JP2007199761A - Radio telemeter system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio telemeter system for improving the operability and reliability of the installation operation of a radio telemeter system. <P>SOLUTION: When a master device 15 and a slave device 16 contract a marriage, a radio marriage preparation request telegraphic message to which the partial information of the identification information of the master device 15 is input is transmitted by radio to the destination of the master device 15 according to input by external input means 30 and 31 of the slave device 16. When the master device 15 receives the marriage preparation request telegraphic message, a stand-by mode is set as a preparation and stand-by status for contracting a marriage with the slave device 16. Thus, the operability and reliability of the installation operation of a radio telemeter system can be improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a wireless telemeter system.

  Conventionally, in the wireless telemeter system developed for meters such as gas, water, etc., information exchange work of identification information between the master unit and the slave unit must be done before installation so that the master unit and multiple slave units can communicate wirelessly. That is, for example, an “engagement” operation for exchanging and registering information such as ID is required.

As a conventional matching method, initial data such as ID is set in one or both of the master unit and the slave unit by a setting device that is a dedicated setting device, or DIPSW (dip switch) provided in the master unit and the slave unit After setting, the method of exchanging data by wire connection to each other, or by operating the external input devices provided on both the master unit and the slave unit almost simultaneously and exchanging information by wireless communication (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-85938

  However, in the technique described in Patent Literature 1, when information exchange is performed by connecting a master unit or a slave unit and a setting device by wire, labor and time for wiring between devices are required. Further, since it is necessary to operate the external input devices provided in the master unit and the slave unit almost simultaneously and exchange information by wireless communication for registration, a plurality of workers are required. For this reason, the workability and reliability of the installation work of the wireless telemeter system have been lowered.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a radio telemeter system capable of improving workability and reliability of installation work of a radio telemeter system.

  In order to achieve the above object, a wireless telemeter system according to the present invention is a terminal network control device connected to a center network control device via a telephone network, and a wireless master device wired to the terminal network control device. It is comprised by the main | base station, the subunit | mobile_unit which is a radio | wireless subunit | mobile_unit connected by radio | wireless with the said main | base station, and the meter connected by wire to the said sub-unit. In a wireless telemeter system that permits mutual wireless communication between the master unit and the slave unit by means of a margin at the time of installation of the slave unit, when the master unit and the slave unit are paired, the slave unit is input by an input in the slave unit Wirelessly transmitting an address preparation request message to which the identification information of the base unit is input to the base unit, and when the base unit receives the set preparation request message, Standby mode in standby state It is characterized in that a.

  According to this wireless telemeter system, when the master unit and the slave unit are paired, the slave unit creates a match preparation request message in which identification information of the master unit is input by the input in the slave unit, and wireless connection is made. Wirelessly transmitted to the parent device, and when the parent device receives a message for requesting preparation of a match, the master device enters a standby mode which is a preparation and standby state for setting a match with the slave device. That is, regardless of the installation status of the parent device, the state of the parent device can be set by input from the child device.

  In a preferred embodiment of the wireless telemeter system according to the present invention, when the parent device is in the standby mode, the child device wirelessly transmits an address request message to which the identification information of the child device is input to the parent device. When the master unit receives the message for requesting marriage within a predetermined time, the marriage is performed.

  In a preferred embodiment of the radio telemeter system according to the present invention, after the master unit and the slave unit are assembled, the master unit can automatically establish a match with another slave unit. It is characterized by shifting to.

  In a preferred embodiment of the radio telemeter system according to the present invention, when the master unit is in the standby mode, if the match preparation request message is received again from the slave unit, the standby mode is extended. When the master unit receives the wireless marriage preparation request message again from the slave unit, the predetermined time in the standby state is extended and the standby mode is continued.

