JP2007228168A - Communication system and communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a communication system, etc. which can discriminate that a call is transmitted from a nearby communication device without using a signal intensity threshold value. <P>SOLUTION: In the communication system, a new comer communication device which wants to acquire the same network ID is arranged near an established communication device. The new comer communication device 10 starts acquisition of the network ID when a network ID of a nonvolatile memory 6 is an initial value at a time of power-on, and performs simultaneous transmission of a packet including a network ID request command. After transmission of the packet including the network ID request command, it adopts a network ID included in a received packet first as an own network ID. The established communication device 10 measures received signal intensity of the packet including the received network ID request command, controls the transmission delay time of the packet shorter if the received signal intensity is stronger, and transmits the packet including the own network ID delayed by a delay circuit 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system and a communication device that can easily acquire a network ID in a new entry.

  In communication, as one method for avoiding interference and improving communication efficiency, there is a method of managing a plurality of communication devices as one group. A group has a distinguished name or number. For example, in a wireless LAN, an identification name called an SSID (Service Set Identifier) is provided, and communication is possible only with partners whose SSIDs match. This avoids interference. In addition, in order to avoid duplication of the group identification name or number (referred to as network ID), the communication device searches for the surroundings after installation and is automatically determined after installation, instead of being set in advance by the user. desirable.

  Here, consider adding a communication device to a physically closest group (new entry). Hereinafter, specific examples will be described. There is a system in which a user's room has a plurality of lighting fixtures, a communication device is attached to each lighting fixture, a group is formed by the lighting fixtures in the room, and the lighting fixture is turned on or off by communication. There is also a lighting fixture in the adjacent room, and a group is formed for each room. In this environment, the user adds a new lighting fixture. A new group is entered into the group of rooms where the user is located, that is, the physically closest group, and is used to control the lighting equipment of the room where the user is located. For new entry, a network ID is required to identify the group. This corresponds to identifying a room in the above example. In order to obtain an existing network ID, an ID is periodically transmitted from an existing communication device in preparation for an irregular new entry, or conversely, a network ID request is transmitted from a new entry communication device. It is possible. From the viewpoint of avoiding unnecessary communication, the latter is preferable to the former. Furthermore, in the latter network ID request transmission, since the network ID is unknown, the destination cannot be specified. Therefore, it is broadcast (broadcast). In the case of broadcast transmission, there are responses from a plurality of existing communication devices. This includes another group (the communication device in the next room in the example above), but these responses must be excluded. That is, in order to enter the physically closest group, it is necessary to determine that the received packet is communication from a nearby communication device. Regarding the determination of whether or not it is in the vicinity, conventionally, when the signal strength of the transmission signal received from the counterpart device exceeds the signal strength threshold, it is considered to be in the vicinity (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). ).

JP 2004-33679 A Japanese Patent No. 3043603

  However, it is difficult to preset the signal strength threshold. For example, signal strength decays with distance. In the example of the luminaire described above, the size of the room is not always known. Therefore, there is a problem that attenuation is unknown and it is difficult to set a signal strength threshold.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to determine that transmission is from a nearby communication device without using a signal strength threshold. And a communication device.

  A communication system according to the present invention is arranged in the vicinity of a plurality of existing communication devices connected to each other through a network and the existing communication device that wants to acquire the same network ID among the plurality of existing communication devices. A communication system provided with a newly entered communication device, wherein the newly entered communication device starts acquiring the network ID when the network ID stored in the memory is an initial value when the power is turned on, A packet including a network ID request command is broadcasted, and after the packet including the network ID request command is transmitted, the network ID included in the first received packet is adopted as its own network ID, and the existing communication The device measures the received signal strength of the packet including the received network ID request command The received signal strength is enough to control shortening the transmission delay time of a packet larger, delayed, and transmits a packet including the network ID of the own.

  The communication system according to the present invention has an effect that it is possible to determine that the transmission is from a nearby communication device without using the signal strength threshold.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
A communication apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Although FIG. 1 shows a wireless device, the present invention may be wired. In the following, the same reference numerals in the drawings indicate the same or corresponding parts.

  In FIG. 1, a communication device 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention delays a baseband signal according to signal strength from a transmission circuit 1 that converts a baseband signal into a carrier band signal and a reception circuit that will be described later. A delay circuit 2, a baseband processing unit 3 including a CPU that receives or generates a baseband signal and transmits the baseband signal, and converts a carrier band signal into a baseband signal and measures received signal strength A receiving circuit 4 that notifies the delay circuit 2, an antenna 5 that transmits and receives signals, and a nonvolatile memory 6 that can be written and read from the baseband processing unit 3 and that stores the network ID are provided. .

  Next, the operation of the communication apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the communication apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 2A shows the operation of a newly entered communication device, and FIG. 2B shows the operation of an existing communication device.

  The newly entered communication device is arranged in the vicinity (physically close location) of the existing communication device belonging to the desired group (step 101). It should be noted that it may be arranged in the vicinity only during the period for acquiring the network ID, and arranged in a remote place after acquiring the network ID.

