JP2004336669A - Data communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simply enable the registration of ID necessary for radio communication between a radio master unit and a radio slave unit. <P>SOLUTION: A radio slave unit 4a which is established newly performs radio communication with a radio slave unit 4 which is established already. The radio slave unit 4a acquires ID of the radio master unit 2 which ID is necessary for radio communication from the radio slave unit 4 and registers it. After that, the radio slave unit 4a transmits data containing self ID to the radio master unit 2 on the basis of the ID. The radio master unit 2 which received the data registers the ID of the radio slave unit 4a in the data and performs answer on registration. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention performs wireless data transmission between a terminal network control device connected to a center device via a communication line and a terminal device such as a meter or a sensor, and performs data transmission between the terminal network control device and the center device. And a data communication system that performs bidirectional data communication.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a data communication system that performs bidirectional data communication between terminal devices such as gas meters, water meters, electric meters, or sensors and the center device, when multiple terminal devices are managed by one terminal network controller There is. As shown in FIG. 5, a wireless master device 2 is connected to the terminal network control device 1, and a wireless slave device 4 is connected to each terminal device 3. The terminal network control device 1 is connected to a center device 6 via a communication line 5 such as a telephone line.
[0003]
In response to the call from the center-side device 6, the terminal network control device 1 issues, for example, a meter reading request from the wireless master device 2 to the terminal device 3 through the wireless slave device 4. In response to this, data such as a meter reading from the terminal device 3 is transmitted to the terminal network control device 1 by wireless communication, and the terminal network control device 1 transmits this data to the center device 6. When the terminal device 3 issues a signal such as an abnormality, the data is transmitted to the terminal network control device 1 by wireless communication. The terminal network control device 1 makes a terminal call to the center device 6 and transmits data from the terminal device 3.
[0004]
Here, in order for the wireless master device 2 and the wireless slave device 4 to perform wireless communication with each other, the other party's ID must be registered. This ID is a unique ID for uniquely defining a partner. When the wireless master device 2 and the wireless slave device 4 are installed, an operation of registering each other's ID is performed. In this way, in order to determine a communication partner between the wireless master device 2 and the wireless slave device 4, the registration of the two by acquiring their IDs and storing the other party's ID in its own memory is called association. .
[0005]
As shown in FIG. 6, when establishing a connection between the wireless master device 2 and the wireless slave device 4, first, the ID of the wireless master device 2 and its own ID are written and registered in the wireless slave device 4 by the setting device 7. Thereafter, by pressing the framing switch 8 of the wireless master device 2 and the framing switch 8 of the wireless slave device 4 at the same time, communication is performed between the wireless master device 2 and the wireless slave device 4. When confirming that the communication is addressed to itself, the wireless master device 2 that has received the data from the wireless slave device 4 registers the ID of the wireless slave device 4 included in the data by storing the ID in the memory.
[0006]
As another framing method, as shown in FIG. 7, first, the wireless master device 2 and the wireless slave device 4 are placed close to each other, and the wireless master device 4 and the wireless slave device 2 are set to a framing mode by a switch operation, and both are connected to a cable. 9 and so on. Then, by turning on both power supplies at the same time, data transmission from the wireless slave device 4 to the wireless master device 2 is performed by wire. The wireless master device 2 registers the ID of the wireless slave device 4 from the received data by storing the ID in the memory. Thereafter, the wireless master device 2 and the wireless slave device 4 are respectively installed at predetermined positions.
[0007]
Patent Literature 1 discloses a method of performing automatic framing instead of manually framing as described above. In response to the call from the terminal device, the wireless slave device makes a registration request to the wireless master device. Communication is performed with the wireless master device responding to this, and the wireless master device registers the ID transmitted from the wireless slave device.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent No. 3319895 (paragraph 0007)
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the case of conventional manual framing, simultaneous switch operation becomes difficult depending on the installation location of the wireless master device 2. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, this is a case where the wireless master device 2 is installed on a telephone pole. In addition, when the wireless master device 2 and the wireless slave device 4 are connected by wire to form a frame, as shown in FIG. 5, if the wireless master device 2 is installed indoors, it is necessary to work indoors. The workability is poor, and work cannot be performed if you are away. Therefore, when a wireless slave is newly installed in an existing system, it is not easy to perform the framing.
[0010]
In the case of the conventional automatic connection, the terminal device must store the ID of the wireless master device as information. For that purpose, it is necessary to set this information in the terminal device. In the case of newly installing a wireless slave, the ID of the existing wireless master must be checked and set, which is troublesome. Further, there is a possibility that an input error of the ID may occur at the time of setting.
