JP2019186837A - Information processing device, control method for information processing device, control program for information processing device, radio communication device, control method for radio communication device, and control program for radio communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an information processing device that enables construction and updating of a communication network between meters while considering ambient environments of the meters.SOLUTION: An information processing device comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires device information including position information on a plurality of radio communication devices operating in an operation mode that is either a first operation mode or a second operation mode; a selection unit that selects radio communication devices to be associated as a provisional group including a first radio communication device operating in the first operation mode and a second radio communication device operating in the second operation mode; a communication unit that transmits to the selected radio communication devices setting information on a configuration of the provisional group and receives response information on propriety of setting; and a setting unit that depending on the response information, sets a fixed group including the first radio communication device and the second radio communication device from a plurality of radio communication terminals included in the provisional group. The communication unit performs direct communication with the first radio communication device included in the fixed group and performs communication with the second radio communication device via the first radio communication device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a control method for the information processing apparatus, a control program for the information processing apparatus, a wireless communication apparatus, a control method for the wireless communication apparatus, and a control program for the wireless communication apparatus. The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus related to a smart meter for metering the amount of use and the like.

  Conventionally, there has been a remote data collection system that collects and relays data such as meter values representing the usage of electricity, water, gas, etc. in each home using a wireless network and transmits it to a data collection center such as a remote meter reading center. Exists (for example, Patent Document 1). In recent years, along with the spread of IoT (Internet of Things), a network is formed by a plurality of smart meters in the field to collect meter reading data and control the meter. Development of a smart utility system using a WAN (Wide Area Network) that transmits the received data to a remote server is underway (for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-2108080 A

“Wi-SUN FAN Solution in Smart City”, [Online], Nisshin Systems, [Search on March 28, 2018], Internet <URL: http://www.co-nss.co.jp/solution/ sol-wisun_fan.html>

  In FAN, information of each meter can be transmitted using multi-hop communication between a plurality of meters, and information transmitted between lower meters is collected to a higher gateway (GW) and is sent to a server via the WAN. Sent to. In addition, by providing the gateway function in the meter, a highly versatile operation that enables FAN and WAN using only a meter installed in each home without using a dedicated gateway device has been attempted. That is, one meter enables communication between gas meters (function as a slave unit) and wide area network communication (function as a master unit).

  Here, in constructing the FAN, it is necessary to appropriately select a communication path in consideration of an ambient environment such as a wall around a meter or a shielding object such as a car that may affect the communication quality of wireless communication. Further, when a new meter is installed in a field for constructing an existing FAN, it is necessary to update the FAN in order to incorporate the new meter. In the technique described in Patent Document 1, there is no mention of FAN construction taking into account the surrounding environment of the meter or FAN update.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an information processing apparatus capable of constructing and updating a communication network between meters in consideration of the ambient environment of the meter, a method for controlling the information processing apparatus, a control program for the information processing apparatus, a wireless communication apparatus, and a wireless communication apparatus It is an object of the present invention to provide a control method and a control program for a wireless communication apparatus.

  An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus that includes information related to at least positions of a plurality of wireless communication apparatuses that are operable in the first operation mode and the second operation mode and operate in any one of the operation modes. Associating as at least one provisional group including an acquisition unit for acquiring information and a first wireless communication device operating in the first operation mode and a second wireless communication device operating in the second operation mode based on the information about the position; A selection unit that selects two wireless communication devices, and setting information related to the configuration of the provisional group to the wireless communication device selected by the selection unit, and the setting information is transmitted from each wireless communication device that has received the setting information. A communication unit that receives response information related to the availability of the setting based on the information, and at least a plurality of wireless communication terminals included in the provisional group according to the response information, A setting unit configured to set one confirmed group including the wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device, and the communication unit directly communicates with the first wireless communication device included in the one confirmed group. Communication can be performed, and at least communication with the second wireless communication device via the first wireless communication device can be performed.

  In the information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the acquisition unit further acquires administrator information regarding an administrator of a plurality of wireless communication devices as device information, and the selection unit is configured by the administrator based on the administrator information. The same wireless communication device can be selected.

  In the information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit designates, as setting information, a wireless communication apparatus that operates as a first wireless communication apparatus and a wireless communication apparatus that operates as a second wireless communication apparatus. Can be transmitted to the wireless communication apparatus, and information regarding the operation mode of the wireless communication apparatus can be received as response information.

  In the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit transmits, as setting information, information related to the priority of the connection destination when functioning as the second operation mode to the wireless communication apparatus as response information. Information regarding whether or not to allow setting based on priority can be received.

  In the information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the selection unit may select a wireless communication apparatus that is not operable in the operation mode specified in the setting information as a wireless communication apparatus associated with another provisional group. it can.

  In the information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the setting of the confirmed group by the setting unit can be performed when new device information is acquired by the acquisition unit.

  In the information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the acquisition unit further acquires, as device information, information related to the first communication strength in communication with the first wireless communication device included in the confirmed group, and a setting unit If the first communication strength satisfies a predetermined condition, a new confirmed group can be set.

  In the information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the acquisition unit further acquires, as device information, information related to second communication strength in communication between the second wireless communication devices included in the confirmed group, and the setting unit includes: When there is communication in which the second communication strength satisfies a predetermined condition, a new confirmed group can be set.

  In the information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the setting of the confirmed group by the setting unit is at least one of the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device included in the confirmed group as device information by the acquisition unit. This can be performed when change information regarding the change of the operation mode is acquired.

  A method for controlling an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention relates to at least a position of a plurality of wireless communication apparatuses that can operate in a first operation mode and a second operation mode and operate in any one of the operation modes. One provisional group including an acquisition step of acquiring device information including information, and a first wireless communication device operating in the first operation mode and a second wireless communication device operating in the second operation mode based on the information regarding the position A selection step of selecting at least two wireless communication devices to be associated with each other, and setting information regarding the configuration of the provisional group to the wireless communication device selected by the selection step, and each wireless communication device to which the setting information has been transmitted Communication step for receiving response information on whether or not setting is possible based on the setting information, and at least a provisional group according to the response information A setting step of setting one confirmed group including the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device from a plurality of included wireless communication terminals, and the communication step is included in one confirmed group, Communication is performed directly with one wireless communication device, and communication with at least the first wireless communication device is performed with the second wireless communication device.

