JP2020127238A - Wireless system, wireless apparatus, communication program, and communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a wireless apparatus, a communication program, and a communication method that can communicate with various apparatuses.SOLUTION: In a method, connection is established between a first apparatus and a second apparatus by setting the first apparatus as a master and the second apparatus as a slave, and wireless communication is performed. The second apparatus includes transmission means for wirelessly transmitting data by broadcast or multicast, and reception means for wirelessly receiving data transmitted by broadcast or multicast. Wireless communication is performed without establishing connection with another apparatus by repeating a transmission process by the transmission means in a state connected with the first apparatus as the slave and a reception process by the reception means, and repeats the transmission process and the reception process while changing at least any one of an execution period of the transmission process, timing to perform the transmission process, an execution period of the reception process, and timing to perform the reception process.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

The present invention relates to a wireless system capable of communicating with a plurality of devices, a wireless device, a communication program, and a communication method.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, there are devices that perform wireless communication in a short distance (for example, Patent Document 1). For example, in communication according to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard, one device serves as a master and another device serves as a slave to form one network for communication.

JP, 2014-17989, A

However, in the conventional wireless communication, there is room for improvement in that a device connected to a certain device communicates with various devices.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of communicating with various devices.

The present invention adopts the following configurations in order to solve the above problems.

One example of the present invention is a wireless system including a plurality of devices capable of wireless communication, wherein the wireless system includes a first device, a second device, a third device, and a fourth device. Including equipment. The first device and the second device establish a connection between the first device and the second device by using the first device as a master and the second device as a slave. Wireless communication. The fourth device and the third device establish a connection between the fourth device and the third device by using the fourth device as a master and the third device as a slave. Wireless communication. The second device wirelessly communicates with the third device in a state of being connected to the first device as a slave and being connected to the fourth device as a slave.

According to the above, the second device operating as the slave of the first device can communicate with the third device operating as the slave of the fourth device.

Here, “establishing a connection” means a state in which one device is connected to another device after the information necessary for the connection is transmitted and the information is exchanged (connected state). Means that. In the connected state, the two devices communicate with each other based on the information exchanged when the connection is established.

In one embodiment, the second device may include a transmitting unit that wirelessly transmits data by broadcast or multicast, and a receiving unit that wirelessly receives the data transmitted by broadcast or multicast. The second device is connected to the fourth device as a slave by executing the transmission process by the transmission means and the reception process by the reception device while being connected to the first device as a slave. It communicates with the third device in the state.

According to the above, the second device operating as the slave of the first device can communicate with the third device operating as the slave of the fourth device by transmitting and receiving data by broadcasting. You can

Here, the "broadcast" includes a broadcast to an unspecified device (all devices within a communicable range) and a broadcast to a limited unspecified device. A "limited unspecified device" is a device that does not uniquely specify the device (though it does not specify the unique address assigned to the device), but has a common attribute or a device in a common state. ..

In one embodiment, the second device is not connected to the third device, and wirelessly communicates with the third device connected to the fourth device as a slave. You may transmit or receive predetermined data.

According to the above, the second device can communicate with the third device operating as a slave of the fourth device without connecting to the third device.

In one embodiment, the second device may transmit or receive data used in an application as the predetermined data.

In one embodiment, the second device may transmit or receive data used in a game as the predetermined data.

In one embodiment, the second device may transmit or receive data relating to content reproduced by an application as the predetermined data.

According to the above, the data used in the application (including the game) and the data related to the content (for example, image and sound) reproduced by the application are exchanged between the second device and the third device. be able to. That is, the second device, which is connected to the first device as a slave, can transmit and/or receive the data, to and from the third device, which is connected to the fourth device as a slave.

In one embodiment, the second device repeatedly performs the transmission process by the transmission unit and the reception process by the reception unit in a state of being connected to the first device, and thus the second device acts as a slave. The wireless communication may be performed without establishing the connection with the third device in the state of being connected to the fourth device.

Based on the above, the second device can communicate with the third device without establishing a connection.

In one embodiment, the data transmitted by the broadcast or multicast may be data for establishing a connection with another device.

Based on the above, it is possible to establish a connection with another device by transmitting broadcast or multicast data.

In one embodiment, the second device connected to the first device as a slave establishes a connection with the third device connected to the fourth device as a slave. However, wireless communication may be performed with the third device while maintaining the connection.

According to the above, the second device connected to the first device as a slave establishes a connection with the third device connected to the fourth device as a slave and communicates with the third device. You can

In one embodiment, the second device connected to the first device as a slave establishes a connection with the third device connected to the fourth device as a slave. However, wireless communication with the third device may be performed without disconnecting the connection.

According to the above, the second device connected to the first device as a slave establishes a connection with the third device connected to the fourth device as a slave and communicates with the third device. You can

In one embodiment, the second device repeatedly executes the transmission process by the transmission unit and the reception process by the reception unit in a state of being connected to the first device, whereby the second device Wireless communication may be performed with other devices around the device.

According to the above, the second device can communicate with other devices in the vicinity of itself by repeatedly performing the transmission process and the reception process by the broadcast while being connected to the first device. it can.

In one embodiment, the second device repeatedly executes the transmitting process by the transmitting unit and the receiving process by the receiving unit to search for another device around the second device, A connection may be established between the third device detected as a slave and connected to the fourth device as the slave.

According to the above, the second device searches for the third device by repeatedly performing the transmission process and the reception process by the broadcast in the state of being connected to the first device, and the fourth device as the slave. A connection can be established with the third device in the state of being connected to.

In one embodiment, at least one of an execution period of the transmission process, a timing of executing the transmission process, an execution period of the reception process, and a timing of execution of the reception process may be variable.

In one embodiment, at least one of an execution period of the transmission process, a timing of executing the transmission process, an execution period of the reception process, and a timing of execution of the reception process may be set at random.

Based on the above, by repeatedly performing the transmission process and the reception process, for example, the transmission timing of one device and the reception timing of the other device can be matched.

In one embodiment, the second device may alternately and repeatedly perform the transmitting process and the receiving process. In the case of “repeating the transmission process and the reception process alternately and alternately” here, the transmission process and the reception process may be alternately performed with a pause period interposed between the transmission process and the reception process.

Based on the above, for example, the time until the transmission timing of one device and the reception timing of the other device match can be shortened.

In one embodiment, at least one of the transmission processing and the reception processing, the transmission processing and the transmission processing, and/or the reception processing and the reception processing includes the transmission processing and the reception processing. There may be a sleep period during which neither of the reception processes is performed.

According to the above, since the sleep period in which neither the transmission process nor the reception process is performed is provided, power consumption can be suppressed.

In one embodiment, the sleep period may be variable.

In one embodiment, the sleep period may be set randomly.

Based on the above, by repeatedly performing the transmission process and the reception process, for example, the transmission timing of one device and the reception timing of the other device can be matched.

In one embodiment, the second device may wirelessly communicate with the third device in a state of being connected to the fourth device as a slave without an instruction from the first device.

According to the above, the second device can communicate with the third device without an instruction from the first device.

In one embodiment, the first device and the second device may repeatedly perform synchronous communication in a state where the first device and the second device are connected.

According to the above, the first device and the second device synchronously communicate in the connected state. That is, the transmission side and the reception side perform communication at the same timing. As a result, communication can be efficiently performed, and power consumption can be suppressed by providing a period in which both devices are in neither the receiving state nor the transmitting state.

In one embodiment, the wireless system may include allowable period setting means for setting an allowable period for connection between the first device and the second device. The second device has a determination unit that determines whether to perform the synchronous communication with the first device based on the allowable period in a state of being connected to the first device. May be.

According to the above, the allowable period is provided for the connection between the first device and the second device. Therefore, for example, the second device can be prevented from performing the synchronous communication with the first device, and the power consumption of the second device can be reduced as compared with the case where the synchronous communication must be performed. Can be suppressed.

Here, the "permissible period" may mean time, or may mean the number of times that communication with the second device may not be performed.

In one embodiment, the first device may include the allowable period setting means.

Based on the above, the first device can set the allowable period.

In one embodiment, the second device may include allowable period changing means for transmitting a change request for changing the allowable period while being connected to the first device.

Based on the above, the second device can request the first device to change the allowable period.

In one embodiment, the first device may repeatedly send predetermined data to the second device at predetermined time intervals as the synchronous communication in a state of being connected to the second device. The second device may return a response to the first device in response to receiving the predetermined data transmitted from the first device at a predetermined time interval. The allowable period setting means sets the number of times of the response as the allowable period, and the second device sets the number of times that the response is not returned to the first device, the number of times set by the allowable period setting device. When the number of times exceeds or the number of times set by the allowable period setting means is reached, the response may be returned to the first device.

According to the above, since the second device can prevent the response from being returned to the first device, power consumption can be suppressed and the risk of disconnection from the first device is avoided. can do.

In one embodiment, the second device may perform wireless communication with the third device connected to the fourth device as a slave during the allowable period.

According to the above, the second device can communicate with the third device while maintaining the connection with the first device.

In one embodiment, the second device may include a transmitting unit that wirelessly transmits data by broadcast or multicast, and a receiving unit that wirelessly receives the data transmitted by broadcast or multicast. The second device repeatedly executes the transmission process by the transmission unit and the reception process by the reception unit during the allowable period, thereby the third device in a state of being connected to the fourth device as a slave. May be wirelessly communicated with.

According to the above, the second device can communicate with the third device during the allowable period, and can communicate with the third device while maintaining the connection with the first device.

In one embodiment, the second device establishes a connection with the third device in a state of being connected to the fourth device as a slave during the allowable period, and connects the third device to the third device. Wireless communication may be performed with the third device in the connected state.

According to the above, the second device can communicate with the third device during the allowable period, and can communicate with the third device while maintaining the connection with the first device. it can.

In one embodiment, the second device is connected to the fourth device as a slave at a timing different from a timing at which the synchronous communication between the first device and the second device is performed. Wireless communication may be performed with the third device in the state.

According to the above, the second device can communicate with the third device at a timing other than the timing for performing the synchronous communication with the first device, and for example, maintain the connection with the first device. Meanwhile, it is possible to communicate with the third device.

In one embodiment, the first device and the second device may repeatedly perform synchronous communication, and the fourth device and the third device may repeatedly perform synchronous communication.

According to the above, the first device and the second device can perform synchronous communication, and the third device and the fourth device can perform synchronous communication. Thereby, for example, communication of each device can be performed efficiently and power consumption can be suppressed.

In one embodiment, the wireless communication system includes a synchronous communication between the first device and the second device and a synchronous communication between the fourth device and the third device. An adjusting unit for adjusting the timing of synchronous communication of at least one of the above may be further provided.

According to the above, adjusting the timing of synchronous communication between the first device and the second device and the timing of synchronous communication between the fourth device and the third device. You can

In one embodiment, the second device may comprise the adjusting means.

According to the above, the second device can adjust the timing of the synchronous communication.

In one embodiment, the adjusting unit controls the timing of synchronous communication between the first device and the second device and the timing of synchronous communication between the fourth device and the third device. You may adjust so that and are close to each other.

According to the above, the timing of the synchronous communication between the first device and the second device and the timing of the synchronous communication between the fourth device and the third device are close to each other. Can be adjusted to. This allows efficient communication between the second device and the third device. That is, by synchronizing the two synchronous communication timings, a period during which the second device does not perform synchronous communication with the first device and a period during which the third device does not perform synchronous communication with the fourth device. Can be duplicated. During this overlapping period, the second device and the third device can communicate with each other.

In one embodiment, the wireless system may include allowable period setting means for setting an allowable period for connection between the first device and the second device. The second device includes a determination unit that determines whether to perform synchronous communication with the first device based on the allowable period in a state of being connected to the first device. Good. The adjusting means may perform synchronous communication between the first device and the second device so that synchronous communication between the first device and the second device is performed in the allowable period. Also, the timing of at least one of the synchronous communication between the third device and the fourth device may be adjusted.

According to the above, for example, the timing of the synchronous communication can be adjusted while avoiding the risk of disconnection between the first device and the second device.

In one embodiment, the second device may include the adjusting means. The third device may transmit information indicating the timing of the synchronous communication with the fourth device. The second device may adjust the timing of the synchronous communication performed with the first device based on the information transmitted from the third device.

According to the above, the second device can receive from the third device information on the timing of synchronous communication between the third device and the fourth device, and based on the information, the timing of synchronous communication. Can be adjusted.

In one embodiment, in a state where the first device and the second device are connected, the first device and the second device may repeatedly perform synchronous communication. The second device is more than the wireless communication between the second device and the third device at the timing when the synchronous communication between the first device and the second device is performed. The wireless communication with the first device may be preferentially performed.

According to the above, the second device can preferentially perform communication with the first device. For example, while communicating with the first device so that the connection with the first device is not released, It is possible to communicate with a third device.

In one embodiment, the wireless system may include allowable period setting means for setting an allowable period for connection between the first device and the second device. The second device, in a state where the second device is connected to the first device, based on the allowable period, a determination unit that determines whether to perform synchronous communication with the first device; At least one of communication with the third device and communication with the first device is controlled so that synchronous communication is performed between the first device and the second device during a period. It may have a communication control means.

Based on the above, the second device can communicate with the third device while avoiding the risk of being disconnected from the first device.

In one embodiment, the second device may include a transmitting unit that wirelessly transmits data by broadcast or multicast, and a receiving unit that wirelessly receives the data transmitted by broadcast or multicast. Further, the second device repeatedly executes the transmission process by the transmission unit and the reception process by the reception unit in a state of being connected to the first device as a slave, and thereby the fourth device as a slave. Wireless communication may be performed without establishing a connection with the connected third device. When the timing of synchronous communication with the first device and the timing of wireless communication with the third device overlap, the second device prioritizes synchronous communication with the first device. You may go.

According to the above, the second device can communicate with the third device by transmitting and receiving data by broadcast, and at the timing when the synchronous communication with the first device is performed, the second device can communicate with the first device. Communication can be prioritized. Thereby, for example, the second device can communicate with the third device while communicating with the first device so that the connection with the first device is not released.

In one embodiment, the second device establishes a connection as the slave with the third device in a state of being connected to the fourth device, and in a state of being connected to the third device, the second device is connected to the third device. 3 may be wirelessly communicated with the device. The second device communicates with the first device when the timing of the synchronous communication with the first device and the timing of the wireless communication in the connection with the third device overlap. May be given priority.

According to the above, the second device can establish a connection and communicate with the third device, and at the timing when the synchronous communication with the first device is performed, the second device can communicate with the third device more than The communication with the first device can be preferentially performed. Thereby, for example, the second device can communicate with the third device while communicating with the first device so that the connection with the first device is not released.

In one embodiment, the wireless system may include second allowable period setting means for setting a second allowable period for connection between the second device and the third device. The second device and the third device may perform synchronous communication with the second device and the third device in a state of being connected to each other. The third device has a determination unit that determines whether to perform synchronous communication with the second device based on the second allowable period in a state of being connected to the second device. You may. The second device communicates with the third device or the first device so that synchronous communication is performed between the second device and the third device in the second allowable period. It may have a communication control means for controlling at least one of the communication with.

According to the above, for example, the second device can control the communication with the third device and the communication with the first device so that the connection with the third device is not released.

In one embodiment, the second device sets a time interval of synchronous communication in a connection with the third device, and performs synchronous communication with the third device at the set time interval. The communication with the first device may be preferentially performed by adjusting the time interval of the synchronous communication with the third device.

According to the above, the second device communicates with the first device in a period in which the synchronous communication with the third device is not performed, for example, by increasing the time interval of the synchronous communication with the third device. Therefore, the communication with the first device can be preferentially performed.

In one embodiment, the wireless system includes second allowable period setting means for setting a second allowable period for connection between the second device and the third device, the fourth device, and the fourth device. Third permission period setting means for setting a third permission period for connection with the third device may be included. The third device has a determination unit that determines whether to perform synchronous communication with the second device based on the second allowable period in a state of being connected to the second device. You may. The fourth device may execute synchronous communication with the third device while being connected to the third device. The third device may determine whether to perform synchronous communication with the fourth device based on the third allowable period in a state of being connected to the fourth device. The third device may execute the synchronous communication with the fourth device with priority over the synchronous communication with the second device.

According to the above, the second device and the third device are connected, and the second allowable period is set for this connection. The third device and the fourth device are connected, and the third allowable period is set for this connection. Then, the third device performs synchronous communication with the fourth device during the third allowable period, and performs synchronous communication with the fourth device with priority over synchronous communication with the second device. Execute. As a result, the third device can avoid the risk of being disconnected from the fourth device.

In one embodiment, the third device may include third allowable period changing means for transmitting a change request for changing the third allowable period to the fourth device.

Based on the above, the third device can cause the fourth device to change the third allowable period.

In one embodiment, the second device may include interval setting means for setting an interval of wireless communication. The second device establishes a connection as a slave with the third device connected to the fourth device, and after establishing the connection, at the interval set by the interval setting means. Wireless communication is performed between the second device and the third device.

According to the above, the second device can communicate with the third device at the set interval.

In one embodiment, the wireless system may include allowable period setting means for setting an allowable period for connection between the first device and the second device. The second device includes a determination unit that determines whether to perform synchronous communication with the first device based on the allowable period in a state of being connected to the first device. Good. The interval setting means sets an interval of wireless communication between the second device and the third device based on a permissible period of connection between the first device and the second device. May be.

According to the above, the second device can set the communication interval with the third device based on the allowable period in the connection with the first device.

