JP2001237985A - Communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system for saving power consumption, by which a communication cost and a communication time are reduced. SOLUTION: When communication is performed by using UUI(user and user information) via an ISDN public line 5, P-NCU8 at a terminal side performs an intermittent operation for saving power consumption (step 201). When an electronic message is continuously exchanged between a center 3 and a P-NCU8 at the terminal side, the center 3 sets information that the continuing electronic message exists 28 in UUI and performs a calling operation to P-NCU8 (step202). Then P-NCU8 at the terminal side detects the successive occurrence of an incoming call and continuously waits it without performing the intermittent operation (step 204). The P-NCU8 instantaneously responds to calling (step 205) from the center 3 and performs communication (step 206). When the electronic message is completed, information of the end of the message 29 is set in UUI to perform the calling operation (step 207). Then P-NCU8 returns to an intermittent waiting operation (step 209).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a PHS-UUS,
The present invention relates to a communication system using a UUI (user / user information) or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a telecommunication system using a PHS terminal or an ISDN public line, a method of connecting lines to perform communication by a protocol such as line switching (PIAFS) or non-procedure, and a line are connected. There is a method in which only a small amount of data is transmitted using a UUI (user / user information) or the like before disconnection. Further, when it is necessary to operate these remote communication systems for a long time using a battery, such as an automatic meter reading system such as a gas meter or a water meter, it is necessary to perform an intermittent standby operation to reduce power consumption.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, in a communication system using a PHS terminal, a circuit switching (PIAF)
When connecting in S), the PHS terminal performs an intermittent standby operation in the public mode (step 101). The center adjusts the timing or calls several times (step 102), and the PHS terminal connects to the center and
Communication is performed using S or the like (step 103). After the communication ends, the process returns to the intermittent standby operation (step 104).

As shown in FIG. 6, when a PHS-UUS is used in a communication system using a PHS terminal, the PHS terminal performs an intermittent standby operation in a public mode (step 111), and the center sets the timing. Match or call several times (step 112), PH
The S terminal connects to the center and performs communication using PHS-UUS or the like (step 113). If the communication message is exchanged many times, the call is disconnected once and then connected again.

[0005]

However, in the case of connection by circuit switching (PIAFS) as shown in FIG. 5, since the line is connected, even if data transmission is completed in a short time, a minimum of 10 yen is required. (Step 106). PHS-UUS, U as shown in FIG.
When a UI (user / user information) or the like is used, the communication fee is low, but the connection is cut off each time data is transmitted.
14) In some cases, the sleep time of the intermittent operation is entered and communication cannot be performed well (step 115). As described above, if the intermittent standby is performed, it takes time until the connection is established, and thus it takes time until the communication ends.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a low power consumption communication system in which communication cost and communication time are reduced.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a communication system in which a center and a terminal device are connected by a line, and the terminal device normally intermittently performs a standby operation. Transmitting a signal indicating whether or not communication is to be continued when calling the terminal device from the center, and performing a standby operation continuously when there is a signal to continue communication. System.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a communication system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 1 includes a center 3, an ISDN public line 5, a DSU
(Home data line terminating device) 7, P-NCU (network control device) 8, microcomputer meter 9, and the like. Center 3 and P-
It is connected to the NCU 8 by the ISDN public line 5. P
-The NCU 8 and the microcomputer meter 9 are connected by wire.
The microcomputer meter 9 is a gas meter. The present invention can be applied not only to gas meters but also to information terminals in general as well as meters for electricity and water. 6
Indicates a consumer.

In the present embodiment, communication is performed between the center 3 and the P-NCU 8 on the terminal side via the ISDN public line 5 using UUI (user / user information). The P-NCU 8 on the terminal side performs an intermittent operation to reduce power consumption. Center 3 and terminal side P-NCU
In the case of continuously exchanging telegrams with the center 8, the center 3
Sets the information indicating that there is a continuous message in the UUI (user / user information) and calls the P-NCU 8 so that the P-NCU 8 on the terminal side detects that another incoming call will occur again Then, continuous standby is performed without entering intermittent operation.

A call operation from the center 3 and a reception operation of the P-NCU 8 on the terminal side according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 shows the timing of the call operation from the center 3 and the reception operation of the P-NCU 8 on the terminal side. As shown in FIG. 2, normally, the P-NCU 8 performs an intermittent standby operation at predetermined time intervals (step 201).

[0011] When exchanging telegrams continuously, the center 3 sets the information indicating that there is a continuous telegram in the UUI and performs a calling operation (step 202). The P-NCU 8 performs a receiving operation and communicates with the center 3 using a UUI (user / user information) (step 203). This center 3
If information indicating that there is a continuous message is set in the call from, the P-NCU 8 performs continuous standby without returning to the intermittent operation (step 204). Next, the P-NCU 8 immediately responds to the call from the center 3 (step 205) and performs communication (step 206).

In the case of the end of the message, the call operation is performed by setting the information of the end message in the UUI included in the call from the center 3 (step 207). The P-NCU 8 performs a receiving operation and communicates with the center 3 (step 20).
8). If the information of the end message is set in the call from the center 3, the P-NCU 8 returns to the intermittent standby operation (step 209).

Next, a communication sequence in the case where the center 3 calls the P-NCU 8 on the terminal side and performs continuous communication according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 3 shows a communication sequence when the center 3 calls the P-NCU 8 on the terminal side to perform continuous communication.