  A control program for an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of wireless communication apparatuses that are operable in the first operation mode and the second operation mode and operate in any one of the operation modes. An acquisition function for acquiring device information including at least information related to a position, a first wireless communication device operating in a first operation mode, and a second wireless communication device operating in a second operation mode based on the information related to the position. A setting function for selecting at least two wireless communication devices to be associated as one provisional group, and setting information relating to the configuration of the provisional group to the wireless communication device selected by the selection function, and the setting information is transmitted A communication function for receiving response information regarding whether or not setting is possible based on the setting information from each wireless communication device, and at least a provisional group according to the response information. A setting function for setting one confirmed group including the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device from a plurality of wireless communication terminals included in the group, and the communication function is combined into one confirmed group. Communication is performed directly with the first wireless communication device included, and communication with at least the first wireless communication device is performed with the second wireless communication device.

  A wireless communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is a wireless communication apparatus that is operable in either one of the first operation mode and the second operation mode, and operates in any one of the operation modes. The first communication is performed directly with the information processing apparatus, and the second communication using a method different from the first communication is performed with another wireless communication apparatus, and the second operation mode is performed. In operation, the communication unit includes a communication unit that performs second communication with another wireless communication device, and the communication unit receives a second wireless communication device that operates in the first operation mode from the information processing device and a second wireless communication device. The setting information related to the configuration of one provisional group including the second wireless communication device operating in the operation mode is received, and response information related to the availability of the setting based on the setting information is transmitted to the information processing device.

  A method for controlling a wireless communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is a method for controlling a wireless communication apparatus that is operable in a first operation mode and a second operation mode and operates in any one of the operation modes. When the apparatus operates in the first operation mode, the first communication is directly performed with the information processing apparatus, and the first communication is performed with another wireless communication apparatus using a method different from the first communication. The second communication is performed and the second communication is performed with another wireless communication device when operating in the second operation mode. The information processing device operates in the first operation mode. Receiving setting information relating to the configuration of one provisional group including one wireless communication device and a second wireless communication device operating in the second operation mode, and transmitting response information relating to the availability of setting based on the setting information to the information processing device Including the steps of:

  A control program for a wireless communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is a control program for a wireless communication apparatus that is operable in either one of the first operation mode and the second operation mode, When the apparatus operates in the first operation mode, the first communication is directly performed with the information processing apparatus, and the first communication is performed with another wireless communication apparatus using a method different from the first communication. 2 is executed, and when operating in the second operation mode, a communication function for executing the second communication with another wireless communication device is realized, and the communication function is transmitted from the information processing device to the first operation. Receiving setting information related to the configuration of one provisional group including the first wireless communication device operating in the mode and the second wireless communication device operating in the second operation mode, and response information related to the availability of the setting based on the setting information, Send to information processing device Make.

  According to the present invention, an information processing apparatus capable of building and updating a communication network between meters in consideration of the ambient environment of the meter, a method for controlling the information processing apparatus, a control program for the information processing apparatus, a wireless communication apparatus, and a wireless communication apparatus And a control program for the wireless communication apparatus can be provided.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the communication system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the server (information processing apparatus) which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the radio | wireless communication apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. (A), (b) is a figure explaining the group structure of the radio | wireless communication apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the information processing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the wireless communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the information table of the radio | wireless communication apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. (A), (b) is a figure explaining the group structure of the radio | wireless communication apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a hardware block diagram which shows an example of the computer which implement | achieves the function of the information processing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 500 is a system for collecting information from meters installed in each home, company, facility, etc., and remotely controlling the meters. The measurement object to be measured by the meter is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, gas (city gas, LP gas), water supply, oil, electricity, or the like. In one embodiment of the present invention, the meter is not supplied with electric power from the outside but is driven by a storage battery provided therein, and its driving period is limited.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 500 includes a server (information processing device) 100, a meter 300 provided with a wireless communication device 200, and a network 400. As shown in the figure, the wireless communication device 200 may be connected to an input / output I / F outside the meter 300 and provided outside the meter 300 as a separate wireless communication device. Further, the wireless communication device 200 may be incorporated in the meter 300 as, for example, a communication board. In the communication system 500, the FAN 10 is configured by a plurality of wireless communication devices 200. In the example of the figure, the FAN 10A is constituted by the wireless communication devices 200Ba, 200Bb, 200Bc, and 200Bd. FAN10B is configured. Here, FAN 10A and FAN 10B may be distinguished by different areas, or may be distinguished by different meter managers. In the latter case, the areas may overlap (details will be described later). In the following description, unless there is a particular need for distinction, the letters in the reference numerals are omitted. Further, the number of wireless communication devices included in each FAN is not limited to the illustrated number.

  In each FAN 10, the wireless communication device 200a functions as a gateway (master device: first wireless communication device), and the other wireless communication devices 200b to 200d function as slave devices (second wireless communication devices). . Each wireless communication device 200 can operate as both a parent device and a child device. The wireless communication device 200a, which is the parent device, can directly communicate with the server 100 via the network 400 using the first communication method. Here, the first communication method is, for example, a communication method such as LTE, LTE-Advanced, fourth generation (4G), fifth generation (5G), or CDMA. The first communication method is a wireless communication method for IoT such as Category M, Category M1, and NB-IoT (Narrow Band IoT), and is a communication method that extends LTE. Note that the first communication method is not limited to these examples. The slave units 200b to 200d perform communication (data transmission) with other slave units and the master unit using the second communication method. The first communication method is, for example, a communication method (public radio) that requires a license in the Radio Law. Here, the second communication method is, for example, a specific low-power wireless method that performs communication using the 920 MHz band. The specific low-power radio system that communicates using the 920 MHz band is, for example, a communication system based on the Wi-SUN communication standard or a communication of a wireless communication standard that operates on IEEE 802.15.4 such as Zigbee (registered trademark). It is a method. Note that the second communication method is not limited to the 920 MHz band, and any communication band may be used for communication. The second communication method is, for example, a communication method that does not require a license under the Radio Law. For example, the first communication method and the second communication method are different from each other in frequency bands of radio waves used for communication.