  In order to achieve the above object, a radio telemeter system according to the present invention is a radio comprising a master unit, a repeater, and a slave unit relayed by the repeater and wirelessly connected to the master unit. In the telemeter system, when the master unit and the repeater are paired, the repeater sends a match preparation request message in which the identification information of the master unit is input to the master unit by an input in the repeater. When wireless transmission is performed and the master unit receives the match preparation request message, the master unit enters a standby mode in which the master unit is ready to match with the repeater and is in a standby state. The marriage request message to which the identification information of the relay device is input is wirelessly transmitted to the parent device, and the parent device receives the marriage request message within a predetermined time, and the marriage is performed. When the repeater unit and the slave unit are paired, the slave unit wirelessly transmits a match preparation request message in which the identification information of the repeater is input to the repeater unit by input in the slave unit. When the relay station receives the message for requesting preparation of a match, it enters a standby mode in preparation for standby with the slave unit and is in a standby state, and the identification information of the slave unit is input by the input in the slave unit. The edge request message is wirelessly transmitted to the relay station, and the relay station receives the edge request message within a predetermined time. By transmitting the slave unit information of the slave unit to the master unit by a slave unit set message, the master unit that has received the slave unit set message registers the match unit information, The master unit and the slave unit are Characterized in that it has a feature that allows the mutual radio communication relaying splicing machine.

  According to this radio telemeter system, when the master unit and the repeater unit are assembled, by inputting at the repeater unit, an prepare group request message in which the identification information of the master unit is input is created. Is transmitted wirelessly to the main unit. When the master unit receives the match preparation request message, the master unit enters a standby mode, which is a preparation and standby state for setting a match with the repeater. By the input at the repeater, a match request message in which the identification information of the repeater is input is created and wirelessly transmitted to the parent device, and the parent device receives the match request message within a predetermined time to perform the match. . In addition, when the relay unit and the slave unit are assembled, an edge preparation request message in which the identification information of the relay unit is input by the input in the slave unit is created, and the match preparation request message is wirelessly transmitted to the relay unit. . When the relay unit receives a message for requesting preparation for marriage, it enters standby mode, which is a preparation and standby state for linking with the child device, and an entry request message with the identification information of the child device is created by input at the child device. Wirelessly sent to the repeater. Matching is performed when the repeater receives the matching request message within a predetermined time. Furthermore, the relay unit transmits the slave unit's edge slave unit information to the master unit when the slave unit is paired with the slave unit, and the master unit that has received the slave unit group set message receives the slave unit set message. sign up. Thus, mutual wireless communication in which the parent device and the child device relay the relay device is possible.

  In a preferred embodiment of the wireless telemeter system according to the present invention, when a slave unit that is already in a relationship with a master unit is in a relationship with another slave unit, the slave unit that has been in a relationship is automatically used as a repeater. It is characterized by switching to a machine.

  According to the present invention, the state of the repeater or the master unit can be set by input from the slave unit, and the state of the master unit can be set by input at the repeater unit. Therefore, an edge between the child device and the parent device, or an edge between the child device and the parent device via the relay device is possible, and the workability and reliability of the installation work of the wireless telemeter system can be improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of a specific low power type radio telemeter system according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, a radio telemeter system includes a host computer (hereinafter referred to as a host) 11, a center network control device (hereinafter referred to as a center NCU) 12 connected to the host 11, and a telephone line 13 connected to the center NCU 12. Connected terminal network control device (hereinafter referred to as “terminal NCU”) 14, wireless parent device (hereinafter referred to as “parent device”) 15 connected to terminal NCU 14 in a wired manner, and a plurality of wirelessly connected base devices 15. A wireless slave unit (hereinafter referred to as a slave unit) 16 and a meter 17 wired to each slave unit 16 are configured. These meters 17 are, for example, meters such as gas, water, and electricity, particularly so-called microcomputer meters equipped with a microcomputer.

  FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the parent device 15, and FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the child device 16 and a configuration example of a relay device that the child device 16 serves. As shown in FIG. 2A, the base unit 15 includes a terminal NCUI / F (interface) 21, a non-volatile memory 22, a CPU (central processing unit) 23, an antenna 24, a wireless communication unit 25, and a ROM (read only memory). 26, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 27, and a battery 28.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2 (B), the slave unit 16 and the relay unit in the case where there is the slave unit 16 have the same configuration, and the meter I / F (interface) 29, the nonvolatile memory 22 , CPU (central processing unit) 23, antenna 24, wireless communication unit 25, ROM (read only memory) 26, RAM (random access memory) 27, battery 28, external input device (1) 30 and external input device (2) 31. Each of the parent device 15, the child device 16, and the relay device has a built-in nonvolatile memory 22 for registering various setting data.

  Next, the case where the master unit 15 and the slave unit 16 are assembled will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram of the preparation of the frame. When the master unit 15 and the slave unit 16 are associated with each other, a part of the identification information of the master unit 15 is input by an input in the external input device (1) 30 that is an external input unit of the slave unit 16. When the master device 15 wirelessly transmits a message for requesting preparation of a group to the master unit 15 and the master unit 15 receives the message for requesting preparation of a match with the slave unit 16, a standby mode is set to prepare for standby with the slave unit 16 and in a standby state. .

  The case where the master unit 15 and the slave unit 16 are paired with the ID of the master unit 15 as, for example, “50000000000000” and the ID of the slave unit 16 as “50000000000012” will be described with reference to FIGS. . Here, in order to reduce the amount of information, it is assumed that the upper 12 digits of the ID are the same for both the parent device and the child device to be associated, and can be recognized by the lower 2 digits of the ID (an abbreviated ID). In this case, 8 DIPSWs can be used.

  In order to establish a relationship with the parent device 15 to be associated by the child device 16, the identification number, that is, the lower two digits “00” of the ID number of the parent device 15 is the same as FIG. The ID “00” is set in the slave unit 16 by the DIPSW of the external input device 30 which is an example of the external input unit of the slave unit 16) (FIG. 3A). However, it is assumed that the base unit 15 has already undergone initial settings such as ID setting, that is, the ID number of the base unit 15 has already been set by communication from the setting unit or the center NCU 12.

  Next, by pressing down a button of the external input device (2) 31 of the slave unit 16 in FIG. 2 (B) (FIG. 3 (b)), the slave unit 16 sends a match preparation request message ( 3 (c)) is transmitted. When the master unit 15 receives this match preparation request message, it returns a match preparation response message (FIG. 3D) to the slave unit 16. And the main | base station 15 transfers to the group standby state (match group standby mode) which is a state of preparation and standby | standby for linking with the subunit | mobile_unit 16 (FIG.3 (e)).

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the format of the edge preparation request message in FIG. 3C, and FIG. 5 shows an example of the format of the edge preparation response message in FIG. In the example of the format of the marriage preparation request message shown in FIG. 4, the wireless header part is composed of bit synchronization, frame synchronization, and the transmission source, that is, the identification code of the child device, and further the parent device ID that is the object of the marriage. It is composed of a margin shortened ID portion indicating the lower two digits, a transmission destination identification code portion, and a command portion indicating a match request message. This transmission destination identification code is represented by “000000000000” indicating an unspecified destination. For this reason, any parent device 15 can receive the edge preparation request message of FIG. 3C from the child device 16, but by determining the edge shortening ID included in the edge preparation request message, To be identified. Here, the “identification code” is information exchanged at the time of matching, and is a unique value in all wireless terminals, and there is no terminal having the same value. The identification code is also hidden by the user and is a code used for mutual authentication between radios.

  In the first embodiment, an ID number is used as a code for identifying the target parent device 15, but another code for identification may be a manufacturing number, for example.

  The format example of the marriage preparation response message shown in FIG. 5 includes a wireless header portion, a transmission destination (slave unit) identification code portion, and a command portion indicating that it is an marriage preparation response message.

  As described above, in FIG. 3A, the master unit 15 is set to an arbitrary slave by the work from the setting of the master unit ID “00” in the slave unit 16 to the matching standby state shown in FIG. It becomes possible to accept a request for marriage from the machine 16.

