JP2006033717A - Communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system capable of setting a reception standby period on a slave set from among a variety of reception standby periods having different lengths with respect to at least a reception standby period among the reception standby period and a reception execution period. <P>SOLUTION: A communication system adds, to a communication control unit 20, a processing function of transmitting one item of reception cycle information to a slave set 1 to be set with the information via a radio communication interface 23, in conformity with a slave set setting instruction for setting the one item of reception cycle base information to the slave set 1 from a variety of reception cycle base information, each including at least information for deciding reception standby period and having different length of the reception standby period; and a processing function of reading transmission period information previously associated with the slave set 1 and with each reception standby period from a storage unit 25, on the basis of information from an external terminal 4 to the slave set 1 side. The system also adds, to a communication control unit 10, a processing function of storing reception cycle information for at least deciding the reception standby period, on the basis of one item of reception cycle base information into a storage unit 15, if the one item of reception cycle base information to its own device is received via a radio communication interface 13. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention comprises a master unit connected to an external terminal such as a communication center and a mobile phone via a communication network, and a slave unit connected to a remote terminal via a communication line. It is related with the communication system which transfers the information transmitted / received between an external terminal and a remote terminal by carrying out wireless communication between.

  In recent years, automatic meter-reading wireless systems are in widespread use, and in addition to meter-reading values for usage by metering meters such as electricity, water, and gas, abnormal information generated by meters can be remotely and automatically sent to a predetermined communication center. It is starting to collect.

  FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration diagram of this type of automatic meter reading radio system. As shown in FIG. 5, the automatic meter reading wireless system transfers information transmitted and received between the gas meter 30 and the water meter 31 and the communication center 40, and is connected to the gas meter 30 and the water meter 31, respectively. A plurality of slave units 1 and 1 and a master unit 2 are configured.

  The plurality of slave units 1 and 1 and the master unit 2 are installed in each home and connected to the communication center 40 via the communication network N. The meter reading value of each meter is periodically transmitted from each slave unit 1 to the master unit 2 by low-power radio or the like, and transmitted from the master unit 2 to the communication center 40 via a network control circuit, a telephone network, and the like.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the automatic meter reading radio system. The operation of the automatic meter reading radio system will be described with reference to FIG. Each cordless handset 1 is intermittently driven by executing and pausing a reception operation for each reception execution period and reception pause period that are alternately and periodically repeated. In this way, the power consumption of the battery serving as the drive source can be suppressed by intermittently driving each slave unit 1.

  In such an operation state, when the base unit 2 receives a startup message from the communication center 40, the base unit 2 returns a startup response to the communication center 40. Upon receiving the activation response, the communication center 40 transmits a meter reading instruction for the gas meter 30 to the parent device 2.

  When the base unit 2 receives the meter-reading instruction, the base unit 2 is set in advance and continues to transmit a link establishment request to the handset 1 connected to the gas meter 30 for a transmission execution period longer than the reception suspension period. In the periodic reception execution period, when the slave unit 1 detects wireless communication with a prescribed radio wave strength or higher and receives a link establishment request, it returns a response to the link establishment request and enters a continuous communication state. .

  After receiving the response to the link establishment request, base unit 2 transfers the meter-reading instruction from communication center 40 to handset 1. The subunit | mobile_unit 1 receives the meter-reading response sent in response to the meter-reading instruction | indication from the gas meter 30 by transferring the meter-reading instruction | indication from the main | base station 2 to the gas meter 30, and transfers this to the main | base station 2.

  When the master unit 2 receives the meter reading response from the slave unit 1, it transfers this to the communication center 40. When the communication center 40 normally receives the meter reading response, the communication center 40 transmits an end message to the parent device 2. When receiving the end message from the communication center 40, the parent device 2 transfers it to the child device 1 and returns to the standby state. On the other hand, when receiving the end message from the parent device 2, the child device 1 cancels the continuous communication state and returns to the original intermittent reception operation. The operation of the water meter 31 is also performed in the same manner as described above.

Note that Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic meter-reading wireless system in which a wireless master device and a wireless slave device communicate with each other autonomously and can easily register or change a communication partner without making a mistake in setting.
JP 2000-215378 A

  However, in the conventional communication system, since the same reception suspension period is set for all the slave units, for example, reception suspension of the slave unit connected to a remote terminal such as a gas meter via a communication line is possible. Even if there is a request to shorten the reception suspension period of the slave unit connected via a communication line to a remote terminal such as an air conditioner or a water heater, it is difficult to meet the request.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and sets at least one reception suspension period from various reception suspension periods having different lengths to the slave unit among the reception execution period and the reception suspension period. It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication system that can handle such a situation.

