JP2019022170A - Communication module and communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

To perform efficient communication by dividing a telegraphic message appropriately according to the instruction content contained in the telegraphic message and the communication capability of electronic equipment.SOLUTION: A control section 110 of a communication module 100 includes electronic equipment information storage section 111 for storing the communication buffer size which can be used for communication by electronic equipment 2, and function information mapping the function of the electronic equipment 2 and the telegraphic message size, a response telegraphic message prediction section 112 for obtaining the prediction size of the response telegraphic message, inputted from the electronic equipment 2 via a device connection part 101, based on the function information, and a division section 113 dividing a request telegraphic message requesting for the electronic equipment 2. When the prediction size of the whole response telegraphic message, predicted by the response telegraphic message prediction section 112 exceeds the communication buffer size, the division section 113 divides the request telegraphic message so that the prediction size of the response telegraphic message for the request telegraphic message of each division unit goes below the communication buffer size.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication module and a communication method.

  In recent years, home electronics management systems (HEMS) that perform energy management and monitoring systems that monitor elderly people are becoming popular by enabling network connection of home electronic devices such as air conditioners and washing machines.

  The HEMS and the monitoring system include an electronic device and a server device that manages the electronic device. Since the server device is developed for HEMS and a monitoring system, it has sufficient capability for communication functions.

  On the other hand, the microcomputer that controls the electronic device mainly performs processing for realizing the original functions of the electronic device (for example, in the case of an air conditioner, temperature sensing for air conditioning and control of a compressor, etc.). In other words, in a microcomputer that controls an electronic device, it is not easy to add a process for realizing a network connection function, and further, there is a restriction on a communication function via a network.

  In order to enable the electronic device to be connected to the network, a communication module having a function including communication processing such as IP (Internet Protocol) communication is connected to the electronic device, or communication on the server side between the server device and the electronic device. A device that compensates for the difference in performance and the performance difference between the communication functions on the electronic device side is connected.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, it is determined whether or not a predetermined number or more of instructions are included in a message that is arranged between a transmission side node (server) and a reception side node (electronic device) and transmitted by the transmission side node. A communication device is disclosed. When there are more instructions than the predetermined number, this communication device divides the message so that the number of instructions included in the message is equal to or less than the predetermined number, and then transmits it to the receiving side node, so that communication between the nodes The difference in the number of instructions that can be processed is absorbed.

JP 2014-165883 A

  By the way, for example, an electronic device has a communication buffer that stores a message to be transmitted and received. Electronic devices cannot handle messages that exceed the communication buffer size. The size of the message depends on the number of instructions included in the message and the size of control data attached to the instructions. Since the size of the control data varies depending on the contents of the instruction, even if the number of instructions included in the message is the same, the size of the message varies depending on the contents of the instruction included in the message. Therefore, the number of instructions that can be handled by the electronic device is variable depending on the contents of the instructions and is not a fixed value.

  In addition, the size of the message differs between the request message transmitted to the electronic device and the response message returned from the electronic device. In particular, when acquiring the operating state of an electronic device, control data is not included in the message sent to the electronic device, but control data as the state value of the electronic device is included in the message returned from the electronic device. The response message from the electronic device becomes larger.

  Thus, the instructions that can be processed by the electronic device are determined not only within the predetermined number of instructions but also depending on the contents of the instructions. In the communication apparatus described above, since the message is only divided based on whether or not a predetermined number of instructions are included in the message, the actual condition is that the contents of the instructions are not considered.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication module and a communication method capable of performing efficient communication by appropriately dividing a message according to the instruction content included in the message and the communication capability of the electronic device. Objective.

  In order to achieve the above object, a communication module according to an aspect of the present invention is a communication module that imparts a network communication function to an electronic device, and includes a device connection unit that is communicably connected to the electronic device, an external device, A communication unit capable of communication, and a control unit that controls communication of electronic messages between the electronic device and the external device via the device connection unit and the communication unit, and the control unit is a communication buffer size that the electronic device can use for communication Based on the function information, the electronic device information storage unit that stores the function information associated with the function of the electronic device and the message size, and the predicted size of the response message input from the electronic device via the device connection unit Response message predicting unit and a dividing unit that divides a request message that is input from the communication unit and makes a request to the electronic device, and the dividing unit is a response predicted by the response message predicting unit If the predicted size of the entire sentence exceeds the communication buffer size, expected size of the response message to the request message for each division unit divides the request message to be equal to or less than the communication buffer size.

