device 22.
(Id = 1, 4). In this case, the device A20,
Since the device D23 and the device D23 do not match, the Id comparison unit 12
The control unit 13 is notified that _hit = 0.

The operation of the control unit 13 of each device up to this point will be additionally described with reference to the state transition diagram of FIG. Reset action A0 at power-on or detection of start bit 301
When there is 0, the control unit 13 sets the idle state (ST0
Go to 0). Here, if the packet type 302 is RE
When detecting that the request is a Q request (A01), the control unit 13
Shifts to the mode selection state (ST01). next,
In the mode bit 305, the communication is performed in the initialization mode (A
02), the control unit 13 outputs the controlled I
Move to d comparison state (ST02).

When the above-mentioned Id comparison unit 12 detects an Id mismatch (A03), the control unit 13 immediately enters the relay mode state (ST03). The relay mode means that it recognizes that the control target requested by the received request packet is not itself, and forwards this packet to another controlled device. Thus, the data temporarily saved in the buffer is re-added with the start bit 301 and the end bit 304 according to the instruction of the control unit 13, sent to the transmission circuit 7, modulated, and transmitted from the light emitting unit 8. From this device A20 to FIG.
The request packet transferred in the packet configuration shown in FIG. 11A reaches the device B21 within a reach in the distance via the transfer route 28.

On the other hand, in the device D23, the Id mismatch (A03 in FIG. 4) is confirmed in the same sequence as described above, and the transfer is relayed via the transfer route 29. Cannot be reached.

(3) Relay of Master Request (Device B) The device B21 that has received the request packet relayed by the device A20 outputs the target slave Id (here, Id of the device C22 = 3) and the device Id conversion unit 12. Since the Id of the device itself (Id = 2) does not match, the device operates in the relay mode just like the sequence of the device A20. The request packet relayed again from the device B21 in the packet configuration shown in FIG. 3A arrives at the devices C22 and E24 within reach of the distance via the transfer routes 30 and 31, respectively (604 in FIG. 6). ).

Note that the command relayed from the device B21 may return to the device A20 again and fall into an infinite loop between the device B21 and the device A20. To solve this problem, In each device, when the request detection unit 14 continuously detects requests from the same device, the sequence operation of the control unit 13 is performed as shown in FIG.
A00 is forcibly reset.

(4) Arrival of Master Request and S
Issuance of 1ave response (device C) In device C22 that has received the request packet relayed by devices A20 and B21, it is output from target slave Id in S06 (here, Id of device C22 = 3) and device Id conversion unit 11. Id of device C22 itself (Id =
3) matches. This request packet may be relayed by the device E24 and re-input as the same request. However, since the request is processed on a first-come-first-served basis and a request input during operation is not accepted, there is a problem. There is no.

The operation of the control unit 13 in this case will be supplementarily described with reference to the state transition diagram of FIG. Id comparison state (ST
02) is as described above. Here, when the Id match (A05) is detected, the control unit 13 immediately proceeds to the slave response mode state (ST0).
4) The slave response mode recognizes that the control object requested by the received request packet is itself, and returns a packet indicating that the request packet from the remote controller 2 has been correctly received. Accordingly, the device C22 generates a response packet (605 in FIG. 6) and issues the response packet to the remote controller 2.

FIG. 3B shows a configuration example of the response packet transferred at this time. Start of transfer is start bit 30
1. The end of the transfer can be recognized by the end bit 304, during which the packet type 302 and the ACK information 308 are stored. In this mode, the packet type 302 is "1:
ACK (response) ". The ACK information 308 includes a mode bit 305 (in this case, 0: initialization) indicating the initialization mode or the normal mode, a master Id 309 indicating the Id of the master to be transferred (in this case, Id = 0), I of the device that relayed the response packet
The slave Id 310 stores d.

The slave Id 310 is a target slave Id indicating the Id of the target that generated the response packet.
311 (in this case, Id of device C22 = 3), relay slaves Id312 to 314 indicating Id (repeater identification information) of one or more devices that relay the response packet (Ids for the devices to be relayed are added) (In this case, it is not a relay, so it is not added).