  The invention described in claim 1 for solving the above-mentioned problem is that a wired communication means for communicating with a remote terminal compatible with remote operation via a communication line, a slave side wireless communication means for performing wireless communication, Receiving period information storage means for storing reception period information for determining alternately repeating reception execution periods and reception pause periods, and periodic reception execution determined by the reception period information stored in the reception period information storage means While performing reception operation via the slave unit side wireless communication means for each period, the reception operation via the slave unit side wireless communication unit is suspended for each periodic reception suspension period determined by the reception cycle information. Processing, processing for returning a response to the link establishment request when a link establishment request addressed to itself is received in the reception operation, and wireless communication after the response, When the terminal information is received, the slave unit includes a slave unit side communication control unit that executes processing for transferring the information via the wired communication unit and the slave unit side wireless communication unit, and communicates with the external terminal. A network communication unit that performs communication via a network, a base unit side wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication, and a transmission execution period that is longer than a reception suspension period determined by reception period information stored in the reception period information storage unit Transmission period information storage means for storing transmission period information for transmission, and transmission from the transmission period information storage means when receiving information addressed to the slave unit from the external terminal via the network communication means A process for reading out the period information, a transmission execution period obtained from the transmission period information, and a link establishment request is transmitted to the slave unit to which the information destined for the slave unit is to be transmitted via the master unit side wireless communication means When the information on the slave unit side is received in the wireless communication after receiving the response to the link establishment request via the master unit side wireless communication unit, the information is sent to the network communication unit and the network communication unit And a base unit including a base unit side communication control unit for executing processing to transfer via the base unit side wireless communication unit, wherein the base unit side communication control unit includes the reception execution period. Each of which includes information for determining at least the reception suspension period of the reception suspension period, and sets one reception period base information in the slave unit from various reception period base information having different lengths of the reception suspension period In accordance with the slave unit setting instruction, in addition to executing the process of transmitting the one reception period base information to the slave unit to be set via the master unit side wireless communication means, the process of reading the transmission period information And executing a process of reading transmission period information previously associated with the slave unit from the transmission period information storage unit based on information addressed to the slave unit side from the external terminal, and the slave unit side communication control unit includes: When receiving the one reception period base information addressed to itself via the slave unit side wireless communication means, the reception period information is stored in the reception period information storage means based on the one reception period base information. It is characterized by executing a storing process.

