JP2012205055A - Radio communication system, master unit, and slave unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve reliability and stability of signal transmission and reception in the case that a bidirectional radio channel is established between a fixed side and a moving side according to the state of the moving side in a production line and the like.SOLUTION: A work 24 which is a moving side is provided with a slave unit 12 and a vibration sensor 15, and a control unit 16 which is a fixed side is provided with a master unit 10. When the work 24 moves according to control start, the vibration sensor 15 detects the vibration of the work 24, the slave unit 12 establishes a bidirectional radio channel consisting of an uplink radio channel and a downlink radio channel at different frequencies with the master unit 10, the slave unit 12 sends to the mater unit 10 a stop position detection message, for example, by a stop position sensor 14, and outputs the message to the control unit 16 to stop the movement.

Description

The present invention relates to a radio communication system, a master unit, and a slave unit that establish a bidirectional radio line between a fixed side and a mobile side to transmit and receive necessary information and signals.

  Conventionally, in the production facilities of various equipment and devices, a plurality of processes are divided in the order of work, the stations where necessary machines are installed for each process are arranged in order, and a transport mechanism is used for the plurality of stations. A line production system is employed in which work such as machining and assembly is performed while moving the workpieces in order.

  In such a line production system, when a workpiece is moved to a plurality of stations arranged in the order of processes using an appropriate transport mechanism, a workpiece stop position is determined in advance for each station, and the workpiece being moved is determined. Is detected to have reached a predetermined stop position, the transport mechanism is stopped, and a work is sent to the station to perform necessary process work.

In order to detect the stop position of the workpiece, usually, an appropriate sensor is installed on the station side which is a fixed facility, and the movement to the stop position of the workpiece is detected by the sensor and the transport mechanism is stopped.

JP-A-2005-182388 JP 2004-221277 A

  However, when detecting the stop position of a workpiece in such a conventional production facility, a sensor is installed on the fixed side of the station or the like, and a specific part of the workpiece enters the detection area of the sensor to reach the stop position. Since it has been detected, if the shape of the workpiece changes, the arrangement of the sensor for detecting the stop position must be changed and readjusted, and there is a problem that the degree of freedom of the production facility is low.

  In order to solve this problem, a sensor is mounted on the workpiece on the moving side, a member indicating the stop position is installed at the stop position of the station, and the position of the sensor is determined in advance even if the shape of the workpiece changes. It is possible to respond flexibly without changing the fixed equipment on the station side.

  However, when a sensor is installed on the moving work, it is necessary to use a signal line that can be expanded and contracted within the moving range of the work by the transport mechanism as a signal line for sending the signal from the sensor to the fixed control unit. Repeating may cause disconnection due to stress.

  For this reason, remote sensing is conceivable in which a detection signal from a sensor provided on a moving workpiece is wirelessly transmitted to a control unit on the fixed side. In other words, a base unit with a wireless transmission / reception function is installed in the control unit on the fixed side, a slave unit with a wireless transmission / reception function is placed on the work on the moving side, and necessary signals between the master unit and the slave unit Communicate.

  However, there are various noise sources at the production site, and the radio wave environment changes due to the movement of the work with the slave units moving. Depending on the radio wave communication status at that time, wireless communication may not be successful, Issues remain in terms of sex.

  Such problems are not limited to workpiece stop position detection, but when moving object types and conditions are monitored, production line routes are changed, moving objects are removed, and line stops are performed according to the moving object types and conditions. The same problem can be considered when transmitting and receiving signals and information.

  In addition, for example, in a living body position detection system, in order to observe the ecology of wild animals such as bears, monkeys, wild boars and deer using radio waves, a compact antenna with an integrated body of the target wild animal A transmitter (slave) that functions as a transmitter is attached and released, and radio waves from the transmitter are received by the receiver (master) to grasp the position.

However, radio waves from transmitters attached to wild animals frequently occur in observation areas where there are many mountainous areas, where radio waves are blocked by terrain or trees and do not reach the receiver. The reception by the receiver alone does not guarantee the establishment of a wireless line, and there is a similar problem that it becomes difficult to stably collect information on the behavior of wild animals.
In addition, when radio waves are continuously transmitted from a battery-powered transmitter, there is a problem that the battery life is shortened and the frequency of maintenance of the transmitter is increased.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a wireless communication system, a parent device, and a child device that improve the reliability and stability of signal transmission and reception when a bidirectional wireless line is established between a fixed side and a mobile side. .

The present invention also provides a wireless communication system, a master unit, and a slave unit that improve the reliability and stability of signal transmission and reception when a bidirectional wireless line is established with the fixed side according to the state of movement or the like on the moving side The purpose is to provide.

(Wireless communication system)
The present invention is provided with a base unit provided with a wireless transmission / reception unit arranged on the fixed side, and a slave unit provided with a radio transmission / reception unit arranged on the moving side and operated by a battery power source. In a wireless communication system that establishes a two-way radio line between a downlink radio line by transmission / reception of downlink radio waves and an uplink radio line by transmission / reception of uplink radio waves to communicate the state of the mobile side,
A state sensor that detects the state of the moving side and outputs a state detection signal to the slave unit is provided.
Set downstream and upstream radio waves to different frequencies,
The base unit is continuously receiving upstream radio waves in standby mode,
The cordless handset is intermittently receiving downlink radio waves in the standby state,
When the slave unit detects a predetermined state from the state detection signal of the state sensor in the standby state, it switches intermittent reception to continuous reception and transmits the detection information of the state sensor to the upstream radio wave and transmits it to the master unit.
When the base unit detects reception of an upstream radio wave from the slave unit, the base unit establishes a downstream radio line.

In the wireless communication system of the present invention,
After the base unit starts transmission of the downlink radio wave and establishes the downlink radio line, it sends a communication start message to the slave unit on the downlink radio wave,
When the slave unit detects reception of a communication start message from the master unit, it sends a predetermined response message to the master unit on the upstream radio wave,
When the master unit detects reception of a response message from the slave unit, the master unit processes the response message.

  Here, the subunit | mobile_unit transmits the predetermined | prescribed detection message based on the state detection message based on the state detection signal of a state sensor, or the detection signal of another sensor as a response message.

  A display unit for displaying the establishment of a wireless line on the slave unit and / or the master unit is provided.

  The base unit shifts to a standby state when reception of upstream radio waves is interrupted for a predetermined time during establishment of the upstream wireless line.

  If the slave unit does not receive the downlink radio wave from the master unit even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of transmission of the uplink radio wave, the slave unit shifts to a standby state.

The state sensor is a vibration sensor that detects vibration on the moving side and outputs a vibration detection signal to the slave unit.
When the slave unit detects vibration from the vibration detection signal of the vibration sensor in the standby state, the slave unit switches from intermittent reception to continuous reception and starts transmission of upstream radio waves.

  When the slave unit detects a vibration stop exceeding a predetermined time from the vibration detection signal of the vibration sensor in the standby state, it switches intermittent reception to continuous reception and starts transmission of upstream radio waves to establish an upstream radio line.

(Base unit)
The present invention relates to a bidirectional radio channel composed of a downlink radio channel by transmission / reception of downlink radio waves and an uplink radio channel by transmission / reception of uplink radio waves to / from a mobile unit arranged on the fixed side and operating on a battery power source arranged on the mobile side In the base unit that establishes and communicates the status of the mobile side,
A transmission / reception unit configured to transmit / receive data to / from the slave unit by setting downstream and upstream radio waves to different frequencies;
In the standby state, continuously receiving uplink radio waves, and when the slave unit detects a change in state on the mobile side and detects reception of uplink radio waves from the slave unit, it starts transmission of downlink radio waves and establishes a downlink radio line. A master unit control unit that receives and processes upstream radio waves carrying state changes from the slave units;
Is provided.

When the base unit controller starts transmission of the downlink radio wave and establishes the downlink radio line, transmits a communication start message to the slave unit on the downlink radio wave, and detects reception of a response message from the slave unit Process the response message.
If the base unit control unit does not receive the upstream radio wave from the slave unit even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of transmission of the downstream radio wave, it outputs a communication failure signal to the outside and shifts to a standby state.