  In order to achieve the above object, a communication method according to an aspect of the present invention is a communication method realized by a communication module that provides a network communication function to an electronic device, and the communication buffer size that the electronic device can use for communication. And a prediction step for obtaining a predicted size of a response message from the electronic device based on function information in which the function of the electronic device and the message size are associated, and a dividing step for dividing the request message for making a request to the electronic device In the dividing step, when the overall predicted size of the response message exceeds the communication buffer size, the predicted size of the response message for the request message for each division unit is set to be equal to or less than the communication buffer size. Split request message.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a communication module and a communication method capable of performing efficient communication by appropriately dividing a message according to the instruction content included in the message and the communication capability of the electronic device. be able to.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a communication system including a communication module according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the communication module according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of electronic device information according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an electronic device function table according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is an image diagram illustrating an example of a status acquisition request message according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is an image diagram illustrating an example of a status acquisition response message corresponding to the status acquisition request message of FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of a communication method according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram of the electronic device, the communication module, and the HEMS controller when executing the communication method. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram of the electronic device, the communication module, and the HEMS controller when executing the communication method. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of the electronic device, the communication module, and the HEMS controller when the communication method according to the modification is executed.

  Below, the communication module which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated in detail using drawing. Note that each of the embodiments described below shows a preferred specific example of the present invention. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement and connection forms of components, steps, order of steps, and the like shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Therefore, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements that are not described in the independent claims showing the highest concept of the present invention are described as optional constituent elements.

  Each figure is a mimetic diagram and is not necessarily illustrated strictly. Moreover, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same structural member.

[Communications system]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a communication system 1 including a communication module 100 according to an embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes an electronic device 2, a HEMS controller 3, and a communication module 100, which are connected to be communicable via a network 200. Specifically, the electronic device 2 is connected to the network 200 via the communication module 100, and the HEMS controller 3 is directly connected to the network 200. Thereby, the electronic device 2 and the HEMS controller 3 can communicate via the network 200 and the communication module 100.

  The network 200 is a home network and is also connected to the Internet 5 via the router device 4. Thereby, the server device 6 and the mobile terminal 7 connected to the Internet 5 can be connected to the network 200 via the router device 4. That is, the HEMS controller 3 can communicate with the server device 6 or the mobile terminal 7 via the network 200, the router device 4, and the Internet 5. Similarly, the electronic device 2 can communicate with the server device 6 and the mobile terminal 7 via the communication module 100, the network 200, the router device 4, and the Internet 5. In other words, the communication module 100 can communicate with each of the HEMS controller 3, the server device 6, and the mobile terminal 7. The HEMS controller 3, the server device 6, and the portable terminal 7 are examples of external devices. In the following description, communication between the HEMS controller 3 and the electronic device 2 via the communication module 100 will be described as an example. However, the communication between the server device 6 or the portable terminal 7 and the electronic device 2 via the communication module 100 is basically the same.

[HEMS controller]
The HEMS controller 3 is a control device that controls the electronic device 2 based on information acquired from a power measurement device (not shown) or the like. Specifically, the HEMS controller 3 acquires the power consumption measured by the power measurement device, and controls the operation of the electronic device 2 based on the power consumption. In addition, the HEMS controller 3 acquires the state of the electronic device 2 before controlling the electronic device 2. At the time of acquisition or control, the HEMS controller 3 transmits a request message for making a request to the electronic device 2 to the communication module 100. The request message includes, for example, a state acquisition request message including a request instruction for acquiring the state of the electronic device 2 and an operation request message including an operation instruction for controlling the operation of the electronic device 2. .

  When the HEMS controller 3 receives a response message (for example, a status acquisition response message) for the status acquisition request message from the electronic device 2 via the communication module 100, the HEMS controller 3 converts the status acquisition response message, power consumption, and the like. Based on this, an operation request message for the electronic device 2 is created and transmitted to the communication module 100.

[Electronics]
The electronic device 2 is a home appliance, and examples include an air conditioner, a television, a recording device, a lighting device, and a water heater. The electronic device 2 is not equipped with a network communication function, but can communicate with the communication module 100. Specifically, the electronic device 2 includes a communication interface of, for example, asynchronous synchronous serial communication (UART: Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter).

  When receiving the status acquisition request message from the communication module 100, the electronic device 2 creates a status acquisition response message (an example of a response message) for the status acquisition request message and transmits the status acquisition response message to the communication module 100. When the electronic device 2 receives the operation request message from the communication module 100, the electronic device 2 performs an operation corresponding to the operation request message, and creates an operation response message (an example of a response message) indicating that the operation has been performed. To the communication module 100.

[Communication module]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the communication module 100 according to the embodiment. The communication module 100 is a communication module that provides a network communication function to the electronic device 2. The communication module 100 includes a device connection unit 101, a communication unit 102, and a control unit 110.