In one embodiment, the interval setting means of the second device sets a time interval of communication with the third device according to a communication situation between the first device and the second device. You may.

According to the above, the second device can communicate with the third device at a time interval according to the communication status between the first device and the second device.

In one embodiment, the wireless system may include second allowable period setting means for setting a second allowable period for connection between the second device and the third device. The third device has a determination unit that determines whether to perform synchronous communication with the second device based on the second allowable period in a state of being connected to the second device. You may. The second permissible period setting means may set the second permissible period according to a communication state between the first device and the second device.

Based on the above, it is possible to set the second permissible period in accordance with the state of communication between the first device and the second device. For example, depending on the communication status between the first device and the second device, it is possible to lengthen or shorten the permissible period in the connection between the second device and the third device.

In one embodiment, the first device and the second device perform synchronous communication at a first time interval, and while the second device is connected to the first device, As a slave, establishes a connection with the third device in a state of being connected to the fourth device, and performs synchronous communication with the third device at a second time interval different from the first time interval. You may go.

Based on the above, it is possible to make the time interval of the synchronous communication between the first device and the second device different from the time interval of the synchronous communication between the second device and the third device.

In one embodiment, the second device may set the second time interval such that the second time interval is shorter than the first time interval.

According to the above, since the second time interval is shorter than the first time interval, the second device can communicate with the third device more frequently than the first device. Therefore, large data can be exchanged between the second device and the third device in a relatively short time.

In one embodiment, the wireless system includes a first permissible period setting means for setting a first permissible period for connecting the first device and the second device, the second device, and the second device. The second permissible period setting means for setting the second permissible period for connection with the third device may be included. The second device has a determination unit that determines whether to perform synchronous communication with the first device based on the first allowable period in a state of being connected to the first device. You may. The third device has a determination unit that determines whether to perform synchronous communication with the second device based on the second allowable period in a state of being connected to the second device. You may. The second permissible period setting means sets at least one of a communication state between the first device and the second device or a communication state between the second device and the third device. Accordingly, the second allowable period may be set to be shorter than the first allowable period.

According to the above, the second allowable period of the connection between the second device and the third device should be shorter than the first allowable period of the connection between the first device and the second device. You can As a result, the second device can reduce the risk of disconnection from the first device. For example, when the second device exchanges data with the first device at low frequency for a relatively long period of time, and the third device exchanges data with high frequency at a relatively short period of time, A configuration may be adopted.

In one embodiment, the second device may set the second time interval such that the second time interval is longer than the first time interval.

According to the above, since the first time interval is shorter than the second time interval, the second device can communicate with the first device more frequently than the third device. Therefore, relatively large data can be exchanged between the first device and the second device in a short time.

In one embodiment, the wireless system includes a first permissible period setting means for setting a first permissible period for connecting the first device and the second device, the second device, and the second device. The second permissible period setting means for setting the second permissible period for connection with the third device may be included. The second device has a determination unit that determines whether to perform synchronous communication with the first device based on the first allowable period in a state of being connected to the first device. You may. The third device has a determination unit that determines whether to perform synchronous communication with the second device based on the second allowable period in a state of being connected to the second device. You may. The second allowable period setting means may set the second allowable period to be longer than the first allowable period.

According to the above, the second allowable period of the connection between the second device and the third device is made longer than the first allowable period of the connection between the first device and the second device. You can As a result, the second device can reduce the risk of disconnection from the third device. For example, this configuration is adopted when the second device exchanges data with the third device at low frequency for a relatively long period of time, and exchanges data with the first device at relatively high frequency. May be done.

In one embodiment, the second device establishes a connection with the third device in a state of being connected to the fourth device as a slave while being connected to the first device. However, the connection between the first device and the second device may be prioritized over the connection between the second device and the third device.

Based on the above, the second device can connect to the third device and perform communication while giving priority to the connection with the first device.

In one embodiment, the second device restricts communication between the second device and the third device according to a connection status between the first device and the second device. You may.

According to the above, the second device can restrict communication with the third device according to the connection status with the first device, and for example, with the first device. If there is a risk of disconnection, communication with the third device can be restricted.

In one embodiment, if the second device maintains a connection between the second device and the third device, a connection between the first device and the second device is established. When released, the connection between the second device and the third device may be released.

According to the above, the second device can release the connection with the third device when there is a risk that the connection with the first device will be released.

In one embodiment, the second device may include a transmitting unit that wirelessly transmits the data, and a receiving unit that wirelessly receives the data at a timing different from that of the data transmission by the transmitting unit. The second device repeatedly performs the transmission process by the transmission unit and the reception process by the reception unit, and the transmission unit indicates the timing of the transmission process and/or the reception process performed by itself after the next time. Data including timing information may be transmitted.

According to the above, the second device can notify the other device of the timing at which the second device performs the transmission process and/or the reception process thereafter.

In one embodiment, the transmission unit of the second device may transmit the data including the timing information by broadcast or multicast.

Based on the above, the second device can transmit the timing information to an unspecified device.

In one embodiment, the transmitting unit of the second device may transmit the data including the timing information in response to receiving the data transmitted by broadcast or multicast from another device.

Based on the above, the second device can transmit data including timing information according to broadcast data from another device.

In one embodiment, the third device repeatedly performs a transmission process of wirelessly transmitting data and a reception process of wirelessly receiving data, and based on the timing information from the second device, the third device The timing of performing the transmission process and/or the reception process may be adjusted.

Based on the above, the third device can adjust the timing of performing the transmission process and/or the reception process based on the timing information from the second device. This makes it possible to match the timing of the transmission process and the reception process between the second device and the third device.

In one embodiment, the wireless communication between the first device and the second device, the wireless communication between the fourth device and the third device, and the second device and the All wireless communication with the third device may be performed based on the same communication standard.

In one embodiment, each of the devices may perform the wireless communication while switching the frequency of radio waves.

In one embodiment, each of the devices may perform the wireless communication while switching a plurality of different predetermined frequencies.

In one embodiment, the communication standard may be Bluetooth Low Energy.

In one embodiment, the wireless communication between the first device and the second device, the wireless communication between the fourth device and the third device, and the second device and the All wireless communication with the third device may be performed in the same predetermined frequency band.

In one embodiment, the frequency band may be the 2.4 GHz band.

In one embodiment, the search may be performed switching between three channels.

In one embodiment, the second device may perform a first process of wirelessly transmitting data by broadcast or multicast while being connected to the first device as a slave. The third device executes a second process of wirelessly receiving data transmitted by broadcast or multicast by the first process of the second device while being connected to the fourth device as a slave. You may.

According to the above, the second device can transmit data by broadcast or multicast, and the third device can receive this data.

In one embodiment, the third device may perform a third process of wirelessly transmitting data by broadcast or multicast while being connected to the fourth device as a slave. The second device, while connected to the first device as a slave, executes a fourth process of wirelessly receiving data transmitted by broadcast or multicast by the third process of the third device. You may. The second device may include a first execution unit that repeatedly executes the first process and the fourth process. The third device may include second execution means for repeatedly executing the second process and the third process.

According to the above, the third device transmits/receives data by broadcast or multicast in a state of being connected to the fourth device, and the second device broadcasts or transmits data in a state of being connected to the first device. Send and receive by multicast. Thereby, the third device and the second device, which are connected as slaves of other devices, can transmit and receive data to and from each other.

There is a sleep period in which neither the first process nor the fourth process is performed between the first process and the fourth process, and between the second process and the third process. There may be a sleep period in which neither the second process nor the third process is performed.

In one embodiment, the second device performs a connection process with the third device that receives the data transmitted by the first process executed by the first execution unit, or the first execution unit. It may have the 1st connection processing means which performs the connection processing with the 3rd apparatus which transmitted the data received by the 4th processing performed by. The third device performs a connection process with the second device that transmits the data received by the second process executed by the second execution unit, or the third process executed by the second execution unit. You may have the 2nd connection processing means which performs the connection process with the said 2nd apparatus which received the data transmitted by the 3 process.

According to the above, the second device and the third device can be connected to each other.

In one embodiment, the first device and the second device may repeatedly perform synchronous communication with the first device and the second device while being connected to each other. The second device may include communication control means for performing wireless communication with the third device while avoiding a timing at which synchronous communication with the first device is executed.

According to the above, the second device can communicate with the third device while repeatedly performing the synchronous communication with the first device.

In one embodiment, the wireless system is
An allowable period setting means for setting an allowable period relating to a predetermined communication performed between the first device and the second device may be included. The second device, in a state where the second device is connected to the first device, based on the allowable period, a determination unit that determines whether or not to perform a predetermined communication with the first device; Timing at which the predetermined communication determined to be executed is performed so that the predetermined communication determined to be executed by the determination means is executed between the first device and the second device And a communication control means for performing wireless communication with the third device.

Based on the above, the second device can communicate with the third device while avoiding the risk of disconnection from the first device.

Another configuration is a wireless system including a plurality of devices capable of wireless communication based on the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) standard, wherein the wireless system includes a first device, a second device, and It may include a fourth device and a third device. The first device and the second device establish a connection between the first device and the second device by using the first device as a central device and the second device as a peripheral device. Wireless communication based on the BLE standard. The fourth device and the third device establish a connection between the fourth device and the third device by using the fourth device as a central device and the third device as a peripheral device. Wireless communication based on the BLE standard. The second device conforms to the BLE standard with the third device in a state of being connected to the fourth device as a peripheral while the connection between the first device and the second device is maintained. Based on wireless communication.

The other configuration may be a wireless device capable of wirelessly communicating with a plurality of devices. The wireless device uses a first device of the plurality of devices as a master and a self device as a slave to establish connection with the first device, and the first device as a slave. In the state of being connected to the third device, a communication unit that performs wireless communication with the third device that is connected as a slave of the second device different from the first device may be provided. Further, it may be a program executed by the processor of the wireless device.

The other configuration may be a program executed by the processor of the wireless device. Moreover, another configuration may be a communication method executed in the wireless system.

Another configuration is a wireless system including a plurality of devices capable of wireless communication, and the wireless system may include a first device and a second device. The first device and the second device establish a connection between the first device and the second device by using the first device as a master and the second device as a slave. Wireless communication. The second device, in a state of being connected to the first device, a transmitting unit that wirelessly transmits data by broadcast or multicast, a receiving unit that receives data wirelessly transmitted by broadcast or multicast, and a state in which the second device is connected to the first device. Other device communication means for performing wireless communication with the third device different from the first device by repeatedly performing the transmission process by the transmission device and the reception process by the reception device.

The other configuration may be a wireless device capable of wirelessly communicating with a plurality of devices. The wireless device uses a first device of the plurality of devices as a master and its own device as a slave, and a connection establishing means for establishing a connection with the first device, and broadcast or multicast data. The transmitting means for transmitting wirelessly, the receiving means for receiving data wirelessly transmitted by broadcast or multicast, and the transmitting processing by the transmitting means and the receiving means by the receiving means in a state of being connected to the first device as a slave. Other device communication means for performing wireless communication with the third device different from the first device by repeatedly performing the reception process may be provided.

The other configuration may be a program executed by the processor of the wireless device. Moreover, another configuration may be a communication method executed in the wireless system.

According to the present invention, a device connected as a slave can communicate with another device.

A diagram showing an example of a general BLE network Block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the BLE terminal 20. A diagram showing a list of channels used in the BLE standard The figure which shows an example of the flow of communication from the state where the portable terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a are not connected to the connected state. The figure which shows an example of communication between the portable terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a in the connected state. The figure which shows an example of the communication in the connection state after the connection between the portable terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a is established. The figure which shows an example of the connection form of the BLE network in this embodiment. The figure which shows an example at the time of communicating in the state which BLE terminal 20a and BLE terminal 20b are not connected. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how the scanning and advertising execution periods executed in the BLE terminal 20 change. A diagram for explaining a method of adjusting the execution timing of scanning and/or advertising by causing the BLE terminal 20 to transmit information indicating the execution timing of scanning and/or advertising. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the connection between the mobile terminal 10 (central) and the BLE terminal 20 (peripheral) is adjusted. It is a figure which shows the state after FIG. 11, and is a figure which shows an example of communication between each device after adjustment of the connection between the portable terminal 10 (central) and the BLE terminal 20 (peripheral). The figure which shows an example of a mode that the BLE terminals 20 mutually establish a connection in the state where the portable terminal 10 and the BLE terminal 20 were connected. It is a figure which shows the state after FIG. 13, and is a figure which shows an example of communication in the state in which the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b were connected. The figure which shows the specific example of the method of limiting the communication between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b. The figure which shows an example of communication when the connection between the portable terminal 10 and the BLE terminal 20 is adjusted when the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b are connected. Flowchart showing an example of processing performed in the mobile terminal 10. Detailed flowchart of step S108 of FIG. Flowchart showing an example of processing performed in the BLE terminal 20a Detailed flowchart of the process during connection in step S205 Detailed flowchart of the communication processing between BLE terminals in step S218 It is a detailed flowchart of the process during connection between BLE terminals of step S239, which shows the process performed in the BLE terminal 20a which operates as a central (master). It is a detailed flowchart of the process during connection between BLE terminals of step S239, and is a diagram showing the process performed in the BLE terminal 20b operating as a peripheral (slave).

A wireless communication system according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The wireless communication system of the present embodiment is a system including a plurality of devices capable of wireless communication, and each device is based on, for example, a Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth 4.x; hereinafter abbreviated as “BLE”) standard. Communication shall be performed. First, the outline of the BLE standard will be described.

(Outline of BLE)
The BLE standard is a communication standard designed to consume less power than the classic Bluetooth (registered trademark) (Ver. 1.x-3.x). In BLE, the maximum transmission power is suppressed as compared with classic Bluetooth, and the power consumption is suppressed by reducing the operation time and the number of times of wireless communication. In BLE, the time interval of communication is longer than in classic Bluetooth, and this time interval can be changed. Further, in BLE, as in classic Bluetooth, a star-type network topology in which a plurality of slaves can be connected to one master is adopted.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a general BLE network. As shown in FIG. 1, a mobile terminal 10a and a BLE terminal 20 exist in a communicable range, and a network is formed by these devices. In BLE, the communicable range is, for example, several meters to several tens of meters.

The mobile terminal 10a is, for example, a mobile information processing apparatus capable of executing a predetermined application such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal. The mobile terminal 10a includes, for example, a CPU (or/and another processor), a RAM, a storage device (nonvolatile memory, hard disk, etc.), a display device (liquid crystal display device, organic EL display device, etc.), and an input unit. (A button, a touch panel, etc.), a BLE communication module for performing communication based on the BLE standard, and a battery. The CPU of the mobile terminal 10a can execute various application programs stored in the storage device (or acquired via the network). For example, the mobile terminal 10a executes various application programs such as an application capable of reproducing a moving image or a still image, a message application, a browser application, a game application, an application for processing data acquired from the BLE terminal 20 as a predetermined application. It is possible. The mobile terminal 10a is capable of performing more advanced information processing than the BLE terminal 20, and therefore has higher power consumption than the BLE terminal 20.

The BLE terminal 20 is, for example, a portable device, and is typically a device smaller than the portable terminal 10a. The BLE terminal 20 typically has only limited functions as compared with the mobile terminal 10, and may be a device that performs relatively simple processing. The BLE terminal 20 may be a device that performs the same high-level information processing as the mobile terminal 10a.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the BLE terminal 20. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the BLE terminal 20 includes, for example, a control circuit 21, an input unit 22, a light emitting unit 23, a vibrator 24, and a BLE communication module 25. The BLE terminal 20 is a portable and relatively small device with low power consumption, and can operate for a relatively long period (several months to several years) by using, for example, a button battery. Each unit of the BLE terminal 20 may be mounted on the control circuit 21. For example, the BLE terminal 20 uses the BLE communication module 25 to transmit the data corresponding to the input made to the input unit 22 to the mobile terminal 10a, or the data transmitted from the mobile terminal 10a to the BLE communication module 25. The light emitting unit 23 can be issued and the vibrator 24 can be vibrated by receiving the light. The BLE terminal 20 may include a CPU or/and another processor for executing an arbitrary application program. Moreover, the BLE terminal 20 may include a display, a touch panel, a speaker, a microphone, a camera, and the like. For example, the BLE terminal 20 may exchange video and audio data with the mobile terminal 10a via the BLE communication module 25.

As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile terminal 10a functions as a central (also referred to as “master”) in the BLE network, and the BLE terminal 20 functions as a peripheral (also referred to as “slave”). The mobile terminal 10a is capable of establishing a connection with a plurality of BLE terminals 20 (20a,..., 20x), and is central in each connection. The central manages the participation of peripherals in the network and sets various parameters for connection with peripherals.

Here, in the BLE standard, radio waves in the 2.4 GHz band are used. Specifically, communication is performed using 40 channels. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a list of channels used in the BLE standard. As shown in FIG. 3, among the 40 channels, three channels 37 to 39 are advertising channels, and the other channels 0 to 36 are data channels. The advertising channel is used for discovering or connecting to a device, or for notifying other devices of the existence of its own device, and exchanges data without establishing a connection with other devices as described later. This is the channel used to The data channel is a channel used in the connected state (connected state), and is used for transmitting/receiving data between two devices in the connected state. Note that Classic Bluetooth has 79 channels, of which 32 are discovery channels.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of communication from the state where the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a are not connected to the state where they are connected.

