JP2019153998A - Setting terminal, wireless telemeter system, and setting method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a setting terminal, a wireless telemeter system, and a setting method that can easily set setting information for each of a plurality of terminals.SOLUTION: A first slave unit A1 includes a first narrow area wireless communication unit 451 and a first control unit 421. The first narrow area wireless communication unit wirelessly communicates with the q-th (q is an integer of 2 or more and N or less) slave unit Aq. The first control unit controls the first narrow area wireless communication unit and performs a wireless control operation. In the wireless control operation, in a state where a setting device 50 is wired or limitedly connected to the first slave unit, the first control unit wirelessly transmits q-th setting information for operating the q-th slave unit input to the first slave unit via the setting device to the q-th slave unit by the first narrow area wireless communication unit, such that the q-th setting information is set for the q-th slave unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a setting terminal, a wireless telemeter system, and a setting method.

  The wireless telemeter system described in Patent Document 1 notifies gas usage fee information to a remote controller of a hot water heater when a microcomputer meter of a consumer is automatically read by a management center. And a radio telemeter system accumulate | stores charge information in the data storage part contained in the water heater remote control. Then, the radio telemeter system processes the charge information stored in the data storage unit by the data processing unit, and provides necessary information to the user.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-028296

  Generally, in a wireless telemeter system, when setting information for operating a child device is set for the child device, a setting device is wired to the child device. And setting information is set with respect to the subunit | mobile_unit via a setting device.

  However, when there are multiple slave units (terminals), each time the worker changes the slave unit that is the target of setting information, the worker moves to the location of the target slave unit and sets it as the target slave unit. I had to wire the instrument. As a result, complicated work was required.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a setting terminal, a wireless telemeter system, and a setting method that can easily set setting information for each of a plurality of terminals.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the wireless telemeter system includes a first terminal to an Nth (N is an integer of 2 or more) terminals that can wirelessly communicate with each other. The setting terminal is the first terminal. The first terminal includes a first communication unit and a first control unit. The first communication unit wirelessly communicates with a q-th (q is an integer of 2 or more and N or less) terminal. The first control unit controls the first communication unit. The first control unit performs a wireless control operation. In the wireless control operation, the q-th setting information for operating the q-th terminal input to the first terminal via the setting device in a state where the setting device is wired or limitedly connected to the first terminal. Indicates that the first control unit sets the q-th setting information for the q-th terminal by wireless transmission to the q-th terminal by the first communication unit.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the radio telemeter system includes a first terminal to an Nth (N is an integer of 2 or more) terminals capable of wireless communication with each other. The setting terminal is a q-th terminal (q is an integer of 2 or more and N or less) in the wireless telemeter system. The q-th terminal includes a q-th communication unit and a q-th control unit. The q-th communication unit performs wireless communication with the first terminal. The q-th control unit controls the q-th communication unit. For operating the q-th terminal that is input to the first terminal via the setting device and wirelessly transmitted from the first terminal in a state where the setting device is connected to the first terminal by a wired connection or limited connection The q-th setting information is set for the q-th terminal by the q-th control unit receiving the q-th setting information by the q-th communication unit.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the radio telemeter system includes a first terminal to an Nth (N is an integer of 2 or more) terminals capable of wireless communication with each other. The first terminal includes a first communication unit and a first control unit. The first communication unit wirelessly communicates with a q-th (q is an integer of 2 or more and N or less) terminal. The first control unit controls the first communication unit. The q-th terminal includes a q-th communication unit and a q-th control unit. The q-th communication unit performs wireless communication with the first terminal. The q-th control unit controls the q-th communication unit. The first setting information for operating the q-th terminal input to the first terminal via the setting device in a state where the setting device is connected to the first terminal by wired connection or limited connection, The control unit wirelessly transmits the first communication unit, and the qth control unit receives the qth setting information wirelessly transmitted from the first terminal by the qth communication unit, whereby the qth terminal To set the q-th setting information.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a setting method includes q-th setting information for operating a q-th terminal for a q-th (q is an integer of 2 or more and N or less) terminal of a wireless telemeter system. It is a setting method to set. The wireless telemeter system includes a first terminal to an Nth (N is an integer of 2 or more) terminals that can wirelessly communicate with each other. The setting method includes a step of connecting the setting device to the first terminal by wire connection or limited connection. The setting method includes a step of inputting the q-th setting information to the first terminal via the setting device. The setting method includes a step in which the first terminal wirelessly transmits the q-th setting information. The setting method includes a step in which the q-th terminal receives the q-th setting information wirelessly transmitted from the first terminal. The setting method includes a step of setting the q-th setting information for the q-th terminal.

  According to the present invention, setting information can be easily set for each of a plurality of terminals.

1 is a block diagram of a wireless telemeter system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of a server. It is a block diagram of a main | base station. It is a block diagram of a p-th subunit. It is a block diagram of a setting device. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which sets pth setting information of a subunit | mobile_unit. It is a schematic diagram which shows a wireless setting device mode. It is a schematic diagram which shows a wired setting device mode. It is a flowchart which shows the setting process of the qth setting information with respect to the qth subunit | mobile_unit. It is a flowchart which shows the setting process of the 1st setting information with respect to a 1st subunit | mobile_unit.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is not repeated.

  A radio telemeter system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a radio telemeter system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless telemeter system 100 is a system that collects measurement values measured at a plurality of measurement locations.

  The radio telemeter system 100 includes a server 10, a center side network control unit 20, a plurality of setting terminals X, and a first measurement device B1 to an Nth measurement device BN. The plurality of setting terminals X include a parent device 30 and a first child device A1 to an Nth child device AN. N is an integer of 2 or more. The first handset A1 to the Nth handset AN are examples of the first terminal to the Nth terminal of the present invention.

