JP2019134242A - Method for grouping multiple radio apparatuses - Google Patents

Abstract

To group radio apparatuses in a building among a plurality of radio apparatuses.SOLUTION: A grouping method for grouping a plurality of radio apparatuses including a master unit of a radio system disposed in a building of a facility and a plurality of slave units includes the steps of: (a) performing communication among the plurality of radio apparatuses and acquiring communication time and communication strength of each of combinations of two radio apparatuses; (b) identifying a radio apparatus deviating from a correlation between the communication time and the communication strength; and (c) grouping the plurality of slave units excluding the identified radio apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for grouping a plurality of wireless devices.

  A method of pairing the master unit and the slave unit by causing the slave unit to read the QR code (registered trademark) displayed on the master unit and the slave unit (control terminal) of the entire building air conditioning control system. Is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP2015-126396A

  However, in the method of Patent Document 1, since the slave unit is brought near the master unit and the QR code is read by the slave unit, it takes time and is not convenient especially when the number of slave units is large. . On the other hand, it is conceivable to perform pairing automatically using radio. However, if the same system is used in different buildings as air conditioning targets, the master unit and slave units of other systems are paired by mistake. There was a problem of being ringed. These issues can arise when the same air conditioning system is installed in multiple large buildings, where the number of slave units is large and there is a large variation in the distance between the master unit and slave units within a single building. This is likely to occur when the machine is not in the center of the building.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve some of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms.

  (1) According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a grouping method for grouping a plurality of wireless devices including a base unit of a wireless system arranged in a building and a plurality of slave units. The grouping method includes: (a) executing communication between the plurality of wireless devices to acquire communication time and communication strength in a combination of two wireless devices; and (b) the communication time and the communication. A step of identifying a wireless device deviating from the correlation with the strength, and a step of (c) grouping the plurality of slave units excluding the identified wireless device. Generally, the outer wall of a building has a thicker structure than a partition in a building. Therefore, in communication between wireless devices located inside the outer wall of the building and wireless devices located outside the outer wall of the building, the communication strength is significantly greater than communication between wireless devices located inside the building. Attenuates. In communication between wireless devices located inside the building, if there is a correlation between the communication time and the communication strength, the wireless device located inside the outer wall of the building and the wireless device located outside the outer wall of the building Will deviate from this correlation. According to this aspect, since it can be determined that the wireless device deviating from the correlation between the communication time and the communication strength does not exist in the building, only the wireless devices existing in the building can be grouped.

  (2) In the above embodiment, the step (b) includes: (b1) detecting a combination of two wireless devices with the shortest communication time and selecting the two wireless devices as a group; and (b2) A wireless device that is not included in the group among the two wireless devices that detect the shortest combination of the communication times between the wireless devices included in the group and the wireless devices that are not included in the group. Are added to the group to select a new group with one more wireless device, (b3) to repeat step (b2), and (b4) to steps (b1) to (b3). Each time the group is obtained, a step of calculating a correlation coefficient using two parameters of the communication time and the communication strength as parameters, and (b5) from the correlation using the correlation coefficient. Identifying a wireless device to escape, it may be included. According to this aspect, for the groups obtained in order, the correlation coefficient between the communication time and the communication strength is calculated, and using this correlation coefficient, the wireless device existing in the building and not existing in the building Since the wireless device is specified, it is possible to reduce the amount of calculation for specifying the wireless device that exists in the building and the wireless device that does not exist in the building, rather than calculating the correlation coefficient with brute force.

  (3) In the above embodiment, the step (b) includes: (b1) detecting a combination of two wireless devices having the strongest communication strength and selecting the two wireless devices as a group; and (b2) A wireless device that is not included in the group among two wireless devices that detect the strongest combination of the communication strengths between wireless devices included in the group and wireless devices that are not included in the group. Are added to the group to select a new group with one more wireless device, (b3) to repeat step (b2), and (b4) to steps (b1) to (b3). Each time the group is obtained, a step of calculating a correlation coefficient using two parameters of the communication time and the communication strength as parameters, and (b5) from the correlation using the correlation coefficient. Identifying a wireless device to escape, it may be included. According to this aspect, for the groups obtained in order, the correlation coefficient between the communication time and the communication strength is calculated, and using this correlation coefficient, the wireless device existing in the building and not existing in the building Since the wireless device is specified, it is possible to reduce the amount of calculation for specifying the wireless device that exists in the building and the wireless device that does not exist in the building, rather than calculating the correlation coefficient with brute force.