  The base unit control unit shifts to a standby state when reception of the upstream radio wave is interrupted for a predetermined time during establishment of the upstream wireless line.

(Cordless handset)
The present invention establishes a two-way radio line composed of a downlink radio line by transmission / reception of downlink radio waves and an uplink radio line by transmission / reception of uplink radio waves, and communicates with a master unit arranged on the mobile side and arranged on the fixed side In the cordless handset operating with battery power,
A state sensor that is arranged on the moving side and detects a state of the moving side and outputs a state detection signal;
A transmission / reception unit configured to transmit / receive data to / from the base unit by setting the downlink radio wave and the uplink radio wave to different frequencies;
When the downlink radio wave is intermittently received in the standby state and a predetermined state is detected from the state detection signal of the state sensor in the standby state, the intermittent radio is switched to continuous reception to establish the downlink radio line and transmit the upstream radio wave. A slave unit control unit that starts and establishes an upstream wireless line and transmits detection information of a state sensor;
Is provided.

  If the slave unit further detects the reception of the communication start message from the master unit after starting the transmission of the uplink radio wave and establishing the downlink radio channel, the slave unit control unit puts a predetermined response message on the uplink radio wave. Send to.

The handset controller transmits a state detection message based on the state detection signal of the vibration sensor or a predetermined detection message based on the detection signal of another sensor as a response message.
The state sensor is a vibration sensor that detects vibration on the moving side and outputs a vibration detection signal to the slave unit.
The slave unit control unit switches from intermittent reception to continuous reception and starts transmission of upstream radio waves when the slave unit control unit detects a stop of vibration exceeding a predetermined time from the vibration detection signal of the vibration sensor in a standby state. Establish a wireless link.

  According to the present invention, for example, when vibration associated with movement on the moving side is detected by, for example, a vibration sensor arranged as a state sensor together with the slave unit on the workpiece on the moving side of the production facility, the slave unit in the standby state is stopped from intermittent reception. Switching to continuous reception and transmitting upstream radio waves to the base unit, and in response to this, the standby base unit transmits downstream radio waves to the slave units. Is established between the master unit and the slave unit, and a communication start signal from the master unit and a detection message detected by the sensor on the slave unit in response thereto can be transmitted and received in substantially real time.

  In particular, triggered by the detection of vibration on the moving side by the vibration sensor of the slave unit, the communication operation is started mainly by the slave unit on the moving side in which a bidirectional wireless line is established between the slave unit and the master unit. By placing the slave unit and vibration sensor on the workpiece that moves with the equipment, both the slave unit and the master unit can move between the slave unit and the master unit when the movement of the workpiece is started without requiring a control instruction from the fixed base unit. A necessary radio signal and information can be transmitted and received by establishing a directional radio link.

  In addition, when a slave unit is attached to a wild animal together with a vibration sensor, a two-way wireless link based on vibration detection is established during the activity of the wild animal, and a vibration detection telegram or the like is transmitted on the upstream radio wave and transmitted to the master unit. The behavior of the wild animal at that time can be detected in substantially real time.

  Also, by separating the uplink and downlink radio frequencies established between the master and slave units, it is possible to ensure that even if uplink and downlink messages are transmitted in duplicate, no interference will occur. You can send and receive messages.

  In addition, the status of the upstream and downstream wireless links established between the base unit and the slave units is constantly monitored, and if radio wave reception is interrupted after a predetermined time, a communication failure is detected and a standby state is established. You can respond appropriately by returning to.

  Further, the slave unit is operated by a battery power source, and sufficient battery life can be ensured by performing intermittent reception in a standby state.

In addition, when a vibration stop is detected by the vibration sensor over a predetermined time, a bidirectional wireless line consisting of an upstream wireless line and a downstream wireless line is established between the master unit and the slave unit to transmit and receive necessary signals and information. Thus, for example, if it is a production facility, it is possible to determine whether the moving side has stopped, and if it is a wild animal, for example, it can be determined that hibernation has started, and the situation on the moving side can be properly grasped.

Explanatory drawing which showed the example which applied the radio | wireless communications system by this invention to production equipment The block diagram which showed embodiment of the function structure of the main | base station and the subunit | mobile_unit by this invention Time chart showing wireless communication processing according to the present invention Flowchart showing the wireless communication process following FIG. Time chart showing processing when a communication failure occurs during line establishment Time chart showing processing when another communication failure occurs during line establishment Time chart showing processing when a communication failure occurs after establishing a line Time chart showing processing when communication failure occurs after line establishment following FIG. The flowchart which illustrated embodiment of the subunit | mobile_unit control processing of FIG. The flowchart which illustrated embodiment of the main | base station control processing of FIG. Explanatory drawing which showed the other example which applied the radio | wireless communications system by this invention to production equipment Explanatory drawing which showed the other example which applied the radio | wireless communications system by this invention to production equipment Explanatory drawing which showed the example which applied the radio | wireless communications system by this invention to wildlife observation The time chart which showed the radio | wireless communication process by this invention in the wild animal observation of FIG. The flowchart which showed the radio | wireless communication process following FIG. Time chart showing wireless communication processing according to the present invention for establishing a two-way wireless link triggered by vibration stop detection Flowchart showing the wireless communication process following FIG.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing an example of production equipment to which a wireless communication system according to the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, the production facility includes a control unit 16, a driving unit 18, a transport mechanism 20, and stations 22 a to 22 c arranged in order with respect to the transport mechanism 20 according to the order of processes.

  The control unit 16 controls the drive unit 18, and the drive unit 18 transports the work 24 to be driven by the operation of the transport mechanism 20 from the station 22 a side to the station 22 b and the station 22 c in order, and performs necessary work at each station. Let it be done.

  The control unit 16 outputs a control start signal to the drive unit 18, moves the work 24 to a predetermined position determined by the stop position marker 26 a of the station 22 a by the transport mechanism 20, and then outputs a control end signal to the drive unit 18. Stop.

  The work 24 stopped at the position determined by the stop position marker 26a is subjected to necessary assembly work or the like at the station 22a. When the assembling work is completed, the control unit 16 moves the work 24 to a position determined by the stop position marker 26b provided in the next station 22b by the operation of the transport mechanism 20 based on the control with respect to the drive unit 18, and is necessary at the station 22b. Perform assembly work. Finally, the work 24 is moved to a position determined by the stop position marker 26c of the station 22c, and the assembly work by the station 22c is performed to complete a series of work steps.

  For such a production facility, as a wireless communication system according to the present invention, the master unit 10 is installed on the fixed control unit 18 side and connected to the signal line, while the slave unit 12 is connected to the workpiece 24 on the moving side. is set up. The work 24 is provided with a stop position sensor 14 that detects arrival at the stop position markers 26a to 26c, and a vibration sensor 15 that detects vibration of the work 24 on the moving side and outputs a vibration detection signal. Input connection to the machine 12.

  As the stop position sensor 14, an appropriate sensor such as a mechanical sensor switch or an optical light detection switch can be used. As the vibration sensor 15, for example, a sensor that detects a mechanical movement of a steel ball used in a pedometer (R) or a sensor that detects acceleration is used.

  The base unit 10 includes a wireless transmission / reception unit, and the slave unit 12 also includes a wireless transmission / reception unit. When starting the control, the control unit 16 outputs a control signal to the driving unit 18 and operates the transport mechanism 20 to start the movement of the workpiece 24.

  When the work 24 starts moving by the transport mechanism 20, the slave unit 12 detects the vibration of the work 24 generated at the start of the movement from the vibration detection signal of the vibration sensor 15, and the uplink radio line having a different frequency with the base unit 10. And establishes a bidirectional wireless line composed of downlink wireless lines, and maintains the established bidirectional wireless line during control.

  If, for example, the stop position marker 26a is detected by the stop position sensor 14 provided in the work 24 during establishment of the bidirectional wireless line, a stop position detection message is transmitted from the slave unit 12 to the master unit 10 via the uplink wireless line. The base unit 10 that has received the stop position detection message outputs a stop position detection signal to the control unit 16, whereby the control unit 16 outputs a control end signal to the drive unit 18, stops the transport mechanism 20, The workpiece 24 is stopped at a position corresponding to the detected stop position marker 26a. Of course, during establishment of the downlink radio line and the uplink radio line, appropriate signal transmission / reception can be performed between the parent device 10 and the child device 12 as necessary.