  The server 10 collects measurement values measured by the first measurement device B1 to the Nth measurement device BN via the parent device 30 and the first measurement device B1 to the Nth measurement device BN.

  The center side network control unit 20 mediates communication processing for the server 10 to communicate with the parent device 30. The center side network control unit 20 and the server 10 are connected by wire or wirelessly. The center side network control unit 20 and the parent device 30 are connected to a wide area wireless network N1 such as a PHS network and a FOMA network, for example. The center-side network control unit 20 and the parent device 30 perform wireless communication with each other via the wide area wireless network N1.

  In the present embodiment, the center side network control unit 20 and the parent device 30 are connected by the wide area wireless network N1, but the present invention is not limited to this. The center-side network control unit 20 and the parent device 30 may be connected to each other via a wired IP network and a communication network such as a public network. Further, the center side network control unit 20 and the parent device 30 may be connected by wire. In addition, a plurality of parent devices 30 may be connected to the wide area wireless network N1.

  The center side network control unit 20 is provided, for example, in a public network of a communication carrier. The center-side network control unit 20 controls communication of terminal-side devices such as the parent device 30 and the p-th child device Ap via the wide area wireless network N1. p is an integer of 1 or more and N or less. The pth child device Ap indicates any one of the first child device A1 to the Nth child device AN. The p-th handset Ap is an example of the p-th terminal according to the present invention.

  When the center-side network control unit 20 receives a message from the server 10, the center-side network control unit 20 transmits a message to the terminal-side device using a communication method compliant with the communication standard of the wide area wireless network N1. When the center side network control unit 20 receives a message from the terminal side device via the wide area wireless network N <b> 1, the center side network control unit 20 transmits the received message to the server 10.

  The base unit 30 is connected to a center side device such as the center side network control unit 20 and the server 10 via the wide area wireless network N1. The base unit 30 is connected to each of the first handset A1 to the Nth handset AN via the narrow area wireless network N2.

  Master device 30 is wirelessly connected to each of first slave device A1 to Nth slave device AN. Base unit 30 can wirelessly communicate with each of first handset A1 to Nth handset AN. Specifically, the master unit 30 can receive a message from each of the first slave unit A1 to the Nth slave unit AN, and sends a message to each of the first slave unit A1 to the Nth slave unit AN. Can be sent.

  Each of the first slave unit A1 to the Nth slave unit AN is wirelessly connected to each other. Each of the first child device A1 to the Nth child device AN can wirelessly communicate with each other. Specifically, one of the first child device A1 to the Nth child device AN can transmit a message to another child device, and one child device can transmit another one of the other child devices. A message can be received from two slaves.

  When the p-th slave device Ap receives a message from the server 10 via the narrow-area wireless network N2 and the center-side network control unit 20, the p-th slave device Ap determines whether the received message is a message addressed to itself. Determine whether or not. When the identification number of the pth slave device Ap is specified as the destination address of the message received by the pth slave device Ap, the pth slave device Ap determines that the received message is a message addressed to the own device. And pth subunit | mobile_unit Ap can perform various processes based on the content of the data contained in the received message | telegram.

  Each of 1st measuring device B1-Nth measuring device BN is installed in a consumer, for example. Each of the first measuring device B1 to the Nth measuring device BN includes a meter. In the present embodiment, each of the first measuring device B1 to the Nth measuring device BN measures the amount of supply such as water, gas, and electricity supplied from the business entity to the consumer.

  In addition, the object which each of 1st measuring device B1-Nth measuring device BN measures is not specifically limited. Each of the first measuring device B1 to the Nth measuring device BN may measure physical quantities of the environment such as temperature, air pollution, and earthquake.

  Each of the first measuring device B1 to the Nth measuring device BN is, for example, an 8-bit meter and has a function of communicating with a center-side device using an 8-bit message format.

  The p-th measuring device Bp is connected to the p-th child device Ap. The p-th measurement device Bp indicates any one of the first measurement device B1 to the N-th measurement device BN.

  The p-th measuring device Bp outputs a measured value of the amount of supply used measured by the p-th measuring device Bp to the p-th slave device Ap. The p-th measuring device Bp and the p-th slave device Ap are wiredly connected via the electric wire 1. Note that the p-th measurement device Bp and the p-th slave device Ap may be wirelessly connected.

  The p-th slave device Ap acquires a measured value of the amount of supply used from the p-th measurement device Bp. As a result, the measurement value of the p-th measurement device Bp is transmitted to the server 10 via the p-th child device Ap and the parent device 30.

  The measured values of the first measuring device B1 to the Nth measuring device BN are collected by the server 10. As a result, the server 10 can grasp the usage amount of the supplies of a plurality of consumers.

  Next, the server 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the server 10.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the server 10 includes a storage unit 11, a control unit 12, and a communication unit 13.

  The storage unit 11 includes a main storage device (for example, a semiconductor memory) such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and may further include an auxiliary storage device (for example, a hard disk drive). The storage unit 11 stores various computer programs executed by the control unit 12. Moreover, the memory | storage part 11 memorize | stores the customer information which matched the identification number of several consumers, and the usage-amount of the supply of several consumers, respectively, for example.

  The control unit 12 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 12 controls each element of the server 10 by executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 11.

  The communication unit 13 performs wireless communication with the parent device 30 via the wide area wireless network N1. The communication unit 13 is a communication module capable of wide-area communication such as FOMA, for example. The communication unit 13 may perform wired communication with the parent device 30.

  Next, the master unit 30 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of base unit 30.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the base unit 30 includes a storage unit 31, a control unit 32, an input unit 33, a display unit 34, a wide area wireless communication unit 35, a narrow area wireless communication unit 36, and a connection unit 37. And have.