  (4) In the above embodiment, the step (b) includes (b1) a step of calculating a regression equation indicating the relationship between the communication time and the communication strength, and (b2) a step of calculating a confidence interval for the regression equation. And (b3) identifying a wireless device that deviates from the correlation using the confidence interval. According to this aspect, since the regression equation indicating the relationship between the communication time and the communication strength and the confidence interval are used, it is possible to easily identify the wireless device that deviates from the correlation.

  (5) In the above embodiment, the step (b1) may include a step of recalculating the regression equation by robust estimation. According to this aspect, since the influence on the regression equation of the communication time and the communication strength with the wireless device greatly deviating from the correlation between the communication time and the communication strength can be reduced, the deviation from the correlation between the communication time and the communication strength. The wireless device to be used can be identified more accurately.

  The present invention can be realized in various forms. For example, in addition to a method of grouping a plurality of wireless devices, the present invention can be realized in the form of a wireless system including a plurality of wireless devices.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the positional relationship of the main | base station of the air-conditioning control system in 1st Embodiment, and a some subunit | mobile_unit. It is a timing chart of the process which acquires the communication time and communication intensity between a main | base station and each subunit | mobile_unit. It is a timing chart of the process which acquires the communication time and communication intensity between a main | base station and another subunit | mobile_unit on the basis of a subunit | mobile_unit. It is a timing chart of the process which acquires the communication time and communication intensity between the other subunit | mobile_unit with respect to another main | base station and another subunit | mobile_unit on the basis of another subunit | mobile_unit. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the measured value of communication time and communication intensity. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the procedure of grouping. It is explanatory drawing which plotted communication time and communication intensity in order. It is explanatory drawing which plotted the communication time and communication intensity in a comparative example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the main | base station of the whole building air-conditioning control system of an adjacent building, and a subunit | mobile_unit. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the communication time and communication intensity between a main | base station and each subunit | mobile_unit.

First embodiment:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between a master unit 0 of the air conditioning control system 10 and a plurality of slave units 1 to 4 in the first embodiment. The air conditioning control system 10 is installed in a building X of a facility, and includes a master unit 0 and slave units 1 to 3. The master unit 0 and the slave units 1 to 3 constitute a wireless system. The master unit 0 is the main body of the air conditioning control system 10 and receives a request by wireless communication from the slave units 1 to 3, and executes the air conditioning of each room. The subunit | mobile_unit 1-3 is arrange | positioned in each room, performs radio | wireless communication with the main | base station 0, and requests | requires the air conditioning of each room from the main | base station 0. The subunit | mobile_unit 4 is a subunit | mobile_unit of the same kind of air-conditioning control system as the air-conditioning control system 10, and does not exist in the building X. Therefore, the wall 30 of the building X exists between the parent device 0 and the child device 4.