  When a predetermined time elapses after the establishment of the bidirectional wireless line, base unit 10 transmits a communication end message to slave unit 12, so that the bidirectional wireless line established during control is released and returns to the standby state. Become.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the functional configuration of the parent device and the child device shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the base unit 10 includes a base unit control unit 28 using a microprocessor, a transmission unit 30, a reception unit 32, an antenna 34, a memory 35, an operation unit 36, a display unit 38, an input / output unit 40, and an external unit. The power supply unit 42 is always supplied with commercial power.

  On the other hand, the slave unit 12 includes a slave unit control unit 44 using a microprocessor, a reception unit 46, a transmission unit 48, an antenna 50, a memory 51, an operation unit 52, a display unit 54, and a battery power source unit 56. The stop position sensor 14 and the vibration sensor 15 are input-connected to the control unit 44.

  The transmission unit 30 and the reception unit 32 provided in the parent device 10 and the reception unit 46 and the transmission unit 48 provided in the child device 12 have a configuration compliant with, for example, a specific low-power radio station in Japan.

  In the present embodiment, the transmission unit 30 of the base unit 10 transmits a downstream radio wave having a downstream frequency f1 = 315 MHz, and the reception unit 46 of the slave unit 10 transmits a downstream radio wave having a downstream frequency f1 = 315 MHz transmitted from the base unit 10. Receive. This is the downlink radio line.

  On the other hand, the transmission unit 48 of the slave unit 12 transmits a radio wave with an uplink frequency f2 = 429 MHz, and the reception unit 32 of the master unit 10 receives a radio wave with an uplink frequency f2 = 429 MHz transmitted by the slave unit 12, and this is an uplink wireless line. It becomes.

  Thus, by setting the frequency of the downlink wireless line from the parent device 10 to the child device 12 to 315 MHz and the frequency of the uplink wireless line from the child device 12 to the parent device 10 being different from 429 MHz, the parent device 10 and the child device Thus, interference is prevented from occurring even if data is transmitted / received to / from 12 at the same time.

  The base unit 10 stops transmission of the transmission unit 30 in a standby state, and the reception unit 32 performs continuous reception. On the other hand, the slave unit 12 stops transmission of the transmission unit 48 in a standby state, and the reception unit 46 performs intermittent reception to suppress battery consumption by the battery power source 56.

  A signal can be input / output to / from the control unit 16 shown in FIG.

  A vibration sensor 15 provided on the workpiece 24 is input-connected to the child device control unit 44 of the child device 12. When vibration associated with the start of movement of the workpiece 24 is detected from a vibration detection signal of the vibration sensor 15, first, the parent device 10. The operation for establishing the uplink radio channel and the uplink radio channel is started.

  That is, when determining the vibration detection of the workpiece 24, the slave unit control unit 44 switches the intermittent reception of the reception unit 46 to continuous reception and operates the transmission unit 48 to start transmission of 429 MHz upstream radio waves. In addition, the slave unit control unit 44 turns on the transmission LED provided in the display unit 54, displays a communicable state due to establishment of the uplink radio channel with the base unit 10, and sets a line establishment timer with a predetermined timeout time set. Start.

  The 429 MHz upstream radio wave from the handset 12 is received by the receiving unit 32 of the base unit 10, whereby the 429 MHz upstream radio wave is transmitted and received between the transmitting unit 48 of the handset 12 and the receiving unit 32 of the base unit 10. A wireless line is established.

  When the base unit control unit 28 detects the reception of the 429 MHz upstream radio wave from the slave unit 12, the base unit control unit 28 operates the transmission unit 30 to start transmission of the 315 MHz downstream radio wave to the slave unit 12, and subsequently the 315 MHz downstream radio wave. A communication start message is transmitted on the network, and a communication management timer with a predetermined timeout time is started. The timeout time of the communication management timer is set by adding a predetermined margin time to the time from the start of control by the control unit 16 to the end of control.

  Further, when the base unit control unit 28 detects the reception of the 429 MHz upstream radio wave transmitted from the handset 12 by the receiving unit 32, the base unit control unit 28 turns on the reception LED provided in the display unit 38, and establishes the upstream radio line between the base unit 12 and the handset 12. Displays the communicable status due to establishment.

  The receiving unit 46 of the child device 12 is switched from intermittent reception to continuous reception. When receiving a 315 MHz downlink radio wave from the parent device 10, the receiving unit 46 between the parent device 10 and the receiving unit 46 of the child device 12 A downlink radio line for transmitting and receiving 315 MHz downlink radio waves is established. In this state, when the slave unit control unit 44 detects reception of a communication start message transmitted from the master unit 10, the slave unit control unit 44 recognizes that a two-way wireless line has been established with the master unit 10, and detects the necessary detection message. Is ready to send.

  The slave unit control unit 44 continues to receive the upstream radio wave of 315 MHz from the master unit 10 after the establishment of the bidirectional wireless line with the master unit 10, and the reception of the downstream radio wave of 315 MHz is predetermined. When it is cut off after the radio wave blocking allowable time, it detects a communication failure and shifts to a standby state.

  The master unit control unit 28 continues to receive the 429 MHz uplink radio wave from the slave unit 12 after the establishment of the bidirectional wireless line with the slave unit 12, and the 429 MHz uplink radio wave reception is predetermined. When it is cut off after the radio wave blocking allowable time is exceeded, a communication failure is detected, a communication failure signal is output to the control unit 16 via the input / output unit 40, and a transition is made to a standby state. Necessary communication failure control such as control stop is performed.

  After the establishment of the bidirectional wireless line between the master unit 10 and the slave unit 12, the slave unit control unit 44 reads the detection signal from the stop position sensor 14, and for example, the stop position shown in FIG. When the detection signal of the marker 26a is obtained, a stop position detection message is generated, and the stop position detection message is transmitted from the transmission unit 48 to the base unit 10 on the 429 MHz upstream radio wave.

  The master unit control unit 28 that has received the stop position detection message from the slave unit 12 outputs a stop position detection signal to the control unit 16 via the input / output unit 40. Perform control action.

  When the predetermined control operation ends, the base unit control unit 28 detects the timeout of the communication management timer, and based on this, the base unit control unit 28 generates a communication end message and puts it on the 315 MHz downlink radio wave from the transmission unit 30. Transmit to the slave unit 12. The slave unit control unit 44 of the slave unit 12 that has received the communication end message from the base unit 10 switches the reception unit 46 from continuous reception to intermittent reception, stops transmission of 429 MHz upstream radio waves by the transmission unit 48, and is in a standby state Migrate to

  When the reception of the 429 MHz upstream radio wave from the slave unit 12 is cut off, the base unit control unit 28 of the base unit 10 detects the end of communication, stops the transmission of the 315 MHz downstream radio wave by the transmission unit 30, and shifts to the standby state. To do.

  The operation unit 36 provided in the parent device 10 and the operation unit 52 provided in the child device 12 perform channel frequency selection used in the 315 MHz downlink radio channel and the 429 MHz uplink radio channel as an initial setting.

  Each of the parent device 10 and the child device 12 is assigned an address in advance, and can be set by using, for example, a dip switch provided in the operation unit 36. The address settings of the master unit 10 and the slave unit 12 may be stored in advance in the memories 35 and 51 as serial numbers and the like as addresses, without using the DIP switch of the operation unit 36.

  A message transmitted / received between the parent device 10 and the child device 12 includes a transmission source address, a transmission destination address, data or command, and a check code. For this reason, the memories 35 and 51 store the transmission destination address of the parent device 10 or the child device 12 as the transmission destination, and include it in the transmission message. The master unit control unit 28 and the slave unit control unit 44 detect a valid message reception when the destination address included in the received message matches the self address, and process based on the message data or command. Will do.