The control unit 13 of the device C22 forms a response packet shown in FIG. 3B using the target slave Id and the master Id stored in the buffer 6, and supplies the response packet to the transmission circuit 7. After transmitting the response packet from the light emitting unit 8 (A06), the state of the control unit 13 is an idle state (S
Return to (T00). The response packet sent from the device C22 in the above-described packet configuration is transferred to the device E24 and the device B21 within the reach of the distances by the transfer routes 32, 3 respectively.
Reach via 0.

(5) Relay of Slave Response (Device B and Device E) The operations of the devices B21 and E24 which have received the response packet from the target device C22 are performed in ST00 → S of FIG.
A process is performed along the flow of T01 → ST02 → ST03 → ST00, and the response packet is relayed (60 in FIG. 6).
7). Here, the device B21 operates in the relay mode (ST03).
In order to indicate that the response packet has been relayed, the relay slave Id # 1 (312) has its own Id = 2.
Is added as repeater identification information.

Since the response packet is also relayed from the device E24, there is a possibility that the same response packet is re-input to the device B21. There is no problem because it is not accepted.

The response packet relayed by the device B21 is
The device A20 within a range of the distance is reached via the transfer route.

(6) Relay of Slave Response (Device A) The operation of the device A20 that has received the relayed response packet performs the same processing as in (5), and relays the response packet (608 in FIG. 6). That is, in order to indicate that the response packet has been relayed in the relay mode (ST03), Id = 1 of the device A20 is changed to the relay slave Id # 2 (3
13) and transfer. The response packet relayed from the device A20 reaches the remote controller 2 located within a reach in the distance via the transfer route 26.

(7) Reception of Slave Response (Remote Control 2) In the remote control 2 which has received the response packet relayed from the device A20, the target slave Id 311 (here, Id = 0 of the remote control 2) and the remote controller's own Id (Id)
= 0). The remote control 2 is ST00 in FIG.
Processing is performed along the flow of ST01 → ST02 → ST04 → ST00 to determine the transfer route (60 in FIG. 6).
9).

Here, the remote controller 2 extracts the slave Id 310 in the slave response mode (ST04). From the slave Id 310, the target slave I
d312 (Id of device C = 3) → Relay slave Id # 1
(Id of device B = 2) → Relay slave Id # 2 (device A
Id = 1) are sequentially extracted.

The remote controller 2 has relay slaves # 1 to #n
The transfer route (relay route) or the transmission route to the target (device C22) is recognized from the contents and order of (312 to 314).

By executing the above sequence,
The remote controller 2 can automatically search for the transfer route topology up to the device C22, and can perform communication using the topology. As a result, the remote controller 2 operates the target device C22 as long as the communication environment of the network does not change.
Can be controlled remotely. still,
If the communication environment changes and the transfer route is no longer valid, the transfer route is initialized and the mode process is executed again to automatically recognize the transfer route to the target.

<Sequence in Normal Operation> Next, how the normal data transfer is performed using the automatically searched transfer route in the initialization mode will be specifically described with reference to FIG. (1) Issuance of Master Request (Remote Control 2) The remote control 2 issues a data packet to the device C22 (611 in FIG. 6). FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the data packet transferred at this time.

In FIG. 5, the start of the transfer can be recognized by the start bit 301 and the end of the transfer can be recognized by the end bit 304, during which the packet type 302 and the REQ information 50 can be recognized.
1, a data section 507 in which control command data (control signal) from the remote controller 2 to the controlled device is stored.
In this mode, the packet type 302 is always "0: RE
Q (request) ".

The REQ information 501 includes a mode bit 305 (1: normal in this case) indicating the initialization mode or the normal mode, and a target slave Id 502 indicating the Id (transmission destination identification information) of the controlled device (target). In this case, Id of device C = 3), Id of the relay device on the transfer route
(Repeater identification information).