  In the first embodiment, the parent device 0 and the child devices 1 to 3 are paired, and the parent device 0 and the child device 4 are not paired. Pairing means registering pairing information such as IDs with each other. Prior to pairing, the base unit 0 acquires the communication time and communication strength between the base unit 0 and each of the slave units 1 to 4. FIG. 2 is a timing chart of processing for acquiring the communication time and the communication strength between the parent device 0 and each of the child devices 1 to 4. In step S100, the parent device 0 transmits a broadcast to the child devices 1 to 4, and requests a device ID. As the frequency of the radio wave used for these communications, for example, a radio wave of 900 MHz band is used. If the radio wave is in the 900 MHz band, it is difficult to be affected by obstacles and an appropriate communication distance can be obtained. That is, if the frequency of the radio wave is too high, communication may be difficult due to the influence of an obstacle depending on the position of the slave unit in the building X. On the other hand, if the frequency of the radio wave is too low, the communication distance becomes long, and there is a possibility of communicating with a slave unit outside the building X. Therefore, it is appropriate to use a 900 MHz band radio wave. A radio wave other than the 900 MHz band, for example, a 2.4 GHz band or a 5 GHz band may be used. The slave device 1 that has received the broadcast transmits its own device ID, for example, “A” to the master device 0 in step S100. In step S112, base unit 0 sends a response request to handset 1. The parent device 0 can specify only the child device 1 by including the device ID of the child device 1 in the response request. In step S <b> 114, handset 1 transmits a response to the response request to base unit 0. Base unit 0 acquires a time obtained by subtracting the internal processing time in handset 1 from the time from the response request in step S112 to the reception of the reply in step S114 as the communication time between base unit 0 and handset 1. . Further, the communication strength between the parent device 0 and the child device 1 is acquired from the strength of the reply received in step S114.

  In steps S120, S122, and S124, the master unit 0 and the slave unit 2 perform communication similar to steps S110, S112, and S114, the communication time between the master unit 0 and the slave unit 2, and the master unit 0 and the slave unit 2 The communication strength with the machine 2 is acquired. In steps S130, S132, S134, and steps S140, S142, and S144, the same communication is performed, and the parent device 0 has a communication time between the parent device 0 and the child device 4, and the parent device 0 and the child device. The communication strength between the master unit 4, the communication time between the master unit 0 and the slave unit 3, and the communication strength between the master unit 0 and the slave unit 3 are acquired. Note that the responses of steps S110, S120, S130, and S140 to the broadcast of step S100 may overlap. In this case, base unit 0 may execute step S112 after a predetermined time has elapsed after receiving a response to the broadcast, and execute step S122 after step S114 with respect to step S112 ends. S132 and S142 may be executed in order in the same manner.

  In step S200, base unit 0 transmits a measurement request message to handset 1. This measurement request message is a message that instructs the slave unit 1 to measure the communication time and communication strength between the master unit 0 and the slave units 2 to 4. The slave unit 4 belongs to an air conditioning control system different from the master unit 0. However, since the slave unit 4 is a slave unit of the same type of air conditioning control system as the air conditioning control system 10, it is possible to reply to the broadcast in step S100. There is sex. Note that a slave unit that is already paired with another master unit may not reply to the broadcast in step S100. In this way, since the base unit 0 receives a reply to the broadcast in step S100 only from the slave unit that has not been paired, it is possible to send a measurement request message only to the slave unit that has not been paired. it can.

  FIG. 3 is a timing chart of processing for acquiring the communication time and the communication strength between the parent device 0 and the other child devices 2 to 4 with the child device 1 as a reference. In step S212, handset 1 designates ID (0) of base unit 0 and transmits a response request. In step S214, base unit 0 transmits a reply to the response request to handset 1. . Handset 1 acquires a time obtained by subtracting the internal processing time of base unit 0 from the time from the response request in step S212 to the reception of the reply in step S214 as the communication time between handset 1 and base unit 0. . Further, the communication strength between the child device 1 and the parent device 0 is acquired from the strength of the reply received in step S214.

  Similarly, the slave unit 1 acquires the communication time between the slave unit 1 and the slave unit 2 and the communication strength between the slave unit 1 and the slave unit 2 in steps S222 and S224, and step S232, In S234, the communication time between the child device 1 and the child device 4 and the communication strength between the child device 1 and the child device 4 are acquired. In steps S242 and S244, the communication between the child device 1 and the child device 3 is acquired. The communication time between the slave unit 1 and the slave unit 3 is acquired. In step S250, the slave unit 1 sends a measurement completion message to the master unit 0 together with the communication time and communication strength between the slave unit 1 and the master unit 0, the slave unit 2, the slave unit 3, and the slave unit 4. In step S300, base unit 0 transmits a measurement request message to handset 2 in the same manner as in step S200.