  Next, FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram of the edge group of the base unit 15 and the handset 16 that continues from the edge standby state shown in FIG. In order to actually associate the child device 16 with the parent device 15 which is in the waiting state of the edge as shown in FIG. 3E, it is necessary to register the ID number of the child device 16 itself. Although the ID of the slave unit 16 has 14 digits, the upper 12 digits are common as described above, so the lower 2 digits of the 14 digits are changed using the DIPSW of the external input device 30 in FIG. It is set as the frame shortening ID “12” (FIG. 6A). The lower two-digit frame shortening ID “12” set in the handset 16 is stored in the non-volatile memory 22 of the handset 16 in FIG. And the subunit | mobile_unit 16 transmits a marriage request | requirement message | telegram with respect to the main | base station 15 by input (FIG.6 (b)) of the button etc. of the external input device 31 (FIG.6 (c)).

  The master unit 15 that has received the match request message from the slave unit 16 receives the match request, and stores the slave unit identification code and ID number included in the match request message in the nonvolatile memory 22 of the master unit 15 (see FIG. 2B). ) Is registered (FIG. 6D). Next, the base unit 15 returns a match response message to the handset 16 (FIG. 6E). The handset 16 receives this match response message and registers the base unit identification code and ID number included in the match response message in the non-volatile memory 22 of the handset 16 (FIG. 6 (f)). Registration of the parent device 15 and the child device 16 is completed by a series of operations from the setting of ID “12” in FIG. 6A to the registration shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a format diagram of the wireless edge request message transmitted in FIG. 6C, and FIG. 8 is a format diagram of the wireless edge response message returned in FIG. 6E. In FIG. 6 (f), after registration of the edge set between the parent device 15 and the first child device 16 is completed, the parent device 15 shifts again from the edge standby state of FIG. 3 (e) to the edge standby state. (FIG. 6 (g)). Then, in accordance with the procedure from FIG. 6A to FIG. 6F, the master unit 15 can continue to register the next second slave unit 16 as a group.

  The match waiting time of the master unit 15 is set in advance as, for example, 5 minutes, and if a new match is registered with the slave unit 16 in this 5 minutes, it starts from the point in time when the transition to the match waiting state in FIG. It will be extended again and it will be a 5 minute match waiting time. If it is not possible to register the next handset 16 within 5 minutes due to circumstances at the site where the handset 16 is installed, it is necessary to repeat the procedure from FIG. 3 (a) to FIG. 3 (e). . However, if it is assumed that it takes time to register the handset 16 in advance, such as when the location of the respective handset 16 is far away, the waiting time for the first handset registration of the base unit 15 is repeated again. When receiving the edge preparation request command from the handset 16, the CPU 23 shown in FIG. 2A of the parent machine 15 can extend the edge waiting time to 5 + 5 = 10 minutes as the edge preparation continuation means. When the edge preparation request command is received from the handset 16 again, the edge waiting time can be extended again to 10 + 5 = 15 minutes.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, Embodiment 2 of the radio telemeter system according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 shows a match sequence between the parent device 15 and the relay device (by changing the role of the child device). FIG. 10 shows an edge sequence of the base unit 15, the relay unit and the handset 16. In Embodiment 2 shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the wireless telemeter system includes a parent device 15, a child device 16, and a relay device for wirelessly relaying between the parent device 15 and the child device 16. .

  The mutual procedures of the parent device 15, the relay device (by changing the role of the child device), and the child device 16 will be described. First, in accordance with the edge sequence diagram shown in FIG. The bordering procedure between the master unit 15 and the repeater is as follows. In the repeater shown in FIG. 9A, the operations from the setting of the master unit ID “00” to the border registration shown in FIG. The procedure shown in FIGS. 3E and 6A to 6G is exactly the same. That is, by replacing the slave unit 16 shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 with a relay unit, the parent unit 15 and the relay unit are assembled.