  In this configuration, according to the slave unit setting instruction, one reception cycle base information is transmitted from the master unit to the slave unit to be set, and the reception cycle information is stored in the reception cycle information storage unit, so that the slave unit The reception operation is performed every periodic reception execution period determined by the reception cycle information, and the reception operation is suspended every periodic reception suspension period determined by the reception cycle information, while the master unit is longer than the reception suspension period. Since the link establishment request is continuously transmitted during the transmission execution period, at least the reception suspension period of the reception execution period and the reception suspension period has a length so that the link establishment is reliably performed between the parent device and the child device. One reception suspension period can be set in the slave unit from various different reception suspension periods.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the communication system according to the first aspect, when the external terminal receives a communication request addressed to the remote terminal from another information terminal, the communication requested to the corresponding remote terminal is performed. And the communication result is returned to the information terminal. According to this configuration, for example, in response to a request from an information terminal such as a customer's personal computer or mobile phone, a service for executing remote control of the remote terminal at the customer's home can be provided.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the communication system according to the second aspect, the external terminal and the information terminal communicate with each other by electronic mail or HTTP. According to this configuration, the service can be provided without forcing various customers to make a special investment.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the communication system according to the first aspect, the master unit stores various information for obtaining the various reception period base information, information related to the remote terminals, and the transmission period information storage. A master unit side storage unit that stores the information in association with each transmission period information stored in the unit, and a master unit side operation unit for inputting an initial registration instruction as the slave unit setting instruction, A slave unit side operation means for inputting an initial registration instruction, wherein the master unit side communication control unit is directed to the slave unit to which the one reception period base information is to be set via the master unit side wireless communication unit In accordance with the initial registration instruction input by the master unit side operation means, the initial registration request from the slave unit is awaited via the master unit side wireless communication means, and the initial registration request is sent to the remote On the terminal When received together with related information, one piece of information associated with the information related to the remote terminal is read out from the base unit side storage means, and one piece of reception period base information obtained from the one piece of read information is obtained. In the process of storing the reception cycle information in the reception cycle information storage unit, the slave unit side communication control unit performs a process of sending back via the base unit side wireless communication unit. In accordance with the input initial registration instruction, an initial registration request is transmitted to the master unit together with information related to the remote terminal connected to the wired communication unit side via the slave unit side wireless communication unit, When the one reception period base information is returned from the master as a response to the registration request, the reception period information is converted into the reception period based on the one reception period base information. And executes a process of storing in the broadcast storage means. According to this configuration, when the initial registration instruction is input by the parent device side operation means and the initial registration instruction is input by the child device side operation means, at least the reception suspension period of the reception execution period and the reception suspension period is set. Can be set easily. Further, by storing in advance information for obtaining a reception suspension period suitable for the remote terminal in the base unit storage means, a reception suspension period suitable for the remote terminal can be set in the slave unit.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the communication system according to the fourth aspect, the master unit is a remote terminal connected to the slave unit from information on the remote terminal included in the initial registration request message received from the slave unit. Is determined to be a specific terminal, the initial registration response to the slave is prohibited if the radio wave intensity of the initial registration request is not equal to or higher than a certain level. In this configuration, for example, when the remote terminal requires reliable communication related to security, the initial registration response to the slave unit is prohibited if the radio wave intensity of the initial registration request is not higher than a certain level. Therefore, the remote terminal having a weak radio wave intensity can be excluded, and the operation related to security can be prevented from being executed in an uncertain state of communication.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the communication system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the remote terminal measures a consumption amount of tap water or predetermined energy, and uses the measured consumption amount as the external terminal. The microcomputer meter is obtained as information addressed to a communication center. In this configuration, consumption of tap water or predetermined energy can be collected by remote operation.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is the communication system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the remote terminal is an HA device comprising an HA terminal connected to the wired communication means via the communication line. It is characterized by that. In this configuration, the HA device can be remotely operated by an external terminal.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to set one reception suspension period from various reception suspension periods having different lengths to at least the reception suspension period among the reception execution period and the reception suspension period.

  1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a master unit of the communication system, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are operation explanatory diagrams of the communication system.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system of the present embodiment transfers information transmitted and received between various remote terminals 3 compatible with remote operation and an external terminal 4 such as a communication center 40 or a mobile phone (not shown). There are a plurality of slave units 1 and a master unit 2 connected to each remote terminal 3.

  The remote terminal 3 is a microcomputer or HA (home automation) device composed of a semiconductor storage device such as a ROM or EEPROM that stores remote terminal identification information assigned in advance, a microcomputer, a program executed by the microcomputer, and the like. is there. As the microcomputer meter, a gas meter 30 that measures gas consumption and obtains the measured consumption as information addressed to the communication center 40 is used. On the other hand, a water heater 33 and an air conditioner 34 are used as an HA device having an HA terminal. In the example of FIG. 1, the microcomputer meter is a gas meter 30, but a microcomputer meter such as a water meter or an electric meter is also applicable. The HA device can also be applied to an HA device such as a microwave oven or a water heater remote controller.

  The communication center 40 is configured by a computer, a network communication interface, and the like, and collects consumption (meter reading value) obtained from each gas meter 30 via each communication system by periodic remote operation.

  The subunit | mobile_unit 1 drives intermittently so that the power consumption may be reduced with the battery 11, the wired communication interface 12, the wireless communication interface 13, the operation part 14, the memory | storage part 15, the communication control part 10, It has.

  The wired communication interface 12 has two types of ports configured by an HA communication module and a serial communication module such as asynchronous half-duplex communication, and a remote terminal connected to one of these two types of ports. 3 through the communication line L (bidirectional communication).

  The wireless communication interface 13 includes a transmission / reception antenna and a wireless (weak wireless, specific low power) transmission / reception module, and performs wireless communication using a weak wireless method or a specific low power method.

  The operation unit 14 includes, for example, a power switch as a slave unit side operation means for inputting an initial registration instruction, and includes various operation buttons, for inputting the initial registration instruction and the various instructions.