Each device changes its state from the unconnected state (non-connected state) to the connected state. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the mobile terminal 10a repeats scanning at predetermined time intervals. The state of scanning is called the scanning state, and the device in that state is called the scanner. Specifically, the mobile terminal 10a repeats the scan and the sleep state, and while the scan is being executed, the receiving circuit is operated to receive an advertising packet (advertising PDU (protocol data unit)) from another device. Try.

On the other hand, the BLE terminal 20a repeats advertising at a predetermined time interval (advertising interval). A state in which advertising is being performed is called an advertising state, and a device in that state is called an advertiser. Specifically, the BLE terminal 20a transmits the advertising packet while switching the three channels 37 to 39 in one advertising (advertising event). In this way, the advertising packet is transmitted while switching the frequency of the radio wave. Switching the frequency of radio waves is called "hopping".

As shown in FIG. 4, when the scan timing of the mobile terminal 10a and the advertising timing of the BLE terminal 20a match, the mobile terminal 10a receives the advertising packet from the BLE terminal 20a. Upon receiving the advertising packet from the BLE terminal 20a, the mobile terminal 10a transmits a scan request to the BLE terminal 20a. In response to this scan request, the BLE terminal 20a returns a scan response. Scan requests and scan responses are also sent using the advertising channel. The scanning methods include “active scan” and “passive scan”, and FIG. 4 shows an example of “active scan”. In the "passive scan", the "scan request" and the "scan response" shown in FIG. 4 are not performed. That is, in the passive scan, when the mobile terminal 10a receives the advertising packet from the BLE terminal 20a, it transmits the connection request to the BLE terminal 20a without transmitting the scan request.

When the mobile terminal 10a connects with the device that has transmitted the advertising packet, the mobile terminal 10a enters the initiating state (initiator). The mobile terminal 10a (initiator) sends a connection request to the BLE terminal 20a that sent the advertising packet. When the connection request is transmitted from the initiator, the connection is established and the two devices are in the connected state. Specifically, two devices having the mobile terminal 10a as a master (central) and the BLE terminal 20a as a slave (peripheral) are connected.

The connection request from the initiator includes a plurality of parameters for connection. Specifically, the connection request includes an initiator address, an advertiser address, an access address, a connection interval, slave latency, information related to subsequent hopping (information related to the number of hops and channels used), connection monitoring timeout (connection supervision timeout) etc. are included. The access address is randomly determined and is for identifying the connection. When transmitting a packet to a connection partner, each device includes this access address in the packet and transmits it. Each device can determine whether it is a packet from a connection partner based on the access address. The connection interval, slave latency, and connection monitoring timeout will be described later. After the connection request, pairing or bonding for exchanging the encryption key in the connection may be performed. In pairing, the temporary encryption key used in this connection is generated and exchanged. In bonding, a permanent encryption key is generated and exchanged after pairing. The permanent encryption key is stored in a non-volatile memory or the like in each device.

Advertising packets are usually sent by broadcast. That is, an unspecified device can receive. Note that "broadcast" also includes data transmission that can be processed by limited unspecified devices. Here, “limited unspecified device” means a device that does not uniquely specify a device (not a unique address assigned to the device), but has a common attribute or is in a common state. Equipment. The “device having common attributes” refers to a device group having predetermined attributes such as the same model or the same vendor. In order to transmit an advertising packet to a device having such a predetermined attribute, for example, the transmitting device has information indicating the vendor and the model of the terminal (vendor ID, model number, etc., hereinafter referred to as “attribute information”). Is included in (or added to) an advertising packet and transmitted. The device on the receiving side processes the advertising packet if it matches the attribute information of the device on the receiving side. In this way, the transmitting side can transmit data to limited and unspecified devices. On the other hand, the “equipment in common state” refers to a device group that is in a predetermined state at a certain point in time, such as having the same current settings. For example, the transmitted advertising packet is flagged to indicate that only limited and unspecified devices can process it. On the receiving side, it is set whether or not to process the limited advertising packet for unspecified devices. Upon receiving the advertising packet, the device that is set to process the advertising packet for the unspecified device determines whether the flag is set, and if the flag is set, processes the advertising packet. .. On the other hand, when a device that is not set to process advertising packets for unspecified devices receives an advertising packet, it judges whether or not the above flag is set. Discard or do not process. In this way, the transmitting side can transmit data to limited and unspecified devices. Here, both the transmission to the “limited unspecified device” and the transmission to the unspecified unspecified device are referred to as “broadcast”. The advertising packet may be transmitted by so-called "multicast".

Also, there are multiple types of advertising packets. Specifically, there are "ADV_IND", "ADV_DIRECT_IND", "ADV_NONCONN_IND", and "ADV_SCAN_IND" as types of advertising packets. "ADV_IND" and "ADV_DIRECT_IND" are advertising packets indicating that connection is possible. "ADV_IND" is an advertising packet used for normal advertising and indicating that an unspecified device can be connected. Further, “ADV_DIRECT_IND” is an advertising packet indicating that a specific device can be connected, and is used for high-speed connection with a device that has been connected before. When the mobile terminal 10a receives the advertising packet of "ADV_IND" or "ADV_DIRECT_IND", the mobile terminal 10a transmits the connection request to the BLE terminal 20a which has transmitted the packet.

Further, “ADV_NONCONN_IND” and “ADV_SCAN_IND” are advertising packets indicating that connection is impossible. “ADV_NONCONN_IND” and “ADV_SCAN_IND” are used to transmit information (for example, data used in an application or data such as position information) to an unspecified device.

In general, the power consumption of scanning is higher than that of advertising. This is because it is necessary to keep the advertising packet in a receivable state (operating the receiving circuit) at any timing during the execution of the scan. On the other hand, in advertising, a plurality of advertising packets are transmitted in one advertising event, but one advertising packet is transmitted in an extremely short time. Therefore, advertising packets are transmitted even during one advertising event. I have no time. The advertiser consumes power instantaneously because it needs to activate the transmission circuit and output radio waves when transmitting an advertising packet, but it also requires activation of the transmission circuit except when transmitting an advertising packet. For example, no electric wave is output, so power consumption is reduced. Therefore, the power consumption in a certain period is higher in scanning than in advertising.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a in the connected state. As shown in FIG. 5, when two devices are in a connected state, synchronized communication called a connection event (synchronous communication) is performed with the two devices at predetermined time intervals. The interval between connection events is called "connection interval". The connection interval is set by the master when the connection is established. The connection interval in the connection between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a is CIa (for example, 500 msec). The connection interval may be set in the range of 7.5 ms to 4 seconds.

In one connection event, data is transmitted and received between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a using one data channel (for example, channel 1). When CIa elapses from the occurrence of the first connection event, the channel is switched and the next connection event is performed. In the example shown in FIG. 5, channel 1 is used in the first connection event, and channel 3 is used in the second connection event. The number of channels to be hopped is called the "hop number", and the hop number is "2" in the example shown in FIG. The number of hops is set when the connection between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a is established.

The connection event is performed for each terminal that has established a connection. For example, when the mobile terminal 10a is also connected to the BLE terminal 20c, a connection event occurs between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20c at predetermined time intervals. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the connection interval in the connection between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20c is CIc. When the mobile terminal 10a is connected to a plurality of BLE terminals 20, the mobile terminal 10a determines the timing of the first connection event so that the connection events of the respective connections do not overlap in time.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication in a connection state after the connection between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a is established.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a are connected, the two devices perform communication at each connection event, and do not perform communication during periods other than the connection event. Each device, for example, does not operate the receiving circuit and the transmitting circuit (unless communicating with other devices) during the period other than the connection event, and operates the receiving circuit and the transmitting circuit at the timing of the connection event to communicate. I do.

Specifically, when the connection interval (CIa) has elapsed from the timing of the previous connection event, the mobile terminal 10a transmits a packet to the BLE terminal 20a, and the BLE terminal 20a sends a response to the packet to the mobile terminal 10a. Send to. Here, since each device has a time measurement error, the BLE terminal 20a tries to receive the packet from the mobile terminal 10a in a predetermined period including the timing of the connection event in consideration of this error. Specifically, the BLE terminal 20a activates the receiving circuit at a timing before CIa has elapsed from the timing of the previous connection event (the timing at which the packet was actually received) so that the packet from the mobile terminal 10a can be received. To do. Further, the BLE terminal 20a also keeps the packet from the mobile terminal 10a receivable at a timing after CIa has passed from the timing of the previous connection event. That is, in consideration of the above error, the BLE terminal 20a puts the packet in a receivable state before and after the theoretical CIa has elapsed from the timing of the previous connection event. When the connection is established, the accuracy information of the time of the mobile terminal 10a (master) is transmitted from the mobile terminal 10a to the BLE terminal 20a. The BLE terminal 20a calculates the timing for operating the receiving circuit based on the received accuracy information of the mobile terminal 10a and the accuracy information of the time of its own.

In the connection event, data used by the application (application data) is transmitted and received. For example, application data includes data of game characters and items, their IDs, characters, symbols, data (contents themselves and their IDs) indicating contents (moving images, still images, sounds) reproduced by the application, from various sensors. It may be data or the like. The application data may be transmitted in one packet, or may be transmitted in a plurality of packets. For example, in the device (mobile terminal 10a or BLE terminal 20a) that has received the ID of the content, the application interprets the received ID and reproduces the content (moving image, still image, sound, etc.) corresponding to the ID. The data of the content corresponding to the ID may be stored in a storage device included in the device that has received the ID, or may be stored outside the device. For example, the device that receives the ID (the mobile terminal 10a or the BLE terminal 20a) transmits the ID to a server device different from the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a, and the content data corresponding to the ID is sent to the server device. You can download it from here. Then, the content may be reproduced based on the data of the downloaded content.

For example, when the mobile terminal 10a acquires the application data from the BLE terminal 20a, the mobile terminal 10a transmits a data acquisition request included in a data packet (data PDU) to the BLE terminal 20a at a connection event. The BLE terminal 20a sends the response packet by including the data corresponding to the acquisition request in the response packet. If the application data does not fit in one packet, the BLE terminal 20a divides the application data, and transmits the plurality of response packets including each of the divided application data. The response packet includes the divided application data and the sequence number. The mobile terminal 10a reconstructs the application data by arranging the divided application data in sequence number order. In this way, since the connection event is performed a plurality of times, application data having a size that does not fit in one packet is transmitted from the BLE terminal 20a to the mobile terminal 10a (or from the mobile terminal 10a to the BLE terminal 20a). ..

Here, the slave latency is set for the connection between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a. The slave latency is the number of connection events that the BLE terminal 20a (peripheral) can ignore (skip). Normally, at each connection event, the mobile terminal 10a (central) transmits a packet to the BLE terminal 20a, and the BLE terminal 20a returns a response packet in response to receiving the packet. As a result, application data is exchanged. However, the BLE terminal 20a may not return a response when there is no data to be transmitted.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the slave latency SLa is set to “4”. As shown in FIG. 6, in the connection event at time t0, a packet is transmitted from the mobile terminal 10a to the BLE terminal 20a, and a response packet is transmitted from the BLE terminal 20a to the mobile terminal 10a in response to the packet. At the connection event at time t1 when CIa has elapsed, the mobile terminal 10a transmits a packet to the BLE terminal 20a, but the BLE terminal 20a does not have to transmit a response packet to the mobile terminal 10a. Furthermore, at the next time points t2, t3, and t4, the BLE terminal 20a does not have to transmit the response packet to the mobile terminal 10a. On the other hand, at the connection event at time t5 when CIa has elapsed from time t4, the BLE terminal 20a transmits a response packet to the mobile terminal 10a. Further, in the connection event from time t6 to time t9 thereafter, the BLE terminal 20a does not have to transmit the response packet to the mobile terminal 10a, but in the connection event at time t10, the BLE terminal 20a transmits the response packet to the mobile terminal 10a. Send. Note that the BLE terminal 20a may transmit the response packet to the mobile terminal 10a in the connection event at the times t1 to t4 and t6 to t9. That is, the slave latency is the maximum number of times that the BLE terminal 20a as a slave can continuously ignore the connection event. As described above, the mobile terminal 10a may not receive the packet from the BLE terminal 20a within a predetermined allowable period (the number of connection events indicated by the slave latency). Note that this allowable period may be represented by the number of connection events as described above, or may be represented by time.

The slave latency can be regarded as the right to ignore the response to the mobile terminal 10a (central) given to the BLE terminal 20a (peripheral). The BLE terminal 20a can determine whether or not to send a response to the mobile terminal 10a at each connection event based on its own judgment. For example, the BLE terminal 20a can omit the response to the mobile terminal 10a when it is necessary to perform other processing or communication with other devices. The BLE terminal 20a returns a response to the mobile terminal 10a within the range of slave latency.

When communication is not performed for a predetermined period between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a, the connection between the two devices is released (disconnected) (the two devices transit from the connected state to the disconnected state). .. Whether or not the connection between the two devices is released is determined based on the connection monitoring timeout. Specifically, when the elapsed time from the previous communication exceeds (or reaches) the connection monitoring timeout, the connection between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a is released. Here, the connection monitoring timeout is set to a value larger than the slave latency SL. Therefore, for example, in FIG. 6, even when the mobile terminal 10a does not receive the response packet from the BLE terminal 20a in the fifth connection event (t5), the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a are immediately disconnected. Does not transition. This is because, for example, when the slave latency is set to “4”, the BLE terminal 20a ignores four connection events (connection events at t1 to t4) and at the fifth connection event (t5). Even if the response packet is transmitted to the mobile terminal 10a, it may be assumed that the response packet cannot be received by the mobile terminal 10a depending on the communication situation. If the mobile terminal 10a cannot receive the response packet transmitted by the BLE terminal 20a in the fifth connection event and the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a are disconnected, the connection is frequently released. End up. In order to prevent such a situation, the connection monitoring timeout is set to a value larger than the slave latency SL, and when the period during which communication is not performed exceeds the connection monitoring timeout, the two devices are not connected. Transition to a non-connected state (connection of two devices is released).

Specifically, the mobile terminal 10a measures the elapsed time after receiving the response packet, and when the period during which the response packet is not received from the BLE terminal 20a exceeds the connection monitoring timeout (or the connection monitoring timeout is reached). Case), transition from the connected state to the disconnected state. The BLE terminal 20a transitions from the connected state to the disconnected state (or BLE when the period during which the data packet from the mobile terminal 10a is not received exceeds the connection monitoring timeout (or when the connection monitoring timeout is reached). The terminal 20a measures the elapsed time after transmitting the response packet to the mobile terminal 10, and transitions from the connected state to the disconnected state when the period during which the response packet is not transmitted to the mobile terminal 10a exceeds the connection monitoring timeout. May be). That is, the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a transition from the connected state to the disconnected state when the period during which the packet from the connection destination is not received exceeds (or reaches) the connection monitoring timeout.

In addition, when the elapsed time from the last communication is measured and the period during which the communication from the connection destination cannot be confirmed in the connection event exceeds (or reaches) the connection monitoring timeout, the mobile terminal 10a or the BLE terminal 20a is not connected. It may be determined that the connection is interrupted without transitioning to the non-connection state. For example, when it is determined that the connection is interrupted, the mobile terminal 10a and/or the BLE terminal 20a may transit to the connection interrupted state. For example, when the BLE terminal 20a determines that the connection is interrupted, it may try to receive the packet from the mobile terminal 10a, but may transition to a state in which the packet is not transmitted to the mobile terminal 10a. In this case, the timing of attempting to receive this packet may be, for example, longer or shorter than the connection interval in the connected state, or may be random. Alternatively, when the BLE terminal 20a determines that the connection has been interrupted, the BLE terminal 20a transitions to a state in which packets are periodically or randomly transmitted to the mobile terminal 10a without attempting to receive a packet from the mobile terminal 10a. May be. When the mobile terminal 10a determines that the connection is interrupted, for example, the mobile terminal 10a transmits a packet to the BLE terminal 20a at an interval different from the connection interval set in the connected state (for example, an interval longer than the connection interval). Alternatively, the packet may be transmitted to the BLE terminal 20a at a timing determined randomly. Alternatively, when the mobile terminal 10a determines that the connection has been interrupted, the mobile terminal 10a may try to receive the packet from the BLE terminal 20a without transmitting the packet to the BLE terminal 20a. Then, the two devices that have transitioned to the suspended state may return to the connected state again based on the reception of the packet from the other party (even if the connection monitoring timeout has been exceeded or reached).

The connection monitoring timeout is set to be twice or more of “(SL+1)×connection interval”. For example, when the connection interval is set to 500 msec and the slave latency is set to 4, 500 msec×(4+1)×2=5 sec may be set as the connection monitoring timeout. The connection monitoring timeout may be set according to time or the number of connection events. For example, if the connection interval is set to 500 msec and the slave latency is set to 4, “(4+1)×2=10” may be set as the connection monitoring timeout. In this case, when converted to time, “5 seconds” is set. Become. In this case, for example, in FIG. 6, even when the mobile terminal 10a does not receive a response packet from the BLE terminal 20a in the fifth connection event (t5), the connection event from t6 to t10 is executed (this period). The connection between the two devices is maintained). In the connection event at time t10, when the mobile terminal 10a receives the response packet from the BLE terminal 20a, the connection between the two devices is maintained. On the other hand, when the mobile terminal 10a does not receive the response packet from the BLE terminal 20a at the fifth connection event (t5), the mobile terminal 10a does not receive the response packet from the BLE terminal 20a even at the connection event at time t10. When the portable terminal 10a does not receive the response packet in all connection events after t1, the connection between the two devices is released. The connection monitoring timeout may be set in the range of 100 msec to 32 sec, for example.