  The server 100 has a function of configuring and updating the FAN based on the installation location of each meter 300 and the manager (operator). Here, “update” refers to changing the communication path between the wireless communication apparatuses 200 in the existing FAN or configuring a FAN in which the wireless communication apparatus 200 is newly incorporated. The server 100 also has a function as an IoT-PF (platform) that processes information of each meter 300 transmitted from each wireless communication device 200 and delivers necessary data to a meter administrator (not shown). The information of each meter 300 is the measurement value (meter reading value) of the measurement object, and indicates the amount used in the measurement object for a predetermined period (for example, one day, one week, one month, etc.) and the remaining amount of the measurement object. It may be data. Further, the information of each meter 300 may be data (for example, gas leakage) indicating an abnormality of the measurement target. In the figure, although two servers 100 are shown, the present invention is not limited to this. The server 100 may be any information processing device that can realize the functions described in the embodiments. For example, the server 100 may be a server device, a computer (for example, a desktop, a laptop, Tablet, etc.), communication platform, etc.

  Here, the necessity of FAN will be described as an example. As described above, FAN is a system that collects meter reading data and controls meters by forming a network with a plurality of smart meters in the field. By multi-hop communication between wireless communication devices in FAN, it becomes possible to transmit information of a meter installed in a place where it is difficult to reach a WAN radio wave to IoT-PF. In addition, since the storage battery of a meter is finite as mentioned above, each radio | wireless communication apparatus also does not supply electric power from the outside, and a drive period is finite. However, the master unit has standby power for accepting polling from the IoT-PF, and transmission power for transmitting a plurality of slave units connected to the own device and the meter reading values of the own device to the IoT-PF. The power consumption is larger than that of the slave unit.

  Here, in this embodiment, each wireless communication device constituting the FAN can operate as a parent device or a child device. Therefore, by rotating the role of the parent device in the FAN, a battery in the FAN is obtained. Expect smooth consumption. Therefore, assembling FANs between wireless communication devices is not only from the viewpoint of the communication environment, but also from the viewpoint of power consumption compared to the case where each wireless communication device communicates with IoT-PF in WAN. It is advantageous.

  The description of FIG. 1 is continued. The network 400 may include a wireless network and a wired network. Specifically, the network 400 includes a wireless LAN (WLAN), a wide area network (WAN), ISDNs (integrated service digital networks), wireless LANs, LTE (long term evolution), LTE-Advanced, 4th generation (4G), 5th generation (5G), code division multiple access (CDMA), and the like. The network 400 is not limited to these examples. For example, the public switched telephone network (PSTN), Bluetooth (Bluetooth (registered trademark)), optical line, ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber LINE) line, satellite A communication network or the like may be used, and any network may be used. The network 400 may be a combination of these. The network 400 may include a plurality of different networks that combine these examples. For example, the network 400 may include an LTE wireless network and a wired network such as an intranet that is a closed network.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the server 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the server 100 includes a control unit 110, a communication I / F unit 120, an input / output I / F unit 130, and a storage unit 140.

  First, the storage unit 140 is typically realized by various recording media such as an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), and a flash memory, and various programs necessary for the operation of the server 100 and It has a function of storing data. In addition, the storage unit 140 stores information about each FAN that communicates with the server 100 and information (device information) about the wireless communication device 200 and the meter 300 that configure each FAN. FIG. 7 shows an example of a table of FAN information stored in the storage unit 140. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the storage unit 140 includes a device ID, which is an identifier that can uniquely identify each wireless communication device 200, designation of a parent device / slave device for each wireless communication device 200, and the wireless communication device 200. Identification of position information, meter ID that is an identifier that can uniquely identify the meter 300, meter administrator ID related to the administrator of the meter 300, network ID required for the first communication method, and FAN that includes the wireless communication device 200 The network ID and the like necessary for the second communication method for storing are stored. Note that the information stored in the storage unit 140 is not limited to that illustrated and described above. The network ID necessary for the first communication method is, for example, an IP address or a telephone number. The network ID necessary for the second communication method is, for example, the FAN network ID.

  The control unit 110 is a processor having a function of controlling each unit of the server 100 using codes and instructions in the program. The control unit 110 includes a communication control unit 111, an acquisition unit 112, a selection unit 113, a setting unit 114, a determination unit 115, and an input / output control unit 116. The communication control unit 111 controls communication via the communication I / F unit 120. The communication I / F unit 120 is an interface connected to a communication device (not shown) such as an antenna. The communication I / F unit 120 has a function of communicating data with an external device such as the wireless communication device 200 via a communication line of a mobile communication network. The input / output control unit 116 controls connection with a display device (display, etc.) and an input / output device (keyboard, touch panel, etc.) (not shown) via the input / output I / F unit 130. The determination unit 115 performs various determination processes.

  The acquisition unit 112 acquires device information including at least information regarding the positions of the plurality of wireless communication devices 200 that are operable in the first operation mode and the second operation mode and operate in any one of the operation modes. Information regarding the position may be input by a installer of the meter 300 via a predetermined application. For example, when the installer installs the meter 300, the installation location of the meter 300 may be transmitted to the server 100 by an operation on a map information application activated by a tablet or a smartphone. Alternatively, GPS (Global Positioning System) information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 215 provided in the wireless communication apparatus 200 may be transmitted to the server 100.

  In addition, since it is preferable that FAN is comprised about the same meter 300, the acquisition part 112 is the administrator regarding the administrator linked | related with the information transmitted from the several radio | wireless communication apparatus 200 as apparatus information. Information may be acquired. Here, the information transmitted from the wireless communication apparatus 200 is the information of the meter 300 described above, and the administrator information related to the administrator associated with the information transmitted from the wireless communication apparatus 200 is the information of the meter 300. This is information related to the manager (management company). The manager information may be an identifier that can uniquely identify the manager of the meter 300, for example. The manager information can be transmitted from a wireless terminal such as a tablet or a smartphone held by the manager as appropriate when the meter is installed or when the manager of an existing meter is changed. For example, a QR code representing a device ID that can uniquely identify the meter 300 may be assigned to the meter 300, and the administrator may read the QR code with a wireless terminal and transmit the QR code to the server 100. Thereby, the association between the meter 300 and the manager is transmitted to the server 100 and stored in the storage unit 140.