  Moreover, the transmission operation of the message | telegram by the transmission part 30 of the main | base station 10 and the transmission part 48 of the subunit | mobile_unit 12 performs the transmission operation | movement which transmits the same message | telegram data repeatedly several times over predetermined time, and from a transmission destination as needed. If an ACK message (acknowledgment response message) is received and no ACK message is received, the retransmission operation is repeated for a predetermined number of retries.

  Further, the base unit 10 transmits a regular notification message to the handset 12 at predetermined intervals. The slave unit 12 that has received the periodic notification message from the master unit 10 responds with the status of the slave unit at that time. That is, the slave unit 12 performs low-battery failure due to a voltage drop of the battery power source 56 and failure monitoring of each part in the background. When a failure is detected, the failure result is held in the memory 51 and the parent device 10 periodically reports If a failure is detected when the message is received, the failure information is included in the response message and transmitted.

  In response to this, when the base unit 10 detects a failure from the message, the base unit 10 recognizes the periodic abnormality report and outputs a periodic notification abnormality signal from the input / output unit 40 to the control unit 16 to perform necessary countermeasures. Become. In particular, the slave unit 12 is operated by the battery power source 56. When a low battery failure accompanying a decrease in the battery voltage is detected as a periodic notification abnormality, an alarm output for prompting the operator to replace the battery of the slave unit 12 is output. Will do.

  3 and 4 are time charts showing wireless communication processing in the wireless communication system of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the base unit 10 is in a standby state in step S1, and in the standby state, stops transmitting 315 MHz downstream radio waves and continuously receives 429 MHz upstream radio waves. The slave unit 12 is in a standby state in step S101. In this standby state, transmission of a 429 MHz upstream radio wave is stopped, and reception of a 315 MHz downstream radio wave is intermittent reception.

  When the workpiece 24 shown in FIG. 1 starts moving by driving the transport mechanism 20 in the standby state of the parent device 10 and the child device 12 as described above, the vibration sensor 15 provided on the workpiece 24 is In step S201, the vibration associated with the start of movement is detected and output to the slave unit 12.

  The slave unit 12 switches from intermittent reception to continuous reception in step S102 based on vibration detection from the vibration detection signal of the vibration sensor 15, transmits 429 MHz upstream radio wave in step S103, turns on the transmission LED in step S104, and establishes a line. In step S105, a line establishment timer is started. As the time-out time of the line establishment timer, a predetermined time necessary for establishing a bidirectional wireless line with the base unit 10 is set.

  When the base unit 10 receives the 429 MHz uplink radio wave from the handset 12 in step S2, the base unit 10 starts a communication management timer in step S3. Subsequently, base unit 10 transmits a 315 MHz downlink radio wave in step S3, and turns on the reception LED in step S5. In this way, the line establishment display is performed on the base unit side. Subsequently, in step S6, a communication start message is transmitted to the child device 12 by being put on a 315 MHz downlink radio wave.

  When the slave unit 12 receives the communication start message from the master unit 10 in step S <b> 106, the slave unit 12 waits for stop position detection by the stop position sensor 14. Note that the slave unit 18 resets and stops the line establishment timer started in step S105 when detecting the reception of the downlink radio wave from the master unit 10.

  When the work reaches a predetermined stop position in a state where a bidirectional wireless line consisting of a downlink wireless line and an uplink wireless line is established between the master unit 10 and the slave unit 12 in this way, the stop position sensor 14 is set in step S301. The stop position is detected and a detection signal is output to the slave unit 12, and in response to this, the slave unit 12 transmits a stop position detection message to the master unit 10 in step S107.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4, when the base unit 10 receives the stop position detection message from the slave unit 12 in step S7, the base unit 10 outputs a stop position detection signal to the control unit 16, and the control unit 16 outputs the stop position detection signal. For example, the conveyance of the workpiece 24 is stopped.

  When the base unit 10 detects a timeout of the communication management timer in step S9, the base unit 10 transmits a communication end message to the handset unit 12 in step S10. When receiving the communication end message in step S108, the slave unit 12 stops the transmission of the 429 MHz uplink radio wave in step S109, switches the continuous reception to the intermittent reception in step S110, and shifts to the standby state.

  When the base unit 10 detects stop of reception of the upstream radio wave from the handset 12 in step S11, the base unit 10 shifts to a standby state in step S12.

  FIG. 5 is a time chart showing processing when a communication failure occurs when a line is established between the parent device and the child device. In FIG. 5, the slave unit 12 is in a standby state in step S <b> 101, and when the vibration sensor 15 detects vibration accompanying the movement of the workpiece 24 in step S <b> 201, the slave unit 12 is based on vibration detection by the vibration detection signal of the vibration sensor 15. In step S102, intermittent reception is switched to continuous reception. Subsequently, in step S103, an uplink radio wave of 429 MHz is transmitted. In step S104, the transmission LED is turned on. In step S105, a line establishment timer is started.

  However, it is assumed that a communication failure 60 occurs with the parent device 10 and the 429 MHz upstream radio wave transmitted from the child device 12 cannot be received on the parent device 10 side. In this case, base unit 10 continues the standby state in step S1, and transmission of a 315 MHz downlink radio wave is not performed.

  Therefore, in the slave unit 12, the line establishment timer started in step S105 times out in step S111 because the 315 MHz downlink radio wave is cut off, and returns to the standby state in step S112.

  Here, when the handset 12 returns to the standby state in step S112, if vibration associated with the movement of the workpiece 24 is detected by the vibration sensor 15, the processing from step S102 is repeated again, and the communication failure is temporarily Therefore, if the communication failure with respect to the base unit 10 is resolved at this time, the normal processing shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 can be performed.

  FIG. 6 is a time chart showing processing when another communication failure occurs at the time of establishing a line. In FIG. 6, the establishment of the uplink radio line in step S103 of the slave unit 12 based on the vibration detection of the vibration sensor 15 has been successful.

  However, when the base unit 10 transmits a downlink radio wave in step S4, a communication failure 62 occurs, and when a communication start message is transmitted in step S6, a communication failure 64 also occurs, and the slave unit 12 side receives a downlink radio wave. And it is assumed that the communication start message could not be received. Therefore, the slave unit 12 detects that the downlink radio wave has been cut off, starts a reception timer in step S114, and when a predetermined radio wave cutoff allowable time set in the reception timer has elapsed and times out in step S115, In S116, the process shifts to a standby state.

  Further, in the base unit 10, when the handset 12 returns to the standby state in step S116, reception of the upstream radio wave is blocked, and a reception timer is started in step S13. A predetermined radio wave blocking allowable time is set as a timeout time in the reception timer, the reception timer times out in step S14, and the base unit 10 also returns to the standby state in step S15.

  Here, when the handset 12 returns to the standby state in step S116, if vibration associated with the movement of the workpiece 24 is detected by the vibration sensor 15, the processing from step S102 is repeated again, and the communication failure is temporary. In many cases, the normal processing shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 can be performed if the communication failure with respect to the base unit 10 is resolved.

  FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are time charts showing processing when a two-way wireless link is successfully established but a communication failure occurs thereafter. In FIG. 7, the processing of steps S101 to S106 of the slave unit 12 and the processing of steps S1 to S6 of the base unit 10 are the same as those shown in FIG. 3, and the 315 MHz downlink radio channel and the 429 MHz uplink radio are between them. A two-way wireless line consisting of a line has been established and is waiting for the stop position sensor 14 to detect the stop position of the work 24.

  If the stop position sensor 14 detects a stop position in step S301 in this state, the handset 12 transmits a stop position detection message in step S107, and it is assumed that a communication failure 66 has occurred for this message transmission.

  Due to the occurrence of this communication failure 66, the base unit 10 cuts off reception of the 429 MHz upstream radio wave from the slave unit 12, and starts a reception timer in which the predetermined radio wave blocking allowable time is set as the timeout time in step S16 of FIG. When the started reception timer times out in step S17, the process proceeds to step S18, a communication failure signal is output to the control unit 16, and the process shifts to a standby state in which transmission of the 315 MHz downlink radio wave is stopped in step S19. The control unit 16 that has received the communication failure detection signal from the parent device 10 executes necessary communication failure processing.