[0011]
In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a data communication system capable of easily registering information such as an ID for enabling communication between an installed wireless slave and a wireless master.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Means for Solving the Problems According to the present invention, a wireless master device is connected to a terminal network control device that performs data communication with a center device using a communication line, and a plurality of wireless slave devices connected to the terminal device are provided. Then, data transmission by wireless communication is performed between the wireless master device and the wireless slave device, and the newly installed wireless slave device is required for performing wireless communication with the wireless master device from the existing wireless slave device. Setting means for acquiring information, and starting means for transmitting to the wireless master device based on the information, wherein the wireless master device includes information about the wireless slave device included in data received from the wireless slave device. It is provided with registration means for registering.
[0013]
In the newly installed wireless slave, the setting unit acquires information necessary for performing wireless communication held by the existing wireless slave. If this information is set, the registration in the wireless slave device is completed. This enables the wireless slave to perform wireless communication with the wireless master. Therefore, the data including the information of the wireless slave is transmitted from the wireless slave to the wireless master by the activating means.
[0014]
Upon receiving the data from the wireless slave, the wireless master confirms that the communication is addressed to itself, and registers information about the wireless slave in the data. Thus, the wireless master device can wirelessly communicate with the newly installed wireless slave device.
[0015]
The newly installed wireless slave acquires necessary information from the existing wireless slave. As this means, wireless communication is performed between the two, or both are connected by wire. As a result, the information can be obtained directly, and no input error or the like can occur. As another means, a setting device is used. By outputting necessary information from the setting device to the wireless slave device, the wireless slave device can indirectly acquire the information. At this time, the information may be manually input to the setting device, but the information is read from the existing wireless client device. In this way, incorrect information is prevented from being input.
[0016]
Information required for performing wireless communication is the ID of the wireless master device. As the ID, a unique serial number of the wireless master device, a telephone number of a communication line, or an IP address is used. In a case where a plurality of wireless communication systems such as a plurality of wireless LANs, PHSs, and Bluetooths using different frequency bands can be used in wireless communication, information for specifying a wireless communication system used by the wireless slave device is provided. Is also required. Therefore, necessary information may include a wireless communication system.
[0017]
Registration of information necessary for wireless communication is necessary not only when a wireless communication device is newly installed, but also when a data communication system is newly constructed. Even in this case, when information such as the ID of the wireless master device is acquired, the wireless master device automatically transmits information including its own information to the wireless master device by activation from the wireless slave device. Information can be registered. As described above, in any case, the information can be registered by the operation of the wireless slave device, and the registration work is simplified.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
As shown in FIG. 5, a data communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a communication line 5 such as a telephone line connected to a center-side device 6 including a host computer and a center-side network controller connected to the host computer. The terminal network control device 1 is connected through the terminal network controller 1, the wireless master device 2 is connected to the terminal network control device 1, and the terminal devices 3 such as meters are connected to a plurality of wireless slaves 4 that wirelessly communicate with the wireless master device 2. It is the same as the conventional one. Note that the terminal network control device 1 and the wireless master device 2 are installed either indoors or outdoors.
[0019]
The wireless master device 2 has a known structure including an antenna, a wireless communication device, a control device, a nonvolatile memory, a battery, a start switch (frame switch) 8, an interface for connecting an external device, and the like. The wireless handset 4 also has the same structure as the wireless master device 2.
[0020]
In the wireless master device 2, the terminal network control device 1 is connected to the interface, and its own ID and the IDs of the plurality of wireless slave devices 4 are stored in a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM or a flash memory. A control device including a microcomputer controls communication with the terminal network control device 1 and communication with each wireless client 4. Note that the wireless master device 2 may be an integrated type built in the terminal network control device 1.
[0021]
In the wireless slave device 4, the terminal device 3 such as a meter or a sensor is connected to the interface, and its own ID and the ID of the wireless master device 2 are stored in a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM or a flash memory. A control device including a microcomputer controls communication with the wireless master device 2 and communication with the terminal device 3.
[0022]
Data communication is performed by a call from the center-side device 6 or a call from the terminal network control device 1 in response to a request from the terminal device 3 as in the conventional case. At this time, data transmission by wireless communication is performed between the wireless master device 2 and the wireless slave device 4.
[0023]
In order to enable wireless communication between the wireless master device 2 and the wireless slave device 4, the two registers their IDs by association. The ID of the wireless master device 2 is a serial number unique to the device. The ID of the wireless handset 4 is the manufacturing number of the terminal device 3 or the management number given to the terminal device 3. In addition, the serial number of the wireless slave device 4 may be used.
[0024]
The wireless master device 2 registers its own ID by writing the ID to a non-volatile memory during production. Note that the telephone number of the communication line 5 may be used as the ID. In this case, the ID is registered by writing into the wireless master device 2 by the setting device 7 at the time of installation. Alternatively, it is possible to register automatically by a caller ID notification from a telephone connected to the terminal network control device 1. That is, wireless master device 2 is connected to a telephone line via terminal network control device 1 and receives a caller number signal transmitted by calling the telephone. Then, the control device writes the telephone number obtained from this signal in the non-volatile memory and registers it as its own ID.