  Moreover, since the communication quality in FAN is influenced by the surrounding environment of the radio | wireless communication apparatus 200, it is preferable to update FAN appropriately according to the change of surrounding environment. The acquisition unit 112 further acquires, as device information, information related to the first communication strength in communication between the server 100 and the wireless communication device (master device: first wireless communication device) 200 that operates in the first operation mode. May be. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 112 may acquire information regarding the second communication strength in communication between wireless communication devices (slave devices: second wireless communication devices) operating in the second operation mode as device information.

  The selection unit 113 is a provisional group including a first wireless communication device that operates in the first operation mode and a second wireless communication device that operates in the second operation mode based on the information regarding the position acquired by the acquisition unit 112. Select at least two wireless communication devices to be associated with. This will be described with reference to FIG.

  4A shows that the wireless communication devices 200a to 200e whose physical positions are close to each other are selected by the selection unit 113 and associated as the provisional group 11 based on the information regarding the positions. For example, the selection unit 113 can select the wireless communication device 200 based on a condition that 20 wireless communication devices of the operator A within a radius of 2 km in a certain area are selected. Note that the selection unit 113 also selects a wireless communication device that functions as the first wireless communication device (master device) and a wireless communication device that functions as the second wireless communication device (slave device) in the provisional group 11. Here, the parent device can be selected based on conditions such as good communication quality, new installation time, and a short distance from other wireless communication devices. In addition, it is assumed that information for establishing communication with each wireless communication device 200 is provided to the server 100 in advance by an installer or administrator. The information for establishing communication may be information such as a network ID, a USIM (Universal Subscriber Identity Module) of the wireless communication device 200, an eSIM (embedded SIM), and the like.

  The communication control unit 111 transmits setting information regarding the configuration of the temporary group including the designation of the parent device and the child device to each wireless communication device 200 selected as the temporary group 11 by the selection unit 113. The number of hops in multi-hop communication (specification of the connected child device) is also transmitted to the child device. For example, in FIG. 4, setting information transmitted to the wireless communication device 200a includes (1) designation information for causing the wireless communication devices 200b to 200e to function as a parent device, and (2) connection as a child device. The information regarding the connection destination of the radio communication apparatuses 200b to 200e to be performed is included. In addition, the setting information transmitted to the wireless communication device 200b includes at least (1) designation information for causing the wireless communication device 200a to function as a slave unit connected to the upper stage, and (2) connection to the lower stage of the own device. The information regarding the radio | wireless communication apparatus 200d which is a subunit | mobile_unit to be included is contained. The setting information is transmitted from the server 100 to each wireless communication device 200 using the first communication method. Here, in the example of FIG. 4A, there is a shield (for example, a wall) 50 around the wireless communication device 200e, which is favorable with other wireless communication devices 200 included in the provisional group 11. It is assumed that a communication path cannot be established. However, since the surrounding environment of the wireless communication device 200e cannot be grasped only by the information regarding the position, the selection unit 113 selects the provisional group 11.

  Here, when each wireless communication device 200 receives the setting information from the server 100, the wireless communication device 200 tries whether the setting based on the setting information is possible. For example, each wireless communication device 200 transmits, for example, a predetermined beacon signal to a child device designated to be connected to its own device, and waits for a response. The subunit | mobile_unit which received the beacon signal transmits a response signal with respect to the upper stage radio | wireless communication apparatus 200 which an own machine connects. The wireless communication device 200 designated as the parent device receives a response signal from the child device connected to the lower stage of the own device. Then, after a certain period of time has elapsed, the communication control unit 111 receives response information regarding whether or not setting is possible based on the setting information from each wireless communication device 200. Note that the response information may be transmitted from each wireless communication device 200 using the first communication method, or transmitted using the first communication method via the newly configured FAN base unit. Also good. Here, the radio communication device 200e cannot receive a beacon signal from another radio communication device 200 in the provisional group 11, or even if it can receive the beacon signal, the radio wave intensity is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value and configures the FAN. Suppose that the condition is not met. Therefore, the response signal from the wireless communication apparatus 200e is information indicating “No” with respect to the setting information.

  The setting unit 114 sets one confirmed group including the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device from at least a plurality of wireless communication terminals included in the provisional group according to the response information. In the example of FIG. 4B, the regular FAN 12 is configured by the wireless communication devices 200a to 200d. Information regarding the FAN 12 is stored in the storage unit 140. Then, the communication control unit 111 executes direct communication with the first wireless communication device (parent device) 200a included in the confirmed group FAN12, and communicates with the second wireless communication devices (child devices) 200b to 200d. In the meantime, communication via the first wireless communication device (master device) 200a is executed.

  Note that a plurality of conditions to which a predetermined priority is assigned may be included for the number of hops in multi-hop communication included in the setting information (specification of a slave unit to be connected). For example, in FIG. 4, as setting information transmitted to the radio communication device 200d, (1) designation information for causing the radio communication device 200b to function as a slave unit having the upper connection destination, and (2) the radio communication device 200c The designation information for causing it to function as the slave unit that is the upper connection destination may be transmitted with the priorities in the order of (1) and (2). First, the wireless communication device 200d tries to establish a communication path with the wireless communication device 200b as a connection destination, and the communication route is not established (there is no response from the wireless communication device 200b, the communication quality is below a predetermined threshold, etc.) ) Attempt to establish a communication path with the wireless communication device 200c as a connection destination. As the priority, for example, the wireless communication device 200 with a short distance as viewed from the wireless communication device 200d may be prioritized. Alternatively, the strength of the radio wave of the second communication method may be reflected in the priority. When the communication path is established, the communication control unit 111 receives information on the connection destination wireless communication device as response information from the wireless communication device 200d. When no communication path is established with any wireless communication device, response information “NO” is received for the setting information.