  Next, the power of the newly entered communication device is turned on (step 102). At this time, if the network ID stored in the nonvolatile memory 6 is an initial value, the baseband processing unit 3 starts acquiring the network ID. If it is not the initial value, it is assumed that the network ID has been acquired, and this is used.

  In the above, the network ID is different from the initial value and is distinguished from the initial value. However, when the network ID acquisition request flag is provided on the nonvolatile memory 6 and this flag is TRUE (ON), the acquisition of the network ID is started. May be. Further, not the nonvolatile memory 6 but a volatile memory may be used. In this case, since it is initialized after the power is turned on, acquisition of the network ID is always started.

  In addition, the communication device is equipped with photosensors such as photodiodes and phototransistors that target ultraviolet rays, visible rays, and infrared rays of electromagnetic waves, and the illuminance exceeds or changes as a result of increasing or decreasing the illuminance around. When the acceleration of exceeds the threshold, the acquisition of the network ID may be started. For example, the acquisition of the network ID is started by a simple means for the user (user) such as putting a communication device in a container that blocks light such as a box.

  Even if the communication device is equipped with an acceleration sensor and the communication device is vibrated, the sensor input amount exceeds the threshold value or the change acceleration exceeds the threshold value. Good. For example, the user can start acquiring the network ID by a simple means of shaking the communication device.

  In addition, if the communication device is equipped with a microphone and the acoustic wave of the audible frequency propagating in the air changes, the sensor input amount of the sound wave of a specific frequency exceeds the threshold, or the acceleration of the change exceeds the threshold In addition, the acquisition of the network ID may be started. For example, the acquisition of the network ID can be started by a simple means of giving a sound wave of a specific frequency to the communication device, such as music, voice, and telephone ringtone.

  In addition, the communication device is equipped with a non-contact type temperature sensor, and when the ambient temperature changes, the sensor input amount exceeds the threshold value, or when the change acceleration exceeds the threshold value, the network ID is acquired. You may start. For example, the acquisition of the network ID can be started by a simple means of applying heat to the communication device with a warm air heater or taking heat away from the communication device with a refrigerator or the like.

  Even if the communication device is equipped with a humidity sensor and the ambient humidity changes, the sensor input amount exceeds the threshold value or the change acceleration exceeds the threshold value. Good. For example, the acquisition of the network ID can be started by a simple means that the user blows.

  Even if the communication device is equipped with a tilt sensor and the communication device is tilted, if the sensor input exceeds the threshold or the acceleration of change exceeds the threshold, acquisition of the network ID may be started. Good. For example, the user can start acquiring the network ID by a simple means of tilting the communication device.

  In addition, when a communication device is equipped with a pressure sensor and pressure is applied to the communication device from the outside, acquisition of the network ID is started when the sensor input exceeds the threshold or the acceleration of change exceeds the threshold. May be. For example, the acquisition of the network ID can be started by a simple means in which the user applies pressure to the communication device by hand.

  In addition, when the communication device is equipped with an air volume sensor and the flow rate of the surrounding air is changed, the acquisition of the network ID is started when the sensor input exceeds the threshold or the change acceleration exceeds the threshold. May be. For example, the acquisition of the network ID can be started by a simple means that the user blows.

  Furthermore, the communication device is equipped with a non-contact type displacement sensor equipped with an optical mouse, and as a result of moving the communication device (position change), the sensor input amount exceeds the threshold value, or the acceleration of the change is the threshold value. The network ID acquisition may be started when the number exceeds. The user can start acquiring the network ID by a simple means of sliding the communication device on the table.

  The network ID acquisition is started by transmitting a packet including a network ID request command by broadcast communication (step 102). Since it is before entering the network and the destination address is unknown, broadcast communication is performed. However, if the address assignment of the communication device holding the network ID is regular, it may be broadcast with restrictions. For example, if the address of the device holding the network ID is always 0x0000, the network ID is broadcast, the destination address is 0x0000, the network ID is unspecified, but the destination address is specified as 0x0000 That is, it is possible to perform broadcast communication with restrictions.

  Further, the packet including the network ID request command may be arranged in a part of the transport data, or may be a dedicated packet for requesting the network ID.

  The existing communication apparatus receives the packet including the network ID request command, and returns a packet including its own network ID after the delay time Δt (steps 201 to 204). There may be a response from at least one communication device of each group, all the existing communication devices may reply, or a specific existing communication device may reply.

  The delay time Δt has a negative correlation with the received signal strength. That is, the larger the received signal strength, the smaller the delay time Δt. Further, there is a negative correlation between the inter-device distance and the received signal strength. As a result, the received signal strength increases as the distance between the newly entered communication device and the existing communication device decreases, and a response is immediately transmitted.

  Further, the newly entered communication device receives only the packet including the first network ID (steps 103 to 104). Since an existing communication device in a range where communication from a newly-entered communication device arrives responds, the newly-entered communication device includes not only a packet including the network ID of a desired network group, but also other network groups. A packet including the network ID of the second packet also arrives but is ignored after the second packet (step 104). As a result, the network ID of the nearest existing communication device is acquired.