[0025]
The registration of the ID in the wireless handset 4 is performed by the setting device 7 at the time of installation. That is, the ID of the wireless master device 2 is checked in advance and the ID of the wireless slave device 4 and the ID of the wireless master device 2 are input to the setting device 7. As shown in FIG. 1, when setting the wireless slave device 4, the setting device 7 is connected to the wireless slave device 4, and the ID is written from the setting device 7. At the same time, the ID of the wireless master device 2 is also written. Each ID is stored in the non-volatile memory and registered as its own ID and the ID of the wireless master device 2, respectively. Instead of using the setting device 7, the self ID and the ID of the wireless master device 2 may be input and registered using a dip switch provided in the wireless slave device 4. That is, an ID is written by turning on and off a plurality of dip switches according to each ID at the time of installation. Alternatively, the production number written in the nonvolatile memory at the time of production may be used as the own ID.
[0026]
Then, for the connection between the wireless master device 2 and the wireless slave device 4, the control device of the wireless slave device 4 performs the wireless master device 2 based on the ID of the wireless master device 2 obtained by the external input as described above. 2 is provided with a start-up means for transmitting the call. On the other hand, the control device of wireless master device 2 has a registration unit that registers the ID of wireless slave device 4 included in the data received from wireless slave device 4.
[0027]
That is, the start switch 8 of the wireless slave device 2 is operated, or a start signal for the framing operation is input from the setting device 7. Then, the wireless client 4 is activated and transmits data to the wireless master 2 according to the prescribed format. The data includes its own ID and the ID of the wireless master device 2.
[0028]
The wireless master device 2 enters a communication standby state when the power is turned on, and upon receiving data from the wireless slave device 4, checks whether the ID in the data matches its own ID. When the IDs match, the wireless master device 2 confirms that the communication is addressed to itself, and stores the ID of the wireless slave device 4 in the data in the nonvolatile memory. As a result, the ID of the wireless slave 4 is registered in the wireless master 2. If the IDs do not match, the received data is discarded. Thereafter, the wireless master device 2 transmits data indicating the completion of the framing to the wireless slave device 4, and the framing between the two ends. When there are a plurality of wireless handsets 4, the above operations are sequentially performed.
[0029]
As described above, the ID of the wireless slave 4 can be automatically registered in the wireless master 2 simply by performing an operation on the wireless slave 4. Therefore, even when the wireless master device 2 is installed in a place where it is difficult to work, it is possible to easily execute the connection between the wireless master device 2 and the wireless slave device 4.
[0030]
By the way, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, there is a case where a wireless slave unit 4a is additionally installed in an existing data communication system. Also at this time, a connection between the wireless master device 2 and the newly installed wireless slave device 4a is required. Therefore, the control device of the wireless slave device 4 has a setting unit for acquiring the ID of the wireless master device 2 from the existing wireless slave device 4, and transmits to the wireless master device 2 based on the registered ID. The setting unit communicates with the existing wireless slave device 4 to acquire the ID of the wireless master device 2 held by the wireless slave device 4 and stores the ID in the nonvolatile memory.
[0031]
That is, as shown in FIG. 4, a new wireless slave 4 a is provided with the addition of the terminal device 3 to the wireless master device 2 and the wireless slave device 4 that are already framed and installed. The newly installed wireless client 4a establishes a connection by communicating with the existing wireless client 4 and transmits request data to the existing wireless client 4 so as to send the ID of the wireless base station 2. By receiving the ID and transmitting the ID, the newly installed wireless slave device 4a can directly acquire the ID of the wireless master device 2. Then, in a manner similar to the above, a connection is established between the wireless master device 2 and the newly installed wireless slave device 4a by transmission from the newly installed wireless slave device 4a. When this association is completed, the operation starts.
[0032]
In the setting means, in addition to directly acquiring the ID of the wireless master device 2 from the existing wireless slave device 4 by wireless communication, it is also possible to indirectly acquire the ID. That is, the setting device 7 may be used. The ID of the wireless master device 2 is read from the existing wireless slave device 4 to the setting device 7, and the ID is written from the setting device 7 to the new wireless slave device 4a.
[0033]
Here, the connection between the new wireless slave 4a and the existing wireless slave 4 is performed by simultaneously operating the start switches 8 of both slaves. In addition, the connection between the newly installed wireless slave 4a and the wireless master unit 2 is started by operating the start switch 8 of the wireless slave 4a. That is, the framing of the other wireless client device 4 and the framing of the wireless master device 2 are distinguished by the operation time of the activation switch 8. For example, in the framing with respect to the wireless handset 4, the button is pressed for 2 seconds. In connection with the wireless master device 2, the button is pressed for 5 seconds.