  As described above, since information related to a plurality of communication path candidates is transmitted to the wireless communication apparatus 200 that functions as a slave unit, an appropriate path according to the surrounding environment of the wireless communication apparatus 200 can be set. Become.

  Note that the wireless communication device 200e that is not included in the FAN 12 may be selected as the provisional group 13 with another wireless communication device, and may be set to be included in another FAN through the above-described processing. Alternatively, the wireless communication device 200e not included in the FAN 12 may be set to directly communicate with the IoT-PF using the first communication method without assembling the FAN. Note that the wireless communication apparatus 200 that cannot be set based on the setting information may retry setting based on the setting information (establishing a communication circuit) every predetermined period. Then, when the number of trials exceeds a predetermined number, it may be included in another FAN.

  As described above, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the FAN is provisionally configured based on the location information of the wireless communication apparatus 200, the FAN configuration is determined based on the response information, and an appropriate FAN configuration is determined. Explored. Accordingly, it is possible to configure the FAN in consideration of the actual surrounding environment. In addition, control for incorporation into another FAN may be performed on the wireless communication apparatus 200 that has not been incorporated into a certain FAN. Therefore, an efficient communication network can be configured without surplus installed meters.

  Note that the selection unit 113 may select the wireless communication device 200 having the same administrator as the wireless communication device associated with the provisional group based on the administrator information described above. Therefore, for example, in FIG. 4A, even if there is a wireless communication device (not shown) that can be included in the temporary group 11 due to the physical distance, it may not be selected as the temporary group 11. . Thereby, an appropriate FAN can be provided for each administrator.

  As described above, the setting information includes information specifying the wireless communication device that operates as the first wireless communication device and the wireless communication device that operates as the second wireless communication device. The communication control unit 111 receives, as response information, information related to its own operation mode (whether it operates as the first operation mode or the second operation mode) from each wireless communication device that has received the setting information. May be. In other words, the response information is information indicating whether or not the operation mode specified by the setting information has been realized. Accordingly, in actually configuring the FAN, it is possible to appropriately select a wireless communication device that functions as a parent device or a child device.

  Next, the wireless communication device 200 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a wireless communication apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the wireless communication apparatus 200 includes a control unit 210, a communication I / F unit 220, an input / output I / F unit 230, and a storage unit 240.

  The storage unit 240 is typically realized by various recording media such as an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), a flash memory, and the like, and various programs necessary for the operation of the wireless communication apparatus 200 and It has a function of storing data. The storage unit 240 stores, for example, a driver program, an operating system program, an application program, data, and the like used for various processes in the control unit 210. For example, the storage unit 240 stores, as a driver program, a communication driver program that executes an IEEE 802.11 standard wireless communication method or a mobile communication (cellular communication) wireless communication method. In addition, the storage unit 240 stores a connection control program for performing authentication or the like in the wireless communication method of the IEEE 802.11 standard or the wireless communication method of mobile communication (cellular communication). The storage unit 240 may store various information for connecting to a wireless LAN access point. Further, the storage unit 240 stores information on the meter and its own device (for example, meter ID, wireless communication device ID, location information, administrator information, network ID, USIM, eSIM information, etc.), and predetermined processing Temporary data (communication history, meter reading value by meter, FAN configuration data, etc.) may be temporarily stored.

  The control unit 210 has a function for executing a predetermined function by a code or an instruction in the program, and is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU). The control unit 210 may be, for example, a microprocessor, a multiprocessor, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field-programmable gate array), or the like. Note that the control unit 210 is not limited to these examples. The control unit 210 includes a communication control unit 211, an acquisition unit 212, a determination unit 216, and an input / output control unit 217.

  The communication control unit 211 controls communication with another wireless communication device or the server 100 via the communication I / F unit 220 and performs, for example, digital processing for data transmission / reception. The communication I / F unit 220 is a communication interface capable of transmitting / receiving data to / from other wireless communication devices 200 and the server 100 via the network 400. The communication I / F unit 220 is a communication interface capable of wireless communication, for example, and has a function of communicating via a wireless LAN access point and a function of communicating via a wireless communication network such as LTE or CDMA. May be included. Here, the communication I / F unit 220 includes a first communication unit 221 and a second communication unit 222. The first communication unit 221 and the second communication unit 222 are communication interfaces for communication using the above-described first communication method and second communication method, respectively.

  The input / output control unit 217 controls communication with the meter 300 via the input / output I / F unit 230. For example, when the meter 300 is a gas meter, the input / output I / F unit 230 is an interface of an N line or U bus that is a unique communication standard, and an interface that also supports U bus air that is a communication method between gas meters. It is. When the wireless communication apparatus 200 is realized as a communication board, the wireless communication apparatus 200 can be installed in an existing gas meter by providing the above-described interface. Note that the meter 300 is not limited to gas, and the input / output I / F unit 230 may be an interface for incorporation into a meter such as a water supply.

  The acquisition unit 212 includes a communication quality acquisition unit 213, a battery remaining amount acquisition unit 214, and a position information acquisition unit 215. The communication quality acquisition unit 213 acquires information related to communication quality between the own device and another wireless communication device 200 or the server 100. The information related to communication quality may be information related to received radio wave intensity, transmission / reception delay, and the like. That is, the communication quality acquisition unit 213 can acquire the radio wave intensity related to the first communication and the radio wave intensity related to the second communication. The remaining battery level acquisition unit 214 acquires information related to the remaining battery level of a battery (not shown) that supplies power to the wireless communication apparatus 200. The remaining battery level may be obtained from the voltage, temperature, etc., may be obtained from the communication history of the wireless communication apparatus 200, etc., or may be obtained by maintenance inspection by an administrator. The position information acquisition unit 215 acquires information (position information) related to the installation position of the wireless communication device 200. The location information may be acquired from the GPS signal by latitude or longitude, or may be acquired by inputting an address by an administrator at the time of installation.