The slave Id 503 includes the relay slaves Id # 1 to #n (31
2 to 314) are rearranged and set in a predetermined topology order. In the present embodiment, for example, in the order close to the remote controller 2, that is, the device A20 (Id = 1) → the device B21
The relay slaves Id are arranged in the order of (Id = 2).
The data packet transmitted from the remote controller 2 in the above-described packet configuration is transmitted between the device A20 and the device D within the range of the distance.
23 are reached via transfer routes 26 and 27, respectively.

(2) Relay of Master Request (Device A and Device D) Device A 2 that has received a data packet from remote controller 2
The operations of D0 and D23 will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, device A20 relays a data packet (FIG. 6).
612), the device D23 does not relay the data packet.

The data packet received by the light receiving section 4 is demodulated by a receiving circuit 5, and the receiving circuit 5 converts the data packet into a predetermined format and transfers it to a buffer 6 at a subsequent stage. At this time, when the start bit 301 of the data packet is recognized, all parts including the buffer 6 are reset, and the packet type 302, the REQ information 501, and the data part 507 are temporarily stored in the buffer 6 until the end bit 304 is recognized. Latch.

The Id comparator 12 extracts only the target slave Id 502 (Id = 3) output from the receiving circuit 5 and outputs the device A2 output from the device Id converter 11.
0 (or the device D23) is compared with its own Id (Id = 1, 4). Since the devices A20 and D23 do not match, Id
The comparison unit 12 notifies the control unit 13 that Id_hit = 0.

The operation of the control unit 13 of each device up to this point will be additionally described with reference to the state transition diagram of FIG. Reset action such as power-on or detection of start bit 301 (A
00), the control unit 13 sets the idle state (ST
00). Here, R of packet type 302
When detecting that the request is an EQ request (A01), the control unit 1
No. 3 shifts to a mode selection state (ST01).

Next, when the mode bit 305 detects that this communication is in the normal mode (A07), the control section 13 shifts to the controlled Id comparison state (ST05). Here, the Id comparison unit 12 compares its own device Id with the target slave Id, and compares the comparison result with the target slave Id.
In the case of a mismatch (A08), the control unit 13 sets the relay I
Move to the d comparison state (ST06).

Subsequently, the Id comparison unit 12 checks its own device Id
And the relay slaves Id504 to 506, and when the comparison result indicates that the Id does not match (A12), the device A2
If 0 (or D23) determines that there is no need to perform a relay operation, the control unit 13 returns to the idle state (ST00). This corresponds to the operation of the control unit 13 of the device D23.
Therefore, relay transfer by the transfer route 29 does not occur from the device D23.

When the Id comparison unit 12 of a certain device detects a match of Id (A09), the control unit 13 determines that the device is on the transfer route topology and needs to perform a relay operation. , Relay mode state (ST07)
Move to At this time, the control unit 13 selects the slave Id 503 of the device from the slave Id 503 latched in the buffer 6.
The relay slave Id # n 504 that matches d is deleted.
Then, the control unit 13 reconstructs the data packet using the remaining data held in the buffer 6,
This data packet is transferred to the next repeater.

When the transmission is completed (A11), the control unit 13
Returns to the idle state (ST00). That is, device A
The control unit 13 of 20 re-arranges its own remaining relay slave Id from the received data packet with Id = 1. The data packet reconstructed by the device A20 arrives at the device B21 within the reach in the distance via the transfer route.

(3) Relay of Master Request (Device B) The device B21 also operates in the relay mode (ST07) similarly to the device A20 of (2), and relays the reconstructed data packet to another device (FIG. 6). 613). Here, device B2
1, the control unit 13 sets the slave Id 503's own Id = 2
And construct a packet. The data packet reconstructed by the device B21 is transmitted to the device C within the range of the distance.
22 and the device E24 are reached via transfer routes 30 and 31, respectively.

At this time, the control unit 13 of the device E24
Since the mismatch of Id is detected in the relay Id comparison state (ST06) shown in FIG. 4, the device E24 determines that there is no need to perform the relay operation, and does not perform the relay transfer.