  The storage unit 15 is configured by a readable / writable nonvolatile semiconductor storage device such as an EEPROM, for example, and stores reception cycle information for determining a reception execution period and a reception suspension period that are alternately repeated periodically. . Note that the information on the reception execution period of the reception execution period and the reception suspension period may be stored in a nonvolatile semiconductor storage device such as a ROM. However, in the present embodiment, the storage unit 15 stores the information for convenience of explanation. Shall be remembered.

  The communication control unit 10 is constituted by a microcomputer and a program executed by the microcomputer, and executes processing such as control of the slave unit 1 in general. For example, for each periodic reception execution period determined by the reception period information stored in the storage unit 15, a reception operation is performed via the wireless communication interface 13, while for each periodic reception suspension period determined by the reception period information. Then, a process of pausing the reception operation via the wireless communication interface 13 is executed.

  Further, when a link establishment request addressed to itself is received in the above reception operation, a process of returning a response to the link establishment request is executed. Specifically, in the reception operation, the parent device identification information pre-assigned to the parent device 2 and the child device-side identification information pre-assigned to the child device 1 side (the child device identification information pre-assigned to the child device 1 And at least one of the remote terminal identification information assigned in advance to the remote terminal 3), when the link establishment request is received, a response to the link establishment request is sent as the parent machine identification information and the child machine side identification. A process of replying with the information is executed.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the remote terminal identification information is taken into the slave unit 1 from the remote terminal 3, and the remote terminal identification information is stored in the storage unit 15 as the slave unit identification information and stored in the storage unit 15. The slave unit identification information is used as the slave unit side identification information. Therefore, when the link establishment request is received together with the master unit identification information and the slave unit side identification information stored in the storage unit 15 in the above receiving operation, a response to the link establishment request is sent as a response to the master unit identification information and the slave unit. A process of returning together with the machine side identification information is executed. When the original slave unit identification information assigned to the slave unit 1 itself is used as the slave unit side identification information, the slave unit identification information may be stored in the storage unit 15 or a semiconductor storage device such as a ROM. May be stored in the memory.

  Furthermore, when the information of the remote terminal 3, that is, the information from the external terminal 4 to the remote terminal 3 or the information from the remote terminal 3 to the external terminal 4 is received in the wireless communication with the link established after the response, A process of transferring the information via the wired communication interface 12 and the wireless communication interface 13 is executed.

  As a feature of the present embodiment, when the communication control unit 10 receives one reception period group information to be described later to itself through the wireless communication interface 13, based on the one reception period group information. A process of storing the reception cycle information in the storage unit 15 is executed. Specifically, when one reception cycle base information is received together with the master unit identification information and the slave unit side identification information via the wireless communication interface 13, the reception cycle information is set based on the one reception cycle base information. The process stored in the storage unit 15 is executed.

  In this process, information related to the remote terminal 3 connected to the wired communication interface 12 side through the wireless communication interface 13 according to the initial registration instruction input by turning on the power switch of the operation unit 14. At the same time, when an initial registration request is transmitted to the base unit 2 and one reception period base information is returned from the base unit 2 as a response to the initial registration request, the initial registration request is received based on the one reception period base information. A process of storing the period information in the storage unit 15 is executed.

  Here, in the present embodiment, as information related to the remote terminal 3, for example, remote terminal identification information is used. In this configuration, by communicating with the remote terminal 3 via the wired communication interface 12 in accordance with the initial registration instruction, remote terminal identification information is acquired from the remote terminal 3 as information related to the remote terminal 3, and this remote terminal identification is obtained. The information is stored in the storage unit 15 as the slave unit identification information used as the slave unit side identification information as described above, and the slave unit side stored in the master unit identification information and the storage unit 15 via the wireless communication interface 13 When the initial registration request is transmitted together with the identification information, and when one reception period base information is returned together with the master unit identification information and the slave unit side identification information as a response, it is received based on the one reception period base information. A process of storing the period information in the storage unit 15 is executed. In this initial registration instruction processing, the initial registration request may be made by broadcast communication to acquire the master unit identification information.

  The base unit 2 is, for example, constantly operated by inputting AC power from an AC power source AC to the power source unit 21, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a network communication interface 22, a wireless communication interface 23, , An operation unit 24, a storage unit 25, and a communication control unit 20.