  The storage unit 31 includes a main storage device and may further include an auxiliary storage device. The storage unit 31 stores various computer programs executed by the control unit 32.

  The storage unit 31 stores setting information α for operating the parent device 30. The setting information α of the parent device 30 includes information set for the parent device 30 to perform wireless communication with the first child device A1 to the Nth child device AN. The setting information α of the parent device 30 indicates, for example, the identification number of the parent device 30, the identification numbers of the first child device A1 to the Nth child device AN, the current time, and / or the radio channel.

  The control unit 32 includes a processor. The control unit 32 controls each element of the parent device 30 by executing the computer program stored in the storage unit 31.

  Input unit 33 accepts an instruction to master device 30. The input unit 33 includes, for example, various switches such as dip switches, buttons, and / or touch panels.

  For example, the display unit 34 displays information to be notified to a worker who performs maintenance work. The display unit 34 includes, for example, an LED and a liquid crystal display panel.

  The wide area wireless communication unit 35 performs wireless communication via the wide area wireless network N1 by transmitting and receiving radio waves through an antenna (not shown). The wide area wireless communication unit 35 is a communication module capable of wide area communication such as FOMA. For example, the parent device 30 transmits the measurement value of the p-th measurement device Bp to the server 10 via the wide area wireless communication unit 35.

  When the wide-area wireless communication unit 35 receives a radio wave with an antenna, the wide-area radio communication unit 35 acquires a telegram by decoding the received radio wave. The wide area wireless communication unit 35 outputs a message obtained by decoding to the control unit 32. For example, when acquiring a message output from the wide area wireless communication unit 35, the control unit 32 performs processing according to the acquired message. For example, when acquiring a message output from the wide area wireless communication unit 35, the control unit 32 transfers the message to each of the first child device A1 to the Nth child device AN via the narrow area wireless communication unit 36. I do.

  In the present embodiment, the wide area wireless communication unit 35 is included in the parent device 30. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The wide area wireless communication unit 35 is included in an external terminal and may not be included in the parent device 30. In this case, communication is performed from the parent device 30 to an external terminal, and a message is transmitted via the wide area wireless communication 35 of the external terminal.

  The narrow-area wireless communication unit 36 communicates with the first slave unit A1 to the Nth slave unit AN by a predetermined wireless communication method by transmitting and receiving radio waves via an antenna (not shown). Do. As the wireless communication method, for example, a specific low power wireless method is adopted. In the specific low power radio system, a 920 MHz band with a higher communication speed is used in addition to the 426 MHz band as a frequency allocation band. The narrow-area wireless communication unit 36 is a communication module that uses, for example, an RF-LSI for 920 MHz band communication.

  An example of a message transmission process of the narrow area wireless communication unit 36 will be described. The narrow area wireless communication unit 36 intermittently transmits a beacon as a search signal for searching for the p-th handset Ap that is the transmission destination of the message. The beacon includes a radio number for identifying the parent device 30. When receiving the beacon transmitted by the pth slave device Ap, the narrow area wireless communication unit 36 transmits a message to the pth slave device Ap specified by the wireless device number included in the peakon.

  Two examples of the message transmission process of the narrow area wireless communication unit 36 will be described. The narrow-area wireless communication unit 36 transmits an activation signal for activating the p-th slave device Ap when transmitting a message to the p-th slave device Ap. Then, when the pth slave device Ap returns a response to the activation signal, the narrow area wireless communication unit 36 transmits a message to the pth slave device Ap.

  The connection unit 37 has one or a plurality of ports for connecting the setting device 50. The base unit 30 can be connected to the setting device 50 via a connection unit 37 by wire. The base unit 30 is connected to the setting device 50 by wire, for example.

  By connecting the setting device 50 to the parent device 30 by wire, setting information α can be set for the parent device 30. Setting the setting information α includes both the meanings of setting the setting information α first and resetting the setting information α.

  Next, the p-th handset Ap will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the p-th handset Ap.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the p-th slave device Ap includes a p-th storage unit 41p, a p-th control unit 42p, a p-th input unit 43p, a p-th display unit 44p, and a p-th narrow area wireless communication unit 45p. And a p-th measuring device connecting portion 46p and a p-th setting device connecting portion 47p.

  The p-th storage unit 41p includes a main storage device and may further include an auxiliary storage device. The p-th storage unit 41p stores various computer programs executed by the p-th control unit 42p.

  The p-th storage unit 41p stores p-th setting information βp for operating the p-th handset Ap. The p-th setting information βp includes information set in order for the p-th child device Ap to perform wireless communication with the parent device 30. The p-th setting information βp includes information set for the p-th slave device Ap to perform wireless communication with other slave devices. The other child devices indicate child devices other than the p-th child device Ap among the first child device A1 to the N-th child device AN.

  The p-th setting information βp includes, for example, the identification number of the parent device 30, the identification numbers of the first child device A1 to the N-th child device AN, the current time, and the measurement value of the p-th measuring device Bp. A scheduled time and / or a radio channel acquired by Ap is indicated.

  The p-th control unit 42p includes a processor. The p-th control unit 42p controls each element of the p-th slave device Ap by executing the computer program stored in the p-th storage unit 41p.

  The p-th input unit 43p receives an instruction for the p-th handset Ap. The p-th input unit 43p includes, for example, various switches such as dip switches, buttons, and / or a touch panel.

  The p-th display unit 44p displays, for example, information to be notified to a worker who performs maintenance work. The p-th display unit 44p includes, for example, an LED and a liquid crystal display panel.