(4) Receiving Master Request (Equipment C) The data packet arriving at the equipment C22 is in a state where all the relay slaves Id # 1 to #n (504 to 506) are deleted (ie, a state where there is no slave Id503). ). Here, the control unit 13 of the device C22 shifts from ST00 to ST01 to ST05 as shown in FIG. In the controlled Id comparison state (ST05), the target slave Id 502 in FIG. 5 is compared with the Id of the device C22. As a result, an Id match (A10) is detected, and the control unit 13 shifts to the device control mode state (ST08).

Here, the contents of the data portion 507, that is, the data is transferred from the predetermined control command control portion 13 to the device control microcomputer 16 through the wire 15, and is transmitted to the device specific function portion 1.
7 (614 in FIG. 6).

With the above control, the remote controller 2 can remotely control the device C22 using the transfer route, and can greatly reduce the distance and the weakness of infrared rays caused by the blocking wall 25 and the like. In addition, since devices other than the transfer route do not relay received data packets to other devices, the same packet is repeatedly transferred on the network, and the transfer between certain devices falls into an infinite loop. Is also resolved.

Next, a storage medium according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The remote controller 2 and each device A2 constituting the communication system according to the embodiment of FIG.
Each of 0, B21, C22, D23, and E24 can be configured by hardware, but can also be configured by a computer system having a CPU and a memory.
When constituted by a computer system, the memory constitutes a storage medium according to the present invention. The storage medium stores a program for executing the operations and processes described in the above embodiment.

The storage medium includes ROM, R
Semiconductor memory such as AM, optical disk, magneto-optical disk,
A magnetic recording medium or the like may be used, and these may be a CD-ROM,
The present invention may be applied to an FD, a magnetic card, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, or the like.

Therefore, by using this storage medium in a system or apparatus other than the system shown in FIG. 1, the system or the computer reads out and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.
The same functions as those of the above embodiment can be realized, the same effects can be obtained, and the object of the present invention can be achieved.

An OS running on a computer
When performing part or all of the processing, or after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in an extended function board or an extended function unit connected to the computer, Even when the CPU or the like provided in the extended function board or the extended function unit performs a part or all of the processing based on the instruction of the program code, the same functions as those of the above embodiment can be realized and the same effects can be obtained. Can be obtained, and the object of the present invention can be achieved.

The present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from its spirit or its main features. In the above embodiment, the remote controller 2 and the device A2
Although a case has been described in which all communications between 0, B21, C22, D23, and E24 are bidirectionally performed using an infrared communication system, which is one of the wireless communication systems, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, the remote controller 2 and each device A20, B2
1, C22, D23, and E24 may be an infrared communication system, and communication between the devices A20, B21, C22, D23, and E24 may be realized by another wireless communication system such as a spread spectrum communication system. is there. This is achieved by providing each device A20, B21, C22, D23, E24 with a communication unit corresponding to different wireless communication systems and a data conversion unit for mutually converting different transmission data formats in each wireless communication system. It can be easily realized.

Each device A20, B21, C22, D
23, E24 is not limited to the wireless communication system,
EEE1394 serial bus, USB (Universals)
alSerial Bus), a bus such as a serial network, or a bus-type network.

Therefore, the above-described embodiment is merely an example in every aspect, and should not be interpreted in a limited manner.

[0076]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The system can automatically search for the optimal data transfer route that can be transferred without worrying about the factors that hinder data transfer such as physical distance and obstacles, which are the weak points of wireless communication such as infrared rays. This allows remote control of the controlled device wherever the user is.

As a result, the user does not need to bother to move to a communicable position or adjust the movement of the repeater as in the related art, and the user can obtain a smooth and comfortable operation environment. The effect that the operability of the interface is greatly improved can be obtained. Further, the system and apparatus for realizing the present invention can be realized at very low cost, and can be sufficiently used for home use.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a wireless communication system using a wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a request packet and a response packet.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram illustrating a state transition of a control unit.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a data packet.