  The device connection unit 101 is a communication interface for communicating with the electronic device 2, and is a communication interface corresponding to the communication interface of the electronic device 2. Specifically, when the electronic device 2 is a UART communication interface, the device connection unit 101 is also a UART communication interface. The device connection unit 101 and the electronic device 2 may be connected by a communication method other than UART. For example, a communication method such as a serial peripheral interface (SPI), an inter-integrated circuit (IIC), or a universal serial bus (USB) can be used. Further, communication may be performed by a method other than the communication methods listed here.

  The communication unit 102 is a communication interface for communicating with the network 200. For example, the communication unit 102 connects to the network 200 by a wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11) method. The connection with the network 200 may be a method other than the wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11) method. For example, a communication method such as IEEE802.15.1, IEEE802.15.4, Bluetooth (registered trademark), ZigBee, wired LAN (IEEE802.3), Ethernet, or the like can be used for the communication unit 102. Further, communication may be performed by a method other than the communication methods listed here.

  The control unit 110 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like, and the CPU executes a process stored in the ROM by executing a program stored in the ROM on the RAM and executing the program. Further, the control unit 110 controls communication with the electronic device 2 by controlling the device connection unit 101, and controls communication with the HEMS controller 3 by controlling the communication unit 102.

  The control unit 110 includes an electronic device information storage unit 111, a response message prediction unit 112, a dividing unit 113, and a combining unit 114 as functional configuration units.

  The electronic device information storage unit 111 stores electronic device information 121 related to the electronic device 2. Specifically, the electronic device information storage unit 111 acquires and stores the electronic device information 121 of the electronic device 2 from the electronic device 2 during initialization communication with the electronic device 2.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the electronic device information 121 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the electronic device information 121 includes at least a communication buffer size 122 and an electronic device function table 123. The communication buffer size 122 is the size of a memory that the electronic device 2 can use for communication. That is, the electronic device 2 cannot handle data having a size larger than the communication buffer size 122.

  The electronic device function table 123 is function information in which the function of the electronic device 2 and the message size are associated with each other in order to transmit and receive a message according to a predetermined communication protocol. For example, in this embodiment, the ECHONET Lite (registered trademark) communication protocol is adopted as the predetermined communication protocol.

  The ECHONET Lite communication protocol is a communication procedure for transmitting and receiving a message (message) called an ECHONET Lite message. The ECHONET Lite message includes a header (EHD), a transaction ID (TID), a transmission source object (SEOJ), a transmission destination object (DEOJ), the number of processing properties (OPC), a service (ESV) that specifies an access rule, and an access destination It is composed of frames such as a property (EPC), an access destination property value (EDT: instruction content), and the number of EDT bytes (PDC). ESV includes GET (status acquisition), SET (setting / operation), ANNOUNCE (notification), and the like, and access to an object is determined.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the electronic device function table 123 according to the embodiment. EPC1 to EPC8 indicate functions of the electronic device 2 by codes. For example, when the electronic device 2 is an air conditioner, a code is assigned to each function such that the air conditioning temperature is EPC1, the air volume is EPC2, and the wind direction is EPC3. Each EPC1 to EPC8 is associated with EDT as control data. For example, the EDT of the EPC 1 indicating the air conditioning temperature is set temperature data (for example, 20 degrees). The EDT of the EPC 2 indicating the air volume is air volume data (for example, a weak wind, a medium wind, a strong wind, etc.). The EDT of the EPC 3 indicating the wind direction is wind direction data (upward, downward, leftward, rightward, etc.). The EDT message size is different for each EPC. In the electronic device function table 123 of FIG. 4, the EDT message size of EPC3 is 3 bytes, and the EDT message size of other EPCs (EPC1, EPC3, EPC4, EPC5, EPC6, EPC7, EPC8) is 1 byte. The message size of the EDT indicates the size of the instruction content. Thus, the electronic device function table 123 is a table including each EPC (function of the electronic device 2) in the electronic device 2 and the EDT message size corresponding to each EPC.

  A communication protocol other than the ECHONET Lite communication protocol described above can be adopted as the predetermined communication protocol. The predetermined communication protocol may be a communication protocol certified as a standard protocol, such as the ECHONET Lite communication protocol, or may be a communication protocol uniquely established by a business operator.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the response message prediction unit 112 obtains a predicted size of the response message from the electronic device 2 based on the function information of the electronic device 2. Specifically, the response message prediction unit 112 obtains the predicted size of the response message for the state acquisition request message based on the electronic device function table 123 and the state acquisition request message.