  A description will be given based on FIGS. As an example, the ID number of the parent device 15 is, for example, “50000000000000” as shown in FIG. 9A, and the ID number of the relay device is, for example, “50000000000012” as shown in FIG. 9F. The master unit ID “00” is input in the repeater (FIG. 9A), and the button of the repeater is pushed down (FIG. 9B). The match preparation request message is sent to the parent device 15 based on the input “master device ID“ 00 ”” (FIG. 9C), and the master device 15 sends the match preparation response message to the relay device. The master unit 15 enters a waiting state (FIG. 9 (e)), and the ID “12”, which is its own ID number, is input to the repeater (FIG. 9 (f)), and the button of the repeater is depressed (FIG. 9). 9 (g)). By pressing the button, a message requesting for marriage is sent from the repeater to the master unit 15 (FIG. 9 (h)), and the master unit 15 registers the match (FIG. 9 (i)). The master unit 15 sends a match response message to the repeater (FIG. 9 (j)), and the match registration is completed (FIG. 9 (k)).

  Next, a procedure for associating the slave unit 16 with the relay unit and the master unit 15 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the ID number of the handset 16 is “500000000000000” as shown in FIG. First, the handset 16 performs edge registration with the relay machine, and this edge procedure is the same as in FIGS. 6A to 6F (FIGS. 10A to 10I). As shown in FIG. 10 (h), the relay station that has received the match request message from the slave unit 16 performs match registration (FIG. 10 (i)).

  Next, the repeater transmits a relay request message via the relay device to the parent device 15 that has been previously connected (FIG. 10 (j)). The base unit 15 that has received the relay request message via the relay device receives the request for match, and stores the slave unit identification code and the ID number included in the relay request message via the non-volatile memory 22 (see FIG. 2 (A)) and registration of the group (FIG. 10 (k)). And the main | base station 15 returns a relay machine association response message (FIG. 10 (l)) to a repeater. The relay station receives the relay response message via the relay station, converts it into an edge response message, and transmits it to the slave unit 16 (FIG. 10 (m)). The subunit | mobile_unit 16 registers the relay machine identification code and ID number contained in the matching response message in the non-volatile memory 22 (refer FIG.2 (B)) of the subunit | mobile_unit 16 (FIG.10 (n)).

  FIG. 11 shows an example of the format of the relaying relay request message shown in FIG. 10 (j), and FIG. 12 shows an example of the format of the relaying request response message shown in FIG. 10 (l). With the series of operations shown in FIGS. 10A to 10N, the registration of the parent machine 15, the relay machine, and the child machine 16 is completed.

  As described above, the repeater functions as the slave unit 16 when it is associated with the master unit 15, and operates as the master unit 15 when it is associated with the slave unit 16. For this reason, the slave unit 16 is not used as a dedicated relay device but is switched as a relay device in terms of software. The mechanism will be described here.

  First, the parent device 15 and the child device 16 to be used as a relay device are assembled. This framing method is the same as the normal framing procedure of the parent device 15 and the child device 16. Next, a match is made between another child device 16 and the child device 16 to be the relay device. The edge procedure at this time is the edge procedure shown in FIG. When the slave unit 16 to be relayed and another slave unit 16 are paired, the slave unit 16 and the base unit 15 to be relayed receive by transmission of a match preparation request message from the slave unit 16 Although it is possible, the master unit 15 is not the target of the association because it receives the preparation target request message having the ID number of the target of transmission transmitted to the slave unit 16 that is the target of the relay in FIG. 10C. Can be determined.

  Therefore, it can be determined that the handset 16 that has received the match preparation request message in FIG. 10C is going to be set as a repeater. Accordingly, the slave unit 16 that has received the match preparation request message can automatically perform a match operation as a relay device. Therefore, if the one that originally operated as the slave unit 16 is operated as a relay unit, the new second slave unit 16 is installed in a place where it is difficult for radio waves with the base unit 15 to reach later. If there is a slave unit 16 that is preferably installed in a place where the radio wave condition is good, the slave unit 16 can be operated as a repeater.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Of course, many corrections and changes can be added to the said embodiment within the scope of the present invention.