The definition range of the slave latency SL is 0 to 499, for example. However, since the BLE standard is a time synchronization type communication, the two devices need to be synchronized before the accumulated error of the clocks of the two devices exceeds a certain value. The necessary communication interval considering the accumulated error of the clock is called the effective connection interval. The execution connection interval is represented by “(SL+1)×connection interval” and should be set to half or less of the connection monitoring timeout. Therefore, the maximum slave latency is limited by the connection monitoring timeout.

It should be noted that whether or not to disconnect the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a may be determined based on the slave latency. For example, the mobile terminal 10a may release the connection with the BLE terminal 20a when the period in which there is no response packet from the BLE terminal 20a exceeds the slave latency (or when the period reaches the slave latency). ..

As described above, the BLE terminal 20 does not have to transmit the response packet to the mobile terminal 10 within the range of the slave latency when there is no data to be transmitted to the mobile terminal 10. Even if the period in which the mobile terminal 10 did not receive the response packet from the BLE terminal 20 exceeds the slave latency, if the period in which the response packet is not received does not exceed the connection monitoring timeout, the mobile terminal 10 never disconnects from the BLE terminal 20. However, even if the period in which the mobile terminal 10 did not receive the response packet from the BLE terminal 20 does not exceed the connection monitoring timeout, if the period exceeds the slave latency, the clock error between the two devices is accumulated. Therefore, the two devices may not be synchronized with each other. If the two devices cannot be synchronized with each other, the mobile terminal 10 and the BLE terminal 20 cannot communicate with each other, and the connection is canceled. Therefore, the BLE terminal 20 (slave) transmits the response packet to the mobile terminal 10 so that the number of times the connection event is continuously ignored (the number of times the response packet is not returned to the master) does not exceed the slave latency SL. As a result, the mobile terminal 10 and the BLE terminal 20 can be synchronized with each other at the SL+1th connection event at the latest from the previous communication, and the risk of disconnecting the connection between the mobile terminal 10 and the BLE terminal 20 is avoided. be able to.

In the connection event, the connection interval is changed, the slave latency is changed, and the connection monitoring timeout is changed. The connection interval is changed by the mobile terminal 10a (central). The slave latency is changed by a request from the BLE terminal 20a (peripheral) (the request is included in the response packet). The BLE terminal 20a may send a connection interval change request to the mobile terminal 10a, or the mobile terminal 10a may change the slave latency. Further, both the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a may be capable of making a request for changing the connection interval, the slave latency, and the connection monitoring timeout. In this case, the request of the mobile terminal 10a (central) may be prioritized for changing the connection interval, and the request of the BLE terminal 20a (peripheral) may be prioritized for changing the slave latency. On the other hand, with respect to any of the connection interval, the slave latency, and the connection monitoring timeout, the request from the master device (mobile terminal 10a) may be prioritized over the slave device (BLE terminal 20a).

As described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, the BLE terminal 20 performs advertising by repeatedly broadcasting an advertising packet for connection. As an example, the BLE terminal 20 stays in the receiving state for a while (to receive a connection request or the like from the mobile terminal 10) immediately after performing the advertising. When the mobile terminal 10 receives the advertising packet, the mobile terminal 10 transmits a connection request to the BLE terminal 20. The connection request includes various parameters for connection (connection interval, slave latency, etc.). When the mobile terminal 10 transmits the connection request, the connection between the mobile terminal 10 and the BLE terminal 20 is established, and the two devices are in the connected state.

In the connection state, at the timing of the connection event, the mobile terminal 10 operates the transmission circuit to transmit the data packet to the BLE terminal 20. That is, the mobile terminal 10a transmits a data packet to the BLE terminal 20a when the timing of the connection event arrives. Specifically, the mobile terminal 10a transmits the data packet including the access address determined at the time of establishing the connection. The BLE terminal 20 operates the receiving circuit in synchronization with the mobile terminal 10 to receive the packet from the mobile terminal 10. Upon receipt of the packet from the mobile terminal 10, the BLE terminal 20 transmits a response to the packet to the mobile terminal 10. The response packet also includes the access address. Here, the BLE terminal 20 can ignore the packet from the mobile terminal 10 the number of times determined by the slave latency. If the BLE terminal 20 ignores the packet from the mobile terminal 10 at a certain connection event, the BLE terminal 20 does not have to operate the receiving circuit at the timing of the connection event. Moreover, the mobile terminal 10 maintains the connection with the BLE terminal 20 when the period during which there is no response from the BLE terminal 20 does not exceed the connection monitoring timeout. On the other hand, when the period during which there is no response from the BLE terminal 20 exceeds (or reaches) the connection monitoring timeout, the mobile terminal 10 releases the connection with the BLE terminal 20 and becomes a non-connection state. In the disconnected state, no connection event occurs between the two devices. When the BLE terminal 20 performs advertising again and the mobile terminal 10 transmits a connection request, the BLE terminal 20 shifts to the connected state again.

In this way, when a connection is established between the two devices, a connection request is made (parameters for connection are exchanged) and the two devices enter the connected state. When the two devices are connected, communication is performed between the two devices at a predetermined time interval. When the two devices are in the connected state, the two devices communicate with each other based on the information exchanged when establishing the connection. The connection state is maintained until the connection is released (for example, until the period when there is no response from the BLE terminal 20 exceeds the connection monitoring timeout). The connection between the two devices may be released when an instruction to release the connection is given from the user or the application on the mobile terminal 10. On the other hand, in the "unconnected state", the connection event does not occur. Even in the non-connected state, communication may be performed between the two devices by performing the broadcast using the advertising packet.

(BLE network of this embodiment)
Next, a connection form of the BLE network in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a connection form of the BLE network in the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, the wireless device system 1 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of devices capable of wireless communication based on the BLE standard, and includes a mobile terminal 10a, a mobile terminal 10b, a BLE terminal 20a, and a BLE terminal 20b. Including and In FIG. 7, the mobile terminal 10a is the central and the BLE terminal 20a is the peripheral, and the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a are connected (connection A). In addition, the mobile terminal 10b is the central and the BLE terminal 20b is the peripheral, and the mobile terminal 10b and the BLE terminal 20b are connected (connection B).

In the present embodiment, in the state as shown in FIG. 7, when the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b are within the communicable range, the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b can communicate with each other. Specifically, the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b can establish a connection between two devices and can communicate with each other in a connected state. Further, the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b can communicate with each other even in a non-connection state. For example, the BLE terminal 20a can communicate with the BLE terminal 20b without an instruction from the master mobile terminal 10a. Further, an instruction is issued from the mobile terminal 10a to the BLE terminal 20a by a request from the application layer of the mobile terminal 10a or a user operation on the mobile terminal 10a, and the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b are instructed in accordance with the instruction. Communication between may be performed.

First, a case where communication is performed in a state where the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b are not connected will be described.

FIG. 8: is a figure which shows an example at the time of communicating in the state which BLE terminal 20a and BLE terminal 20b are not connected.

As shown in FIG. 8, the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a are in a connected state, and a connection event occurs at each connection interval CIa. The connection interval CIa in the connection A between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a may be, for example, 500 msec. Further, it is assumed that the slave latency SLa is set for the connection A between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a, and for example, SLa=“4”.

Further, the mobile terminal 10b and the BLE terminal 20b are in a connected state, and a connection event occurs at every connection interval CIb. The connection interval CIb in the connection B between the mobile terminal 10b and the BLE terminal 20b may be, for example, 500 msec. Further, a slave latency SLb is set for the connection B between the mobile terminal 10b and the BLE terminal 20b, and for example, SLb=“5”.

In such a state, the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b repeatedly perform advertising and scanning. Here, as an example, the advertising type is “ADV_NONCONN_IND”. That is, the advertising packet indicating that the connection is impossible is transmitted between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b. As a result, data is transmitted from the BLE terminal 20a to the BLE terminal 20b and from the BLE terminal 20b to the BLE terminal 20a.

Specifically, the BLE terminal 20a communicates with the mobile terminal 10a while communicating with the mobile terminal 10a within the slave latency SLa in order to avoid the risk of disconnecting the connection A with the mobile terminal 10a. While not performing, scanning and advertising are repeatedly executed to attempt communication with the BLE terminal 20b. For example, the BLE terminal 20a returns a response to the mobile terminal 10a in the connection event in the connection A with the mobile terminal 10a, and then returns a response to the mobile terminal 10a in the next four connection events. Absent. In the period in which the connection event is performed four times, the BLE terminal 20a repeatedly executes scanning and advertising and tries to communicate with the BLE terminal 20b. That is, the BLE terminal 20a ignores a plurality of connection events with the slave latency SLa being the upper limit, and repeatedly executes scanning and advertising to communicate with the BLE terminal 20b during the ignored connection events. As shown in FIG. 8, a pause period is provided between scanning and advertising. It should be noted that scanning and advertising may be alternately performed with a pause period therebetween (FIG. 8), or scanning and advertising may be alternately performed without a pause period therebetween (illustration). No). Further, the scanning and the advertising need not necessarily be performed alternately.

Similarly, the BLE terminal 20b communicates with the mobile terminal 10b in order to avoid the risk of disconnecting the connection B with the mobile terminal 10b, while scanning is performed while communication with the mobile terminal 10b is not performed. Repeat advertising. For example, the BLE terminal 20b returns a response to the mobile terminal 10b in the connection event in the connection B with the mobile terminal 10b, and then returns a response to the mobile terminal 10b in the next five connection events. Instead, repeat scanning and advertising.

When the scanning and advertising timings of the BLE terminals 20a and 20b match, communication is performed between the BLE terminals. For example, when the BLE terminal 20b executes advertising while the BLE terminal 20a is executing scanning, data is transmitted from the BLE terminal 20b to the BLE terminal 20a. On the contrary, when the BLE terminal 20a performs advertising while the BLE terminal 20b is performing scanning, data is transmitted from the BLE terminal 20a to the BLE terminal 20b. In this way, the BLE terminals 20 can communicate with each other even in a state where they are connected as slaves to other devices (mobile terminals 10).

In the following, the mobile terminal 10 may be called a “parent” and the BLE terminal 20 may be called a “child”. “Parent” has the same meaning as central (master), and “child” has the same meaning as peripheral (slave). Further, the connection between the mobile terminal 10 and the BLE terminal 20 may be referred to as “parent-child connection”, and the communication between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b may be referred to as “child-to-child communication”.

Here, unless the scanning timing and the advertising timing of each BLE terminal 20 match, the BLE terminals 20 cannot communicate with each other. For example, if the BLE terminal 20b does not advertise while the BLE terminal 20a is executing a scan, the BLE terminal 20a cannot receive data from the BLE terminal 20b.

When the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b repeatedly execute scanning and advertising at regular time intervals and the lengths of scanning and advertising are fixed, the timing of scanning (or advertising) of the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal There may be a case where the timing of the advertising (or scan) of 20b does not match and the communication between the two devices cannot be performed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in order to match the timing of scanning (or advertising) of the BLE terminal 20a and the timing of advertising (or scanning) of the BLE terminal 20b, execution of scanning and advertising performed in each BLE terminal 20. Randomly change the period (length of execution time).

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing how the scanning and advertising execution periods executed in the BLE terminal 20 change.

For the sake of explanation, FIG. 9 shows an example in which the scan and advertising execution periods executed in the BLE terminal 20a are fixed, and the scan and advertising execution periods executed in the BLE terminal 20b are variable. ..

As shown in FIG. 9, in the BLE terminal 20a, scanning and advertising are repeatedly executed, and the scanning execution period ST0 and the advertising execution period AT0 are fixed. Also, the pause period during which neither scanning nor advertising is performed is fixed. On the other hand, in the BLE terminal 20b, the scan execution period and the advertising execution period are random. For example, the execution period of the first scan is ST0, the execution period of the second scan is ST1 (>ST0), and the execution period of the third scan is ST2. The execution period of the first advertising is AT1, and the execution period of the second advertising is AT2 (>AT1). In the example shown in FIG. 9, the BLE terminal 20b also has a random idle period. As described above, the scan execution period, the advertising execution period, and the pause period are changed, so that the scan (or advertising) execution period of the BLE terminal 20a and the advertising (or scan) execution period of the BLE terminal 20b are performed. Are overlapped with each other, and communication is performed between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b.

In FIG. 9, an example in which the scan execution period, the advertising execution period, and the pause period are randomly changed has been described. However, at least any one of the scan execution period, the advertising execution period, and the pause period is set. One may change at random. Note that these periods may be determined by completely random random numbers, or may be determined by so-called pseudo random numbers (random numbers that cannot eliminate a certain degree of regularity), and these random numbers are generated by hardware or software. May be done. Further, the scan execution period and the advertising execution period may be fixed, and the scan execution timing and/or the advertising execution timing may be variable. That is, at least one of the scan execution period (length of execution time), the advertising execution period, the pause period, the scan execution timing, and the advertising execution timing may be variable. Further, the scan execution period, the advertising execution period, and the pause period may be changed in a fixed pattern. Further, a pause period may be provided as part of the reception process or the transmission process.

Further, the execution period and the execution timing of the scan and/or advertising may be adjusted by exchanging information regarding the scan and/or advertising between the BLE terminals. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a method of adjusting the execution timing of scanning and/or advertising by causing the BLE terminal 20 to transmit information indicating the execution timing of scanning and/or advertising.

As shown in FIG. 10, for example, the advertising packet from the BLE terminal 20a includes timing information indicating the timing at which the device itself performs advertising and/or scanning. Upon receiving the advertising packet from the BLE terminal 20a, the BLE terminal 20b adjusts the execution timing of the advertising and/or scan to be executed next based on the timing information included in the advertising packet. In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, when the advertising packet from the BLE terminal 20a is not received, the BLE terminal 20b performs advertising at timing T1 after the first scan. In this case, in response to receiving the advertising packet from the BLE terminal 20a, the BLE terminal 20b performs the next advertising at timing T2. Specifically, the advertising packet from the BLE terminal 20a at the timing T0 includes "T2" as information indicating the timing at which the BLE terminal 20a next executes the scan. Further, the BLE terminal 20a may transmit the advertising packet at the timing T0 by including "T3" as information indicating the timing at which the own device next performs the advertising. The BLE terminal 20b performs advertising at the timing T2 of the scan that the BLE terminal 20a next executes. Further, the BLE terminal 20b may perform scanning at the timing T3 according to the information from the BLE terminal 20a. As a result, the scan execution timing of the BLE terminal 20a and the advertisement execution timing of the BLE terminal 20b can be matched, and data can be transmitted from the BLE terminal 20b to the BLE terminal 20a. The advertising packet transmitted from the BLE terminal 20b also includes timing information indicating the execution timing of the next advertising and/or scan. The BLE terminal 20b transmits a scan request to the BLE terminal 20b in response to receiving the advertising packet from the BLE terminal 20a, and the BLE terminal 20b transmits a scan response in response to the scan request. The timing information may be included in the scan response.

In this way, the BLE terminal 20 includes the information indicating the timing of executing the advertising and/or the scan after the next in the advertising packet and transmits the information. As a result, the BLE terminals 20 can adjust the timing of executing the advertising and/or the scan so that the other device executes the scan while the other device executes the advertising. Note that the BLE terminal 20 may also transmit an advertising packet including information indicating the execution period (length of execution time) of advertising and/or scanning. The BLE terminal 20 can adjust the timing of executing the advertising and/or the scan thereafter and the execution period (length of the execution time) based on the advertising packet received from another device.

As described above, the advertisement and/or the scan execution timing is adjusted between the BLE terminals 20, so that the communication between the BLE terminals can be efficiently performed. When the execution timing and the execution time of the advertising and the scan are randomly determined in each BLE terminal 20, the two devices communicate with each other unless the execution period of one advertising and the execution period of the other scan coincide with each other. Can't do. However, in the example shown in FIG. 10, since each BLE terminal 20 adjusts the timing of advertising and scanning so that the execution period of one advertising and the scan execution period of the other overlap, the efficiency between two devices is increased. You can communicate with.

Next, adjustment of the connection (parent-child connection) between the mobile terminal 10 and the BLE terminal 20 for communicating between the BLE terminals 20 will be described.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing how the connection between the mobile terminal 10 (central) and the BLE terminal 20 (peripheral) is adjusted.

The mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a are in a connected state, and the mobile terminal 10b and the BLE terminal 20b are in a connected state. The connection interval CIa of the connection A between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a is, for example, 500 msec, and the slave latency SLa is, for example, “4”. The connection interval CIb of the connection B between the mobile terminal 10b and the BLE terminal 20b is, for example, 500 msec, and the slave latency SLb is, for example, “5”.

As shown in FIG. 11, the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b communicate with each other by repeatedly executing advertising and scanning. Here, unless the BLE terminal 20a returns a response to the mobile terminal 10a in the connection event of the connection A at the timing Ta1, the number of times the connection event is ignored exceeds the slave latency SLa in the connection A with the mobile terminal 10a. End up. Therefore, the BLE terminal 20a communicates with the mobile terminal 10a at the timing Ta1. The BLE terminal 20a does not advertise or scan while communicating with the mobile terminal 10a. Also, the BLE terminal 20b also communicates with the mobile terminal 10b at timing Tb1 so that the number of times the connection event is ignored does not exceed the slave latency SLb in the connection B with the mobile terminal 10b. Also does not.