  FIG. 5 is an image diagram illustrating an example of the state acquisition request message M according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is an image diagram showing an example of a status acquisition response message N corresponding to the status acquisition request message M in FIG. Here, the description will be given focusing on ESV, OPC, EPC, and EDT included in the message.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the status acquisition request message M includes “GET” as the ESV, which indicates that the status of the electronic device 2 is requested. The status acquisition request message M includes OPC, and the number specified by this OPC corresponds to the number of sets of EPC and EDT in the subsequent stage. In the case of FIG. 5, since the OPC is “4”, there are four sets of EPC and EDT. In addition, at the time of a status acquisition request, since EDT is 0 bytes, illustration thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the state acquisition response message N corresponding to the state acquisition request message M includes “GETRes” as an ESV, and it can be seen that this is a response message. Further, in the case of FIG. 6, the status acquisition response message N corresponding to the status acquisition request message M, the OPC of the status acquisition response message N is “4” as with the status acquisition request message M. For this reason, in the state acquisition response message N, there are four sets of EPC and EDT. By the way, since the electronic message size of EDT corresponding to each EPC is defined in the electronic device function table 123, the electronic device function table 123 and the state acquisition request message M are used to determine the entire state acquisition response message N. It is possible to predict the size.

  For example, since the EPC1, EPC2, EPC3, and EPC4 are included in the status acquisition request message M, it can be seen in advance that the status acquisition response message N also includes a similar combination of EPC and EDT. And the electronic message size of EDT corresponding to each EPC is known from the electronic device function table 123. Specifically, the message size of EDT1 is 1 byte, the message size of EDT2 is 3 bytes, the message size of EDT3 is 1 byte, and the message size of EDT4 is 1 byte. ESV, OPC, and each EPC are 1 Byte. The response message predicting unit 112 adds these to obtain the total predicted size of the state acquisition response message N = 12 bytes.

  In this way, the response message prediction unit 112 can obtain the overall prediction size of the state acquisition response message N and the prediction size of each item included in the state acquisition response message N.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the dividing unit 113 divides the state acquisition request message M. Specifically, the dividing unit 113 determines that the state acquisition request message M is larger when the overall prediction size of the state acquisition response message N exceeds the communication buffer size of the electronic device 2 as predicted by the response message prediction unit 112. Split. At the time of this division, the division unit 113 divides the status acquisition request message M so that the predicted size of the response message for the request message for each division unit is equal to or smaller than the communication buffer size. Further, the dividing unit 113 divides the state acquisition request message M so that the total number of divisions of the state acquisition request message M is minimized. Hereinafter, a request message for each division unit is referred to as a unit request message. Details of the division will be described later.

  The state acquisition request message M divided by the dividing unit 113 is transmitted from the device connection unit 101 to the electronic device 2 for each request message for each division unit. For this reason, the electronic device 2 transmits a response message to the request message for each division unit to the communication module 100. Hereinafter, a response message for a request message for each division unit is referred to as a unit response message.

  The combining unit 114 generates a status acquisition response message N by combining the response messages for each division unit received from the electronic device 2. The state acquisition response message N created by the combining unit 114 is transmitted to the HEMS controller 3 via the communication unit 102.

[Communication method]
Next, a communication method executed by the communication module 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of a communication method according to the embodiment. 8 and 9 are sequence diagrams of the electronic device 2, the communication module 100, and the HEMS controller 3 when the communication method is executed.

  First, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the communication module 100 performs a storage process. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, in the storing step (step S <b> 1), the electronic device information 121 of the electronic device 2 is stored in the electronic device during the initialization communication when the communication module 100 is connected to the electronic device 2. 2 (T1) and stored in the electronic device information storage unit 111 (T2). As a result, the communication module 100 recognizes the communication buffer size 122 of the electronic device 2 and the electronic device function table 123. In the present embodiment, the communication buffer size 122 of the electronic device 2 is 8 bytes.

  Further, when the communication module 100 is connected to another electronic device 2, the storage process is performed again, and thus the electronic device information 121 of the other electronic device 2 is stored in the electronic device information storage unit 111.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the communication module 100 executes a request message reception step (step S2). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the communication module 100 receives the status acquisition request message M1 from the HEMS controller 3 (T3). Here, in the status acquisition request message M1, the OPC is “8”, and there are eight sets of EPC and EDT. Also in this case, illustration of EDT is omitted.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the communication module 100 performs a prediction process (step S3). Specifically, the response message prediction unit 112 of the communication module 100 predicts a response message (state acquisition response message N1) for the state acquisition request message M1 based on the electronic device function table 123 and the state acquisition request message M1. Find the size.