It is a figure which shows the specific low-power radio | wireless telemeter system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram of the main | base station, the subunit | mobile_unit, and relay machine which concern on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a sequence diagram of the edge preparation which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a format figure of the wireless marriage preparation request message which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a format figure of the radio | wireless marriage preparation response message which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a sequence diagram of the edge group which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a format figure of the radio | wireless marriage request message which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a format figure of the radio | wireless marriage response message which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a sequence diagram of the edge group which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a sequence diagram of the edge group which concerns on Embodiment 2 of invention. It is a format figure of the request | requirement message via a wireless relay device according to Embodiment 2 of the invention. It is a format figure of the edge response message via a wireless repeater concerning Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

11 Host 12 Center NCU (Center Network Control Unit)
13 Telephone line 14 Terminal NCU (terminal network controller)
15 Main 16 Sub 17 Meter 21 I / F for connection with terminal NCU
22 Nonvolatile memory 23 CPU
24 Antenna 25 Wireless communication unit 26 ROM
27 RAM
28 Battery 29 I / F for connection with meter
30 External input device 1 (external input means)
31 External input device 2 (external input means)

Claims (6)

A terminal network control device connected to a center network control device via a telephone network, a parent device that is a wireless master device wired to the terminal network control device, and a wireless slave device that is wirelessly connected to the master device A slave unit and a meter wired to the slave unit, wherein the master unit and the slave unit are connected to each other between the master unit and the slave unit by means of an edge when the master unit and the slave unit are installed. In a wireless telemeter system that permits wireless communication,
When the master unit and the slave unit are paired, the slave unit wirelessly transmits to the master unit a match preparation request message in which the identification information of the master unit is input by the input in the slave unit, and the master unit When the machine receives the match preparation request message, the machine enters a standby mode which is a preparation and standby state for making a match with the slave unit.   When the master unit is in the standby mode, the slave unit wirelessly transmits a message requesting message to which the identification information of the slave unit is input to the master unit, and the master unit transmits the match request message within a predetermined time. 2. The radio telemeter system according to claim 1, wherein the matching is performed when a request message is received.   2. The stand-by mode, wherein after the master unit and the slave unit are paired, the master unit automatically shifts to the standby mode in which the master unit can be paired with another slave unit. The radio telemeter system according to 2.   4. The system according to claim 1, wherein, when the master unit is in the standby mode, the standby mode is extended for a time when the match preparation request message is received again from the slave unit. 5. The described radio telemeter system. In a radio telemeter system including a master unit, a relay unit, and a slave unit relayed by the relay unit and wirelessly connected to the master unit,
When the master unit and the relay unit are paired, the relay unit wirelessly transmits a pair preparation request message in which the identification information of the base unit is input to the base unit by input in the relay unit, When the master unit receives the preparation request message, the master unit enters a standby mode that is a preparation and standby state for establishing a match with the repeater. The marriage request message to which the identification information is input is wirelessly transmitted to the parent device, and the parent device receives the marriage request message within a predetermined time, and the marriage is performed.
When the relay unit and the slave unit are paired, the slave unit wirelessly transmits a pair preparation request message in which identification information of the relay unit is input to the relay unit by input in the slave unit, When the relay unit receives the match preparation request message, it enters a standby mode, which is a preparation and standby state for making a match with the slave unit, and the identification information of the slave unit is input by the input in the slave unit The marriage request message is wirelessly transmitted to the relay station, and the relay station receives the marriage request message within a predetermined time.
Further, the relay unit transmits the slave unit information of the slave unit when the relay unit is paired with the slave unit to the master unit by a slave unit match setting message, and receives the slave unit set message The wireless telemeter system has a function of permitting mutual wireless communication in which the parent device and the child device relay the relay device by registering the edge child device information.   When the slave unit that is already in a relationship with the master unit forms a match with another slave unit, the slave unit that has been aligned is automatically switched to the master unit as a relay device. The radio telemeter system according to claim 5.