In this way, the BLE terminal 20 (peripheral) preferentially performs communication with the mobile terminal 10 (central). As a result, the BLE terminal 20 can communicate with the mobile terminal 10 at least within the range of the slave latency. However, the efficiency of communication between the BLE terminals 20 becomes poor. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to improve the efficiency of communication between the BLE terminals 20 while communicating between the mobile terminals 10 and the BLE terminals 20 within the range of the slave latency, the communication between the mobile terminals 10 and the BLE terminals 20 is increased. The communication timing is adjusted. Specifically, the communication timing Ta between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a (the timing when the BLE terminal 20a returns a response packet to the mobile terminal 10a) and the communication between the mobile terminal 10b and the BLE terminal 20b. The timing of these communications is adjusted so as to be close to the timing Tb (the timing at which the BLE terminal 20b returns the response packet to the mobile terminal 10b).

For example, the BLE terminal 20a can calculate the timing Ta2 at which a response packet is next transmitted to the mobile terminal 10a based on the connection interval CIa, the number of times the connection event is ignored, and the slave latency SLa. The BLE terminal 20a transmits the information indicating the timing Ta2 at which communication with the mobile terminal 10a is next included in the advertising packet. When the BLE terminal 20b receives the advertising packet, the BLE terminal 20b communicates with the mobile terminal 10b (transmits a response packet to the mobile terminal 10b) at a timing Tb2 close to the timing Ta2. Here, even if the BLE terminal 20b does not communicate with the mobile terminal 10b at the timing Tb2, the number of times of ignoring the connection event is within the range of the slave latency SLb, so the BLE terminal 20b communicates with the mobile terminal 10b at the timing Tb2. You don't have to. However, the BLE terminal 20b communicates with the mobile terminal 10b without performing scanning and advertising for communication with the BLE terminal 20a at timing Tb2 based on the information indicating the timing Ta2 received from the BLE terminal 20a.

In this way, the timing of communication between the mobile terminal 10 and the BLE terminal 20 is adjusted.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state after FIG. 11, and an example of communication between the respective devices after the connection between the mobile terminal 10 (central) and the BLE terminal 20 (peripheral) is adjusted. FIG. After the adjustment as shown in FIG. 11 is performed, as shown in FIG. 12, the timing of communication (Ta3 to Ta5) between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a, and the mobile terminal 10b and the BLE terminal 20b. The communication timing (Tb3 to Tb5) between and becomes closer. In the example illustrated in FIG. 12, the BLE terminal 2b communicates with the mobile terminal 10b before the slave latency SLb arrives. As a result, the BLE terminals 20 efficiently communicate with each other while avoiding the risk of disconnecting the connection with the mobile terminal 10 by returning a response packet to the mobile terminal 10 within the slave latency range. It can be performed.

Next, a case will be described in which the BLE terminals 20 establish a connection and perform communication in a connected state. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the BLE terminals 20 establish a connection with each other while the mobile terminal 10 and the BLE terminal 20 are connected.

As shown in FIG. 13, similarly to FIG. 11, the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a are in the connected state, and the mobile terminal 10b and the BLE terminal 20b are in the connected state. In this state, the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b repeatedly execute scanning and advertising as shown in FIG. As described above, the execution period of the repeated scanning and advertising changes randomly (see FIG. 9). As shown in FIG. 13, for example, while the BLE terminal 20a is executing a scan, the BLE terminal 20b broadcasts an advertising packet (“ADV_IND”) indicating that connection is possible to unspecified devices. The BLE terminal 20a receives the advertising packet. Then, the BLE terminal 20a transmits a connection request to the BLE terminal 20b. Then, the connection C (connection between children) between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b is established by using the BLE terminal 20a as a central (master) and the BLE terminal 20b as a peripheral (slave). In connection between the children, both the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b can be centralized, but since the scanner (initiator) is centralized, in the example of FIG. 13, the BLE terminal 20a is connected to the BLE terminal 20b. In C, it becomes the central.

When the connection C between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b is established, the connection interval CIc and the slave latency SLc are determined as described above. For example, “4” is determined as the slave latency SLc. The connection interval CIc in the connection C between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b may be determined according to the connection interval CIa (or CIb) of the parent-child connection.

For example, the BLE terminal 20a may set a value smaller than the connection interval CIa in the connection A between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a (for example, 250 msec) as the CIc. By setting the CIc to be shorter than the CIa, communication between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b can be frequently performed, and more information can be obtained between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b. Can be exchanged. Conversely, the BLE terminal 20a may set a value larger than CIa (for example, 1 second) as the CIc. In this case, the communication between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a can be performed with higher priority.

Further, the slave latency SLc in the connection C between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b may be determined according to SLa (or SLb) in the parent-child connection. For example, the BLE terminal 20a may determine a value larger than SLa as SLc. Conversely, the BLE terminal 20a may determine a value smaller than SLa as SLc. Further, the BLE terminal 20a may set CIc and/or SLc based on CIa and SLa in the connection A. Further, the BLE terminal 20a is in a state of communication in connection with the mobile terminal 10a (the above CIa, SLa, the amount of communication in the connection A with the mobile terminal 10a, the state of radio waves in the connection A with the mobile terminal 10a, etc.). ), CIc and/or SLc may be determined.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state after FIG. 13, and is a diagram illustrating an example of communication in a state in which the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b are connected.

As shown in FIG. 14, in a state where the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b are connected, a connection event in the connection C between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b repeatedly occurs, and data is transmitted and received between the two devices. Done. Here, while the communication between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a is performed, the BLE terminal 20a restricts the communication with the BLE terminal 20b. That is, the BLE terminal 20a preferentially communicates with the mobile terminal 10a and does not communicate with the BLE terminal 20b at the timing when a connection event occurs in the connection A with the mobile terminal 10a. Similarly, while communication is performed between the mobile terminal 10b and the BLE terminal 20b, the BLE terminal 20b restricts communication with the BLE terminal 20a. That is, the BLE terminal 20 prioritizes communication between parents and children over communication between children. The period during which the communication between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b is restricted is a period within the range of the slave latency SLc. In this way, by limiting the communication between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b within the range of the slave latency SLc, the connection A between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a, and the mobile terminal 10b and the BLE. It is possible to avoid the risk of disconnecting the connection C between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b while avoiding the risk of disconnecting the connection B with the terminal 20b.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a specific example of a method for restricting communication between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, the BLE terminal 20a changes the connection interval to CIc2, which is longer than the current CIc, in the connection event at the timing Tc1 prior to the timing Ta at which the communication with the mobile terminal 10a is performed. In the connection C between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b, the BLE terminal 20a is central, so the BLE terminal 20a can freely change the connection interval CIc. When the connection interval is changed from CIc to CIc2, the next connection event in the connection C between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b occurs after communication with the mobile terminal 10a (communication at timing Ta) is performed. Will be done. Therefore, the BLE terminal 20a can be prevented from communicating with the BLE terminal 20b while the communication between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a is performed. As described above, the BLE terminal 20a does not overlap the timing of the connection event in the connection A with the parent mobile terminal 10a with the timing of the connection event in the connection C with the BLE terminal 20b (for example, , To prioritize the connection event in the connection A with the mobile terminal 10a), the current connection interval can be arbitrarily changed.

When communication is performed between the mobile terminal 10b and the BLE terminal 20b, the BLE terminal 20b does not communicate with the BLE terminal 20a but preferentially communicates with the mobile terminal 10b. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the BLE terminal 20b skips the connection event in the connection C between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b only once in order to communicate with the mobile terminal 10b. Since the slave latency SLc in the connection C between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b is "4", the BLE terminal 20b can skip one connection event. At the next connection event (timing Tc2) in the connection C between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b, the BLE terminal 20a notifies the BLE terminal 20b that the connection interval will be changed from CIc2 to CIc.

The BLE terminal 20b can change the slave latency SLc in the connection C. For example, if the BLE terminal 20b determines that communication with the BLE terminal 20a should not be performed for a period longer than the current slave latency SLc, the slave latency SLc is changed in the connection event of the connection C. Is transmitted to the BLE terminal 20a. For example, when the BLE terminal 20b needs to send a large amount of data to the mobile terminal 10b, the BLE terminal 20b sends a slave latency change request to the BLE terminal 20a so as to make SLc longer than the current one. To do. Further, the BLE terminal 20b may transmit a connection interval change request to the BLE terminal 20a so that the CIc may be made longer than the present time.

In this way, by changing the connection interval CIc and the slave latency SLc in the connection C between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b, the communication between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b can be restricted. Thereby, the communication between the mobile terminal 10 and the BLE terminal 20 can be prioritized over the communication between the BLE terminals 20, and the communication between the parent and child can be performed within the range of the slave latency. For example, the BLE terminal 20a may release the connection with the BLE terminal 20b when it is difficult to maintain the connection with the mobile terminal 10a. That is, if it is difficult to maintain the connection between the parent and child, the connection between the children may be released. The determination as to whether or not it is difficult to maintain the connection between the parent and child may be made based on, for example, the slave latency in the connection between the parent and child, the radio wave intensity in the connection between the parent and child, and the error rate. For example, when the number of times the connection event with the mobile terminal 10 is ignored in the BLE terminal 20 exceeds the slave latency SL, it is difficult to maintain the connection between the parent and child (the risk of disconnection between the parent and child is high. ), or if the number of times the connection event is ignored exceeds “SL+predetermined number”, it may be determined that it is difficult to maintain the connection between the parent and child. Further, when it is necessary to exchange a large amount of data between the parent and child in a short time, the BLE terminal 20 may change the CIc or SLc so that the children do not communicate with each other. For example, when a predetermined application (for example, a game application) is performed on the mobile terminal 10a and frequent communication needs to be performed between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20b, the BLE terminal 20a changes the mobile terminal 10a. May be preferentially performed (communication with the BLE terminal 20b may not be performed).

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of communication when the connection between the mobile terminal 10 and the BLE terminal 20 is adjusted when the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b are connected.

As shown in FIG. 16, the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b are connected to each other, and a connection event occurs in the child connection C at each connection interval CIc. Further, as described in FIG. 12, the communication timing (Ta3 to Ta5) between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a and the communication timing (Tb3 to Tb5) between the mobile terminal 10b and the BLE terminal 20b are adjusted. As a result, the timings of these two communications are almost the same. In this case, the BLE terminal 20a (20b) restricts the communication between the children for a predetermined period including the timing of communicating with the mobile terminal 10a (10b). Since the timing (Ta3 to Ta5) at which the BLE terminal 20a communicates with the mobile terminal 10a and the timing (Tb3 to Tb5) at which the BLE terminal 20b communicates with the mobile terminal 10b are substantially the same, the children are at substantially the same timing. Communication between children will be restricted. By performing such adjustment, the BLE terminal 20 can efficiently perform communication between the BLE terminals 20 while avoiding the risk of disconnection with the mobile terminal 10.

[Details of processing of each device]
(Processing of mobile terminal 10)
Next, details of the processing performed in the mobile terminal 10 and the BLE terminal 20 will be described. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the mobile terminal 10. FIG. 18 is a detailed flowchart of step S108 of FIG. The mobile terminal 10 includes a processor for executing the processing illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18, and the processor is implemented as a BLE communication module. In the following description, it is assumed that the BLE communication module (processor) of the mobile terminal 10 executes the processing shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, but some or all of the processing shown in FIGS. CPU or other processor may execute the communication program.

The case where the connection is established between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a will be described below, but the same flow applies to the connection between the mobile terminal 10b and the BLE terminal 20b.

As shown in FIG. 17, the mobile terminal 10a (the BLE communication module thereof) first determines whether or not it is time to execute a scan (step S100). When it is determined that it is time to execute the scan (step S100: YES), the mobile terminal 10a executes the scan (step S101). Specifically, the mobile terminal 10a executes the scan while switching the three channels 37 to 39. The mobile terminal 10a may execute the scan at regular time intervals, or may randomly determine the timing of executing the scan and the length of time for executing the scan. When it is determined that it is not the time to execute the scan (step S100: NO), the mobile terminal 10a performs the process of step S100 again.

Subsequent to step S101, the mobile terminal 10a determines whether or not an advertising packet has been received from the advertiser (BLE terminal 20a) (step S102). When the advertising packet is not received (step S102: NO), the mobile terminal 10a executes the process of step S100 again.

When it is determined in step S102 that the advertising packet has been received from the advertiser, the mobile terminal 10a determines, based on the received advertising packet, whether or not the advertising packet indicates that connection is possible (step S103). Specifically, in step S103, the mobile terminal 10a determines whether the received advertising packet is "ADV_IND" or "ADV_DIRECT_IND".

When it is not determined that the advertising packet indicates that the connection is possible (step S103: NO), the mobile terminal 10a acquires the data included in the advertising packet (step S104). Specifically, when the type of the advertising packet is "ADV_NONCONN_IND", the mobile terminal 10a acquires the data included in the advertising packet.

When it is determined that the advertising packet indicates that connection is possible (step S103: YES), the mobile terminal 10a transmits a connection request to the BLE terminal 20a that has transmitted the advertising packet (step S105). This connection request includes information such as the address of the mobile terminal 10a, the address of the BLE terminal 20a, the access address, the connection interval CIa, the slave latency SLa, the number of hops, and the connection monitoring timeout. As described above, the access address is for identifying the connection and is randomly determined by the mobile terminal 10a for each connection. When the type of the received advertising packet is “ADV_SCAN_IND”, the mobile terminal 10a sends a scan request to the advertiser that sent the advertising packet. When the mobile terminal 10a receives the scan response to the scan request, the mobile terminal 10a transmits a connection request in step S105.

After transmitting the connection request, the mobile terminal 10a establishes the connection A with the BLE terminal 20a (step S106).

After step S106, the mobile terminal 10a performs a process during connection (step S107). The process of step S107 is a process for performing communication in the connection A between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a, and is repeatedly executed while the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a maintain the connection state. .. Hereinafter, the details of the process during connection of the mobile terminal 10a will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 18, the mobile terminal 10a increments the time counter (step S110). Specifically, the mobile terminal 10a executes the process of step S110 at regular time intervals, and increments the time counter by one each time the process of step S110 is executed. The mobile terminal 10a determines, based on the value of the time counter, whether or not the connection interval CIa has elapsed since the last connection event was executed (step S111).

When it is determined that the connection interval CIa has elapsed since the last connection event (step S111: YES), the mobile terminal 10a executes the process (steps S112 to S120) related to the connection event in the connection A with the BLE terminal 20a. Specifically, the mobile terminal 10a determines whether or not there is transmission data to be transmitted to the BLE terminal 20a (step S112). For example, if the mobile terminal 10a needs to acquire the application data from the BLE terminal 20a in response to a request from the application, YES is determined in step S112. When the mobile terminal 10a needs to send the application data to the BLE terminal 20a, YES is determined in step S112.

When determining YES in step S112, the mobile terminal 10a includes the transmission data in the packet (step S113). For example, when the application data is acquired from the BLE terminal 20a, the mobile terminal 10a includes an acquisition request for acquiring data from the BLE terminal 20a in the packet as transmission data.

When the process of step S113 is executed or when NO is determined in step S112, the mobile terminal 10a transmits the packet to the BLE terminal 20a (step S114). Specifically, the mobile terminal 10a transmits the data packet to the BLE terminal 20a using any of the data channels 0 to 36. When the process of step S113 is executed, the payload of the packet includes the application data, and when the process of step S113 is not executed, the payload does not include the data. The data packet includes an access address randomly determined when the connection is established. The BLE terminal 20a can receive the data packet from the mobile terminal 10a based on this access address. Further, when the mobile terminal 10a changes the connection interval CIa, the information of the new CIa is included in the packet and transmitted to the BLE terminal 20a.

Subsequent to step S114, the mobile terminal 10a determines whether or not a response packet has been received from the connected BLE terminal 20a (step S115). When the response packet is received from the BLE terminal 20a (step S115: YES), the mobile terminal 10a processes the received data (step S116). Here, when the mobile terminal 10a (the BLE communication module thereof) receives the data corresponding to the acquisition request from the BLE terminal 20a, the data is passed to the application.

After the process of step S116, the mobile terminal 10a sets "0" to the variable N, resets the variable T (step S117), and returns to step S110 again. Here, “N” indicates the number of connection events in which the response packet was not received from the BLE terminal 20a in the connection A between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a. That is, “N” indicates the number of times the BLE terminal 20a ignored (skip) the connection event. The variable “T” is a variable indicating the elapsed time after the mobile terminal 10a receives the response packet from the BLE terminal 20a. The mobile terminal 10a uses this variable "T" to determine whether or not to disconnect from the BLE terminal 20a. For example, “T” may be added as time passes, or may be added by 1 every time the process of step S110 is performed.

On the other hand, when the response packet is not received from the BLE terminal 20a (step S115: NO), the mobile terminal 10a adds 1 to “N” (step S118). Then, the mobile terminal 10a determines whether or not “T” is equal to or longer than the connection monitoring timeout in the connection A (step S119). When T is determined to be equal to or longer than the connection monitoring timeout, the mobile terminal 10a releases the connection A with the BLE terminal 20a (step S120). On the other hand, when T is not determined to be the connection monitoring timeout or longer, the mobile terminal 10a returns the process to step S110.