  The p-th narrow area wireless communication unit 45p communicates with the parent device 30 and other child devices by a predetermined wireless communication method by transmitting and receiving radio waves via an antenna (not shown). . The p-th narrow area communication unit 45p is a communication module using, for example, an RF-LSI for 920 MHz band communication. The p-th narrow area wireless communication unit 45 p has the same function as the narrow area wireless communication part 36 of the parent device 30.

  The p-th measuring device connection unit 46p includes one or more ports for connecting the p-th measuring device Bp. The p-th measuring device connection portion 46p is connected to the p-th measuring device Bp by a wire 1 by wire. The p-measurement device connection unit 46 p acquires the measurement value of the p-th measurement device Bp via the electric wire 1.

  The p-th setter connection 47p has one or more ports for connecting the setter 50. The p-th handset Ap can be connected to the setting device 50 via a p-th setting device connection section 47p. For example, the p-th slave device Ap is connected to the setting device 50 via the electric wire 1 in a wired manner. The setting device 50 may be connected to the p-th measuring device connection portion 46p instead of the p-th setting device connection portion 47p.

  The state in which the setting device 50 is wired to the first child device A1 is connected to the first child device A1 and the setting device 50 via a wire that can transmit an electrical signal such as the electric wire 1 as in this embodiment. Are not limited to being connected to each other. In a state where the setting device 50 is connected to the first child device A1, the second connection portion 471 of the first child device A1 and the connection portion 55 of the setting device 50 are used without using a wire material such as the electric wire 1. Also included are states in which are connected to each other. The state in which the second connection portion 471 of the first slave unit A1 and the connection portion 55 of the setting device 50 are connected to each other is the state in which the connection portion 55 of the setting device 50 is directly connected to the state of the setting device 50. And a state in which the connecting portion 55 is indirectly coupled via an interposition member such as an adapter.

  When the setting device 50 is wired to the p-th slave device Ap, the p-th setting information βp can be set for the p-th slave device Ap. Setting the p-th setting information βp means both setting the p-th setting information βp for the p-th handset Ap first and resetting the p-th setting information βp for the p-th handset Ap. Including the meaning of

  First setting information β1 to Nth setting information βN are set for the first child device A1 to the Nth child device AN, respectively.

  Next, the setting device 50 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the setting device 50.

  The setting device 50 is a device for setting the setting information α for the parent device 30. The setting device 50 is a device for setting the first setting information β1 to the Nth setting information βN for the first child device A1 to the Nth child device AN, respectively.

  The setting device 50 includes a storage unit 51, a control unit 52, an input unit 53, a display unit 54, and a connection unit 55.

  The storage unit 51 includes a main storage device and may further include an auxiliary storage device. The storage unit 51 stores various computer programs executed by the control unit 52.

  The control unit 52 includes a processor. The control unit 52 controls each element of the setting device 50 by executing the computer program stored in the storage unit 51.

  Input unit 53 accepts input of setting information α of parent device 30. The input unit 53 receives input of the p-th setting information βp. The input unit 53 includes, for example, various switches such as dip switches, buttons, and / or touch panels.

  The display unit 54 displays, for example, an input screen for the setting information α of the parent device 30 and an input screen for the p-th setting information βp. The display unit 54 includes, for example, an LED and a liquid crystal display panel.

  Next, the procedure for setting the p-th setting information βp of the slave unit will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting the p-th setting information βp of the slave unit.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in step S10, when each of the first slave unit A1 to the Nth slave unit AN is in the default state, the operation mode of each of the first slave unit A1 to the Nth slave unit AN is set to the normal mode. Is set.

  In the normal mode, for example, the p-th slave device Ap performs an operation of acquiring the measurement value of the p-th measurement device Bp and an operation of transmitting the acquired measurement value to the parent device 30 and operates as an element of the radio telemeter system 100 The operation mode of the p-th handset Ap when doing is shown.

  In step S20, the first control unit 421 of the first slave unit A1 determines whether or not the setting device 50 is wired to the first slave unit A1. When the setting device 50 is wired to the first slave device A1, the control unit 52 of the setting device 50 indicates that the setting device 50 is wired to the first control unit 421 of the first slave device A1. Send connection information.

  When receiving the connection information, the first control unit 421 of the first slave unit A1 determines that the setting device 50 is wired to the first slave unit A1 (Yes in step S20). If Yes in step S20, the process proceeds to step S30.

  On the other hand, when the first control unit 421 of the first slave unit A1 does not receive the connection information, the first control unit 421 determines that the setting device 50 is not connected to the first slave unit A1 (No in step S20). In the case of No in step S20, the process shown in step S20 is repeated.

  In step S30, the input unit 53 of the setting device 50 receives the designation of the target child device. That is, the operator designates the target child device via the input unit 53 of the setting device 50.

  The target child device indicates a child device to which setting information is set among the first child device A1 to the Nth child device AN.

  For example, the worker designates the target slave unit by inputting the identification number of the target slave unit via the input unit 53 of the setting device 50. When the operator designates the first slave unit A1 as the target slave unit, the worker inputs the identification number of the first slave unit A1 via the input unit 53. When the operator designates the qth child device Aq as the target child device, the worker inputs the identification number of the qth child device Aq via the input unit 53. The identification number of the target slave unit accepted by the input unit 53 is wired and transmitted to the first slave unit A1 via the electric wire 1. q is an integer of 2 or more and N or less.

  In step S30, when the worker designates the first child device A1 as the target child device, the worker does not need to input the identification information of the first child device A1, and inputs the identification information of the target child device. The work to do may be unnecessary. And the operation | work which inputs the identification information of an object subunit | mobile_unit may be required only when an operator designates any one of 2nd subunit | mobile_unit A2-Nth subunit | mobile_unit AN as an object subunit | mobile_unit.