  On the other hand, in the slave unit 12, the reception of the downlink radio wave is cut off when the master unit 10 returns to the standby state in step S19. For this reason, the slave unit 12 detects that the downlink radio wave has been cut off, and step S118. In step S120, the reception timer is started, and when a predetermined radio wave blocking allowable time set in the reception timer has elapsed and timed out in step S119, a transition is made to a standby state in step S120.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the control process of the handset 12 of FIG. In FIG. 9, when the battery power of the slave unit 12 is turned on, initialization and self-diagnosis are performed in step S1001, and various settings are made. If there is no error as a result of self-diagnosis, the process proceeds to a standby state in step S1002, In this case, transmission of 429 MHz upstream radio waves is stopped, and reception of 315 MHz downstream radio waves is intermittent reception.

  Subsequently, in step S1003, the presence or absence of vibration detection by the vibration sensor 15 is determined. If vibration detection is determined, the process proceeds to step S1004, where intermittent reception of 315 MHz downstream radio waves is switched to continuous reception and after transmission of 429 MHz upstream radio waves. In step S1005, the transmission LED is turned on to display the establishment of the wireless line, and the line establishment timer is started.

  Subsequently, in step 1006, the presence / absence of reception of the communication start message from the base unit 10 is detected. If the reception of the communication start message is not detected, the process proceeds to step S1007, and the presence / absence of communication failure of the downstream radio wave is detected. . That is, when the reception stop of the downlink radio wave is detected, a reception timer with a predetermined allowable radio wave interruption time is started, and when the reception timer times out, a communication failure due to the downlink radio wave interruption is detected, and waiting in step S1002 Return to state.

  When the reception of the communication start message is detected in step S1006, the process proceeds to step S1008, and it is determined whether or not the stop position is detected by the stop position sensor 14. If stop position detection is not determined, the process proceeds to step S1009, and the presence or absence of a communication failure in the downstream radio wave is detected as in step S1007.

  If stop position detection is determined in step S1008, the process proceeds to step S1010, and a stop position detection message is transmitted to the parent device 10. Subsequently, in step S1011, the presence / absence of reception of a communication end message from the base unit 10 is detected, and if reception of the communication end message is not detected, the process proceeds to step S1012. The presence or absence is detected.

  When the reception of the communication end message is detected in step S1011, the process proceeds to step S1013, the transmission of the upstream radio wave is stopped, and the process returns to the standby state in step 1002.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the control process of base unit 10 of FIG. In FIG. 10, when the power is turned on, the master unit performs initialization and self-diagnosis in step S2001, and further performs various setting processes. If there is no abnormality due to self-diagnosis, the process proceeds to the standby state in step S2002, and the 315 MHz downlink Radio wave transmission is stopped and reception of 429 MHz uplink radio waves is continuous reception.

  Subsequently, when reception of the upstream radio wave from the slave unit 12 is detected in step S2003, the process proceeds to step S2004, and transmission of a 315 MHz downstream radio wave is started, and at the same time, a communication start message is transmitted on the downstream radio wave. Subsequently, a communication management timer is started in step S2005, and the reception LED is turned on in step S2006.

  Subsequently, in step S2007, the presence / absence of reception of a stop position detection message from the slave unit 12 is detected. If no message is detected, the presence / absence of an upstream radio communication failure is detected in step S2008. When a reception stop is detected, a reception timer with a predetermined allowable radio wave interruption time is started, and when the reception timer times out, a communication failure due to downlink radio wave interruption is detected, and the process returns to the standby state in step S2002.

  If reception of a stop position detection message is detected in step S2007, the process proceeds to step S2009, and a stop position detection signal is output to the control unit 16. Subsequently, in step S2010, whether or not the communication management timer started in step S2005 has been timed out is detected. If no time-out is detected, the process proceeds to step S2011, and in the same manner as in step S2008, the presence or absence of an upstream radio wave communication failure is detected. ing.

  When a timeout of the communication management timer is detected in step S2010, the process proceeds to step S2012, a communication end message is transmitted to the slave unit 12, and reception of upstream radio waves accompanying the transition of the slave unit 12 to the standby state is stopped in step S2013. If it detects, it will return to the standby state of step S2002.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing another example of production equipment to which the wireless communication system according to the present invention is applied. In FIG. 11, the production facility includes a monitoring control device 100, a production line 102, and a storage unit 104. The production line 102 becomes a finished product through work by equipment and workers arranged along the line while moving a predetermined product 106, and is sent to the storage unit 104 for storage.

  In such a production facility, when working on the production line 102 and when the work is completed and sent to the storage unit 104, a specific parameter in the product 106, for example, an internal temperature rise or the like is monitored and abnormal When an internal temperature rise is observed, it may be necessary to deal with a defective product.

  Therefore, in the wireless communication system of the present invention, the master unit 10 is arranged on the monitoring control device 100 side of the production line 102, the slave unit 12 is arranged on the product 106, and the state sensor that detects the state of the product 106 is detected. For example, a temperature sensor 108 for measuring the internal temperature of the product 106 and a vibration sensor 15 similar to FIG. 2 for detecting the movement of the product are provided and connected to the slave unit 12.

  The details of the master unit 10 and the slave unit 12 are basically the same as those in the embodiment of FIG. 2 except that a temperature sensor 108 for detecting the internal temperature of the product is input to the slave unit 12 as a state sensor. Accordingly, when the slave unit control unit 44 determines that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 108 exceeds a predetermined threshold temperature, it switches the intermittent reception to the continuous reception and starts the transmission of the upstream radio wave. When a bidirectional wireless line is established with the parent device 12 and a communication start message is received from the parent device 10, a temperature detection message based on the temperature detection signal of the temperature sensor 108 is transmitted as a response message to the parent device 10. Further, when the product 106 by the vibration sensor 15 moves on the line, the slave unit 12 is controlled to switch from intermittent reception to continuous reception, and the status information is transmitted to the master unit 10. It will be the same.

  The slave unit 12 uses the information of the vibration sensor 15 in the message transmitted to the master unit 10 and transmits whether the product 106 is moving on the production line 102 or stored in the storage unit 104. be able to.

  The wireless communication process between the parent device and the child device in the wireless communication system of FIG. 11 is basically the same as the time charts shown in FIGS. That is, when the slave unit 12 determines in the standby state that the temperature detected by the temperature detection signal from the temperature sensor 108 has exceeded a predetermined threshold temperature, the slave unit 12 switches from intermittent reception to continuous reception and starts transmission of upstream radio waves. As a result, a two-way radio line is established with the base unit 10.

  When the two-way radio line is established in this way, the slave unit 12 sends a communication start message from the master unit 10, so the slave unit 12 generates a temperature detection message based on the temperature detection signal of the temperature sensor 108. The temperature detection signal is output from the parent device 10 to the monitoring control device 100. The monitoring control device 100 monitors the detected temperature based on the temperature detection signal output from the parent device 10 and outputs an abnormality alarm to notify the presence of a product whose internal temperature has increased. Then, when the abnormally alarmed product is moving, the production line is stopped and removed, and when the product is being stored, countermeasures are taken such as removing it from the storage unit 104 as a defective product.

  Note that the threshold temperature for establishing the two-way wireless line on the side of the slave unit 12 and the threshold temperature for determining the abnormality of the product in the master unit 10 may be the same threshold temperature. The former is set to a low threshold temperature, a bidirectional wireless line is established before reaching the threshold temperature for judging abnormality, and the detected temperature of the product is sent to the control unit side. It may be determined.

  A specific example of monitoring the state of the product during and after production is a lithium battery production line. In the lithium battery production line, it is necessary to check the temperature rise and voltage status of the battery body after charging the electrolyte into the battery body. If there is an abnormality in each parameter, it is necessary to deal with it in a separate process. As shown in FIG. 11, the wireless communication system according to the present invention can be applied to such lithium battery parameter monitoring.

  Therefore, after the electrolytic solution is put into the battery body, the temperature or voltage is detected by the temperature sensor or the voltage sensor connected to the handset 12, and when the temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold value for a predetermined time or the voltage is a predetermined value. In such a case, a two-way wireless line is established with the parent device 10 by the operation on the child device 10 side, and a temperature detection message or a voltage detection message is transmitted to the parent device 10 to the monitoring control device 10. When it is judged that an abnormality has occurred, repair work such as replacing the electrolyte is performed. If it cannot be repaired, it is removed as a defective product.