  FIG. 4 is a timing chart of processing for acquiring communication time and communication strength between the parent device and other child devices with respect to the other child devices as a reference. In steps S312 to S344, handset 2 performs communication similar to steps S212 to S244 in FIG. 3 among base unit 0, handset 1, handset 3, and handset 4, and handset 2 and base unit 0, the communication time and communication strength between the child device 1, the child device 3, and the child device 4 are acquired. In step S350, the slave unit 2 sends a measurement completion message to the master unit 0 together with the communication time and the communication strength between the slave unit 2 and the master unit 0, the slave unit 1, the slave unit 3, and the slave unit 4. Similarly, the child device 3 and the child device 4 execute steps S400 to S450 and S500 to S550, respectively. Thereby, the main | base station 0 obtains the communication time and communication intensity | strength in all the combinations between the main | base station 0 and the subunit | mobile_units 1-4.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of measured values of communication time and communication strength. In FIG. 5, there are two measurement values, for example, between the parent device 0 and the child device 1, there are a value obtained by measurement by the parent device 0 and a value obtained by measurement by the child device 1. Because. In the subsequent processing, the average value of these two measured values is used.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a grouping procedure. First, the combination with the shortest communication time is detected and set as the first group. In the result shown in FIG. 5, since the combination of the parent device 0 and the child device 1 has the shortest communication time, the parent device 0 and the child device 1 are selected as the first group.

  Next, the shortest combination of the communication times between the wireless devices included in the first group (master device 0 or slave device 1) and the wireless devices not included in the first group (slave devices 2 to 4) is detected. Thus, wireless devices that are not included in the first group among the two wireless devices that form the combination are added to the first group, and are selected as the second group having one more wireless device. Specifically, the communication time between the parent device 0 and the child device 2, the communication time between the parent device 0 and the child device 3, the communication time between the parent device 0 and the child device 4, Of the communication time between the handset 1 and the handset 2, the communication time between the handset 1 and the handset 3, and the communication time between the handset 1 and the handset 4, the communication time of the most Detect short combinations. In the result shown in FIG. 5, since the combination with the shortest communication time is the combination of the parent device 0 and the child device 2, the child device 2 is added to the first group, and the parent device 0 and the child device 1 are added. And handset 2 are selected as the second group.

  Similarly, the shortest combination of communication times between the wireless devices included in the second group (master unit 0 or slave units 1 and 2) and the wireless devices not included in the first group (slave units 3 and 4) And the wireless device not included in the second group is added to the second group and selected as the third group. In the example of FIG. 5, the combination with the shortest communication time is the combination of the slave unit 2 and the slave unit 3. Accordingly, the second group is added to the child device 3, and the parent device 0, the child device 1, the child device 2, and the child device 3 are selected as the third group. After that, repeat the new grouping by increasing the slave units one by one. In the present embodiment, since the number of slave units is 4, grouping ends in the next fourth group.

As a result of this grouping, each group is as follows.
・ First group: Master unit 0, Slave unit 1
・ Second group: Base unit 0, handset 1, handset 2
Third group: Base unit 0, handset 1, handset 2, handset 3
-Fourth group: Base unit 0, handset 1, handset 2, handset 3, handset 4

  Next, the communication time and the communication intensity when each group is created are plotted, and a correlation coefficient between them is obtained. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram in which communication time and communication strength are plotted in order. At this time, the plotting is performed using the minimum value of the communication time and the communication strength when each group is created. Specifically, the point corresponding to the point A is plotted from the communication time and communication strength in the combination of the parent device 0 and the child device 1 when the first group is selected, and then the parent when the second group is selected. Point B is plotted from the communication time and communication strength in the combination of the device 0 and the child device 2, and then the point C is determined from the communication time and communication strength in the combination of the child device 2 and the child device 3 when the third group is selected. Plot. When the three points are plotted, a correlation coefficient r1 between the communication time and the communication intensity of the three points A, B, and C is obtained. If the absolute value of the correlation coefficient r1 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, there is a correlation between these three points, and the parent device 0 and the child devices 1, 2, and 3 are all in the building X. to decide.