  First, the response message prediction unit 112 obtains a predicted size of each EDT included in the state acquisition response message N1 based on the electronic device function table 123 and the state acquisition request message M1. Since the status acquisition request message M1 includes 8 sets of EPC and EDT, the status acquisition response message N1 also includes 8 sets of EPC and EDT. Therefore, the message size of each EDT is obtained based on the electronic device function table 123. As a result, the response message prediction unit 112 predicts the message size of EDT2 of EPC2 as 3 bytes, and the message size of the remaining EDTs (EDT1, EDT3 to EDT8) as 1 byte.

  Next, the response message prediction unit 112 obtains the overall predicted size of the state acquisition response message N1 based on the predicted size of each EDT. The status acquisition response message N1 includes ESV (GET) and OPC in addition to eight sets of EPC and EDT. The response message prediction unit 112 adds the respective sizes of the eight sets of EPC, EDT, ESV, and OPC to obtain the overall predicted size of the state acquisition response message N1. Since ESV, OPC, and each EPC are 1 Byte, and each EDT is the size described above, the overall predicted size of the status acquisition response message N1 is 1 Byte (ESV) +1 Byte (OPC) +1 Byte (EPC1) +1 Byte (EDT1) +1 Byte (EPC2) +3 Byte (EDT2) +1 Byte (EPC3) +1 Byte (EDT3) +1 Byte (EPC4) +1 Byte (EDT4) +1 Byte (EPC5) +1 Byte (EDT5) +1 Byte (EPC6) +1 Byte (EDT6) +1 Byte (EDT6) +1 Byte 7 EPC8) +1 Byte (EDT8) = 20 Bytes. Among these, the size of 8 sets of EPC and EDT is 18 bytes.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the communication module 100 determines whether or not to shift to the dividing step (step S5) (step S4). Specifically, the dividing unit 113 of the communication module 100 determines whether or not the overall predicted size of the status acquisition response message N1 is equal to or smaller than the communication buffer size 122 (8 bytes). If the overall predicted size of the status acquisition response message N1 is equal to or smaller than the communication buffer size 122, the response message prediction unit 112 proceeds to the division step (step S5). On the other hand, if the overall predicted size of the status acquisition response message N1 is less than the communication buffer size 122, the response message prediction unit 112 proceeds to the request message transmission step (step S6).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the communication module 100 executes a dividing step (step S <b> 5). Specifically, the dividing unit 113 divides the state acquisition request message M1. At the time of the division, the division unit 113 divides the state acquisition request message M1 so that the predicted sizes of the unit response messages n1, n2, and n3 for the unit request messages m1, m2, and m3 are equal to or smaller than the communication buffer size. For example, since the unit response messages n1, n2, and n3 all include ESV (GETRes) and OPC, the surplus portion of the communication buffer size is 6 bytes (= 8 bytes-2 bytes).

  The dividing unit 113 divides the eight sets of EPC and EDT corresponding to the response so as to fit in the surplus part. For example, as described above, when the predicted size for 8 sets of EPC and EDT is 18 bytes, the total number of divisions is 3 by 18 ÷ 6 = 3. In this case, since EPC and EDT are stored in all of the surplus parts, the total number of divisions of the status acquisition response message N1 is minimized. For example, when the surplus portion is 5 bytes, 18 ÷ 5 = 3 is more than 3. In this case, the total number of divisions may be four. It should be noted that the total number of divisions is desirably determined so that the set of EPC and EDT and the arrangement of the set are maintained.

  Then, the dividing unit 113 predicts unit response messages n1, n2, and n3 based on the total number of divisions. For example, the first unit response message n1 is formed from ESV (GETRes), OPC, EPC1, EDT1, EPC2, and EDT2, and the message size is 8 bytes. The second unit response message n2 is formed from ESV (GETRes), OPC, EPC3, EDT3, EPC4, EDT4, EPC5, and EDT5, and the message size is 8 bytes. The third unit response message n3 is formed from ESV (GETRes), OPC, EPC6, EDT6, EPC7, EDT7, EPC8, and EDT8, and the message size is 8 bytes.

  Based on the unit response messages n1, n2, and n3, the dividing unit 113 divides the state acquisition request message M1. Specifically, the first unit request message m1 corresponding to the unit response message n1 is formed from ESV (GET), OPC, EPC1, and EPC2, and the message size is 4 bytes. The second unit request message m2 corresponding to the unit response message n2 is formed from ESV (GET), OPC, EPC3, EPC4, and EPC5, and the message size is 5 bytes. The third unit request message m3 corresponding to the unit response message n3 is formed from ESV (GET), OPC, EPC6, EPC7, and EPC8, and the message size is 5 bytes.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the communication module 100 executes a request message transmission step (step S6). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the device connection unit 101 of the communication module 100 transmits a unit request message m1 to the electronic device 2 (T4). In the electronic device 2, a unit response message n1 corresponding to the unit request message m1 is created and transmitted to the communication module 100.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the communication module 100 executes a request message receiving step (step S7). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the device connection unit 101 of the communication module 100 receives the unit response message n1 transmitted from the electronic device 2 (T5).