  In step S40, the input unit 53 of the setting device 50 receives the setting information of the target child device. That is, the operator inputs setting information of the target child device via the input unit 53. For example, when the operator designates the first slave unit A1 as the target slave unit, the worker inputs the first setting information β1 via the input unit 53. In addition, when the operator designates the qth child device Aq as the target child device, the worker inputs the qth setting information βq via the input unit 53. The identification information of the target slave unit received by the input unit 53 is wired and transmitted to the first slave unit A1 via the electric wire 1.

  In step S50, the first control unit 421 of the first slave unit A1 determines whether or not the wireless setting device mode is selected as the operation mode of the first slave unit A1. Specifically, the first control unit 421 of the first slave unit A1 determines which one of the wireless setter mode and the wired setter mode is selected as the operation mode of the first slave unit A1.

  The wireless setter mode indicates the operation mode of each of the first slave unit A1 and the qth slave unit Aq when the qth setting information βq is set for the qth slave unit Aq via the first slave unit A1. . The q-th child device Aq is a child device other than the first child device A1, and indicates any one of the second child device A2 to the N-th child device AN. The q-th handset Aq is an example of the q-th terminal according to the present invention.

  The wired setter mode indicates an operation mode of the first slave unit A1 when the first setting information β1 is set for the first slave unit A1.

  The operator selects one of the wireless setting device mode and the wired setting device mode via the input unit 53 of the setting device 50. Information indicating that the wireless setting device mode received by the input unit 53 is selected and information indicating that the wired setting device mode is selected are wired to the first control unit 421 of the first slave device A1 via the electric wire 1. Sent.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the wireless setting device mode.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the operator selects the wireless setting device mode when setting the q-th setting information βq for the q-th child device Aq. In this case, the worker inputs the wireless selection information via the input unit 53 of the setting device 50. The wireless selection information is information indicating that the wireless setting device mode is selected. When the input unit 53 of the setting device 50 receives the wireless selection information, the control unit 52 of the setting device 50 transmits the wireless selection information via the electric wire 1 to the first control unit 421 of the first slave device A1. The wireless selection information is information indicating that the wireless setting device mode has been selected. When the first control unit 421 of the first slave unit A1 receives the radio selection information, the first control unit 421 of the first slave unit A1 determines that the radio setter mode has been selected (Yes in step S50). If Yes in step S50, the process proceeds to step S60. The radio selection information is an example of designation information of the present invention.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a wired setter mode.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when setting the first setting information β1 for the first slave unit A1, the worker selects the wired setter mode. In this case, the worker inputs the wire selection information via the input unit 53 of the setting device 50. The wired selection information is information indicating that the wired setting device mode is selected. When the input unit 53 of the setting device 50 receives the wire selection information, the control unit 52 of the setting device 50 outputs the wire selection information via the electric wire 1 to the first control unit 421 of the first slave device A1. The wired selection information is information indicating that the wired setting device mode has been selected. When the first control unit 421 of the first slave unit A1 receives the wired selection information, the first control unit 421 of the first slave unit A1 determines that the wired setter mode has been selected (No in step S50). If No in step S50, the process proceeds to step S110. Wired selection information is two examples of designation information of the present invention.

  The setting device 50 transmits the first setting information β1 without transmitting the wireless selection information, and the first control unit 421 of the first slave unit A1 receives the first setting information β1 without receiving the wireless selection information. If received, the first control unit 421 of the first slave unit A1 may determine that the wired setting device mode has been selected (No in step S50). In other words, when receiving the wireless selection information, the first control unit 421 of the first slave unit A1 determines that the wireless setting device mode has been selected (Yes in step S50). On the other hand, the first control unit 421 of the first slave unit A1 determines that the wired setting device mode is selected when the first setting information β1 is received without receiving the wireless selection information and the wired selection information ( In step S50, No). As a result, it is not necessary to input wired setting information.

  Moreover, the 1st control part 421 of 1st subunit | mobile_unit A1 may determine which of the wireless setting device mode and the wired setting device mode was selected as follows. First, when receiving the wired selection information, the first control unit 421 of the first slave unit A1 determines that the wired setting device mode has been selected (No in step S50). On the other hand, the first control unit 421 of the first slave unit A1 determines that the wireless setting device mode is selected when the qth setting information βq is received without receiving the wireless selection information and the wired selection information ( In step S50, Yes). As a result, it is not necessary to input wireless setting information.

  Note that the user collectively inputs an identification number of the target slave unit (see step S30), setting information of the target slave unit (see step S40), and wireless selection information or wired selection information (see step S50). 53. And the 1st control part 421 of 1st subunit | mobile_unit A1 may receive simultaneously the identification number of an object subunit | mobile_unit, the setting information of an object subunit | mobile_unit, and wireless selection information or wired selection information.

  As shown in FIG.6 and FIG.7, in step S60, the 1st control part 421 of 1st subunit | mobile_unit A1 determines the operation mode of 1st subunit | mobile_unit A1 to a wireless setting device mode. As a result, the operation mode of the first slave unit A1 shifts from the normal mode to the wireless setting device mode.

  In the present embodiment, when the operation mode of the first slave unit A1 is the wireless setter mode, the first control unit 421 of the first slave unit A1 receives a message from each of the second slave unit A2 to the Nth slave unit AN. Will not accept. When the operation mode of the first slave unit A1 is the wireless setter mode, the first control unit 421 of the first slave unit A1 does not accept a message from the master unit 30.

  In step S70, the first control unit 421 of the first slave unit A1 transmits target information indicating that it has been designated as the target slave unit to the qth control unit 42q of the qth slave unit Aq. The target information is wirelessly transmitted from the first handset A1 to the qth handset Aq by the first narrowband wireless communication section 451 of the first handset A1 and the qth narrow area wireless communication section 45q of the qth handset Aq. Is done. In other words, the target information is information for causing the qth child device Aq to recognize that the first child device A1 transmits the qth setting information βq to the qth child device Aq instead of the setting device 50. .