(Processing of BLE terminal 20a)
Next, details of the processing performed in the BLE terminal 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 to 23. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed in the BLE terminal 20a. Here, it is assumed that the BLE terminal 20a performs the processing of FIGS. 19 to 22 and the BLE terminal 20b performs the processing of FIG. The BLE terminal 20 includes a processor for executing the processing shown in FIGS. 19 to 23, and the processor is mounted as the BLE communication module 25. Below, it demonstrates as what the BLE communication module 25 (processor) of the BLE terminal 20 performs the process shown in FIGS. 19-23. The BLE terminal 20 may include a CPU and/or another processor (regardless of whether or not the BLE communication module 25 is implemented) capable of executing an application, and the CPU and/or the other processor is a communication program. By executing the above, some or all of the processing shown in FIGS. 19 to 23 may be performed.

As shown in FIG. 19, the BLE terminal 20a determines whether or not it is time to execute advertising (step S200). When it is determined that it is not the timing to execute advertising (step S200: NO), the BLE terminal 20a executes the process of step S200 again.

When it is determined that it is time to execute advertising (step S200: YES), the BLE terminal 20a performs advertising (step S201). Specifically, the BLE terminal 20a transmits the advertising packet while switching the three channels 37 to 39 in step S201. Here, it is assumed that the BLE terminal 20a transmits an advertising packet (“ADV_IND” above) for connecting to an unspecified other device existing around the BLE terminal 20a.

Next, the BLE terminal 20a determines whether or not the connection request transmitted in step S105 from the mobile terminal 10a (initiator) has been received (step S202). When the connection request is not received from the other device (step S202: NO), the BLE terminal 20a executes the process of step S200 again.

When the connection request is received (step S202: YES), the BLE terminal 20a sets the CI, SL, connection monitoring timeout, hop count, access address, etc. included in the connection request, transitions to the connected state, and the BLE terminal The connection A between the mobile terminal 20a and the mobile terminal 10a is established (step S203). After the connection A is established, the BLE terminal 20a performs a connection-in-progress process (step S204). The in-connection process is repeatedly executed while the connection A between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a is maintained. Hereinafter, details of the process during connection of the BLE terminal 20a will be described.

(Processing during connection of BLE terminal 20)
FIG. 20 is a detailed flowchart of the processing during connection in step S205.

As shown in FIG. 20, the BLE terminal 20a increments the time counter (step S210). Specifically, the BLE terminal 20a executes the process of step S210 at regular time intervals, and increments the time counter by one each time the process of step S210 is executed. The BLE terminal 20a determines, based on the value of the time counter, whether or not the connection interval CIa has elapsed (since the packet was received from the mobile terminal 10a) from the previous connection event in the connection A (step S211). Note that the BLE terminal 20a actually determines in step S211 whether a time shorter than CIa by a predetermined time (a time calculated in consideration of the measurement error at the above time) has elapsed from the previous connection event. To do.

When it is determined that the connection interval CIa has elapsed from the previous connection event (step S211: YES), the BLE terminal 20a determines whether to skip the connection event in the connection A (step S212). Specifically, when “N” is equal to or greater than the slave latency SLa, the BLE terminal 20a determines NO in step S212. Here, “N” indicates the number of times the BLE terminal 20a skips a connection event (the number of connection events in which no response packet is continuously transmitted to the mobile terminal 10a). That is, the BLE terminal 20a determines to return the response packet to the mobile terminal 10a in the current connection event when the number N of times the response packet has not been returned to the mobile terminal 10a consecutively reaches the slave latency SLa.

Further, even if “N” is less than the slave latency SLa, the BLE terminal 20a may determine NO in step S212. For example, in the case of transmitting a response to the mobile terminal 10a before reaching the slave latency SLa for adjusting the connection between the parent and child shown in FIGS. 11 and 16, the BLE terminal 20a determines NO in step S212. .. The BLE terminal 20a also determines NO in step S212 when there is data to be transmitted to the mobile terminal 10a. In the process of step S212, the BLE terminal 20a first determines whether there is data to be transmitted (application data or data for adjusting connection between parent and child shown in FIG. 11 and the like), and When the determination result is NO, it may be determined whether N is SLa or more. That is, when there is data to be transmitted to the mobile terminal 10a, the BLE terminal 20a determines NO in step S212 in order to transmit a response packet including the data to be transmitted to the mobile terminal 10a in the current connection event. However, even if there is no data to be transmitted to the mobile terminal 10a, if N is equal to or greater than SLa, it is possible to determine NO in step S212 in order to transmit an empty response packet.

If NO is determined in step S212, the BLE terminal 20a receives the packet from the mobile terminal 10a using any of the data channels 0 to 36 (step S213). Then, the BLE terminal 20a transmits a response packet to the mobile terminal 10a using any of the data channels 0 to 36 (step S214). In step S214, the BLE terminal 20a transmits a packet including the application data to be transmitted to the mobile terminal 10a, including the data.

Next, the BLE terminal 20a processes the received data (step S215). In the process of step S215, when the predetermined data is received from the mobile terminal 10a, the BLE communication module of the BLE terminal 20a passes the received data to the application. Then, the BLE terminal 20a sets "0" to the variable N (step S216), and returns to step S210 again.

The process of step S213 may be performed before the process of step S212. That is, when the timing of the connection event arrives, the BLE terminal 20a first receives the data packet from the mobile terminal 10a (step S213), and then determines in step S212 whether to skip this connection event. You may. For example, the BLE terminal 20a receives the data packet from the mobile terminal 10a in step S213, and then executes the process of step S212. In the process of step S212, as described above, the BLE terminal 20a determines whether there is data (application data or the like) to be transmitted to the mobile terminal 10a and whether N is SL or more. To do. Then, the BLE terminal 20a determines whether to skip this connection event based on these determination results.

On the other hand, if the BLE terminal 20a determines YES in step S212, that is, determines that the current connection event is skipped, it adds 1 to “N” (step S217) and then executes the process of step S218. To do.

When it is determined as NO in step S211 or when step S217 is executed, the BLE terminal 20a performs the inter-BLE terminal communication process (step S218). The communication processing between BLE terminals in step S218 is executed during the connection interval in the connection A with the mobile terminal 10a (NO in S211) or when it is determined to skip the connection event of the connection A (YES in S212). .. The inter-BLE terminal communication process is a process for communicating with another BLE terminal 20b (communication between children) while the BLE terminal 20a is connected to the mobile terminal 10a. The communication processing between BLE terminals is executed even if there is no instruction from the mobile terminal 10a. Note that the setting of whether or not to execute the communication processing between BLE terminals may be performed based on an instruction from the mobile terminal 10a.

Note that the BLE terminal 20a determines whether or not the elapsed time from the previous communication with the mobile terminal 10a during the process of FIG. 20 is the connection monitoring timeout or more. For example, the BLE terminal 20a determines whether the elapsed time since the last reception of the packet from the mobile terminal 10a is equal to or longer than the connection monitoring timeout. Alternatively, the BLE terminal 20a may determine whether or not the elapsed time from the last transmission of the response packet to the mobile terminal 10a is the connection monitoring timeout or more. When the elapsed time from the previous communication with the mobile terminal 10a is equal to or longer than the connection monitoring timeout, the BLE terminal 20a releases the connection with the mobile terminal 10a and shifts from the connected state to the non-connected state. The process of FIG. 20 is ended. This connection monitoring timeout is determined and notified by the mobile terminal 10a when the connection is established.

Hereinafter, details of the communication processing between the BLE terminals in step S218 will be described.

(BLE terminal communication processing)
FIG. 21 is a detailed flowchart of the communication processing between BLE terminals in step S218. In FIG. 21, an example in which the BLE terminal 20a communicates with the BLE terminal 20b while the BLE terminal 20a is connected to the mobile terminal 10a will be described.

As shown in FIG. 21, the BLE terminal 20a determines whether or not it is time to execute advertising (step S231). For example, a fixed timing may be set as the timing of executing advertising, or the timing of executing advertising may be randomly determined as shown in FIG. 9. Further, as described with reference to FIG. 10, the timing for executing advertising may be determined based on the advertising packet received from another device.

When it is determined that it is the timing to execute advertising (step S231: YES), the BLE terminal 20a performs advertising (step S232). Specifically, in step S232, the BLE terminal 20a transmits a plurality of advertising packets while switching the three advertising channels 37 to 39.

For example, when communicating with another BLE terminal 20b without establishing a connection, the BLE terminal 20a sets "ADV_NONCONN_IND" as the type of the advertising packet and transmits the packet by broadcast including the application data. When the size of the application data exceeds the size of the data that can be transmitted by one advertising packet, the BLE terminal 20a divides the application data into a plurality of advertising packets for transmission. In this case, the BLE terminal 20a includes information indicating which position (number) in the application data the respective divided data is included in each advertising packet and transmitted. For example, when the application data is 75 octets, the BLE terminal 20a divides the application data into three pieces to divide into 25 octets. These three pieces of divided data are defined as Nos. 1, 2, and 3 from the beginning, and are transmitted in this order. Note that the three pieces of divided data may be repeatedly (multiple times) transmitted in consideration of the possibility that the receiving side cannot receive the data. Specifically, the BLE terminal 20a transmits one advertising packet including the first divided data (a portion of the application data from the beginning ⅓) and the sequence number (No. 1). Next, the BLE terminal 20 transmits one advertising packet including the second divided data (the central portion of the application data) and the sequence number (No. 2). Then, the BLE terminal 20a transmits one advertising packet including the third divided data (a part of 1/3 after the application data) and the sequence number (third). The BLE terminal 20b receives these three advertising packets and arranges the divided data according to the sequence number, whereby the BLE terminal 20b can reconstruct the application data transmitted from the BLE terminal 20a. Note that the BLE terminal 20a may transmit an advertising packet (“ADV_SCAN_IND”) indicating that a scan request is possible. In this case, a scan request is transmitted from the BLE terminal 20b that has received the advertising packet, and the BLE terminal 20a transmits a scan response accordingly. BLE terminal 20a, additional data may be included in this scan response. Accordingly, the BLE terminal 20a can further transmit the scan response by transmitting the advertising packet of 1, and can transmit more data to the BLE terminal 20b.

When establishing a connection with another BLE terminal 20b to perform communication, the BLE terminal 20a sets "ADV_IND" as the type of the advertising packet and transmits the advertising packet by broadcast in step S232. In this case, when another BLE terminal 20b that is executing the scan receives the advertising packet from the BLE terminal 20a, the BLE terminal 20b transmits a connection request to the BLE terminal 20a. Thereby, the connection is established between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b.

It should be noted that the advertising packet transmitted in step S232 may include the timing information described with reference to FIG. 10 (information indicating the timing of the subsequent advertising and/or scanning). Further, the advertising packet may include the information of the timing Ta2 described with reference to FIG. As described above, the BLE terminal 20b adjusts the timing of the subsequent advertising and the timing of the scan based on the reception of these pieces of information. This makes it possible to acquire a target advertising packet (for example, an advertising packet related to a sequence number that has not been acquired yet) in a shorter period of time.

When it is determined as NO in step S231 or when the process of step S232 is performed, the BLE terminal 20a determines whether or not it is the timing to execute the scan (step S233). For example, a fixed timing may be set as the scan execution timing, or the scan execution timing may be randomly determined as illustrated in FIG. 9. Further, as described with reference to FIG. 10, the timing for executing the scan may be determined based on the timing information included in the advertising packet received from another device.

When it is determined that it is time to execute the scan (step S233: YES), the BLE terminal 20a performs the scan (step S234). For example, the BLE terminal 20a receives the advertising packet from the BLE terminal 20b in step S234. The subsequent operation of the BLE terminal 20a differs depending on the type of advertising packet from the BLE terminal 20b.

For example, when the type of the advertising packet received from the BLE terminal 20b is "ADV_IND", that is, when it is possible to connect to the BLE terminal 20b (step S235: YES), the BLE terminal 20a performs a connection process (step S235). S236). The connection process in step S236 is the same as steps S105 to S106 in FIG. That is, the BLE terminal 20a transmits a connection request to the BLE terminal 20b and receives a response from the BLE terminal 20b, thereby establishing the connection C with the BLE terminal 20b. At this time, the BLE terminal 20a becomes a central (master) and the BLE terminal 20b becomes a peripheral (slave). Further, in this step S236, the BLE terminal 20a determines parameters (access address, connection interval CIc, slave latency SLc, hop count, connection monitoring timeout, etc.) relating to the connection C between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b. Then, the BLE terminal 20b is notified.

On the other hand, for example, when the type of the advertising packet received from the BLE terminal 20b is “ADV_NONCONN_IND”, the BLE terminal 20a determines NO in step S235. That is, in the case of "ADV_NONCONN_IND", since the advertising is not connected, the BLE terminal 20a acquires the data included in the advertising packet (step S237). The advertising packet may include data (for example, application data) transmitted by the BLE terminal 20b to another unspecified device, and the BLE terminal 20a acquires the data included in the advertising packet. When this data is divided application data, the BLE terminal 20a reconstructs the application data based on the sequence number included in the advertising packet as described above.

It should be noted that the advertising packet received in step S234 may include the timing information described with reference to FIG. 10 (information indicating the timing of the subsequent advertising and/or scanning). Further, the advertising packet may include information on the timing Tb (timing at which the BLE terminal 20b transmits a response packet to the mobile terminal 10b) shown in FIG. As described above, the BLE terminal 20a adjusts the timing of advertising and the timing of scanning after that based on the reception of these pieces of information.

By repeating the advertising in step S232 and the scanning in step S234, data can be transmitted and received between the two devices even when the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b are not connected. Further, by repeating the advertising in step S232 and the scanning in step S234, it is possible to establish a connection between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b.

Whether the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b establish a connection for communication or perform communication without establishing a connection depends on, for example, a request from an application. For example, when it is necessary to reliably send and receive data, the BLE terminal 20a sets "ADV_IND" as the type of advertising packet. When it is necessary to transmit data to a plurality of devices at the same time, the BLE terminal 20a sets "ADV_NONCONN_IND" as the type of the advertising packet and transmits the advertising packet.

When the process of step S236 is performed, the process of step S237 is performed, or when it is determined as NO in step S233, the BLE terminal 20a performs the process of step S238.

In step S238, the BLE terminal 20a determines whether or not it is connected to the BLE terminal 20b. If the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b are connected to each other as a result of repeating the advertising in step S232 and the scanning in step S234, the BLE terminal 20a performs a process during connection between BLE terminals. (Step S239).

The process during connection between BLE terminals in step S239 is a state in which the BLE terminal 20a is connected to the mobile terminal 10a (connection A in FIG. 15) and a state in which it is connected to the BLE terminal 20b (connection C in FIG. 15). This is the process performed when Hereinafter, details of the process during connection between the BLE terminals in step S239 will be described.

(Processing during connection between BLE terminals of BLE terminal 20a)
FIG. 22 is a detailed flowchart of the processing during connection between BLE terminals in step S239, and is a diagram showing processing performed in the BLE terminal 20a that operates as a central (master).

In FIG. 22, it is assumed that the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a are connected, and the connection interval is set to CIa and the slave latency is set to SLa as parameters of this connection A. Further, it is assumed that the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b are connected, and that the connection interval is set to CIc and the slave latency is set to SLc as parameters of this connection C.

As shown in FIG. 22, the BLE terminal 20a determines whether or not the connection interval CIc has elapsed based on the time counter (step S241). Specifically, the BLE terminal 20a determines whether CIc has passed from the timing of the previous connection event in the connection C between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b. The BLE terminal 20a may set a time counter for each connection, or may use a common time counter to determine the timing of executing the connection event of each connection. That is, the time counter for the connection A between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a (the time counter used for the determination in step S211 of FIG. 20) and the time counter for the connection C between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b. (Time counter used for determination in step S241) may be different or the same.

When it is determined that the connection interval CIc has not elapsed (step S241: NO), the BLE terminal 20a ends the process illustrated in FIG.

When it is determined that the connection interval CIc has elapsed (step S241: YES), the BLE terminal 20a determines whether or not to restrict communication between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b (step S242). Specifically, the BLE terminal 20a determines to limit communication between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b when it is necessary to communicate with the mobile terminal 10a within a predetermined time from the present time. That is, unless the BLE terminal 20a transmits a response to the mobile terminal 10a within a predetermined time from the present time, if the slave latency SLa in the connection A between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a is exceeded, the BLE terminal 20a , And limits communication with the BLE terminal 20b. Specifically, the BLE terminal 20a determines to limit the communication between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b when the value of “N” is equal to or greater than the slave latency SLa.

When it is determined that the communication between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b is restricted (step S242: YES), the BLE terminal 20a changes the connection interval CIc (step S243). Specifically, in the BLE terminal 20a, the connection event in the connection C between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b that occurs next is temporally compared with the connection event in the connection A between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a. The CIc is changed to a value (CIc2) larger than the current one so as not to overlap (see FIG. 15).

When the process of step S243 is executed or when NO is determined in step S242, the BLE terminal 20a determines whether or not there is transmission data (for example, application data) to be transmitted to the BLE terminal 20b (step S244). ) If there is transmission data (step S244: YES), the transmission data is included in the packet (step S245).

When the process of step S245 is executed or when NO is determined in step S244, the BLE terminal 20a transmits a packet to the BLE terminal 20b using the data channel (step S246). When the process of step S245 is performed, the payload of the packet includes the transmission data, and when the process of step S245 is not performed, the payload of the packet does not include the transmission data. When the CIc is changed to CIc2 in step S243, the information on the changed CIc2 is included in the packet. As a result, the next connection event in the connection C between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b will occur after the lapse of CIc2.