  The network communication interface 22 communicates (bidirectional communication) with the external terminal 4 via a communication network N such as the Internet or a telephone line network, and constitutes a data line terminator (DCE) such as a modem, for example. Interface.

  The wireless communication interface 23 includes a transmission / reception antenna 231 and a wireless (weak wireless, specific low power) transmission / reception module 232, and performs wireless communication by a weak wireless method or a specific low power method.

  The operation unit 24 includes information for determining at least the reception suspension period among the reception execution period and the reception suspension period, and obtains one reception period base information from various reception period base information having different lengths of the reception suspension period. The slave unit setting instruction for setting (transmitting) to the slave unit 1 includes an input switch that constitutes a master unit side operation means for inputting an initial registration instruction, and includes various operation buttons. This is for inputting various instructions.

  The storage unit 25 is configured by a readable / writable non-volatile semiconductor storage device such as an EEPROM, for example, and has a transmission execution period longer than the reception suspension period determined by the reception cycle information stored in the storage unit 15 (in the example of FIG. Transmission period information for obtaining “link establishment message transmission time”) is stored in advance for each slave unit identification information (“slave unit ID” in the figure). In addition, the storage unit 25 stores a radio frequency used for wireless communication in association with parent device identification information (parent device ID).

  Here, the various transmission period information for each slave unit identification information is also various information for obtaining various reception period base information associated with information related to each remote terminal 3. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, as information for obtaining the reception period base information, the information on the transmission execution period is information related to the remote terminal 3 and is used as handset identification information. The reception period base information is created by subtracting a predetermined time from the transmission execution period to obtain the reception suspension period. The reception execution period of each slave unit 1 may be the same period. In this case, information on the reception execution period may also be stored in the storage unit 25 and included in the reception period base information. Alternatively, the reception execution period information may be set (stored) in advance in each slave unit 1.

  The communication control unit 20 is constituted by a microcomputer and a program executed by the microcomputer, and executes processing such as control of the parent device 2 in general. For example, when information destined for the handset 1 is received from the external terminal 4 via the network communication interface 22, processing for reading transmission period information from the storage unit 25 is executed. Specifically, when information including external terminal identification information, parent device identification information, and child device side identification information assigned in advance to the external terminal 4 is received from the external terminal 4 via the network communication interface 22, A process of reading the transmission period information from the unit 25 is executed.

  In addition, a transmission execution period obtained from the transmission period information, and a process of continuously transmitting the link establishment request to the slave unit to which information destined for the slave unit 1 side is to be transmitted via the wireless communication interface 23 are executed. Specifically, during the transmission execution period, a process of continuously transmitting the link establishment request together with the master unit identification information and the slave unit side identification information from the external terminal 4 through the wireless communication interface 23 is executed.

  Further, in wireless communication with a link established after receiving a response to the link establishment request via the wireless communication interface 23, information on the handset 1 side, that is, information from the external terminal 4 to the handset 1 side or external When information from the handset 1 side to the terminal 4 is received, processing for transferring the information via the network communication interface 22 and the wireless communication interface 23 is executed.

  As a feature of the present embodiment, the communication control unit 20 sets the one reception period base information through the wireless communication interface 23 according to the initial registration instruction input by the input switch of the operation unit 24. Execute the process to send to. Specifically, when an initial registration request is received from the slave unit 1 via the wireless communication interface 23 and this initial registration request is received together with information related to the remote terminal 3 (slave unit side identification information), One piece of information (transmission execution period information) associated with information related to the remote terminal 3 is read from the storage unit 25, and one reception period base information obtained from the read one transmission execution period information is wireless. A process of returning via the communication interface 23 is executed.

  Further, in the process of reading the transmission period information from the storage unit 25, based on the information addressed to the slave unit from the external terminal 4, the process of reading the transmission period information previously associated with the slave unit from the storage unit 25 is executed. Is done. Specifically, based on information including external terminal identification information, parent device identification information, and child device side identification information, transmission period information associated with the child device identification information of the child device is read from the storage unit 25 in advance. Processing is executed.

  Next, the operation of the communication system configured as described above will be described. First, the operation after the initial registration will be described with reference to FIG. When the base unit 2 receives a startup message from the external terminal 4 (here, the communication center 40), a startup response is returned to the external terminal 4. When receiving the activation response, the external terminal 4 transmits, for example, a meter reading telegram addressed to the slave unit (information destined for the slave unit 1 side) to the master unit 2.