  The first narrow area wireless communication unit 451 is an example of the first communication unit of the present invention. The qth narrow area wireless communication unit 45q is an example of the qth communication unit of the present invention.

  When the q-th control unit 42q of the q-th child device Aq receives the target information, the operation mode of the q-th child device Aq shifts from the normal mode to the wireless setting device mode.

  In the present embodiment, when the operation mode of the qth child device Aq is the wireless setting device mode, the qth control unit 42q of the qth child device Aq does not accept messages from other child devices. In addition, when the operation mode of the q-th child device Aq is the wireless setting device mode, the q-th control unit 42q of the q-th child device Aq does not accept a message from the parent device 30. In addition, when the operation mode of the q-th child device Aq is the wireless setting device mode, the q-th control unit 42q of the q-th child device Aq uses the q-th child device Aq to wirelessly transmit information transmitted from the first child device A1. It is information to be closed and is recognized as q-th setting information βq.

  In step S80, setting processing (wireless control operation) of q-th setting information βq for the q-th child device Aq is performed.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the setting process of the q-th setting information βq for the q-th child device Aq. With reference to FIG.7 and FIG.9, the setting process of the qth setting information (beta) q with respect to the qth subunit | mobile_unit Aq which is 1st Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.

  In step S81, the first control unit 421 of the first slave unit A1 wirelessly transmits the q-th setting information βq to the qth slave unit Aq by the first narrow area wireless communication unit 451.

  In step S82, the qth control information 42q of the qth child device Aq is received by the qth narrow area wireless communication unit 45q of the qth setting information βq wirelessly transmitted from the first child device A1.

  In step S83, the q-th control unit 42q of the q-th child device Aq receives the q-th setting information βq, and accepts the setting of the q-th setting information βq. As a result, q-th setting information βq is set for the q-th child device Aq.

  The q-th control unit 42q accepting the setting of the q-th setting information βq indicates that the q-th control unit 42q of the q-th child device Aq operates based on the q-th setting information βq in the normal mode.

  Note that when the q-th setting information βq is set for the q-th child device Aq, the q-th setting information βq is stored in the q-th storage unit 41q. When the q-th setting information βq is reset, the q-th setting information βq stored in the q-th storage unit 41q is updated to the latest one.

  When the process shown in step S83 ends, the process moves to step S90.

  As shown in FIG.6 and FIG.7, in step S90, the 1st control part 421 of 1st subunit | mobile_unit A1 determines whether the setting process of qth setting information (beta) q was complete | finished.

  When the setting process of the q-th setting information βq is finished, the operator inputs q-th end information indicating that the setting process of the q-th setting information βq is finished through the input unit 53 of the setting device 50. The q-th end information is wire-transmitted from the setting device 50 to the first slave device A1 via the electric wire 1. The q-th end information is wirelessly transmitted from the first slave unit A1 to the q-th slave unit Aq by the first narrow-area wireless communication unit 451 and the q-th narrow-area wireless communication unit 45q.

  When receiving the q-th end information, the first control unit 421 of the first slave unit A1 determines that the setting process for the q-th setting information βq has ended (Yes in step S90). If Yes in step S90, the process proceeds to step S100.

  On the other hand, if the first control unit 421 of the first slave unit A1 does not receive the qth end information, the first control unit 421 determines that the setting process of the qth setting information βq has not ended (No in Step S90). In the case of No in step S90, the process proceeds to step S80.

  In step S100, when the first control unit 421 of the first slave unit A1 receives the q-th end information, the operation mode of the first slave unit A1 shifts from the wireless setting device mode to the normal mode. Further, when the q-th control unit 42q of the q-th child device Aq receives the q-th end information, the operation mode of the q-th child device Aq shifts from the wireless setting device mode to the normal mode. As a result, the process of setting the q-th setting information βq for the q-th handset Aq ends.

  In step S110, the first control unit 421 of the first slave unit A1 determines the operation mode of the first slave unit A1 as the wired setting device mode. As a result, the operation mode of the first slave unit A1 shifts from the normal mode to the wired setter mode.

  In step S120, a setting process (wired control operation) of the first setting information β1 for the first slave unit A1 is performed.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the setting process of the first setting information β1 for the first slave unit A1. With reference to FIG.8 and FIG.10, the setting process of the 1st setting information (beta) 1 with respect to 1st subunit | mobile_unit A1 which is 2nd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, in step S121, the first control unit 421 of the first child device A1 receives the first setting information β1, thereby accepting the setting of the first setting information β1. As a result, the first setting information β1 is set for the first slave unit A1.

  When the process shown in step S121 ends, the process proceeds to step S130.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, in step S130, the first control unit 421 of the first slave unit A1 determines whether or not the setting process of the first setting information β1 has been completed.

  When the setting process of the first setting information β1 is completed, the operator inputs the first end information indicating that the setting process of the first setting information β1 is completed through the input unit 53 of the setting device 50. The first end information is wire-transmitted from the setting device 50 to the first slave device A1 via the electric wire 1.

  When receiving the first end information, the first control unit 421 of the first slave unit A1 determines that the setting process of the first setting information β1 has ended (Yes in step S130). If Yes in step S130, the process proceeds to step S140.

  On the other hand, if the first control unit 421 of the first slave unit A1 does not receive the first end information, it determines that the setting process of the first setting information β1 has not ended (No in step S130). If No in step S130, the process proceeds to step S120.