  Next, the processing of the server 100 described above will be described using the flowchart of FIG. First, the acquisition unit 112 acquires device information including information regarding the position of each wireless communication device 200 (step S11). The selection unit 113 selects at least two wireless communication devices 200 to be associated as a provisional group (Step S12). The processing after step S12 may be performed every time device information is acquired by the acquisition unit 112, or a wireless communication device that newly configures a FAN corresponding to the device information acquired by the acquisition unit 112. It may be performed when the number of 200 becomes a predetermined number or more. The predetermined number may be set freely by the manager of the meter. The communication control unit 111 transmits setting information to the wireless communication device 200 selected by the selection unit 113 (step S13). And the response information regarding the propriety of the setting based on setting information is received from the radio | wireless communication apparatus 200 (step S14). The setting unit 114 sets the confirmed group that constitutes the FAN according to the response information (step S15). Information indicating that the setting is completed by the setting unit 114 is transmitted to each wireless communication device included in the FAN. Thereafter, the server 100 directly communicates with the wireless communication device (master) 200 in the first operation mode, and at least in the first operation mode with the wireless communication device 200 in the second operation mode. Communication is performed via the wireless communication device (parent device) 200 (step S16).

  Here, the process of the wireless communication apparatus 200 described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The communication control unit 211 receives setting information from the server 100 (step S21). The determination unit 216 determines whether the setting based on the setting information is possible (step S22). The determination unit 216 determines whether the setting based on the operation mode of the own apparatus 200 or the designation of the connection destination included in the setting information is possible. That is, communication is performed in the designated operation mode, and an attempt is made to establish a communication path with the connection destination. When the setting based on the setting information is possible (step S22: YES), the operation mode corresponding to the setting information is executed (step S23). If the setting based on the setting information is not possible (step S22: NO), an operation mode that is possible with the device itself is executed (step S24). Thereafter, response information is transmitted from the communication control unit 211 to the server 100 (step S25). It should be noted that the “operation mode that can be performed by the own device” described in step S24 may be the third mode, not the parent device or the child device. If NO in step S22, wireless communication apparatus 200 transmits response information to server 100 indicating that setting based on the setting information is impossible without executing the operation in step S24. Good. Alternatively, in the case of NO in step S22, the wireless communication device 200 indicates response information (for example, indicating the radio wave intensity of the first communication method or the radio wave intensity of the second communication method) to propose a possible execution mode. Information or the like) may be transmitted to the server 100.

  As described above, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the FAN is provisionally configured based on the location information and administrator information of the wireless communication device 200, and the FAN configuration is determined based on the response information. Accordingly, it is possible to configure the FAN in consideration of the actual surrounding environment.

  Note that the setting unit 114 sets a confirmed group configured as a FAN (that is, a series of processes by the selection unit, the communication control unit, and the setting unit among the above-described functional units). It may be performed when acquired. This will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 8A, when the FAN 12 is configured and operated, it is assumed that a meter including the wireless communication device 200f is newly installed. In this case, the acquisition unit 112 acquires device information of the wireless communication device 200f, and the selection unit 113 selects the wireless communication devices 200a to 200d and the wireless communication device 200f as one provisional group. The selection unit 113 selects a wireless communication device that functions as a parent device from the wireless communication devices 200a to 200f, and generates setting information for setting a multi-hop communication circuit having the parent device as a vertex. The generated setting information is transmitted to each of the wireless communication devices 200a to 200f. Each of the wireless communication devices 200a to 200f attempts to establish a communication path based on the setting information, and transmits response information regarding the constructed FAN 14 to the server 100. To do. In the example of FIG. 8B, the FAN 14 is constructed with the wireless communication device 200f as a new parent device. Then, information about the new FAN 14 is stored in the storage unit 140.

  Thus, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the existing FAN configuration is updated with the participation of a new meter. At that time, a FAN is provisionally assembled and the FAN is constructed in consideration of the ambient environment of the meter, so that it is possible to prevent power consumption by a circuit with low communication quality.

  When new device information is acquired by the acquisition unit 112, the provisional group does not necessarily include all the wireless communication devices that constitute the existing FAN. The new wireless communication device 200f and the existing FAN are not necessarily included. A provisional group may be configured with some of the wireless communication devices constituting the network.

  When new device information is acquired by the acquisition unit 112, the server 100 may use only the added new wireless communication device 200f as a provisional member. For example, the server 100 transmits setting information that causes only the wireless communication device 200f to function as a slave unit. The wireless communication device 200 f can attempt to establish communication according to the setting information transmitted from the server 100 and return response information to the server 100. When establishment of communication fails, it may be set to directly communicate with the server 100 by the first communication method (WAN), or processing for incorporation into another FAN may be tried.

  Here, the criteria for selecting which wireless communication device to be the next parent device when the parent device is replaced in FAN will be described. Regardless of the remaining battery level, each wireless communication device 200 is operated to be replaced after 10 years from installation. Therefore, as the selection criteria for the parent device, the next parent device is selected in consideration of not only the remaining battery level, radio wave intensity, and communication frequency, but also “how many years the wireless communication device will reach in 10 years” To do. That is, the server 100 selects the parent device based on the remaining battery level, the radio wave intensity, the communication frequency, and the number of years that have elapsed since installation. For example, when there are two parent device candidates whose remaining battery level, radio wave intensity, and communication frequency are substantially equal to each other, the server 100 preferentially selects the wireless communication device 200 that has been installed for a long time as the parent device. May be.

  This will be described using a specific example. First, it is assumed that there are two wireless communication devices 200G and 200H as candidates for the next parent device, and there is no difference in radio wave intensity and communication frequency between them. The wireless communication device 200G is “one year has passed since installation (remaining nine years) and the remaining battery level is 90%”, and the wireless communication device 200H is “eight years have elapsed since installation (remaining two years) and the remaining battery amount is 50%”. When the remaining battery level is used as a reference, the wireless communication device 200G having a remaining battery level of 90% can be selected as the next parent device. However, the wireless communication device 200H is replaced in the remaining two years, and the phenomenon of consuming 50% of the battery in the remaining two years is unlikely to occur. On the other hand, the wireless communication device 200G has a long remaining year, and there is a possibility that radio wave intensity will be weakened in the future and a large amount of power will be required for communication. Therefore, the power of the entire FAN can be used more efficiently when the wireless communication device 200H is selected as the parent device than the wireless communication device 200G.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make various modifications and corrections based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these variations and modifications are included in the scope of the present invention. For example, the functions included in each means, each step, etc. can be rearranged so as not to be logically contradictory, and a plurality of means, steps, etc. can be combined into one or divided. . The structures described in the above embodiments may be combined as appropriate. For example, each component described as being included in the server 100 may be realized by being distributed by a plurality of servers. Further, the processing described as the function of the server 100 may be performed by the wireless communication device 200. Conversely, the processing that is performed by the wireless communication apparatus 200 may be performed by the server 100.