  Next, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the communication module 100 repeats the request message transmission process and the response message reception process until all the unit response messages n1, n2, and n3 are received. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the device connection unit 101 transmits a unit request message m2 (T6), the electronic device 2 creates and transmits a unit response message n2 corresponding to the unit request message m2, and the device connection unit. 101 unit response message n2 received by T101 (T7), unit request message m3 transmitted by device connection unit 101 (T8), unit response message n3 corresponding to unit request message m3 generated and transmitted by electronic device 2, device connection unit The unit response message n3 is received by the terminal 101 (T9).

  If status acquisition request message M1 is not divided (YES in step S4), communication unit 102 transmits status acquisition request message M1 in a lump.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the communication module 100 executes a coupling step (step S <b> 8). Specifically, the combining unit 114 of the communication module 100 combines the unit response messages n1, n2, and n3 to create a state acquisition response message N1.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the communication module 100 executes a response message transmission step (step S10). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the communication unit 102 of the communication module 100 transmits a status acquisition response message N1 to the HEMS controller 3 (T10).

[Effects, etc.]
As described above, the communication module 100 according to the present embodiment is a communication module that imparts a network communication function to the electronic device 2. The communication module 100 includes a device connection unit 101 that is communicably connected to the electronic device 2, a communication unit 102 that can communicate with external devices (the HEMS controller 3, the server device 6, and the mobile terminal 7), a device connection unit 101, and A control unit 110 that controls communication of electronic messages between the electronic device 2 and an external device via the communication unit 102 is provided. The control unit 110 stores an electronic device information storage unit 111 that stores a communication buffer size that can be used by the electronic device 2 for communication, and function information (electronic device information 121) that associates the function of the electronic device 2 and the message size. A response message prediction unit 112 that obtains a predicted size of a response message (status acquisition response messages N, N1, and N2) input from the electronic device 2 via the device connection unit 101, and a communication unit 102 And a dividing unit 113 that divides request messages (state acquisition request messages M, M1, M2) for making a request to the electronic device 2. When the overall predicted size of the response message predicted by the response message predicting unit 112 exceeds the communication buffer size, the dividing unit 113 determines that the predicted size of the response message for the request message for each division unit is equal to or less than the communication buffer size. The request message is divided so that

  Further, the communication method according to the present embodiment is a communication method realized by the communication module 100 that provides the electronic device 2 with a network communication function. In this communication method, the predicted size of the response message from the electronic device 2 is obtained based on the communication buffer size that can be used by the electronic device 2 and the function information in which the function and the message size of the electronic device 2 are associated. A prediction step and a dividing step of dividing a request message for making a request to the electronic device 2. In the dividing step, when the total predicted size of the response message exceeds the communication buffer size, the request message is divided so that the predicted size of the response message for the request message for each division unit is equal to or smaller than the communication buffer size. .

  According to this configuration, when the overall predicted size of the response message exceeds the communication buffer size, the request message is set so that the predicted size of the response message for the request message for each division unit is equal to or smaller than the communication buffer size. Divided. By dividing the request message in this way, the response message is also divided as a result. Since the predicted size of the response message, that is, the command content is reflected in the request message division, the request message can be appropriately divided according to the command content and the communication capability of the electronic device 2. Therefore, efficient communication can be performed.

  In addition, the electronic device information storage unit 111 acquires and stores function information of the electronic device 2 from the electronic device 2 during initialization communication with the electronic device 2.

  Further, the communication method includes a storage step of acquiring and storing function information of the electronic device 2 from the electronic device 2 at the time of initialization communication with the electronic device 2 performed before the prediction step.

  According to this configuration, since the communication module 100 acquires and stores the function information of the electronic device 2 from the electronic device 2 at the time of initialization communication with the electronic device 2, the function information of various electronic devices 2 is communicated. Module 100 can obtain. As a result, the communication module 100 can divide the request message according to various functions of the electronic device 2 and the communication buffer size. That is, it is possible to efficiently communicate with various electronic devices 2.

  The dividing unit 113 divides the request message so that the total number of request messages is minimized.

  In the dividing step, the request message is divided so that the total number of request messages is minimized.

  According to this configuration, since the total number of divisions of the request message is minimized, the number of communication can be suppressed, and more efficient communication is possible.

[Others]
The communication module according to the present invention has been described based on the above embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the request message is a status acquisition request message is exemplified. In the status acquisition request message, the overall size of the status acquisition request message corresponding to the message is necessarily increased. For this reason, in the said embodiment, it was determined whether a status acquisition request message was divided | segmented on the basis of the estimated size of the whole status acquisition request message.