As shown in FIG. 3, first, the center is SE.
The activation message A is set in the UUI (user / user information) of the TUP message, and transmitted to the P-NCU 8 on the terminal side via the ISDN public line 5 (step 301, step 302). CA from the ISDN public line 5 to the center 3
An LL-PROC (under response process) message is returned (step 303). When the P-NCU 8 receives the activation message A, it responds with CALL-PROC (during response processing).
A message is returned (step 304), and the activation message A is transmitted to the microcomputer 9 (step 305). P-
The NCU 8 returns an ALERT message to the center 3 via the ISDN public line 5 (Steps 306 and 307).

When receiving the activation message A, the microcomputer meter 9 transmits meter reading data and the like to the P-NCU 8 as a response (step 308). The P-NCU 8 sets a meter reading response such as meter reading data in a UUI (user / user information) of the DISC message, and transmits the DISC message to the center 3 via the ISDN public line 5 (step 30).
9, step 310).

Next, when there is a continuous message, the center 3
The information of the continuous message 28 is set in the REL 21 (release) message and transmitted to the P-NCU 8 (step 31).
1, step 312).

FIG. 4 is a format diagram of the REL message 21. As shown in FIG. 4, header information is set in the header 23. REL (release) is set in REL25. In the UUI 27, if there is a continuous message, a continuous message exists 28 is set, and if the message is an end message, information of the end message 29 is set.

The P-NCU 8 determines that there is a continuous message when the information of the continuous message 28 is set in the UUI 27 of the received REL 21 (release) message, and does not return to the intermittent standby operation, but continuously waits. Perform the operation. Further, the P-NCU 8 sends an X message to the microcomputer meter 9 to avoid a timeout to the microcomputer meter 9 (step 313), and sends a REL-COMP (release completed) to the center 3 via the ISDN public line 5. ) Reply message (step 314, step 31)
5). Upon receiving the X message, the microcomputer meter 9 returns a Y message to the P-NCU 8 as a response (step 31).
6).

Next, the center 3 performs the following calling operation. The center 3 sets the meter transmission message in the UUI of the SETUP message and transmits the SETUP message to the ISD
It transmits to the P-NCU 8 via the N public line 5 (steps 317 and 318). The CALL-PROC (call processing) message is returned from the ISDN public line 5 to the center 3 (step 319). Upon receiving the meter transmission message, the P-NCU 8 returns a CALL-PROC (under acknowledgment process) message (step 320), and transmits the downstream meter message to the microcomputer meter 9 (step 3).
21). The P-NCU 8 returns an ALERT message to the center 3 via the ISDN public line 5 (Step 322, Step 323).

When receiving the down meter message, the microcomputer meter 9 transmits the up meter message to the P-NCU 8 as a response (step 324). P-NCU8 is DISC
The meter reception message is set in the UUI (user / user information) of the message, and the DISC message is transmitted to the center 3 via the ISDN public line 5 (step 32).
5, step 326).

Next, in the case of the end message, the center 3
The information of the end message 29 is set in the L21 (release) message) and transmitted to the P-NCU 8 (steps 327 and 328).

When the information of the end message 29 is set in the UUI 27 of the received REL 21 (release) message, the P-NCU 8 transmits the end message to the microcomputer 9 (step 329), and sends it through the ISDN public line 5. hand,
A REL-COMP (release complete) message is returned to the center 3 (step 330, step 331). Then, the P-NCU 8 returns from the continuous standby operation to the normal intermittent standby operation.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when telegrams are continuously exchanged between the center 3 and the P-NCU 8 on the terminal side, the center 3 continues the UUI (user / user information). P-NC by setting information of 28 with message
U8 (user / user information) by transmitting to U8 and detecting that another incoming call will occur next time, and performing continuous standby without entering intermittent operation. Even when performing communication, the communication time does not need to be long, and the communication fee can be reduced as compared with the case where communication is performed by circuit switching.

In the above-described embodiment, a case is described in which communication is performed between the center 3 and the P-NCU 8 on the terminal side via the ISDN public line 5 using UUI (user / user information). In the present invention, the center and the PHS
The present invention can also be used for communication with a terminal device using PHS-UUS.

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a low power consumption communication system with reduced communication cost and communication time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a timing of a call operation from the center 3 side and a reception operation of the P-NCU 8 on the terminal side.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a communication sequence in a case where a P-NCU 8 on a terminal side is called from a center 3 side and continuous communication is performed.

FIG. 4 is a format diagram of a REL message 21;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a PHS in a communication system using a conventional PHS terminal, which is connected by circuit switching (PIAFS).
Diagram showing the timing of the receiving operation of the terminal and the calling operation from the center

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing timings of a reception operation and a call operation from the center of the PHS terminal when PHS-UUS is used in a communication system using the conventional PHS terminal.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Communication system 3 Center 5 ISDN public line 6 Consumer 7 DSU 8 P-NCU 9 Microcomputer meter 21 REL message 23 …… Header 25 ……… REL 28 …… Continued message exists 29 ……… End message

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A center and a terminal device are connected by a line,
The terminal device is a communication system that normally performs a standby operation intermittently, and when calling the terminal device from the center, sends a signal indicating the presence or absence of communication continuation, and the terminal device transmits a communication continuation signal. In some cases, the communication system performs a standby operation continuously. 2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein said line is ISDN. 3. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein said line is a PHS line. 4. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the signal indicating whether or not to continue communication is included in user / user information. 5. The signal indicating whether communication is continued is a PHS signal.
The communication system according to claim 3, wherein the communication system is mounted on UUS. 6. The terminal device includes a meter, a network control device,
The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the communication system is another information device. 7. The gas meter, the water meter,
7. The communication system according to claim 6, wherein the communication system is one of electric meters.