  As another example of monitoring the state of the product in the production line, there is a production line in which a product such as a device on which an electrical component is mounted is sealed with an epoxy resin. When the product is filled with an epoxy resin, it is necessary to monitor that the curing of the epoxy resin is proceeding smoothly. Such determination of the curing of the epoxy resin uses the measured values of reaction temperature and hardness as parameters.

  Therefore, a product sealed with an epoxy resin is provided with a temperature sensor or hardness sensor as a state sensor and input connected to the slave unit 12, and when the reaction temperature or hardness does not reach the threshold even after a predetermined time, A two-way wireless line is established with the base unit 10 by the operation on the side of the handset 10, and a temperature detection message and a hardness detection message are transmitted to the base unit 10 and output to the monitoring controller 100, and the epoxy resin is cured. Monitor whether or not the process is proceeding smoothly. If an abnormality is determined, repair work such as refilling with epoxy resin is performed. If repair is not possible, the product is removed as a defective product.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing a plan view of another example of production equipment to which the wireless communication system according to the present invention is applied. In FIG. 12, the production facility includes a monitoring control device 200, a production line 202, a branch unit 204, and branch production lines 206 and 208. The production line 202 is assembled through the operation of equipment and workers arranged along the line while moving a predetermined product 210 to become, for example, a semi-finished product, which is sent to the branching unit 204, depending on the state of the product 210. Then, the product is branched to one of the branch lines 206 and 208, and becomes a finished product through work performed by equipment and workers arranged along the branch lines 206 and 208.

  The monitoring control device 200 monitors the state of the product 210 as a semi-finished product by the production line 202, for example, the internal temperature. If the internal temperature is normal, the monitoring control device 200 controls the branching unit 204 and supplies the product 210 to the branch production line 206. If there is an abnormality in the internal temperature, the process branches to the branch production line 208 and is processed through the process of eliminating the abnormality in the internal temperature. If it is not resolved, remove it as a defective product.

  In such a production facility, it is necessary to monitor specific parameters in the product 210 such as an internal temperature in the production line 202.

  Therefore, in the wireless communication system of the present invention, the master unit 10 is disposed on the monitoring control device 200 side that performs branch control of the branch unit 204, and the slave unit 12 is disposed on the product 210 that moves on the production line 202. As a state sensor for detecting the state of the product 210, for example, a temperature sensor 212 for measuring the internal temperature of the product 210 is provided and connected to the slave unit 12.

  Details of the master unit 10 and the slave unit 12 are basically the same as those in the embodiment of FIG. 2, but a temperature sensor 212 that detects the internal temperature of the product 210 is connected to the slave unit 12 as a state sensor. Accordingly, when the slave unit control unit 44 determines that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 212 exceeds the predetermined threshold temperature, it switches the intermittent reception to the continuous reception and starts the transmission of the upstream radio wave. When a two-way wireless line is established with the parent device 12 and a communication start message is received from the parent device 10, a temperature detection message based on the temperature detection signal of the temperature sensor 212 is transmitted to the parent device 10 as a response message. .

  The wireless communication processing between the parent device and the child device in the wireless communication system of FIG. 12 is basically the same as the time charts shown in FIGS. That is, when the slave unit 12 determines in the standby state that the temperature detected by the temperature detection signal from the temperature sensor 108 has exceeded a predetermined threshold temperature, the slave unit 12 switches from intermittent reception to continuous reception and starts transmission of upstream radio waves. As a result, a two-way radio line is established with the base unit 12.

  When the two-way wireless line is established in this way, the base unit 10 sends a communication start message to the handset 12, so the handset 12 generates a temperature detection message based on the temperature detection signal of the temperature sensor 212. The base station 10 transmits the response message as a response message, and outputs a temperature detection signal from the base unit 10 to the monitoring control device 200. The monitoring and control apparatus 200 monitors the detected temperature based on the temperature detection signal output from the master unit 10. For example, if the temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold temperature, it is determined to be normal, and the product 210 is branched and produced under the control of the branching unit 204. Branching to the line 206, on the other hand, if it is determined that the temperature rise exceeds a predetermined threshold temperature, it is determined that the temperature is abnormal, and the product 210 is branched to the branch production line 208.

  The other item to be monitored during production may be the weight of the product 210. If the weight is within the specified weight range in the production process stage, the process branches to the branch production line 206 to reach the finished product. Is out of the specified weight range at the process stage, it is branched to the branch production line 208 as an assembly error and removed as a defective product.

  A specific example of a production facility that monitors the state of the product in the middle of production and changes the subsequent production process according to the state of the product is the above-described lithium battery production line. In a lithium battery production line, it is necessary to check the temperature rise and voltage state of the battery body after charging the electrolyte into the battery body. If there is an abnormality in each parameter, it is necessary to deal with it in a separate process.

  Therefore, after the electrolytic solution is introduced into the battery body in the production line 202, the temperature and voltage are detected by the temperature sensor and voltage sensor connected to the slave unit 12, and when the temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold or the voltage is set to the specified value. In such a case, a two-way wireless line is established with the parent device 10 by the operation on the child device 10 side, and a temperature detection message and a voltage detection message are transmitted to the parent device 10 and output to the monitoring control device 10 If it is normal, it branches to the branch production line 206 to make a finished product, and if it is abnormal, it branches to the branch production line 208 having a repair process such as replacement of the electrolysis solution or replacement of the electrodes.

  Further, as another example of branching by monitoring the state of the product in the production line of FIG. 12, the present invention can also be applied to a production line in which a product such as a device mounted with the above-described electrical components is sealed with an epoxy resin.

  In other words, when the product is filled with epoxy resin in the production line 202, a temperature sensor and a hardness sensor are provided on the product and input is connected to the slave unit 12 in order to monitor that the epoxy resin is smoothly cured. If the reaction temperature or hardness does not reach the threshold even after a predetermined time has elapsed, a temperature detection message or hardness is established by establishing a bidirectional wireless line with the parent device 10 by the operation of the child device 10. A detection message is transmitted to the main unit 10 and output to the monitoring control device 10 to monitor whether or not the epoxy resin has been cured smoothly. If it is abnormal, it branches to the branch production line 208 and is repaired by refilling with epoxy resin or the like, and if it cannot be repaired, it is removed as a defective product.

  In addition, as the production equipment for detecting the state of the product shown in FIG. 12 and branching the production line, there are production equipment for producing a mixture of products of different models on the same production line, and a flexible production equipment for a small variety of products. Yes, in such a production facility, when a branch production line is provided for a process unique to a specific model and the branch or bypass is made, the master unit 10 is arranged on the control device side, and the model information etc. is in the product. By providing a slave unit 12 with a sensor, a bidirectional wireless line is established between the master unit 10 and the slave unit 12 at a necessary timing, and a state detection message such as the product model and temperature is transmitted to the product. Perform branch control. The establishment timing of this communication is provided with a vibration sensor 15 similar to that shown in FIG. 2 provided in the slave unit 12, and when movement is detected, the model information and other monitoring information are communicated to the master unit side to branch the production line. It can be carried out.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of an embodiment in which the wireless communication system of the present invention is applied to observation of wild animals.

  In FIG. 13, the slave unit 12 has a built-in vibration sensor, is attached to a wild animal 300 such as a bear to be observed, and operates with a battery power source. For example, a neck band is used to attach the child device 12 to the wild animal 300.

  The base unit 10 is installed in the vicinity of the wild animal behavior prediction area equipped with the handset 12. An appropriate power source such as a battery, a solar cell, or a commercial power source can be used as the power source of the base unit 10 according to the installation environment. The parent device 10 may be carried by an observer or mounted on a vehicle.

  The parent device 10 is connected to the observation device 304 via the network 302, for example, and the observation device 304 collects and manages the activity detection data of the wild animals transmitted from the parent device 10 and, if necessary, with respect to the time axis. Generate behavior patterns. The activity detection data includes information such as current position information indicated by latitude and longitude and altitude, movement history, movement time, stop time, body temperature, and the like, and includes sensors according to information to be observed. The network 302 may be a mobile terminal wireless network or an appropriate wired network.