FIG. 6 is a sequence chart showing a communication procedure in the wireless communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 wireless communication device 2 remote controller 3, 9 infrared ray 4 light receiving unit 5 receiving circuit, 6 buffer memory 7 transmitting circuit 8 light emitting unit 11 device Id conversion unit 12 Id comparison unit 13 control unit 14 request detection unit 15 wire 16 device control microcomputer 17 device Specific function section

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yuichi Matsumoto 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Shuntaro Araya 3- 30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon F term in the company (reference) 5K002 AA05 AA06 DA05 FA03 GA04 5K048 DB02 DC01 EA16 EB03 FA06 FC02 HA03 HA04 HA06

Claims (35)

[Claims] 1. A wireless transmission means for transmitting a first signal including transmission source identification information and transmission destination identification information, and a response signal transmitted from the transmission destination in response to the transmission of the first signal. A communication device comprising: a wireless receiving unit that receives a signal; and a determining unit that determines a relay route to the destination using the response signal. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein said wireless transmission means transmits a second signal together with said relay route. 3. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the second signal includes a control signal for controlling the transmission destination. 4. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the response signal includes a repeater identification signal indicating a device that relays the response signal. 5. The communication device according to claim 4, wherein said relay route comprises said repeater identification signal. 6. The wireless transmitting means and the wireless receiving means,
The communication device according to claim 1, wherein transmission and reception are performed by infrared rays. 7. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is a remote controller for remotely controlling the transmission destination. 8. A wireless receiving means for receiving a first signal including transmission source identification information and transmission destination identification information, and comparing the transmission destination identification information included in the first signal with its own identification information. And comparing means for transferring the first signal to another device when the comparison result does not match, and includes the own identification information and the first signal when the comparison result matches. A transmission unit for transmitting a response signal to which the transmission source identification information is added. 9. The communication apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when the response signal is received from another device, the transmission unit transmits the response signal by adding its own identification information to the response signal. 10. A first signal including the same identification information is
The communication device according to claim 8, wherein, when the signal is received twice, the wireless reception unit validates a first-come-first-served signal. 11. When receiving a second signal including transmission source identification information and relay route information, the communication device determines whether to transfer the second signal to another device based on the relay route information. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
0. The communication device according to claim 1. 12. When the second signal is transferred to another device, the communication device reconfigures the second signal to indicate a device to be relayed next.
2. The communication device according to 1. 13. The communication device according to claim 8, wherein said wireless receiving means and said transmitting means perform reception and transmission by infrared rays. 14. A receiving means for receiving a first signal for which a transmission route has not been set and a second signal for which a transmission route has been set, and when the second signal has been received, based on the transmission route. Determining means for determining whether or not to transfer the second signal; and transferring the first signal without changing the contents of the first signal when transferring the first signal, and transferring the second signal. A communication unit for updating the transmission route of the second signal and transferring the updated transmission route. 15. The communication device according to claim 14, wherein the transmission route includes identification information of a device that relays the second signal. 16. The communication device according to claim 15, wherein, when transferring the second signal, the communication device deletes its own identification information from the transmission route. 17. The communication apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said receiving means further receives a response signal corresponding to said first signal. 18. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein, when receiving the response signal, the communication device transfers the response signal by adding its own identification information to the response signal. 19. The communication apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said receiving means and said transmitting means are capable of wireless communication. 20. A wireless transmission means for transmitting a first signal including transmission source identification information and transmission destination identification information, and a response signal transmitted from the transmission destination in response to the transmission of the first signal. A first communication device having first wireless receiving means for receiving, and determining means for determining a relay route to the destination using the response signal; and a first communication apparatus for receiving the first signal. Wireless receiving means, comparing means for comparing the destination identification information included in the first signal with its own identification information, and when the comparison result does not match, the first signal is transmitted to another device. And transmitting means for transmitting a response signal to which the own identification information and the transmission source identification information included in the first signal are added when the comparison result indicates a match. Communication system characterized by comprising: . 21. The wireless transmission unit according to claim 2, wherein the transmission unit transmits a second signal including destination identification information, relay route information corresponding to the relay route, and a control signal.