  In step S140, when the first control unit 421 of the first slave unit A1 receives the first end information, the operation mode of the first slave unit A1 shifts from the wireless setting device mode to the normal mode. As a result, the process of setting the first setting information β1 for the first slave unit A1 is completed.

  As described above with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10, the first slave unit is set via the setter 50 in a state where the setter 50 is wired to the first slave unit A1 in steps S81 to S83. The first control unit 421 wirelessly transmits the q-th setting information βq of the q-th child device Aq input to A1 to the q-th child device Aq by the first narrow area wireless communication unit 451. Q-th setting information βq is set. Therefore, when setting the q-th setting information βq for the q-th child device Aq, the operator does not need to move to the installation location of the q-th child device Aq, and the q-th child device A1 is installed from the installation location of the first child device A1. The q-th setting information βq can be set for the machine Aq. As a result, the operator can set the setting information for a plurality of child devices via the wireless communication using the wireless communication function of the first child device A1, and can easily set the setting information for the plurality of child devices. it can.

  The setting device 50 is provided with a wireless communication function, and the setting device 50 and the q-th child device Aq are wirelessly connected without using the first child device A1. And the structure which transmits a radio signal to the qth subunit | mobile_unit Aq from the setting device 50, and sets qth setting information (beta) q can be considered. However, it is necessary to change the design of the existing setting device 50 by adding a wireless communication function to the existing setting device 50, which is disadvantageous in terms of manufacturing cost of the setting device 50. Further, the configuration of the setting device 50 is complicated. On the other hand, as in the present embodiment, by using the wireless communication function of the first slave unit A1 without changing the design of the existing setter 50, the q-th setup information βq for the q-th slave unit Aq. Can be set reasonably. Moreover, since the existing setting device 50 is used, an increase in the manufacturing cost of the setting device 50 can be suppressed. Further, it is not necessary to add a wireless communication function to the setting device 50, and the device configuration of the setting device 50 can be simplified.

  Further, as shown in step S50, the operation mode of the first control unit 421 can be determined as one of a wireless setting device mode and a wired setting device mode. Therefore, the worker can change the operation mode of the first control unit 421 in accordance with the slave unit that is the setting target of the setting information.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 10). However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented as the third embodiment in various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention (for example, (1) to (2) ). In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. In order to facilitate understanding, the drawings schematically show each component as a main component, and the number of components shown in the drawings may differ from the actual one due to the convenience of drawing. Moreover, each component shown by said embodiment is an example, Comprising: It does not specifically limit, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate substantially from the effect of this invention.

  (1) In the present embodiment, in the wireless setting device mode, wireless communication is used for the qth child device Aq via the first child device A1 in a state where the setting device 50 is wired to the first child device A1. Q-th setting information βq is set. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  In the wireless setting device mode, setting information α may be set using wireless communication to the parent device 30 via the first child device A1 in a state where the setting device 50 is connected to the first child device A1 by wire. . That is, base unit 30 may be included in an example of the q-th terminal of the present invention.

  In the wireless setting device mode, the p-th setting information βp is set to the p-th child device Ap via the parent device 30 using the wireless communication in a state where the setting device 50 is connected to the parent device 30 by wire. Also good. That is, base unit 30 may be included in an example of the first terminal of the present invention.

  Further, when there are a plurality of master units 30, the setting unit 50 is connected to the first master unit among the plurality of master units 30 by wire connection to the second master unit via the first master unit. The setting information α may be set using wireless communication. That is, the first parent device may be included in the example of the first terminal of the present invention, and the second parent device may be included in the example of the qth terminal of the present invention.

  (2) The operation mode of the p-th slave unit Ap shifts to the wireless device setting mode until the p-th slave unit Ap that has not completed the parent-child relationship with the master unit 30 is completed with the master unit 30. It may not be possible. In addition, when the setting device 50 is connected to the p-th child device Ap in which the parent-child relationship with the parent device 30 has not been completed and a signal is transmitted from the setting device 50 to the p-th child device Ap, the setting device 50 The parent-child relationship may not be established between the 50th and the p-th handset Ap. In this case, for example, by providing a flag indicating that the signal from the setting device 50 is not an edge signal in the setting device 50 and / or the p-th child device Ap, between the setting device 50 and the p-th child device Ap. To prevent a parent-child relationship.

  (3) The process shown in step S30 shown in FIG. 6 may be performed between the process shown in step S60 and the process shown in step S70.

  (4) When the wireless setting device mode is selected in step S50 shown in FIG. 6, the process shown in step S40 may be performed between the process shown in step S70 and the process shown in step S80. However, as in the present embodiment, the process shown in step S40 is performed before the process shown in step S70 (before the first slave unit A1 and the qth slave unit Aq are wirelessly connected). After wireless connection, it is advantageous in that it is possible to suppress an increase in power consumption of the first slave unit A1 due to waiting for input of setting information by an operator.

  (5) When the wired setting device mode is selected in step S50 shown in FIG. 6, the process shown in step S40 may be performed between the process shown in step S110 and the process shown in step S120.

  (6) In this embodiment, the setting device 50 is wired to the first slave unit A1 and performs wired communication with the first slave unit A1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The setting device 50 may be limitedly connected to each of the first child device A1 to the Nth child device AN. And the setting device 50 may be limitedly connected to 1st subunit | mobile_unit A1, and may perform radio | wireless communication with 1st subunit | mobile_unit A1. The limited connection indicates a wireless connection between the setting device 50 and the first child device A1 in which the distance in which wireless communication between the setting device 50 and the first child device A1 is limited within a predetermined distance range. The predetermined distance is, for example, 100 meters. The setting device 50 can perform wireless communication within a short range with the first slave unit A1 by being limitedly connected to the first slave unit A1.