  The details of the master unit 10 and the slave unit 12 are basically the same as those of the embodiment of FIG. 2, but a frequency suitable for wild animal monitoring is selected as the frequency used in the two-way radio link. As a sensor for this, only the vibration sensor 15 is provided.

  The master unit 10 and the slave unit 12 have a configuration that complies with, for example, a specific low-power radio station (license is not required) or a simple radio station (license is required) whose transmission power is 1 mW lower.

  When conforming to the specific low-power radio station, as in FIG. 2, the base unit 10 transmits a radio wave having a downlink frequency f1 = 315 MHz, and the slave unit 10 receives a radio wave having a downlink frequency f1 = 315 MHz transmitted from the base unit 10. To do. This is the downlink radio line. On the other hand, the slave unit 12 transmits a radio wave having an uplink frequency f2 = 429 MHz, and the master unit 10 receives a radio wave having an uplink frequency f2 = 429 MHz transmitted by the slave unit 12, and this becomes an uplink radio line. Note that the radio waves having the downlink frequency f1 = 315 MHz and the uplink frequency f2 = 429 MHz are called a so-called 400 MHz band.

  When conforming to the simple radio station, the base unit 10 transmits a radio wave having a downlink frequency f1 = 154.45 MHz, and the slave unit 12 receives a radio wave having a downlink frequency f1 = 154.25 MHz transmitted from the base unit 10. This is the downlink radio line. On the other hand, the slave unit 12 transmits a radio wave having an uplink frequency f2 = 154.61 MHz, and the master unit 10 receives a radio wave having an uplink frequency f2 = 154.61 MHz transmitted by the slave unit 12, and this becomes an uplink radio line. A radio wave having a downstream frequency f1 = 154.25 MHz and an upstream frequency f2 = 154.61 MHz is called a so-called 150 MHz band.

  There are many mountainous areas where wild animals 300 to be observed are inhabited, radio waves are blocked by trees and topography, and it is considered that the 150 MHz band is desirable from various verification test results, and about 500 to 1000 m with a transmission power of 1 mW A communicable distance can be secured. On the other hand, although the 400 MHz band can also be used, it has been reported that the communicable distance is shorter than several hundred meters compared to the 150 MHz band. For this reason, it is desirable to use a 400 MHz band for wild animals with a narrow range of action and a 150 MHz band for wild animals with a wide range of actions.

  In addition, since the single parent device 10 cannot cover the range of action of wild animals, a plurality of parent devices 10 may be arranged in a distributed manner, and radio waves of the downstream frequency f1 and radio waves of the upstream frequency f2 are transmitted and received. A repeater may be installed.

  14 and 15 are time charts showing the wireless communication processing of the wireless communication system according to the present invention applied to the observation of the wild animal of FIG. In FIG. 14, base unit 10 is in a standby state in step S <b> 1, and in the standby state, stops transmission of downlink radio waves and continuously receives uplink radio waves. In addition, the handset 12 provided in the wild animal 100 is in a standby state in step S101. In this standby state, transmission of upstream radio waves is stopped and reception of downstream radio waves is intermittent reception. The master unit 10 transmits a status monitoring inquiry message to the slave unit as necessary, and the slave unit 12 that receives this transmits the information on the slave unit such as the current position information, action history, and remaining battery level. contact. Since the subunit | mobile_unit 12 is a battery drive, battery consumption is suppressed by driving a receiving part intermittently.

  When the wild animal 300 is active in the standby state of the parent device 10 and the child device 12, the vibration sensor 15 detects vibration in step S201 according to the movement of the wild animal 300 and outputs the vibration to the child device 12. Then, the slave unit 12 switches the intermittent reception to the continuous reception in step S102, transmits the uplink radio wave in step S103, turns on the transmission LED in step S104, displays the line establishment display, and starts the line establishment timer in step S105. .

  When the base unit 10 receives the uplink radio wave from the slave unit 12 in step S2, the base unit 10 starts a communication management timer in step S3. Subsequently, base unit 10 transmits a downlink radio wave in step S4, and turns on the reception LED in step S5. In this way, the line establishment display is performed on the base unit side. Subsequently, in step S6, a communication start telegram is transmitted to the slave unit 12 by being put on the downlink radio wave.

  When the child device 12 receives the communication start message from the parent device 10 in step S106, the child device 12 generates an activity detection message indicating the activity of the wild animal 300 in step S121 based on the vibration detection by the vibration sensor 15 in step S202. Send to. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 15, when the base unit 10 receives the activity detection message from the slave unit 12 in step S19, the base unit 10 transmits the activity detection data together with the time information to be stored.

  When the base unit 10 detects a timeout of the communication management timer in step S9, the base unit 10 transmits a communication end message to the handset unit 12 in step S10. When receiving the communication end message in step S108, the slave unit 12 stops the transmission of the uplink radio wave in step S109, switches the continuous reception to the intermittent reception in step S110, and shifts to the standby state. When the base unit 10 detects the stop of the reception of the upstream radio wave from the slave unit 12 in step S11, it switches to the stop of the transmission of the downstream radio wave in step S12 and shifts to a standby state.

  16 and 17 are time charts showing another embodiment of the wireless communication process of the wireless communication system according to the present invention applied to the observation of the wild animal in FIG. 13, and the vibration detection of the vibration sensor provided in the wild animal. When a vibration stop exceeding a predetermined time is detected from a signal, a bidirectional wireless line is established between the slave unit and the master unit to transmit / receive a necessary message.

  In FIG. 16, the base unit 10 is in a standby state in step S1, and the slave unit 12 provided in the wild animal 300 is in a standby state in step S101. In this standby state, transmission of uplink radio waves is stopped. The reception of downlink radio waves is intermittent reception.

  Assuming that the wild animal 300 is not active in the standby state of the parent device 10 and the child device 12, when the child device 12 detects a vibration stop for a predetermined period such as several days in step S122, A two-way radio link is established through the same processing as shown in FIG. 3 which is the processing of 12 steps S102 to S106 and the processing of steps S2 to S6 of the parent device 10.

  Subsequently, when detecting the reception of the communication start message from the parent device 10 in step S106, the child device 12 generates an activity stop message and transmits it to the parent device 10 in step S123. The master unit 10 receives the activity stop detection message from the slave unit 12 in step S21 in FIG. 17, and transmits the activity stop detection data together with time information to the observation device 104 in step S22. For example, the wild animal 300 enters hibernation. Recognize that.

  Subsequently, the parent device 10 returns to the standby state through the processing of steps S9 to S12, and the child device 12 returns to the standby state through the processing of steps S108 to S110, but in the child device 12, the wild animal 300 stops its activity and goes into hibernation. In step S124, the period of intermittent reception for receiving the downlink radio wave in the standby state is expanded to reduce the power consumption of the slave unit during hibernation and extend the battery life.

  Of course, as shown in FIG. 12, in the standby state after the intermittent reception cycle is expanded in step S124, the wild animal is detected from vibration when it wakes up from hibernation and starts its activity. When the wireless communication line is established during 10 and signal transmission / reception is performed, the original intermittent reception cycle is restored.

  Further, if the position is detected by a position information sensor such as a latitude / longitude provided in the slave unit 12 and there is no change in the position for a predetermined period, it is determined that normal sleep or hibernation is performed and the intermittent reception cycle is expanded. Anyway.

  Note that the application of the wireless communication system of the present invention is not limited to production facilities and wildlife monitoring, and can be applied to any suitable object having fixed or moving arrangements or devices.

  In addition to the detection signal from the sensor from the slave unit, an appropriate signal can be transmitted and received as necessary for signals transmitted and received in a state where a bidirectional wireless line is established between the master unit and the slave unit.

  In the above embodiment, a communication start message is transmitted from the master unit to the slave unit after establishing the bidirectional radio line by receiving the uplink radio wave from the slave unit and transmitting the downlink radio wave. However, the slave unit receives a communication start message and sends a response message based on stop position detection and vibration detection by the sensor, but the base unit does not send a communication start message and If detected, a response message based on stop position detection or vibration detection by the sensor may be transmitted.