  Specifically, the remaining battery level of the meter 300, the communication quality of the wireless communication device 200, and the like may be determined by the server 100. Further, the parent device that has collected the information on the child device may determine the remaining battery level, communication quality, and the like.

  Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the above description, the aspect in which the information related to the FAN is stored in the storage unit 140 of the server 100 or the storage unit 240 of the wireless communication device 200 has been described, but the various types of information are different from the server 100 and the wireless communication device 200. May be stored as a database.

  Moreover, although the aspect which performs the multihop communication in FAN by the tree structure was demonstrated above, a mesh structure may be sufficient. Further, the FAN may be updated using a change in communication quality of the communication path or a change in the operation mode of the wireless communication apparatus 200 as a trigger. Alternatively, the number of wireless communication devices 200 included in the FAN may be updated (divided) with a trigger that the upper limit of the number of individuals constituting the FAN has been reached. Furthermore, it is good also as a trigger when the manager of a meter is changed.

  Here, a case where the FAN is updated using a change in communication quality of the communication path as a trigger will be described. For example, when the FAN 10A shown in FIG. 1 is configured and operated, the communication quality of the communication path of the wireless communication device 200Aa that is the parent device is, for example, the installation of a shielding object, a decrease in the remaining battery level, or a device failure Suppose that it worsened by such as. This can be detected by, for example, the server 100 from the radio wave intensity, device information, and the like. In this case, as described above, the server 100 performs the process of replacing the master unit in the FAN 10A (that is, the process of selecting the master unit based on the remaining battery level, the radio wave intensity, the communication frequency, and the number of years since installation). It can be carried out. Alternatively, the selection unit 113 of the server 100 selects a wireless communication device included in the FAN 10A and another wireless communication device that is close in distance as a provisional group, and selects a wireless communication device that functions as a parent device as described above. Then, setting information for setting a multi-hop communication circuit having the parent device as the apex may be generated. Alternatively, it is tried whether or not the wireless communication device included in the FAN 10A can be incorporated into another FAN (for example, the FAN 10B in FIG. 1), and may be incorporated into the FAN 10B if possible. Although the communication quality of the parent device has been described above, the same processing may be performed for the communication quality of the child device. For example, when the communication quality of the upper child device deteriorates, the FAN may be updated so that the lower child device connected to the child device is connected to another child device.

  Note that the change in the communication quality of the communication path includes not only a deterioration but also a case where the communication quality is improved. For example, there is a possibility that a wireless communication apparatus that cannot operate as a base unit with a shielding object such as a wall in the surroundings can improve communication quality by removing the shielding object. In this case, the server 100 can configure a FAN that operates the wireless communication apparatus as a parent device, or can update the FAN to which the wireless communication apparatus belongs.

  In addition, a case will be described in which the FAN is updated with a change in the operation mode of the wireless communication apparatus 200 as a trigger. For example, an administrator may switch a wireless communication device functioning as a child device to a parent device or switch a wireless communication device functioning as a parent device to a child device. In this case, when the server 100 receives the information related to the change of the operation mode of the wireless communication apparatus, the server 100 can update the FAN or configure a new FAN by the above-described processing.

  Each functional unit of the server 100 may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) or a dedicated circuit formed in an integrated circuit (IC (Integrated Circuit) chip, LSI (Large Scale Integration)) or the like, or a CPU (Central It may be realized by software using a Processing Unit. Each functional unit may be realized by one or a plurality of integrated circuits, and the functions of the plurality of functional units may be realized by a single integrated circuit.

  FIG. 9 shows a hardware configuration showing an example of a computer 20 capable of realizing the server 100 in the present embodiment. When each function unit of the server 100 is realized by software, the server 100 records the CPU 24 that executes instructions of a program that is software that realizes each function, and the above-described program and various data are readable by a computer (or CPU). Further, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 26 or a storage device (these are referred to as “recording media”) 27, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 25 for expanding the program, and the like are provided. Then, the computer 20 (or the CPU 24) reads the program from the recording medium and executes it to achieve the object of the present invention. That is, in the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present invention, when the CPU 24 executes a program loaded on the RAM 25, the communication control unit 111, the acquisition unit 112, the selection unit 113, the setting unit 114, the determination unit 115, and the input / output It functions as the control unit 116. As the recording medium, a “non-temporary tangible medium” such as a semiconductor memory or a programmable logic circuit can be used. The program may be supplied to the computer via an arbitrary transmission medium (such as a communication network or a broadcast wave) that can transmit the program. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program is embodied by electronic transmission.

  Note that the above programs are, for example, script languages such as ActionScript, JavaScript (registered trademark), Python, Ruby, object-oriented programming languages such as C language, C ++, C #, Objective-C, Swift, Java (registered trademark), It can be implemented using a markup language such as HTML5.