0. The communication system according to item 0. 22. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein, when the response signal is received from another device, the transmitting unit transmits the response signal by adding its own identification information to the response signal.
2. The communication system according to 1. 23. The method according to claim 20, wherein when the signal including the same identification information is received twice, the second wireless receiving means validates the signal received first. A communication system according to claim 1. 24. When receiving the second signal, the second communication device determines whether or not to transfer the second signal to another device based on the relay route information. The communication system according to claim 21, characterized in that: 25. When transferring the second wireless receiving means to another device, the second communication device reconfigures the second signal to indicate a device to relay next. The communication system according to claim 24, wherein: 26. The communication system according to claim 20, wherein said first and second wireless receiving means, wireless transmitting means and transmitting means perform reception and transmission by infrared rays. . 27. A first signal including destination identification information,
A control device for wirelessly transmitting a second signal including transmission destination information and transmission route information; and, when receiving the first signal, transmitting a response signal corresponding to the first signal; And a controlled device that performs control corresponding to the first signal when the second signal is received, and relays the first signal when the first signal is received and receives the response signal In this case, the response signal is added with its own identification information and relayed. When the second signal is received, the second signal is transmitted based on the transmission route information.
And a relay device for controlling whether or not to relay the signal. 28. Wirelessly transmitting a first signal including transmission source identification information and transmission destination identification information, and wirelessly receiving a response signal transmitted from the transmission destination in response to the transmission of the first signal. A communication method comprising: determining a relay route to the destination using the response signal. 29. Wirelessly receiving a first signal including transmission source identification information and transmission destination identification information, comparing the transmission destination identification information included in the first signal with its own identification information, When the result does not match, the first signal is transferred to another device. When the comparison result matches, the own identification information and the transmission source identification information included in the first signal are transmitted. A communication method characterized by wirelessly transmitting a response signal to which a response is added. 30. Receiving a first signal for which a transmission route is not set and a second signal for which a transmission route is set, and when receiving the second signal, the second signal based on the transmission route. It is determined whether or not to transfer the signal. When the first signal is transferred, the first signal is transferred without being changed. When the second signal is transferred, the first signal is transferred. 2. A communication method, wherein the transmission route of the second signal is updated and transferred. 31. A process for wirelessly transmitting a first signal including source identification information and destination identification information, and wirelessly transmitting a response signal sent from the destination in response to the transmission of the first signal. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a process of receiving and a process of determining a relay route with the destination using the response signal. 32. A process for wirelessly receiving a first signal including transmission source identification information and transmission destination identification information, and a process for comparing transmission destination identification information included in the first signal with its own identification information. When the comparison result does not match, the first signal is transferred to another device. When the comparison result matches, the own identification information and the transmission source identification included in the first signal are transmitted. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a process of wirelessly transmitting a response signal to which information has been added. 33. A process for transmitting a first signal including transmission source identification information and transmission destination identification information, and receiving a response signal transmitted from the transmission destination in response to the transmission of the first signal. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a process and a process of determining a relay route to the transmission destination using the response signal. 34. A process for receiving a first signal including transmission source identification information and transmission destination identification information, a process for comparing transmission destination identification information included in the first signal with its own identification information, When the comparison result does not match, a process of transferring the first signal to another device; and when the comparison result matches, the identification information of the own device and the first signal are included in the first signal. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a process of transmitting a response signal to which transmission source identification information has been added. 35. A process for receiving a first signal for which a transmission route is not set and a second signal for which a transmission route is set, and, when the second signal is received, receiving the first signal based on the transmission route. A process of determining whether or not to transfer the second signal; a process of transferring the first signal without changing the content of the first signal; and a process of transferring the second signal. And a program for executing a process of updating and transferring the transmission route of the second signal, if necessary, for storing a computer-readable storage medium.