  In the above embodiment, the case where a master unit and a slave unit are provided is taken as an example. However, when monitoring or observing the state of multiple products or wild animals, transmission is performed from the master unit. A plurality of frequency channels may be prepared for the downlink radio wave to be transmitted and the uplink radio wave to be transmitted from the slave unit, and the frequency division multiplexing system assigned to each pair of the master unit and the slave unit may be used. In this case, the base unit side has a common base unit control unit, and a transmission circuit and a reception circuit are provided for a plurality of frequency channels, so that a single base unit can correspond to a plurality of slave units. it can.

  In the wireless communication system of the present embodiment, a downlink wireless line and an upstream wireless line (bidirectional wireless line) having different frequencies are established between the master unit and the slave unit, and input connection is made to the slave unit. The detection signal from the sensor is sent to the master unit in real time and output to the outside. However, after the sensor detects it, it is sent from the slave unit to the master unit via the wireless line, and then output to the external device. Therefore, it is necessary to perform a control process in consideration of this transmission time delay. It is necessary to apply a wireless communication system.

  Moreover, the process of the radio | wireless communications system by this invention utilized for the observation of the wild animal shown in FIGS. 14-17 is applicable also to the production facility shown in FIG. In other words, the slave unit 12 and the vibration sensor 15 are provided in the workpiece 24 on the moving side, and a bidirectional wireless line is established between the slave unit 12 and the master unit 10 by detecting the vibration accompanying the movement of the workpiece 24 to transmit / receive necessary signals In addition, when the production operation is completed, the vibration stop is detected, and a bidirectional wireless line is established between the slave unit 12 and the master unit 10 to transmit / receive necessary signals.

Further, the present invention includes appropriate modifications that do not impair the object and advantages thereof, and is not limited by the numerical values shown in the above embodiments.

10: Master device 12: Slave device 14: Stop position sensor 15: Vibration sensor 16: Control unit 18: Drive unit 20: Transport mechanisms 22a to 22c: Station 24: Workpiece (moving side)
26a to 26c: Stop position marker 28: Base unit control unit 30, 48: Transmission unit 32, 46: Reception unit 34, 50: Antenna 36, 52: Operation unit 38, 54: Display unit 40: Input / output unit 42: Power supply Unit 44: Remote control unit 56: Battery power source 300: Wild animal 304: Observation device

Claims (17)

A base unit provided with a radio transmission / reception unit arranged on the fixed side and a slave unit provided with a radio transmission / reception unit arranged on the movement side and operated by a battery power source are provided. In a wireless communication system for establishing a two-way radio line composed of a downlink radio line by transmission / reception of radio waves and an uplink radio line by transmission / reception of uplink radio waves and communicating the state of the mobile side,
A state sensor that detects the state on the moving side and outputs a state detection signal to the slave unit is provided,
Set the downstream and upstream radio waves to different frequencies,
The base unit continuously receives the upstream radio wave in a standby state,
The handset is intermittently receiving the downlink radio wave in a standby state,
When the slave detects a predetermined state from the state detection signal of the state sensor in the standby state, it switches the intermittent reception to continuous reception and puts the detection information of the state sensor on the upstream radio wave to the base unit Send
The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the base station establishes the downlink radio channel when detecting the reception of the uplink radio wave from the slave unit.
The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein
The base unit starts transmission of the downlink radio wave and establishes the downlink radio line, and then transmits a communication start message on the downlink radio wave to the slave unit,
When the slave unit detects reception of a communication start message from the master unit, the slave unit transmits a predetermined response message on the upstream radio wave to the master unit,
The wireless communication system, wherein the base unit processes the response message when detecting reception of a response message from the slave unit.
The wireless communication system according to claim 2, wherein the slave unit transmits a state detection message based on a state detection signal of the state sensor or a predetermined detection message based on a detection signal of another sensor as the response message. A wireless communication system.
2. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit for displaying establishment of a wireless line on the slave unit and / or the master unit.
2. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the base unit shifts to a standby state when reception of the upstream radio wave is interrupted for a predetermined time during establishment of the upstream wireless channel. Wireless communication system.
2. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the slave unit shifts to the standby state if it does not receive a downlink radio wave from the master unit even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of transmission of the uplink radio wave. A wireless communication system.
The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the state sensor is a vibration sensor that detects vibration on the moving side and outputs a vibration detection signal to the slave unit.
2. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein, when detecting the vibration from the vibration detection signal of the vibration sensor in the standby state, the slave unit switches the intermittent reception to continuous reception and starts transmission of the uplink radio wave.
The wireless communication system according to claim 7,
When the slave detects a vibration stop exceeding a predetermined time from the vibration detection signal of the vibration sensor in the standby state, it switches the intermittent reception to continuous reception and starts transmission of the uplink radio wave to establish the uplink radio line A wireless communication system.
Establish a two-way radio line consisting of a downlink radio line by transmission / reception of downlink radio waves and an uplink radio line by transmission / reception of uplink radio waves with a slave unit that is arranged on the fixed side and operates on a battery power source arranged on the mobile side In the base unit that communicates the state of the mobile side,
A transmission / reception unit configured to transmit / receive data to / from the slave unit by setting the downlink radio wave and the uplink radio wave to different frequencies;
In a standby state, continuously receiving an upstream radio wave, and when the slave detects a change in state on the moving side and detects reception of the uplink radio wave from the slave, starts transmission of the downlink radio wave and A base unit control unit that establishes a downlink radio line and receives and processes an upstream radio wave carrying the state change from the slave unit;
A master unit characterized by providing
10. The base unit according to claim 9, wherein the base unit control unit establishes the downlink radio line by starting transmission of the downlink radio wave, and then transmits a communication start message to the slave unit on the downlink radio wave. A master unit that transmits and processes the response message when detecting reception of a response message from the slave unit.
11. The base unit according to claim 10, wherein the base unit control unit outputs a communication failure signal to the outside when no upstream radio wave is received from the slave unit even after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of transmission of the downstream radio wave. Then, the master unit shifts to the standby state.
The base unit according to claim 9, wherein the base unit control shifts to the standby state when reception of the upstream radio wave is interrupted for a predetermined time during the establishment of the upstream wireless channel. Master machine to do.
A battery power source that establishes and communicates with a base station that is located on the mobile side and that is connected to the base unit that is located on the fixed side. In the handset that works,
A state sensor that is disposed on the moving side and detects a state of the moving side and outputs a state detection signal;
A transmission / reception unit configured to transmit / receive data to / from the base unit by setting the downlink radio wave and the uplink radio wave to different frequencies;
When the downlink radio wave is intermittently received in the standby state and a predetermined state is detected from the state detection signal of the state sensor in the standby state, the intermittent reception is switched to continuous reception and the downlink radio line is established. A handset controller that starts transmission of the uplink radio wave and establishes the uplink radio line and transmits detection information of the state sensor;
A handset characterized by providing
The slave unit according to claim 13, wherein the slave unit control unit detects reception of a communication start message from the master unit after starting transmission of the uplink radio wave and establishing the downlink radio line. A slave unit that transmits a predetermined response message on the upstream radio wave to the master unit.
15. The slave unit according to claim 14, wherein the slave unit control unit transmits a state detection message based on a state detection signal of the state sensor or a predetermined detection message based on a detection signal of another sensor as the response message. A handset characterized by that.
In the subunit | mobile_unit of Claim 13,
The state sensor is a vibration sensor that detects vibration on the moving side and outputs a vibration detection signal to the slave unit.
When the slave unit detects vibration from the vibration detection signal of the vibration sensor in the standby state, it switches the intermittent reception to continuous reception and starts transmission of the uplink radio wave to establish the uplink radio line A handset characterized by that.
In the subunit | mobile_unit of Claim 16,
The slave unit control unit switches the intermittent reception to continuous reception and starts transmission of the uplink radio wave when the vibration stop signal exceeding a predetermined time is detected from the vibration detection signal of the vibration sensor in the standby state and starts transmission of the uplink radio wave. A handset that establishes a line.

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