  When the base unit 2 receives the telegram addressed to the slave unit, the base unit of the slave unit (slave unit 1 connected to the gas meter 30) based on the slave unit side identification information (wireless slave unit ID) included in the telegram The transmission period information (link establishment message transmission time) previously associated with the side identification information is read from the storage unit 25. The link establishment request continues to be transmitted to the slave unit 1 during the transmission execution period obtained from the transmission period information. In the periodic reception execution period, when the handset 1 receives the link establishment request, it returns a response to the link establishment request.

  After receiving the response to the link establishment request, the parent device 2 transfers the above-mentioned message addressed to the child device (“metering instruction” in the figure), which is information from the external terminal 4 to the child device 1 side, to the child device 1. Since the telegram from the master unit 2 is a meter reading instruction addressed to the remote terminal 3, the slave unit 1 sends back the meter reading instruction to the gas meter 30 in the same manner as in the past, and is returned from the gas meter 30 according to the meter reading instruction. The incoming meter reading response is received and transferred to the master unit 2.

  When the master unit 2 receives the meter reading response addressed to the external terminal 4 from the slave unit 1, it transfers this to the external terminal 4 as an instruction result response. When the external terminal 4 normally receives the instruction result response, the external terminal 4 transmits an end message to the parent device 2.

  When receiving the end message from the external terminal 4, the base unit 2 transfers it to the handset 1 and returns to the standby state. On the other hand, when receiving the end message from the parent device 2, the child device 1 cancels the continuous communication state and returns to the original intermittent reception operation.

  Thereafter, when the base unit 2 receives an activation message from the external terminal 4 of the user who has gone out, for example, a mobile phone, the base unit 2 returns an activation response to the external terminal 4. When the external terminal 4 receives the activation response, the external terminal 4 transmits, for example, a message addressed to the slave unit with the water heater on to the master unit 2.

  When the base unit 2 receives the message addressed to the slave unit, the base unit 2 previously stores the slave unit side identification information of the slave unit 1 (the slave unit connected to the water heater 33) based on the slave unit side identification information included in the message. The associated transmission period information (link establishment message transmission time) is read from the storage unit 25. The link establishment request continues to be transmitted to the slave unit 1 during the transmission execution period obtained from the transmission period information. In the periodic reception execution period, when the handset 1 receives the link establishment request, it returns a response to the link establishment request.

  After receiving the response to the link establishment request, base unit 2 transfers the above-mentioned telegram addressed to the slave unit (in the figure, “water heater on instruction”), which is information from external terminal 4 to slave unit 1 side. . Since the message from the parent device 2 is an on instruction addressed to the remote terminal 3, the slave unit 1 transfers the on instruction to the hot water heater 33 in the same manner as in the prior art, thereby responding to the on instruction from the hot water heater 33. The returned ON response is received and transferred to the base unit 2.

  When the base unit 2 receives the ON response addressed to the external terminal 4 from the slave unit 1, it transfers this to the external terminal 4 as a hot water heater ON response. When the external terminal 4 normally receives the water heater ON response, the external terminal 4 displays a message to that effect and transmits an end message to the base unit 2. Here, the slave unit 1 connected to the remote terminal 3 such as the water heater 33 remotely operated by a user who is out is shorter in the reception pause than the slave unit 1 connected to the remote terminal 3 of the microcomputer meter. Since the period is allocated, the user can confirm the hot water heater ON response by the display unit in a shorter time and can shorten the communication time.

  When receiving the end message from the external terminal 4, the base unit 2 transfers it to the handset 1 and returns to the standby state. On the other hand, when receiving the end message from the parent device 2, the child device 1 cancels the continuous communication state and returns to the original intermittent reception operation. Note that communication similar to that of the water heater 33 is also executed for the air conditioner 34.

  Next, the operation at the time of initial registration will be described with reference to FIG. When the input switch of the operation unit 24 is turned on, the master unit 2 shifts to an initial registration mode in which it waits for an initial registration request from the slave unit 1. Thereafter, the slave unit 1 connected to the gas meter 30 communicates with the remote terminal 3 and transmits a meter ID request when the input switch (power switch) of the operation unit 14 is turned on. By acquiring remote terminal identification information (meter ID response) as information related to the remote terminal 3 from the remote terminal 3 and storing (registering) it in the storage unit 15, and sending an end message to the remote terminal 3. Communication with the terminal 3 is terminated. Subsequently, the slave unit 1 transmits an initial registration request to the master unit 2 together with the slave unit side identification information stored in the storage unit 15.