  On the other hand, if the request message is an action request message, the entire size of the action response message corresponding to the request message may be smaller than the action request message. In this case, it is only necessary to determine whether or not to divide the operation request message based on the overall size of the operation response message. Hereinafter, the division in this case will be specifically described. In the following description, the same parts as those in the above embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof may be omitted.

  FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of the electronic device, the communication module, and the HEMS controller when the communication method according to the modification is executed. Specifically, FIG. 10 corresponds to FIG.

  The communication module 100 receives the operation request message M2 from the HEMS controller 3 (T13).

  In the operation request message M2 exemplified here, the OPC is “6”, and there are six sets of EPC and EDT. Then, the entire size of the operation request message M2 is 1 byte (ESV) +1 byte (OPC) +1 byte (EPC1) +1 byte (EDT1) +1 byte (EPC2) +1 byte (EDT2) +1 byte (EPC3) +1 byte (EDT3) +1 byte (EPC4) +1 byte (EPC4) +1 byte EDT4) +1 Byte (EPC5) +1 Byte (EDT5) +1 Byte (EPC6) +1 Byte (EDT6) = 14 Bytes. Thus, since the entire size of the operation request message M2 is equal to or larger than the communication buffer size 122 (8 bytes), the dividing unit 113 determines the division of the operation request message M2.

  Here, in order to remotely control the electronic device 2 safely, depending on whether the person (controller) who is operating is near the electronic device 2 or away from the electronic device 2 such as outside the home, It is necessary to change the operation of the device 2.

  When the controller is close to the electronic device 2, even if communication between the electronic device 2 and the controller (such as the HEMS controller 3) that outputs the control signal is cut off, the controller is close to the electronic device 2. Therefore, the controller can directly operate the electronic device 2 with a switch or the like of the electronic device 2. That is, the electronic device 2 can continue to operate under the control of the controller.

  On the other hand, when the controller is far from the electronic device 2, if the communication between the portable terminal of the controller and the electronic device 2 is interrupted, the controller cannot control the electronic device 2. For this reason, the electronic device 2 operates without the control of the controller. Since it may be dangerous to operate the electronic device 2 without being controlled by the controller, it is necessary to transition the electronic device 2 to a safe state when communication is interrupted.

  In order to enable such a transition, the electronic device 2 needs to grasp whether the control command is a command from outside the home or a command from the home. That is, when dividing the operation request message M2, the dividing unit 113 includes information indicating whether or not the operation request message M2 is a message transmitted via a public line in each of the division units of the operation request message M2. Then, the operation request message M2 is divided.

  For example, a frame for indicating whether or not the EPC1 of the operation request message M2 is a message transmitted via the public line, and indicates whether or not the EDT1 of the EPC1 is a message transmitted via the public line. Information. In short, EDT1 indicates whether the operation request message M2 is a command from outside the house or a command from inside the house. In this case, the sizes of EPC1 and EDT1 are, for example, 1 Byte. The dividing unit 113 includes the EPC1 and EDT1 in each of the division units of the operation request message M2, and divides the operation request message M2.

  Specifically, in the dividing step, the dividing unit 113 divides the operation request message M2 so that the size of the unit request messages m11, m12, and m13 is equal to or smaller than the communication buffer size. For example, in the unit request messages m11, m12, and m13, ESV (SET), OPC, EPC1, and EDT1 are all included, so the surplus portion of the communication buffer size is 4 bytes (= 8 bytes-4 bytes). .

  The dividing unit 113 divides the required five sets of EPC and EDT so as to fit in the surplus part. Then, the dividing unit 113 divides the operation request message M2 based on the total number of divisions (for example, 3). Specifically, the first unit request message m11 is formed from ESV (SET), OPC, EPC1, EDT1, EPC2, EDT2, EPC3, and EDT3, and the message size is 8 bytes. The second unit request message m12 is formed from ESV (SET), OPC, EPC1, EDT1, EPC4, EDT4, EPC5, and EDT5, and the message size is 8 bytes. The third unit request message m13 is formed from ESV (SET), OPC, EPC1, EDT1, EPC6, and EDT6, and the message size is 6 bytes.

  After the division, the device connection unit 101 of the communication module 100 transmits the unit request message m11 to the electronic device 2 (T14). In the electronic device 2, a unit response message n11 corresponding to the unit request message m11 is created and transmitted to the communication module 100. Thereafter, the device connection unit 101 of the communication module 100 receives the unit response message n11 transmitted from the electronic device 2 (T15).