  The setting device 50 and the first slave unit A1 are limitedly connected by a short-range wireless communication module such as NFC or RFID, for example. The setting device 50 and the first slave device A1 may be limitedly connected by a wireless PAN (WPAN) communication module such as Bluetooth or ZigBee (registered trademark). The setting device 50 and the first slave device A1 may be limitedly connected by a wireless LAN communication module such as WiFi.

  When the setting device 50 can be limitedly connected to the first child device A1, whether or not the setting device 50 is limitedly connected to the first child device A1 is determined in step S20 shown in FIG. 1 control unit 421 determines.

  When the setting device 50 is limitedly connected to the first slave device A1, in the wired device setting mode, the first setting information β1 input to the setting device 50 is wirelessly transmitted from the setting device 50 to the first slave device A1. . As a result, the first setting information β1 is set in the first slave unit A1.

  When the setting device 50 is limitedly connected to the first slave device A1, the q-th setting information βq input to the setting device 50 is wirelessly transmitted from the setting device 50 to the first slave device A1 in the wireless device setting mode. Then, it is wirelessly transmitted from the first slave unit A1 to the qth slave unit Aq. As a result, q-th setting information βq is set in the q-th handset Aq.

  Note that the distance at which wireless communication between the first handset A1 and the qth handset Aq is possible is not limited as in the limited connection. The first slave unit A1 and the qth slave unit Aq can perform long-distance wireless communication, and can perform wireless communication in a wider range than the setting unit 50 and the first slave unit A1.

  Since the setting device 50 is limitedly connected to the first child device A1, it is possible to save the operator from having to wire-connect the setting device 50 and the first child device A1. As a result, the operator can set the setting information for a plurality of slave units more easily.

  In addition, the operator performs a limited connection of the setting device 50 to a child device having the highest remaining battery capacity among a plurality of child devices that are located in a place where the limited connection to the setting device 50 is possible. Setting information can be set.

  The present invention can be used in the fields of setting terminals, wireless telemeter systems, and setting methods.

42q q control unit 45q q narrow area radio communication unit (qth communication unit)
50 setter 100 wireless telemeter system 421 first control unit 451 first narrow area wireless communication unit (first communication unit)
A1 First handset (first terminal)
AN Nth handset (Nth terminal)
Ap pth handset (pth terminal)
Aq q handset (q terminal)
X setting terminal β1 first setting information βp p setting information βq q setting information

Claims (7)

A setting terminal included in a wireless telemeter system including first terminal to Nth (N is an integer of 2 or more) terminals capable of wireless communication with each other,
The first terminal, which is the setting terminal,
A first communication unit that wirelessly communicates with a q-th (q is an integer of 2 to N) terminals;
A first control unit that controls the first communication unit,
The first control unit performs a wireless control operation,
In the wireless control operation, the q-th setting for operating the q-th terminal input to the first terminal via the setting device in a state where the setting device is wired or limitedly connected to the first terminal. A setting terminal indicating that the first control unit wirelessly transmits information to the q-th terminal by the first communication unit, thereby setting the q-th setting information for the q-th terminal. The first control unit can determine the operation mode of the first control unit as one of a wireless setting device mode and a wired setting device mode,
In the wireless setting device mode, the first control unit performs the wireless control operation,
In the wired setting device mode, the first control unit performs a wired control operation,
In the wired control operation, the first setting information for operating the first terminal received by the setting device in a state where the setting device is wired or limitedly connected to the first terminal is used as the first control information. The setting terminal of Claim 1 which shows that a part sets with respect to the said 1st terminal.   In a state where the setting device is wired or limitedly connected to the first terminal, the first control unit receives the first control unit based on designation information that specifies an operation mode of the first control unit received by the setting device. The setting terminal according to claim 2, wherein an operation mode of one control unit is determined.   The setting terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the first terminal and the q-th terminal is a slave unit. A setting terminal included in a wireless telemeter system including first terminal to Nth (N is an integer of 2 or more) terminals capable of wireless communication with each other,
The qth terminal (q is an integer of 2 or more and N or less) that is the setting terminal,
A q-th communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the first terminal;
A q-th control unit for controlling the q-th communication unit,
For operating the q-th terminal that is input to the first terminal via the setting device and wirelessly transmitted from the first terminal in a state where the setting device is connected to the first terminal by a wired connection or limited connection A setting terminal configured to set the q-th setting information for the q-th terminal by the q-th control unit receiving the q-th setting information by the q-th communication unit. A wireless telemeter system including a first terminal to an Nth (N is an integer of 2 or more) terminals capable of wireless communication with each other,
The first terminal is
A first communication unit that wirelessly communicates with a q-th (q is an integer of 2 to N) terminals;
A first control unit that controls the first communication unit;
The q th terminal is
A q-th communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the first terminal;
A q-th control unit for controlling the q-th communication unit,
The first setting information for operating the q-th terminal input to the first terminal via the setting device in a state where the setting device is connected to the first terminal by wired connection or limited connection, When the control unit wirelessly transmits the first communication unit, and the qth control unit receives the qth setting information wirelessly transmitted from the first terminal by the qth communication unit, the qth A radio telemeter system for setting the q-th setting information for a terminal. The q-th terminal with respect to the q-th (q is an integer of 2 or more and N or less) terminals in a wireless telemeter system including a first terminal to an N-th (N is an integer of 2 or more) terminals capable of wireless communication with each other A setting method for setting q-th setting information in order to operate
Connecting the setting device to the first terminal by wired connection or limited connection;
Inputting the q-th setting information to the first terminal via the setting device;
The first terminal wirelessly transmitting the q-th setting information;
The q-th terminal receiving the q-th setting information wirelessly transmitted from the first terminal;
A step of setting the q-th setting information for the q-th terminal.

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