  When the base unit 2 receives the initial registration request from the handset 1 together with the handset side identification information, the storage unit 25 stores information on the transmission execution period associated with the information related to the remote terminal 3 (slave side identification information). , One reception period base information obtained from the read transmission execution period information is returned to the slave unit 1 as an initial registration response, and the operation of the initial registration mode is terminated. The subunit | mobile_unit 1 will memorize | store (register) reception period information in the memory | storage part 15 based on the one reception period group information, if the reception period group information from the main | base station 2 is received. Thereby, the subunit | mobile_unit 1 performs reception operation | movement (for example, confirmation of electric field strength) for every periodic reception execution period determined by reception period information, On the other hand, reception operation | movement is performed for every periodic reception pause period determined by reception period information. The process of pausing is repeated. The initial registration of the water heater 33 and the air conditioner 34 is performed in the same manner as described above.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, according to the slave unit setting instruction (initial registration instruction), one reception cycle base information is transmitted from the master unit 2 to the slave unit 1 to be set, and the reception cycle information is stored in the storage unit 15. Is stored, the slave unit 1 performs a reception operation for each periodic reception execution period determined by the reception cycle information, and pauses the reception operation for each periodic reception pause period determined by the reception cycle information. Since the base unit 2 continues to transmit the link establishment request for a transmission execution period longer than the reception suspension period, the reception execution period and the base unit 2 and the slave unit 1 are surely established so that the link establishment is performed. For at least the reception suspension period of the reception suspension periods, one reception suspension period from various reception suspension periods having different lengths can be set in the slave unit.

  In addition, by inputting an initial registration instruction using the operation unit 24 and inputting an initial registration instruction using the operation unit 14, at least the reception suspension period of the reception execution period and the reception suspension period can be easily set in the slave unit 1. it can. In addition, by storing information for obtaining a reception suspension period suitable for the remote terminal 3 in the storage unit 25 in advance, a reception suspension period suitable for the remote terminal can be set in the slave unit 1. For example, the reception suspension period for the microcomputer meter can be set in the same manner as in the past, and the reception suspension period for the HA device that is remotely operated by a user who is out can be set to a shorter time.

  In the present embodiment, the remote terminal identification information is used as the information related to the remote terminal 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the type of the remote terminal 3 can be used in the business unit code of the remote terminal 3. It may be information and does not necessarily have to be identification information.

  In addition, when the external terminal 4 receives a communication request addressed to the remote terminal 3 from another information terminal such as a customer's personal computer or a mobile phone, the external terminal 4 executes the communication requested to the corresponding remote terminal 3, and this communication The result may be returned to the information terminal. According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a service for executing remote control of the remote terminal at the customer's house in response to a request from the information terminal. In this configuration, if the external terminal 4 and the information terminal communicate with each other by e-mail or HTTP, it is possible to provide the service without forcing special investment to various customers.

  Furthermore, when the base unit 2 determines from the information of the remote terminal 3 included in the initial registration request message received from the handset 1 that the remote terminal 3 connected to the handset 1 is a specific terminal, If the radio wave intensity of the initial registration request is not equal to or greater than a certain intensity, the initial registration response to the slave unit 1 may be prohibited. In this configuration, for example, when the remote terminal 3 requires reliable communication related to security, if the radio wave strength of the initial registration request is not equal to or higher than a certain strength, the initial registration response to the handset 1 is not received. Since it is prohibited, the remote terminal 3 having a weak radio wave intensity can be excluded, and it is possible to prevent an operation related to security from being performed in an uncertain state of communication.

It is a schematic block diagram of the communication system of one Embodiment by this invention. It is a block diagram of the main | base station of the communication system. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the communication system. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the communication system. It is a schematic block diagram of the conventional automatic meter-reading radio | wireless system. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the automatic meter-reading radio | wireless system.