  Next, transmission of the unit request message m12 by the device connection unit 101 (T16), creation and transmission of a unit response message n12 corresponding to the unit request message m12 by the electronic device 2, and reception of the unit response message n12 by the device connection unit 101 ( T17), transmission of the unit request message m13 by the device connection unit 101 (T18), creation and transmission of the unit response message n13 corresponding to the unit request message m13 by the electronic device 2, and reception of the unit response message n13 by the device connection unit 101 ( T19) is performed.

  The unit response messages n11, n12, and n13 will be described. The first unit response message n11 is formed from ESV (GETRes), OPC, EPC1, EPC2, and EPC3, and the message size is 5 bytes. The second unit response message n12 is formed from ESV (GETRes), OPC, EPC1, EPC4, and EPC5, and the message size is 5 bytes. The third unit response message n13 is formed from ESV (GETRes), OPC, EPC1, and EPC6, and the message size is 4 bytes. In any unit response messages n11, n12, n13, the size is smaller than the communication buffer size.

  Thereafter, the combining unit 114 of the communication module 100 combines the unit response messages n11, n12, and n13 to create an operation response message N2. The communication unit 102 of the communication module 100 transmits the operation response message N2 to the HEMS controller 3 (T20).

  As described above, since the unit request messages m11, m12, and m13 include information indicating whether or not the message is a message transmitted via the public line, the electronic device 2 determines that the command is included in all commands. Whether it is from outside the house or from inside the house can be determined. Therefore, the electronic device 2 can perform an appropriate operation when communication is interrupted.

  Even when the status acquisition request message M1 is divided, information indicating whether or not the status acquisition request message M1 is a message transmitted via a public line is included in each of the division units of the status acquisition request message M1. The state acquisition request message M1 may be divided.

  In the above explanation, ESV, OPC, EPC, and EDT included in the message have been described. However, other frames (EHD, TID, SEOJ, etc.) are also estimated in consideration of their sizes. The division may be performed.

  Moreover, although the case where the electronic device 2 and the communication module 100 were separate bodies was illustrated in the said embodiment, the structure with which the electronic device incorporated the communication module may be sufficient.

  In addition, the embodiment can be realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions in each embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention, or a form obtained by subjecting each embodiment to various modifications conceived by those skilled in the art. Forms are also included in the present invention.

  The present invention is applicable to a communication module capable of communication between an electronic device and an external device.

1 Communication System 2 Electronic Equipment 3 HEMS Controller (External Equipment)
4 Router device 5 Internet 6 Server device (external device)
7 Mobile devices (external devices)
100 communication module 101 device connection unit 102 communication unit 110 control unit 111 electronic device information storage unit 112 response message prediction unit 113 division unit 114 combination unit 121 electronic device information 122 communication buffer size 123 electronic device function table 200 network M, M1, M2 Status acquisition request message m1, m2, m3, m11, m12, m13 Unit request message M2 Operation request message N, N1, N2 Status acquisition response message n1, n2, n3, n11, n12, n13 Unit response message

Claims (5)

A communication module for providing a network communication function to an electronic device,
A device connection unit that is communicably connected to the electronic device;
A communication unit capable of communicating with an external device;
A control unit for controlling communication of electronic messages between the electronic device and the external device via the device connection unit and the communication unit;
The controller is
An electronic device information storage unit that stores a communication buffer size that can be used by the electronic device for communication, and function information associated with the function and message size of the electronic device;
A response message prediction unit for obtaining a predicted size of a response message input from the electronic device via the device connection unit based on the function information;
A division unit that divides a request message that is input from the communication unit and makes a request to the electronic device;
The dividing unit is
When the overall predicted size of the response message predicted by the response message prediction unit exceeds the communication buffer size, the predicted size of the response message for the request message for each division unit is equal to or less than the communication buffer size. A communication module for dividing the request message so as to be. The communication module according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device information storage unit acquires and stores the function information of the electronic device from the electronic device during initialization communication with the electronic device. When dividing the request message, the dividing unit includes information indicating whether or not the request message is a message transmitted via a public line in each division unit of the request message, and includes the request message. The communication module according to claim 1 or 2. The communication module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the dividing unit divides the request message so that a total number of divisions of the request message is minimized. A communication method realized by a communication module that provides a network communication function to an electronic device,
A prediction step of obtaining a predicted size of a response message from the electronic device based on a communication buffer size that can be used by the electronic device for communication, and function information in which a function and a message size of the electronic device are associated with each other;
Dividing a request message for making a request for the electronic device,
In the dividing step,
When the overall predicted size of the response message exceeds the communication buffer size, the request message is divided so that the predicted size of the response message for the request message for each division unit is equal to or less than the communication buffer size. Communication method.

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