  Next, since the minimum value of the communication time when creating the fourth group is obtained by the combination of the child device 1 and the child device 4, the communication time and the communication strength corresponding to the combination of the child device 1 and the child device 4 are pointed out. D is plotted, and the correlation coefficient r2 is obtained using the communication time and communication strength of the four points A, B, C, and D. When the absolute value of the correlation coefficient r2 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, there is a correlation between these four points, and the parent device 0, the child devices 1, 2, 3, and 4 are all in the building X. Judge that there is. On the other hand, when the absolute value of the correlation coefficient r1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, but the absolute value of the correlation coefficient r2 is less than the predetermined value, it is considered that the correlation has been lost due to the influence of the slave unit 4. . That is, the subunit | mobile_unit 4 becomes a radio | wireless apparatus which deviates from the correlation of communication time and communication intensity. In this case, it is determined that the parent device 0, the child devices 1, 2, and 3 exist in the building X, and the child device 4 does not exist in the building X.

  The parent device 0, the child devices 1, 2, and 3 determined to be in the building X are paired using the device ID, and none of the child devices 4 are paired.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram in which the communication time and the communication strength in the comparative example are plotted. In the comparative example, the first group of the slave unit 1 and the slave unit 4, the second group by adding the slave unit 2, the third group by adding the slave unit 3, the last group by adding the master unit 0 to the fourth group It is configured. In this case, the correlation coefficient r3 is calculated using the communication time and communication strength of the three points E, F, G up to the third group, and the four points E, F, G, H up to the fourth group are calculated. The correlation coefficient r4 is calculated using the communication time and the communication intensity. In this case, since the correlation coefficient between the communication time and the communication strength is less than a predetermined value only when the parent device 0 is included, it is determined that only the parent device 0 does not exist in the building.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the combination of the two wireless devices with the shortest communication time is detected, the two wireless devices are selected as the first group, and then the wireless devices included in the first group; The shortest combination of the communication times with wireless devices not included in the first group is detected, and wireless devices not included in the first group are added to the first group among the two wireless devices forming the combination. A new second group having one more wireless device is selected. By repeating this, the third group, the fourth group, and a new group are selected in order. After that, every time a new group is obtained, a correlation coefficient using two parameters, communication time and communication strength, is calculated, and the wireless device is built depending on whether the correlation coefficient is greater than or less than a predetermined value. Specify whether it exists in X or does not exist in building X. Therefore, all combinations of 3 or more wireless devices (a combination of selecting 3 from 5 wireless devices (5C3 = 10 combinations)), a combination of selecting 4 from 5 wireless devices (5C4 = 5 combinations), 5 combinations The calculation time can be shortened compared with the case where the correlation coefficient is obtained for the combination for selecting all wireless devices (the combination of 5C5 = 1).

  In the first embodiment, when grouping is performed in order from the first group, grouping is performed in ascending order of communication time. However, grouping may be performed in descending order of communication strength.

Second embodiment:
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the master units 0 and 20 and the slave units 1 to 7 and 21 of the entire building air conditioning control system of the adjacent buildings X and Y. In the building X, the master unit 0 and the slave units 1 to 7 of the air conditioning system are installed, and in the building Y, the master unit 20 and the slave unit 21 of the air conditioning system are installed. It is desired that the parent device 0 of the building X and the child devices 1 to 7 are paired, and the parent device 0 of the building X and the child device 21 of the building Y are not paired. Here, when the air conditioning system installed in the building X and the air conditioning system installed in the building Y are the same type of system, the radio wave emitted from the master unit 0 of the building X is the slave unit for pairing. There is a possibility that unintended pairing may be performed by communicating with the handset 21 of the building Y as well as 1 to 7.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the communication time and the communication strength between the parent device 0 and each child device. The relationship between the distance and the communication strength is plotted with the horizontal axis representing the communication time with the parent device 0 and the vertical axis representing the communication strength. The communication time and communication strength between the parent device 0 and each child device can be acquired as described in FIG. 2 of the first embodiment. Base unit 0 calculates a regression equation indicating the relationship between communication time and communication strength. The regression equation can be obtained by, for example, the least square method. FIG. 10 shows a regression line corresponding to the regression equation indicating the relationship.