Explanation of symbols

1 slave unit 10 communication control unit 11 battery 12 wired communication interface 13 wireless communication interface 14 operation unit 15 storage unit 2 parent unit 20 communication control unit 21 power supply unit 22 network communication interface 23 wireless communication interface 24 operation unit 25 storage unit 3 remote terminal 4 External terminal

Claims (7)

Wired communication means that communicates with a remote terminal that supports remote operation via a communication line, a slave side wireless communication means that performs wireless communication, and reception for determining a reception execution period and a reception suspension period that are periodically and alternately repeated Reception period information storage means for storing period information, and reception via the slave unit side wireless communication means for each periodic reception execution period determined by the reception period information stored in the reception period information storage means On the other hand, a process of pausing the reception operation via the slave unit side wireless communication means and a link establishment request addressed to itself by the reception operation for each periodic reception suspension period determined by the reception cycle information If the information on the remote terminal is received in the process of returning a response to the link establishment request and the wireless communication after the response, And a child machine provided with slave side communication control means for executing a processing of transferring via a signal unit and the slave unit side wireless communication means,
Network communication means for communicating with an external terminal via a communication network, base unit side wireless communication means for wireless communication, and transmission longer than a reception suspension period determined by reception period information stored in the reception period information storage means Transmission period information storage means for storing transmission period information for obtaining an execution period, and when receiving information addressed to the slave unit from the external terminal via the network communication means, the transmission period information A process for reading transmission period information from the storage means, a transmission execution period obtained from the transmission period information, and a link establishment request to the slave unit to transmit information addressed to the slave unit side via the master unit side wireless communication unit When the information on the slave unit is received by wireless communication after receiving the response to the link establishment request via the master unit wireless communication means, A communication system constituted by a base unit comprising a base-side communication control means for executing a processing of transferring via the network communication means and the base-side wireless communication means,
The base-side communication control means includes information for determining at least the reception suspension period of the reception execution period and the reception suspension period, and is based on various reception cycle base information having different lengths of the reception suspension period. In accordance with the slave unit setting instruction for setting the reception cycle base information of the slave unit to the slave unit, a process of transmitting the one reception cycle base information to the slave unit to be set via the master unit side wireless communication means is executed In addition, in the process of reading the transmission period information, based on the information addressed to the slave unit from the external terminal, the process of reading the transmission period information previously associated with the slave unit from the transmission period information storage unit is executed And
When the slave unit side communication control means receives the one reception period base information addressed to itself via the slave unit side wireless communication means, the reception period information based on the one reception period base information The communication system is characterized by executing a process of storing the information in the reception cycle information storage means.   When the external terminal receives a communication request addressed to the remote terminal from another information terminal, the external terminal executes communication requested to the corresponding remote terminal, and returns the communication result to the information terminal. The communication system according to claim 1.   The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the external terminal and the information terminal perform communication by electronic mail or HTTP. The master unit stores various information for obtaining the various reception period base information in association with information related to each remote terminal and each transmission period information stored in the transmission period information storage means. Side storage means and a base unit side operation means for inputting an initial registration instruction as the handset setting instruction, while the handset includes a handset side operation means for inputting an initial registration instruction,
The base unit side communication control means, in the process of transmitting the one reception period base information to the slave unit to be set via the base unit side wireless communication means, the initial input by the base unit side operation means In accordance with a registration instruction, when an initial registration request from the slave unit is awaited via the base unit side wireless communication means, and the initial registration request is received together with information related to the remote terminal, A process of reading one piece of information associated with information from the base unit side storage unit and returning one reception period base information obtained from the read one piece of information via the base unit side wireless communication unit And
In the process of storing the reception cycle information in the reception cycle information storage unit, the slave unit side communication control unit performs the slave unit side wireless communication unit via the slave unit side wireless communication unit in accordance with an initial registration instruction input by the slave unit side operation unit. Then, an initial registration request is transmitted to the parent device together with information related to the remote terminal connected to the wired communication means side, and the one reception period base information is sent from the parent device as a response to the initial registration request. 2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein when the message is returned, the process of storing the reception period information in the reception period information storage unit is executed based on the one reception period base information.   When the base unit determines from the remote terminal information included in the initial registration request message received from the slave unit that the remote terminal connected to the slave unit is a specific terminal, the base registration request 5. The communication system according to claim 4, wherein the initial registration response to the slave unit is prohibited unless the radio field intensity is a certain level or higher.   The remote terminal is a microcomputer meter that measures consumption of tap water or predetermined energy, and obtains the measured consumption as information addressed to a communication center as the external terminal. A communication system according to any one of the above.   6. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the remote terminal is an HA device including an HA terminal connected to the wired communication unit via the communication line.

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