The changed CIc2 is returned to the CIc after the connection event between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a ends. In the connection event in the connection C between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b that occurs after the connection event between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a ends, the BLE terminal 20a sends the CIc information to the BLE terminal 20b. It is transmitted (see FIG. 15).

By performing the processing of steps S242 to S246, as shown in FIG. 15, while the communication between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a is performed, the communication between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b is performed. Can be restricted.

After step S246, the BLE terminal 20a determines whether or not a response packet has been received from the BLE terminal 20b (step S247). When the response packet is received from the BLE terminal 20b (step S247: YES), the BLE terminal 20a processes the received data (step S248). In step S248, for example, the BLE terminal 20b (the BLE communication module thereof) passes the received data to the application layer. Then, the BLE terminal 20a sets the variable M to "0" and resets the variable "S" (step S249), and ends the processing shown in FIG. “M” indicates the number of connection events in which the response packet was not received from the BLE terminal 20b in the connection C between the BLE terminals 20a and 20b. Further, “S” is a variable indicating the elapsed time after the BLE terminal 20a receives the response packet from the BLE terminal 20b. The BLE terminal 20a determines whether or not to disconnect from the BLE terminal 20b using this variable “S”. For example, “S” may be added according to the passage of time, or may be added by 1 every time the process of step SS241 is performed.

On the other hand, when the response packet is not received from the BLE terminal 20b (step S247: NO), the BLE terminal 20a adds 1 to “M” (step S250). Next, the BLE terminal 20a determines whether “S” is equal to or longer than the connection monitoring timeout in the connection C (step S251). When it is determined that “S” is equal to or longer than the connection monitoring timeout (step S251: YES), the BLE terminal 20a releases the connection C with the BLE terminal 20b (step S252) and ends the process illustrated in FIG. If “S” is not determined to be equal to or longer than the connection monitoring timeout (step S251: NO), the BLE terminal 20a does not perform the process of step S252 (without releasing the connection C) and executes the process illustrated in FIG. finish.

(Processing during connection between BLE terminals of BLE terminal 20b)
FIG. 23 is a detailed flowchart of the processing during connection between BLE terminals in step S239, and is a diagram showing processing performed in the BLE terminal 20b that operates as a peripheral (slave).

In FIG. 23, it is assumed that the mobile terminal 10b and the BLE terminal 20b are connected, and the connection interval is set to CIb and the slave latency is set to SLb as parameters of this connection B. Further, it is assumed that the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b are connected, and that the connection interval is set to CIc and the slave latency is set to SLc as parameters of this connection C.

As shown in FIG. 23, the BLE terminal 20b determines whether the connection interval CIc has elapsed based on the time counter (step S261). Specifically, the BLE terminal 20b determines whether CIc has passed from the timing of the previous connection event in the connection C between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b. The BLE terminal 20b may set a time counter for each connection, or may set a common time counter.

When it is determined that the connection interval CIc has not elapsed (step S261: NO), the BLE terminal 20b ends the process illustrated in FIG.

When it is determined that the connection interval CIc has elapsed (step S261: YES), the BLE terminal 20b determines whether to restrict communication between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b (step S262). Specifically, the BLE terminal 20b determines to limit communication between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b when it is necessary to communicate with the mobile terminal 10b within a predetermined time from the present time. That is, unless the BLE terminal 20b transmits a response to the mobile terminal 10b within a predetermined time from the present time, if the slave latency SLb in the connection B between the mobile terminal 10b and the BLE terminal 20b is exceeded, the BLE terminal 20b , And limits communication with the BLE terminal 20a.

When it is determined that the communication between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b is limited (step S262: YES), the BLE terminal 20b determines whether the variable “M” is equal to or greater than the slave latency SLc (step S263). “M” indicates the number of times that the BLE terminal 20b did not send a response packet (skip the connection event) in the connection event in the connection C between the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b. When it is determined that “M” is equal to or higher than the slave latency SLc (step S263: YES), the BLE terminal 20b advances the process to step S264. On the other hand, when it is determined that “M” is less than the slave latency SLc (step S263: NO), the BLE terminal 20b ends the process of FIG.

When NO is determined in step S262 or when YES is determined in step S263, the BLE terminal 20b determines whether to skip the connection event in the connection C with the BLE terminal 20a (step S264).

As is clear from the processing of steps S262 and S263, the BLE terminal 20b restricts communication with the BLE terminal 20a in order to prioritize communication with the mobile terminal 10b. Specifically, the BLE terminal 20b limits the communication with the BLE terminal 20a so that the communication with the mobile terminal 10b is performed within the range of the slave latency SLb (that is, the connection event of the connection C is skipped). .. However, if the BLE terminal 20b exceeds the slave latency SLc in the connection C with the BLE terminal 20a unless a response is transmitted to the BLE terminal 20a in the current connection event (step S263: YES), the BLE terminal 20b The process proceeds to step S264 without restricting communication. Accordingly, the BLE terminal 20b can avoid the risk of disconnecting the connection C with the BLE terminal 20a while giving priority to communication with the mobile terminal 10b.

In step S264, the BLE terminal 20b determines whether to skip the current connection event in the connection C.

If the BLE terminal 20b determines NO in step S264, the BLE terminal 20b executes the connection event in the connection C as in steps S214 to S216 in FIG. Specifically, the BLE terminal 20b receives a packet from the BLE terminal 20a using the data channel (step S265), and transmits a response to the BLE terminal 20a in response to the reception of the packet (step S266). This response may include a SLc change request. Then, the BLE terminal 20b processes the data from the BLE terminal 20a (step S267), sets "0" in the variable M (step S268), and ends the processing shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if the BLE terminal 20b determines YES in step S264, the BLE terminal 20b adds 1 to "M" (step S269), and ends the process illustrated in FIG.

Here, when one of the connections between the parent and child (connection B between the mobile terminal 10b and the BLE terminal 20b) and the connection between the children (connection C between the BLE terminals 20) is restricted, When there is a risk that the other connection is released, the BLE terminal 20b gives priority to the connection between the parent and child. For example, when the value of “N” is equal to the slave latency SLb, that is, when the number of times that the BLE terminal 20b did not return the response packet to the mobile terminal 10b is equal to the slave latency SLb, the BLE terminal 20b determines in step S264. Judge as YES. For example, even when it is determined to be YES in step S263, the BLE terminal 20b determines YES in step S264 (in this case, M>SLc, so that the risk that the connection C between the children is released is high. Become). That is, the BLE terminal 20b limits the communication in the connection C between the children in order to avoid the risk of the connection B between the parent and child being released.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the connection between the parent and the child is prioritized over the connection between the children. Accordingly, even when the children are connected to each other during the connection between the parent and child, the risk of disconnecting the connection between the parent and child can be avoided. Note that in other embodiments, the connection between the children may be prioritized over the connection between the parent and child. Further, it may be determined whether to prioritize the connection between the parent and the child or the connection between the children according to the current communication situation. For example, when the communication traffic between the children is larger than the communication traffic between the parents and children, the connection between the children may be prioritized.

Note that the BLE terminal 20b determines whether or not the elapsed time since the last communication with the BLE terminal 20a is equal to or longer than the connection monitoring timeout during the process of FIG. 23. For example, the BLE terminal 20b determines whether or not the elapsed time since the last reception of the packet from the BLE terminal 20a is the connection monitoring timeout or more. Alternatively, the BLE terminal 20a may determine whether or not the elapsed time since the last transmission of the response packet to the BLE terminal 20a is the connection monitoring timeout or more. If the elapsed time since the last communication with the BLE terminal 20a is equal to or longer than the connection monitoring timeout, the BLE terminal 20b releases the connection with the BLE terminal 20a and shifts from the connected state to the disconnected state. , The process of FIG. 23 ends. This connection monitoring timeout is determined and notified by the BLE terminal 20a when the connection is established.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the BLE terminal 20a communicates with the BLE terminal 20b (child) connected to the mobile terminal 10b while being connected to the mobile terminal 10a (parent). That is, the BLE terminal 20a participating as a slave in a certain network communicates with the BLE terminal 20b participating as a slave in another network. Specifically, the BLE terminal 20a transmits and receives an advertising packet by broadcasting (broadcasting to an unspecified unspecified device or a restricted unspecified device) while not connected to the BLE terminal 20b. It communicates with the BLE terminal 20b. Further, the BLE terminal 20a establishes a connection with the BLE terminal 20b and communicates with each other in a connected state.

Further, in the present embodiment, the communication between the children is controlled so that the connection between the parent and the child is maintained. That is, the child preferentially performs the communication between the parents without performing the communication between the children at the timing when the communication for maintaining the connection between the parents and the child (connection event between the parents and the child) occurs. For example, when the communication timing for maintaining the connection between the parent and the child matches the communication timing between the children, the BLE terminal 20 restricts the communication between the children (without communicating between the children. ), communication between parents and children is given priority. Further, the BLE terminal 20 may restrict communication between children during a predetermined period including a timing at which communication for maintaining connection between parents and children is performed.

Further, the BLE terminal 20 adjusts the timing of communication for maintaining the connection between the parent and child in order to improve the efficiency of communication between the children. Specifically, the timing of communication for maintaining the connection A between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a and the timing of communication for maintaining the connection B between the mobile terminal 10b and the BLE terminal 20b are close to each other. Then, the timing of these communications is adjusted. By performing such adjustment, the BLE terminal 20 can efficiently perform communication between the children while maintaining the connection between the parent and child.

In child-to-child communication, application data is transmitted and received to and from each other. The application data may be, for example, data used in a game such as a game character or item (data indicating the actual data or ID of the character or item), a game name, a game ID, or the like. In addition, the data used in the application may be character data, image data, moving image data, audio data, data for advertisement, etc. that are reproduced by the application. Further, as application data, position information (GPS information) of the BLE terminal 20, a sensor provided in the BLE terminal 20 (for example, an inertia sensor such as an acceleration sensor or an angular velocity sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a human body such as blood pressure or a pulse). Output information from a sensor or the like capable of acquiring biometric information). The BLE terminal 20 may perform a predetermined process based on the application data received in the communication between the children, or the received application data is transmitted to the mobile terminal 10 and the predetermined process based on the data in the mobile terminal 10. May be performed.

It should be noted that the processing of each step in the above flowchart is merely an example, and the processing order of each step may be changed or the processing of each step may not be executed. Further, other processing may be added to the processing in the above flowchart.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, each device is assumed to perform communication based on the BLE standard, but communication is not limited to BLE and may be based on classic Bluetooth. In addition, communication based on another standard (for example, IEEE 802.11 series or the like) may be performed. Further, communication based on any other standard may be performed. In the communication based on the BLE standard, in the connected state, communication is performed between two devices using a common access address generated when the connection is established. In communication based on other standards, for example, in a connection state after connection is established, communication is performed using an address unique to the device. That is, the transmitting side transmits the packet by designating the address of the receiving side device (unicast).

Further, in the above embodiment, the communication between the parent and the child is prioritized over the communication between the children, but in other embodiments, the communication between the children may be performed prior to the communication between the parent and child. For example, it is assumed that the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a are always connected, and the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b are in a communicable range for a certain period. For example, when the user A carrying the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a is moving and the user B carrying the mobile terminal 10b and the BLE terminal 20b is moving, the user A and the user B pass each other. A case is possible. In this case, since the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a are always located at a short distance, and the mobile terminal 10b and the BLE terminal 20b are always located at a short distance, the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a can always communicate with each other. The mobile terminal 10b and the BLE terminal 20b can always communicate with each other. However, the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b are in a communicable range only while passing each other, and it is necessary for the BLE terminal 20a and the BLE terminal 20b to exchange data in a short time in order to exchange data. In such a case, the communication between the children (BLE terminal 20a and BLE terminal 20b) is preferentially performed over the communication between the parent and child (mobile terminal 10a and BLE terminal 20a, or mobile terminal 10b and BLE terminal 20b). Good. For example, the children may communicate with each other without establishing a connection, or may communicate with each other after establishing a connection. The communication between the children may be prioritized even when the connection event between the parent and the child occurs during the communication between the children. Even if the period during which the communication between the parent and child is not performed exceeds the slave latency, the communication between the children may be prioritized. That is, for example, in the connection between the mobile terminal 10a and the BLE terminal 20a, even if the BLE terminal 20a exceeds the slave latency in the connection with the mobile terminal 10a unless a response is returned to the mobile terminal 10a. Communication with the terminal 20b may be preferentially performed. In such a case, the connection between the parent and child can be resumed immediately after the communication between the children is completed (after the user A and the user B are separated). As described above, even if the period during which communication is not performed exceeds the slave latency and if it is within the connection monitoring timeout, the connection between the parent and child is maintained. In addition, for example, the BLE terminal 20a is connected to the mobile terminal 10a by prioritizing the communication with the BLE terminal 20b after the communication with the BLE terminal 20b is completed (after the communication with the BLE terminal 20b is disabled). Even when the connection is canceled, the connection can be established at high speed with the mobile terminal 10a by transmitting the advertising packet of the type "ADV_DIRECT_IND". However, since the communication between the children can be performed only while the user A and the user B pass each other, the communication between the children may be prioritized over the communication between the parent and child.

Further, in the above embodiment, the communication between the children is restricted by changing the connection interval CIc and the slave latency SLc in the connection between the children, and the communication between the parent and the child is performed during the period when the communication between the children is restricted. (FIG. 15). In other embodiments, for example, the connection monitoring timeout may be modified in addition to the connection interval and/or slave latency. Further, the connection monitoring timeout may be changed instead of the connection interval and/or the slave latency. By changing the connection monitoring timeout in the connection between the children (set it longer than the current value), the connection between the children is not released even if the communication between the children is not performed for a relatively long time, and The communication between the parent and child may be performed during the period when the communication is not performed.

Part or all of the processing described in this specification may be performed by the CPU and/or other processor of the mobile terminal or the BLE terminal executing the communication program. Further, part or all of the above processing may be performed by an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) included in the mobile terminal or the BLE terminal.

1 wireless communication system 10a, 10b mobile terminal 20a, 20b BLE terminal 25 BLE communication module

Claims (80)