  Next, base unit 0 calculates a confidence interval for the regression equation. As the confidence interval, for example, a 95% confidence interval is used. In FIG. 10, a 95% confidence interval is illustrated. The master unit 0 determines that the slave unit corresponding to the plot out of the 95% confidence interval does not exist in the building X. In general, there is a wall that lowers the radio wave intensity between the inside of building X and the outside of building X. Therefore, when the vertical axis is the communication intensity, the plot corresponding to the slave unit that does not exist in building X is 95. Plotted on the side where the communication strength is weaker than the% confidence interval.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to identify a wireless device that deviates from the correlation between the communication time and the communication strength using the regression equation and the confidence interval.

  In 2nd Embodiment, in order to reduce the influence of the subunit | mobile_unit which does not exist in a building with respect to a regression equation, the regression equation of communication time and communication intensity is calculated, and then using robust estimation, such as M estimation method, The regression equation may be recalculated. As the robust estimation, an L estimation method and an R estimation method may be used in addition to the M estimation method. In this way, if robust estimation is used, it is possible to reduce the influence on the regression equation of the wireless device that greatly deviates from the correlation between the communication time and the communication strength, so the wireless device deviates from the correlation between the communication time and the communication strength. Can be identified more accurately.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be realized with various configurations without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the technical features of the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each embodiment described in the summary section of the invention are intended to solve part or all of the above-described problems, or part of the above-described effects. Or, in order to achieve the whole, it is possible to replace or combine as appropriate. Further, if the technical feature is not described as essential in the present specification, it can be deleted as appropriate.

0, 20 ... Master unit 1-7, 21 ... Slave unit 10 ... Air conditioning control system 30 ... Wall AH ... Point X, Y ... Building r1, r2, r3, r4 ... Correlation coefficient

Claims (5)

A grouping method for grouping a plurality of wireless devices including a base unit of a wireless system arranged in a building of a facility and a plurality of slave units,
(A) executing communication between the plurality of wireless devices to obtain a communication time and a communication strength in a combination of two wireless devices;
(B) identifying a wireless device deviating from the correlation between the communication time and the communication strength;
(C) grouping the plurality of slave units excluding the specified wireless devices;
A grouping method comprising: The grouping method according to claim 1,
The step (b)
(B1) detecting a combination of two wireless devices with the shortest communication time and selecting the two wireless devices as a group;
(B2) The shortest combination of the communication times between a wireless device included in the group and a wireless device not included in the group is detected, and included in the group among two wireless devices forming the combination. Adding a new wireless device to the group and selecting a new group with one more wireless device;
(B3) repeating step (b2);
(B4) Every time the groups obtained in order in steps (b1) to (b3) are obtained, a step of calculating a correlation coefficient using two parameters, the communication time and the communication strength,
(B5) identifying a wireless device deviating from the correlation using the correlation coefficient;
Including a grouping method. The grouping method according to claim 1,
The step (b)
(B1) detecting a combination of two wireless devices having the strongest communication strength and selecting the two wireless devices as a group;
(B2) The strongest combination of the communication strengths between wireless devices included in the group and wireless devices not included in the group is detected, and included in the group among two wireless devices forming the combination. Adding a new wireless device to the group and selecting a new group with one more wireless device;
(B3) repeating step (b2);
(B4) Every time the groups obtained in order in steps (b1) to (b3) are obtained, a step of calculating a correlation coefficient using two parameters, the communication time and the communication strength,
(B5) identifying a wireless device deviating from the correlation using the correlation coefficient;
Including a grouping method. The grouping method according to claim 1,
The step (b)
(B1) calculating a regression equation indicating the relationship between the communication time and the communication strength;
(B2) calculating a confidence interval for the regression equation;
(B3) identifying a wireless device that deviates from the correlation using the confidence interval;
Including a grouping method. The grouping method according to claim 4, wherein
The step (b1) is a grouping method including a step of recalculating a regression equation by robust estimation.

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