  The acquired network ID is stored in the nonvolatile memory 6 by the baseband processing unit 3. By storing the data in the nonvolatile memory 6, it is not necessary to acquire a network ID at the next power-on. Alternatively, the acquired network ID can be stored in a volatile memory. In this case, since it is erased when the power is turned off, it is necessary to acquire the network ID when the power is turned on next time, but this is effective in a situation where the network ID changes.

  That is, the present invention is a newly-entered communication device arranged in the vicinity of an existing communication device that wants to acquire the same network ID, and the network ID stored in the nonvolatile memory 6 is the initial value when the power is turned on. The baseband processing unit 3 that starts acquiring a network ID and generates a packet including a network ID request command, and a transmission circuit 1 that broadcasts the packet including the network ID request command. And a receiving circuit 4 for receiving a packet from an existing communication device, and the baseband processing unit 3 transmits a packet including the network ID request command and then includes a network included in the first received packet. The ID is adopted as its own network ID.

  In addition, the present invention is an existing communication device that communicates with a newly-entered communication device that wants to acquire the same network ID, and receives a packet including a network ID request command and measures the received signal strength. A baseband processing unit 3 for generating a packet including its own network ID, a delay circuit 2 for controlling a transmission delay time of the packet including its own network ID to be shorter as the received signal strength is larger, and a delay And at least a transmission circuit 1 for transmitting a packet including its own network ID.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to determine transmission from a nearby communication device without using a signal strength threshold. It is effective in various communication environments where attenuation cannot be predicted.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the communication apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the communication apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  1 transmission circuit, 2 delay circuit, 3 baseband processing unit, 4 reception circuit, 5 antenna, 6 nonvolatile memory, 10 communication device.

Claims (14)

A plurality of existing communication devices connected to each other through a network, and a newly entered communication device arranged in the vicinity of an existing communication device from which the same network ID is to be acquired among the plurality of existing communication devices. A communication system,
The newly entered communication device is:
When the network ID stored in the memory is an initial value when the power is turned on, acquisition of the network ID is started, a packet including the network ID request command is broadcast, and a packet including the network ID request command is transmitted. After that, adopt the network ID contained in the first received packet as its own network ID,
The existing communication device is
Measure the received signal strength of the packet including the received network ID request command, control the packet transmission delay time to be shorter as the received signal strength is larger, and transmit the delayed packet including its own network ID. A communication system characterized by the above. A newly entered communication device arranged in the vicinity of an existing communication device that wants to acquire the same network ID,
A baseband processing unit that starts acquiring a network ID and generates a packet including a network ID request command based on a new entry condition at power-on;
A transmission circuit for broadcasting a packet including the network ID request command;
A receiving circuit for receiving a packet from an existing communication device,
The baseband processing unit employs, as its own network ID, a network ID included in a first received packet after transmitting a packet including the network ID request command. The communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the new entry condition is a case where a network ID stored in a memory is an initial value. The communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the new entry condition is a case where a network ID acquisition request flag in a memory is ON. It further has an optical sensor for detecting ambient illuminance,
The new entry condition is when the illuminance detected by the optical sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold or when the acceleration of change in illuminance detected by the optical sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold. 2. The communication device according to 2. An acceleration sensor for detecting vibration;
The new entry condition is when the vibration detected by the acceleration sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold or the acceleration of the change in vibration detected by the acceleration sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold. 2. The communication device according to 2. It further has a microphone that detects sound waves of a specific frequency,
The new entry condition is when a sound wave of a specific frequency detected by the microphone exceeds a predetermined threshold value, or when an acceleration of a change of a sound wave of a specific frequency detected by the microphone exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The communication device according to claim 2. It further has a non-contact type temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temperature,
The new entry condition is when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold, or the acceleration of the temperature change detected by the temperature sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold. 2. The communication device according to 2. A humidity sensor that detects ambient humidity;
The new entry condition is when the humidity detected by the humidity sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold, or the acceleration of the change in humidity detected by the humidity sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold. 2. The communication device according to 2. A tilt sensor for detecting tilt;
The new entry condition is when the inclination detected by the inclination sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold or when the acceleration of the change in inclination detected by the inclination sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold. 2. The communication device according to 2. A pressure sensor for detecting a pressure applied from the outside;
The new entry condition is when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold, or the acceleration of the change in pressure detected by the pressure sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold. 2. The communication device according to 2. It further has an air volume sensor that detects the flow rate of the surrounding air,
The new entry condition is when the flow rate detected by the air flow sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold value, or when the acceleration of the change in flow rate detected by the air flow sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold value. 2. The communication device according to 2. A non-contact type displacement sensor that detects a change in position;
The new entry condition is when the displacement detected by the displacement sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold, or when the acceleration of the change in displacement detected by the displacement sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold. 2. The communication device according to 2. An existing communication device that communicates with a newly-entered communication device that wants to acquire the same network ID,
A receiving circuit that receives a packet including a network ID request command and measures received signal strength;
A baseband processing unit that generates a packet including its own network ID;
A delay circuit for controlling a transmission delay time of a packet including the own network ID to be shorter as the received signal strength is larger;
A transmission circuit that transmits a delayed packet including its own network ID.

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