100 server (information processing device)
200 Wireless communication device 300 Meter 400 Network 500 Communication system 10 FAN
11, 13 Provisional group FAN
12 Final group FAN
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 Control part 111 Communication control part 112 Acquisition part 113 Selection part 114 Setting part 115 Determination part 116 Input / output control part 120 Communication I / F part 130 Input / output I / F part 140 Storage part 50 Shielding object 210 Control part 211 Communication control part 212 acquisition unit 213 communication quality acquisition unit 214 battery remaining amount acquisition unit 215 position information acquisition unit 216 determination unit 217 input / output control unit 220 communication I / F unit 221 first communication unit 222 second communication unit 230 input / output I / F unit 240 storage unit

Claims (14)

An acquisition unit that acquires device information including information on at least positions of a plurality of wireless communication devices that are operable in the first operation mode and the second operation mode and operate in any one of the operation modes;
At least two wireless communication devices that are associated as a provisional group including a first wireless communication device that operates in the first operation mode and a second wireless communication device that operates in the second operation mode based on the information on the position A selection section for selecting
Setting information related to the configuration of the provisional group is transmitted to the wireless communication device selected by the selection unit, and response information related to the availability of setting based on the setting information is transmitted from each wireless communication device that has received the setting information. A communication unit to receive,
A setting unit configured to set one confirmed group including the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device from at least a plurality of wireless communication terminals included in the provisional group according to the response information;
With
The communication unit directly communicates with the first wireless communication device included in the one confirmed group, and at least the first wireless communication device with the second wireless communication device An information processing apparatus that executes communication via a network. The acquisition unit further acquires administrator information related to an administrator associated with information transmitted from the plurality of wireless communication devices as the device information,
The selection unit selects a wireless communication device having the same administrator based on the administrator information;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The communication unit transmits, as the setting information, information specifying a wireless communication device operating as the first wireless communication device and a wireless communication device operating as the second wireless communication device to the wireless communication device; As the response information, information related to the operation mode of the wireless communication device is received.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The communication unit transmits, as the setting information, information related to the priority of a connection destination when functioning as the second operation mode to the wireless communication apparatus, and the response information is set based on the priority. Receive information about availability,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The selection unit selects a wireless communication device that is inoperable in the operation mode specified in the setting information as a wireless communication device associated with another provisional group.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is an information processing apparatus. The setting of the confirmed group by the setting unit is performed when new device information is acquired by the acquisition unit.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is an information processing apparatus. The acquisition unit further acquires, as the device information, information related to a first communication strength in communication with the first wireless communication device included in the confirmed group,
The setting unit sets a new confirmed group when the first communication strength satisfies a predetermined condition.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is an information processing apparatus. The acquisition unit further acquires, as the device information, information related to second communication strength in communication between the second wireless communication devices included in the confirmed group,
The setting unit sets a new confirmed group when there is communication in which the second communication strength satisfies a predetermined condition.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is an information processing apparatus. The setting of the confirmed group by the setting unit is a change related to the change of the operation mode of at least one of the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device included in the confirmed group by the acquiring unit as the device information. Done when information is obtained,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is an information processing apparatus. An acquisition step of acquiring device information including information on at least positions of a plurality of wireless communication devices operable in the first operation mode and the second operation mode and operating in any one of the operation modes;
At least two wireless communication devices that are associated as a provisional group including a first wireless communication device that operates in the first operation mode and a second wireless communication device that operates in the second operation mode based on the information on the position A selection step to select,
Setting information related to the configuration of the provisional group is transmitted to the wireless communication device selected in the selection step, and response information related to the availability of setting based on the setting information is transmitted from each wireless communication device that has received the setting information. A communication step to receive;
A setting step of setting one confirmed group including the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device from at least a plurality of wireless communication terminals included in the provisional group according to the response information;
Including
The communication step executes communication directly with the first wireless communication device included in the one determined group, and at least the first wireless communication device with the second wireless communication device. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus that performs communication via a network. In the information processing device,
An acquisition function for acquiring device information including information on at least positions of a plurality of wireless communication devices operable in the first operation mode and the second operation mode and operating in any one of the operation modes;
At least two wireless communication devices that are associated as a provisional group including a first wireless communication device that operates in the first operation mode and a second wireless communication device that operates in the second operation mode based on the information on the position A selection function to select
Setting information related to the configuration of the provisional group is transmitted to the wireless communication device selected by the selection function, and response information related to the availability of setting based on the setting information is transmitted from each wireless communication device that has received the setting information. The communication function to receive,
A setting function for setting one confirmed group including the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device from at least a plurality of wireless communication terminals included in the provisional group according to the response information;
Realized,
The communication function executes communication directly with the first wireless communication device included in the one determined group, and at least the first wireless communication device with the second wireless communication device. A control program for an information processing apparatus that executes communication via a computer. A wireless communication device operable in any one of the operation modes and operable in the first operation mode and the second operation mode,
When operating in the first operation mode, the first communication is directly performed with the information processing apparatus, and the second communication is performed with another wireless communication apparatus using a method different from the first communication. A communication unit that executes the second communication with another wireless communication device when operating in the second operation mode,
The communication unit is
Receiving, from the information processing device, setting information relating to a configuration of one provisional group including a first wireless communication device operating in the first operation mode and a second wireless communication device operating in the second operation mode; A wireless communication apparatus that transmits response information regarding whether or not setting is possible based on setting information to the information processing apparatus. A method for controlling a wireless communication device that is operable in a first operation mode and a second operation mode and operates in any one of the operation modes,
When the wireless communication device operates in the first operation mode, the wireless communication device directly performs first communication with an information processing device, and differs from the first communication with another wireless communication device. Performing second communication using a method, and performing the second communication with another wireless communication device when operating in the second operation mode,
Receiving, from the information processing device, setting information relating to a configuration of one provisional group including a first wireless communication device operating in the first operation mode and a second wireless communication device operating in the second operation mode; A method for controlling a wireless communication device, comprising: transmitting response information related to availability of setting based on setting information to the information processing device. A control program for a wireless communication apparatus that is operable in the first operation mode and the second operation mode and operates in any one of the operation modes,
In the wireless communication device,
When operating in the first operation mode, the first communication is directly performed with the information processing apparatus, and the second communication is performed with another wireless communication apparatus using a method different from the first communication. A communication function for executing the second communication with another wireless communication device when operating in the second operation mode,
The communication function is
Receiving, from the information processing apparatus, setting information related to a configuration of one provisional group including a first wireless communication apparatus operating in the first operation mode and a second wireless communication apparatus operating in the second operation mode; A control program for a wireless communication apparatus, which causes response information related to availability of setting based on setting information to be transmitted to the information processing apparatus.

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