[0034]
As another method of connecting the new wireless terminal 4a and the existing wireless terminal 4, the function of the start switch 8 operated depending on whether the wireless terminal 4 has the ID of the wireless base unit 2 or not. change. That is, when the ID of the wireless master device 2 is held, the call is transmitted to the wireless master device 2 to establish a connection. If the ID of the wireless master device 2 is not held, the call is transmitted to the wireless slave device 4 to establish a connection. As described above, by changing the operation time of the start switch 8 or changing the function of the start switch 8, it is possible to select a partner to be associated with.
[0035]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that many modifications and changes can be made to the above-described embodiment within the scope of the present invention. The communication line connecting the terminal network control device and the center-side device is not limited to a telephone line, but may be a dedicated line, a network network such as a LAN or WAN, or may be a wired or wireless network.
[0036]
When the wireless master device and the wireless slave device perform wireless communication, a MAC address uniquely assigned to the communication device is set as information necessary for recognizing the other party, instead of the ID, or a wireless LAN connection is established. In this case, an IP address is set. The communication between the new wireless terminal and the existing wireless terminal is not only simultaneous operation of the start switch, but also broadcast from the new wireless terminal and communicate with the wireless terminal that has responded, or It is possible to use a known technique such as communication between wireless slaves in an ad hoc mode when a LAN connection is made. Alternatively, instead of wireless communication, a new wireless terminal and an existing wireless terminal may be directly connected by wire, and data may be transmitted between the two.
[0037]
In the association between the wireless slave and the wireless master, the wireless slave is activated to transmit data to the wireless master and start the alignment. However, the broadcast may be started by the wireless slave. At this time, the ID of the wireless master device is inserted into the data transmitted by the wireless slave device, and the wireless master device that has received the data replies to perform the association.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to register information such as an ID required for wireless communication only by operating the wireless slave without operating the wireless master. Therefore, even if the wireless master device is installed in a place where it is difficult to operate, the wireless slave device is installed near the terminal device and is easy to operate, so that the above-described registration work can be easily executed. In particular, by acquiring information necessary for wireless communication from an existing wireless slave, registration of a newly installed wireless slave can be simplified.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a method of framing between a wireless master device and a wireless slave device using a setting device. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a method of framing between a wireless master device and a wireless slave device using an existing wireless slave device. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation between the wireless master device and the wireless slave device. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for framing a newly installed wireless slave device. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the data communication system. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a conventional method of framing between a wireless master device and a wireless slave device using a setting device; FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a conventional framing method between a wireless master device and a wireless slave device connected by wire; FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a wireless master unit installed on a telephone pole.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Terminal network control device 2 Wireless base unit 3 Terminal device 4 Wireless slave unit 4a Newly installed wireless slave unit 5 Communication line 7 Setting unit 8 Start switch

Claims (6)

A wireless master device is connected to a terminal network control device that performs data communication with the center device using a communication line, and a plurality of wireless slaves connected to the terminal device are provided. Data transmission by wireless communication is performed between the slave and the newly installed wireless slave, setting means for acquiring information necessary for performing wireless communication with the wireless master from an existing wireless slave, Starting means for transmitting to the wireless master device based on the information, wherein the wireless master device includes registration means for registering information about the wireless slave contained in data received from the wireless slave. A data communication system, characterized by: 2. The data communication system according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit communicates with an existing wireless slave and stores information received from the wireless slave. A wireless master device is connected to a terminal network control device that performs data communication with the center device using a communication line, and a plurality of wireless slaves connected to the terminal device are provided. Data transmission by wireless communication is performed with the slave unit, the newly installed wireless slave unit is a setting unit that obtains information necessary for performing wireless communication with the wireless master unit from a setting device, and Starting means for transmitting to the wireless base station based on the wireless base station, wherein the wireless base station includes registration means for registering information on the wireless slave contained in data received from the wireless slave. Data communication system. The data communication system according to claim 3, wherein the setting device reads information from an existing wireless client device. A wireless master device is connected to a terminal network control device that performs data communication with the center device using a communication line, and a plurality of wireless slaves connected to the terminal device are provided. Data transmission by wireless communication is performed with the slave unit, the wireless slave unit includes, when installed, a starting unit that transmits to the wireless base unit based on the acquired ID of the wireless base unit, The wireless master unit, when receiving data from the wireless slave unit, confirms that the communication is addressed to itself, and includes a registration unit for registering the ID of the wireless slave unit included in the data. Data communication system. The data communication system according to claim 5, wherein the newly installed wireless slave acquires the ID of the wireless master either directly or indirectly from the existing wireless slave.

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