A wireless system including a plurality of devices capable of wireless communication,
The wireless system includes a first device, a second device, a third device, and a fourth device,
The first device and the second device are
Using the first device as a master and the second device as a slave, establishing a connection between the first device and the second device to perform wireless communication,
The fourth device and the third device are
Using the fourth device as a master and the third device as a slave, establishing a connection between the fourth device and the third device to perform wireless communication,
The second device is
A wireless system that performs wireless communication with the third device in a state of being connected to the fourth device as a slave while being connected to the first device as a slave. The second device is
Transmitting means for transmitting data wirelessly by broadcast or multicast;
Receiving means for wirelessly receiving data transmitted by broadcast or multicast,
By executing the transmitting process by the transmitting unit and the receiving process by the receiving unit in a state of being connected to the first device as a slave, the third device in a state of being connected to the fourth device as a slave. The wireless system according to claim 1, which communicates with a device. The second device transmits predetermined data by wireless communication with the third device in a state in which the second device is not connected to the third device and is connected to the fourth device as a slave. Alternatively, the wireless system according to claim 1, which performs reception. The wireless system according to claim 3, wherein the second device transmits or receives data used in an application as the predetermined data. The wireless system according to claim 3, wherein the second device transmits or receives data used in a game as the predetermined data. The wireless system according to claim 3, wherein the second device transmits or receives data relating to content reproduced by an application as the predetermined data. The second device is connected to the fourth device as a slave by repeatedly executing the transmission process by the transmission unit and the reception process by the reception unit while being connected to the first device. The wireless system according to claim 2, wherein the wireless communication is performed without establishing a connection with the third device in the established state. The wireless system according to claim 2, wherein the data transmitted by the broadcast or the multicast is data for establishing a connection with another device. The second device connected to the first device as a slave establishes a connection with the third device connected to the fourth device as a slave and establishes the connection. The wireless system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication is performed with the third device in a maintained state. The second device connected to the first device as a slave establishes a connection with the third device connected to the fourth device as a slave and establishes the connection. The wireless system according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 8, which wirelessly communicates with the third device without disconnecting. The second device is in the vicinity of the second device by repeatedly executing the transmitting process by the transmitting unit and the receiving process by the receiving unit while being connected to the first device. The wireless system according to claim 2, which performs wireless communication with another device. The second device repeatedly executes the transmission process by the transmission means and the reception process by the reception device to search for another device around the second device, and detects the other device. The wireless system according to claim 11, wherein a connection is established with the third device in a state of being connected to the fourth device as a slave. 13. At least one of an execution period of the transmission process, a timing of executing the transmission process, an execution period of the reception process, and a timing of execution of the reception process is variable. The wireless system according to any one of 1. The radio according to claim 13, wherein at least one of an execution period of the transmission process, a timing of executing the transmission process, an execution period of the reception process, and a timing of execution of the reception process is randomly set. system. The wireless system according to claim 11, wherein the second device alternately and repeatedly executes the transmission process and the reception process. At least one of the transmission processing and the reception processing, the transmission processing and the transmission processing, and/or the reception processing and the reception processing includes at least one of the transmission processing and the reception processing. The wireless system according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein there is a sleep period that is not performed. The wireless system according to claim 15, wherein a sleep period in which neither the transmission process nor the reception process is performed is present between the transmission process and the reception process. The wireless system according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the sleep period is variable. The wireless system according to claim 18, wherein the sleep period is randomly set. 20. The second device wirelessly communicates with the third device in a state of being connected to the fourth device as a slave, without an instruction from the first device. The wireless system according to. 21. The wireless device according to claim 1, wherein the first device and the second device repeatedly perform synchronous communication in a state where the first device and the second device are connected. system. The wireless system is
An allowable period setting means for setting an allowable period for connecting the first device and the second device,
The second device is
22. The radio according to claim 21, further comprising: a determination unit that determines whether or not to perform the synchronous communication with the first device based on the allowable period in a state of being connected to the first device. system. 23. The wireless system according to claim 22, wherein the first device has the allowable period setting means. 24. The wireless system according to claim 22, wherein the second device has an allowable period changing unit that transmits a change request for changing the allowable period in a state of being connected to the first device. The first device repeatedly transmits predetermined data to the second device at predetermined time intervals as the synchronous communication in a state where the first device is connected to the second device,
The second device returns a response to the first device in response to receiving the predetermined data transmitted from the first device at a predetermined time interval,
The allowable period setting means sets the number of times of the response as the allowable period,
When the number of times the response is not returned to the first device exceeds the number set by the allowable period setting means or reaches the number set by the allowable period setting means, the second device is The wireless system according to claim 22, wherein the response is returned to the first device. 26. The wireless system according to claim 22, wherein the second device wirelessly communicates with the third device in a state of being connected to the fourth device as a slave during the allowable period. The second device is
Transmitting means for transmitting data wirelessly by broadcast or multicast;
Receiving means for wirelessly receiving data transmitted by broadcast or multicast,
In the allowable period, by repeatedly executing the transmission process by the transmission unit and the reception process by the reception unit, wireless communication is performed with the third device in a state of being connected to the fourth device as a slave. The wireless system according to claim 26. The second device establishes a connection with the third device in a state of being connected to the fourth device as a slave in the allowable period, and in a state of being connected to the third device, 27. The wireless system according to claim 26, which performs wireless communication with the third device. The second device is connected to the fourth device as a slave at a timing different from the timing at which the synchronous communication is performed between the first device and the second device. 29. The wireless system according to claim 21, which wirelessly communicates with the device. The first device and the second device repeatedly perform synchronous communication,
30. The wireless system according to claim 1, wherein the fourth device and the third device repeatedly perform synchronous communication. Timing of synchronous communication of at least one of synchronous communication between the first device and the second device and synchronous communication between the fourth device and the third device 31. The wireless system according to claim 30, further comprising adjusting means for adjusting. 32. The wireless system according to claim 31, wherein the second device includes the adjusting unit. The adjustment means makes the timing of synchronous communication between the first device and the second device close to the timing of synchronous communication between the fourth device and the third device. 33. The wireless system according to claim 31 or 32, which is adjusted as follows. The wireless system includes an allowable period setting means for setting an allowable period for connecting the first device and the second device,
The second device is
In a state of being connected to the first device, it has a determining means for determining whether to execute synchronous communication with the first device based on the allowable period,
The adjusting means may perform synchronous communication between the first device and the second device so that synchronous communication between the first device and the second device is performed in the allowable period. 34. The wireless system according to claim 31, wherein the timing of at least one of synchronous communication between the third device and the fourth device is adjusted. The second device has the adjusting means,
The third device transmits information indicating the timing of the synchronous communication performed with the fourth device,
35. The method according to claim 31, wherein the second device adjusts the timing of the synchronous communication performed with the first device based on the information transmitted from the third device. The wireless system described. In a state where the first device and the second device are connected, the first device and the second device repeatedly perform synchronous communication,
The second device is more than the wireless communication between the second device and the third device at the timing when the synchronous communication between the first device and the second device is performed. The wireless system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication with the first device is preferentially performed. The wireless system includes an allowable period setting means for setting an allowable period for connecting the first device and the second device,
The second device is
Determination means for determining whether or not to perform synchronous communication with the first device based on the allowable period in a state of being connected to the first device,
At least one of communication with the third device or communication with the first device is performed so that synchronous communication is performed between the first device and the second device in the allowable period. 37. The wireless system according to claim 36, further comprising a communication control unit for controlling. The second device is
Transmitting means for transmitting data wirelessly by broadcast or multicast;
Receiving means for wirelessly receiving data transmitted by broadcast or multicast,
By repeatedly executing the transmitting process by the transmitting unit and the receiving process by the receiving unit in a state of being connected to the first device as a slave, the third device in a state of being connected to the fourth device as a slave. Wireless communication without establishing a connection with
When the timing of synchronous communication with the first device and the timing of wireless communication with the third device overlap, the second device preferentially performs the synchronous communication with the first device. The wireless system according to claim 36 or 37. The second device establishes a connection as the slave with the third device in a state of being connected to the fourth device, and in a state of being connected to the third device, wirelessly communicates with the third device. To communicate,
The second device communicates with the first device when the timing of the synchronous communication with the first device and the timing of the wireless communication in the connection with the third device overlap. 38. The wireless system according to claim 36 or 37, wherein priority is given to. The wireless system includes second allowable period setting means for setting a second allowable period for connecting the second device and the third device,
The second device and the third device are
In a state of being connected to each other, performing synchronous communication with the second device and the third device,
The third device is
A state of being connected to the second device, and based on the second allowable period, a determination means for determining whether or not to perform synchronous communication with the second device,
The second device is
At least one of communication with the third device and communication with the first device so that synchronous communication is performed between the second device and the third device in the second allowable period. 40. The wireless system according to claim 36, further comprising communication control means for controlling one of them. The second device sets a time interval of synchronous communication in connection with the third device, and performs synchronous communication with the third device at the set time interval.
The second device according to any one of claims 1 to 40, wherein the second device preferentially performs communication with the first device by adjusting a time interval of synchronous communication with the third device. Wireless system. The wireless system is
Second allowable period setting means for setting a second allowable period for connecting the second device and the third device,
A third allowable period setting means for setting a third allowable period for connecting the fourth device and the third device,
The third device is
A state of being connected to the second device, and based on the second allowable period, a determination means for determining whether or not to perform synchronous communication with the second device,
The fourth device is
In a state of being connected to the third device, synchronous communication with the third device is executed,
The third device is
In a state of being connected to the fourth device, it is determined whether to perform synchronous communication with the fourth device based on the third allowable period,
The wireless system according to claim 40, wherein the third device preferentially executes the synchronous communication with the fourth device over the synchronous communication with the second device. The third device includes a third permissible period changing means for transmitting a change request for changing the third permissible period to the fourth device according to a communication status with the second device. 43. The wireless system of claim 42, having. The second device is
Including interval setting means for setting the interval of wireless communication,
As a slave, a connection is established between the fourth device and the third device, and after the connection is established, the second device is connected to the second device at an interval set by the interval setting means. The wireless system according to any one of claims 1 to 43, which performs wireless communication between the third devices. The wireless system includes an allowable period setting means for setting an allowable period for connecting the first device and the second device,
The second device is
In a state of being connected to the first device, it has a determining means for determining whether to execute synchronous communication with the first device based on the allowable period,
The interval setting means sets an interval of wireless communication between the second device and the third device based on a permissible period of connection between the first device and the second device. The wireless system according to claim 44. 45. The interval setting means of the second device sets a time interval of communication with the third device according to a communication situation between the first device and the second device. Or the wireless system according to 45. The wireless system includes second allowable period setting means for setting a second allowable period for connection between the second device and the third device,
The third device is
A state of being connected to the second device, and based on the second allowable period, a determination means for determining whether to perform synchronous communication with the second device,
47. The second allowable period setting means sets the second allowable period according to a communication state between the first device and the second device, according to claim 44. Wireless system. The first device and the second device perform synchronous communication at a first time interval,
The second device establishes a connection with the third device in a state of being connected to the fourth device as a slave while being connected to the first device, The wireless system according to any one of claims 1 to 47, which performs synchronous communication with the third device at a second time interval different from the time interval of. The wireless system according to claim 48, wherein the second device sets the second time interval such that the second time interval is shorter than the first time interval. The wireless system is
First allowable period setting means for setting a first allowable period for connecting the first device and the second device,
A second allowable period setting means for setting a second allowable period for connecting the second device and the third device,
The second device is
In a state of being connected to the first device, it has a determination means for determining whether to perform synchronous communication with the first device based on the first allowable period,
The third device is
A state of being connected to the second device, and based on the second allowable period, a determination means for determining whether or not to perform synchronous communication with the second device,
The second permissible period setting means sets at least one of a communication state between the first device and the second device or a communication state between the second device and the third device. The wireless system according to claim 1, wherein the second allowable period is set so as to be shorter than the first allowable period. The wireless system according to claim 48, wherein the second device sets the second time interval such that the second time interval is longer than the first time interval. The wireless system is
First allowable period setting means for setting a first allowable period for connecting the first device and the second device,
A second allowable period setting means for setting a second allowable period for connecting the second device and the third device,
The second device is
In a state of being connected to the first device, it has a determination means for determining whether to perform synchronous communication with the first device based on the first allowable period,
The third device is
A state of being connected to the second device, and based on the second allowable period, a determination means for determining whether or not to perform synchronous communication with the second device,
52. The wireless system according to claim 1, wherein the second allowable period setting means sets the second allowable period to be longer than the first allowable period. The second device is
While being connected to the first device, a connection is established between the third device in a state of being connected to the fourth device as a slave,
53. The radio according to claim 1, wherein the connection between the first device and the second device is prioritized over the connection between the second device and the third device. system. The second device limits communication between the second device and the third device according to a connection state between the first device and the second device. 53. The wireless system according to 53. If the second device maintains the connection between the second device and the third device, and the connection between the first device and the second device is released, 55. The wireless system according to claim 54, which disconnects the connection between the second device and the third device. The second device is
Transmission means for transmitting data wirelessly,
A receiving unit that wirelessly receives data at a timing different from the transmission of the data by the transmitting unit,
The transmitting process by the transmitting unit and the receiving process by the receiving unit are repeatedly performed,
The wireless system according to any one of claims 1 to 55, wherein the transmitting unit transmits data including timing information indicating a timing of the transmitting process and/or the receiving process performed by the device thereafter. 57. The wireless system according to claim 56, wherein the transmitting unit of the second device transmits the data including the timing information by broadcast or multicast. The wireless system according to claim 56 or 57, wherein the transmission unit of the second device transmits data including the timing information in response to receiving data transmitted by broadcast or multicast from another device. .. The third device is
Repeat the transmission process of transmitting data wirelessly and the reception process of receiving data wirelessly,
59. The wireless system according to claim 56, wherein the timing of performing the transmission process and/or the reception process is adjusted based on the timing information from the second device. Wireless communication between the first device and the second device, wireless communication between the fourth device and the third device, and the second device and the third device The wireless system according to any one of claims 1 to 59, wherein wireless communication between the terminals is performed based on the same communication standard. The wireless system according to claim 60, wherein each of the devices performs the wireless communication while switching the frequency of a radio wave. The wireless system according to claim 61, wherein each of the devices performs the wireless communication while switching a plurality of different predetermined frequencies. 63. The wireless system according to claim 60, wherein the communication standard is Bluetooth Low Energy. Wireless communication between the first device and the second device, wireless communication between the fourth device and the third device, and the second device and the third device 64. The wireless system according to any one of claims 1 to 63, wherein wireless communication between the two is performed in the same predetermined frequency band. 65. The wireless system according to claim 64, wherein the frequency band is the 2.4 GHz band. The wireless system according to claim 12, wherein the search is performed while switching three channels. A wireless system including a plurality of devices capable of wireless communication based on the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) standard,
The wireless system includes a first device, a second device, a fourth device, and a third device,
The first device and the second device are
Using the first device as a central device and the second device as a peripheral device, a connection is established between the first device and the second device to perform wireless communication based on the BLE standard,
The fourth device and the third device are
Using the fourth device as a central device and the third device as a peripheral device, a connection is established between the fourth device and the third device to perform wireless communication based on the BLE standard.
The second device is
In a state where the connection between the first device and the second device is maintained, wireless communication based on the BLE standard is performed with the third device that is connected to the fourth device as a peripheral, Wireless system. A wireless device capable of wirelessly communicating with a plurality of devices,
A connection establishing unit that establishes a connection with the first device using the first device of the plurality of devices as a master and the device itself as a slave,
A wireless device, which is connected to the first device as a slave, and includes a communication unit that wirelessly communicates with a third device that is connected as a slave of a second device different from the first device. machine. A communication program executable in a processor of a wireless device capable of wirelessly communicating with a plurality of devices, the processor comprising:
Connection establishing means for establishing a connection with the first device by using the first device of the plurality of devices as a master and the wireless device as a slave,
As communication means for performing wireless communication with the third device in a state where the wireless device is connected to the first device as a slave and is connected to the second device different from the first device as a slave A communication program that works. A communication method executed in a wireless system including a plurality of devices capable of wireless communication,
The wireless system includes a first device, a second device, a third device, and a fourth device,
The communication method is
Using the first device as a master and the second device as a slave, establishing a connection between the first device and the second device to perform wireless communication,
The fourth device as a master, the third device as a slave, establishing a connection between the fourth device and the third device to perform wireless communication,
A step of performing wireless communication with the third device in a state where the second device is connected to the first device as a slave and is connected to the fourth device as a slave. Method. A wireless system including a plurality of devices capable of wireless communication,
The wireless system includes a first device and a second device,
The first device and the second device are
Using the first device as a master and the second device as a slave, establishing a connection between the first device and the second device to perform wireless communication,
The second device is
Transmitting means for transmitting data wirelessly by broadcast or multicast;
Receiving means for receiving data transmitted wirelessly by broadcast or multicast;
While connected to the first device as a slave, by repeatedly executing the transmission process by the transmission unit and the reception process by the reception unit, a third device different from the first device A wireless system including other device communication means for performing wireless communication. A wireless device capable of wirelessly communicating with a plurality of devices,
A connection establishing unit that establishes a connection with the first device using the first device of the plurality of devices as a master and the device itself as a slave,
Transmitting means for transmitting data wirelessly by broadcast or multicast;
Receiving means for receiving data transmitted wirelessly by broadcast or multicast;
While connected to the first device as a slave, by repeatedly executing the transmission process by the transmission unit and the reception process by the reception unit, a third device different from the first device A wireless device comprising: other device communication means for performing wireless communication. A communication program executable in a processor of a wireless device capable of wirelessly communicating with a plurality of devices, the processor comprising:
Connection establishing means for establishing a connection with the first device by using the first device of the plurality of devices as a master and the wireless device as a slave,
Transmitting means for transmitting data wirelessly by broadcast or multicast;
Receiving means for receiving data transmitted wirelessly by broadcast or multicast;
A third device different from the first device by repeatedly executing the transmitting process by the transmitting unit and the receiving process by the receiving unit in a state where the wireless device is connected to the first device as a slave. A communication program that causes another device to perform wireless communication with another device. A communication method executable in a wireless device capable of wireless communication with a plurality of devices,
Establishing a connection with the first device using the first device of the plurality of devices as a master and the wireless device as a slave;
A step of performing a transmission process of wirelessly transmitting data by broadcast or multicast,
A step of performing a reception process of receiving data wirelessly transmitted by broadcast or multicast,
Wireless communication is performed with a third device different from the first device by repeatedly executing the transmission process and the reception process in a state in which the wireless device is connected to the first device. A method of communication, including the steps of: The second device is
While connected to the first device as a slave, executes a first process of wirelessly transmitting data by broadcast or multicast,
The third device is
67. A second process of wirelessly receiving data transmitted by broadcast or multicast by the first process of the second device in a state of being connected to the fourth device as a slave, 67. The wireless system according to any one of 1. The third device is
While connected to the fourth device as a slave, executes a third process of wirelessly transmitting data by broadcast or multicast,
The second device is
While connected to the first device as a slave, a fourth process of wirelessly receiving data transmitted by broadcast or multicast by the third process of the third device is executed,
The second device is
A first execution unit that alternately and repeatedly executes the first process and the fourth process,
The third device is
76. The wireless system according to claim 75, further comprising a second execution unit that alternately and repeatedly executes the second processing and the third processing. There is a sleep period in which neither the first process nor the fourth process is performed between the first process and the fourth process,
The wireless system according to claim 76, wherein a sleep period in which neither the second process nor the third process is performed is present between the second process and the third process. The second device is
Connection processing with the third device that has received the data transmitted by the first processing executed by the first execution means, or data received by the fourth processing executed by the first execution means Having a first connection processing means for executing connection processing with the third device that has transmitted
The third device is
Data transmitted by the connection processing with the second device that transmitted the data received by the second processing executed by the second execution means, or data transmitted by the third processing executed by the second execution means 78. The wireless system according to claim 76 or 77, further comprising a second connection processing unit that executes a connection process with the second device that receives the message. The first device and the second device are
In a state where they are connected to each other, synchronous communication is repeatedly performed between the first device and the second device,
The second device is
79. Any one of claims 1 to 66 or claims 75 to 78, comprising communication control means for performing wireless communication with the third device while avoiding a timing at which synchronous communication with the first device is executed. The wireless system according to any one of 1. The wireless system is
An allowable period setting means for setting an allowable period related to a predetermined communication performed between the first device and the second device;
The second device is
Determination means for determining whether or not predetermined communication with the first device should be performed based on the allowable period in a state of being connected to the first device;
The predetermined communication determined to be performed is performed so that the predetermined communication determined to be performed by the determination unit is performed between the first device and the second device. The radio system according to any one of claims 1 to 66 or any one of claims 75 to 79, further comprising a communication control unit that performs radio communication with the third device while avoiding timing.

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