JP2020141381A - Telemeter system, information terminal, and communication control method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a telemeter system, an information terminal, and a communication control method that can prevent communication processing from being interrupted.SOLUTION: A telemeter system 100 includes a master unit 21, a slave unit 22A, a slave unit 22B, and a slave unit 22C. When the master unit 21 performs communication processing of transmitting communication data to the slave unit 22B via the slave unit 22A, first alternative processing is performed instead of the communication processing if the master unit 21 cannot communicate with the slave unit 22A but can communicate with the slave unit 22C and the slave unit 22C can communicate with the slave unit 22B. The first alternative processing is processing in which the master unit 21 transmits the communication data to the slave unit 22B via the slave unit 22C.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to a telemeter system, an information terminal, and a communication control method.

A telemeter system that collects measured values measured at a plurality of measurement locations is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

The telemeter system described in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of terminals. Each of the plurality of terminals includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The receiving unit intermittently receives the activation signal for which the destination is specified. When the receiving unit receives the activation signal addressed to the own device, the transmitting unit returns a response signal to establish a communication connection with the terminal that is the source of the activation signal. If the activation signal received by the receiving unit is not addressed to the own device, the transmitting unit transmits an identifier notification signal including the identifier of the own device.

When the start signal is not addressed to the own device and the own device can communicate with the terminal of the destination of the start signal, the receiving unit of the own device transmits the data to be transmitted to the destination terminal from the terminal of the source of the start signal. Receive. Then, the transmission unit of the own device establishes a communication connection with the destination terminal by transmitting the activation signal, and transmits the communication data to the destination terminal. That is, the communication data is transmitted from the source terminal to the destination terminal by bypassing the own device.

JP-A-2018-207250

However, in the case where communication processing is performed in which communication data is transmitted through a plurality of terminals in order, if the relay terminal (second terminal) among the plurality of terminals becomes incommunicable, the communication data The transmission process stops at the relay terminal. In this case, the transmission route of the communication data is bypassed from the plurality of terminals so that the communication data is transmitted to the relay terminal (second terminal) via a terminal other than the plurality of terminals (fourth terminal). However, since the relay terminal cannot communicate, the relay terminal cannot receive the communication data. As a result, according to the telemeter system described in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that the communication process may be interrupted even if the process of bypassing the transmission path of the communication data is performed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a telemeter system, an information terminal, and a communication control method capable of suppressing interruption of communication processing.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the telemeter system includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, and a fourth terminal. When the first terminal performs a communication process of transmitting communication data to the third terminal via the second terminal, the first terminal cannot communicate with the second terminal, but When the fourth terminal can communicate with the fourth terminal and the fourth terminal can communicate with the third terminal, an alternative process is performed instead of the communication process. The alternative process is a process in which the first terminal transmits the communication data to the third terminal via the fourth terminal.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the information terminal is one of a plurality of terminals provided in the telemeter system. The plurality of terminals include a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, and a fourth terminal, which are the information terminals. When the first terminal performs a communication process of transmitting communication data to the third terminal via the second terminal, the first terminal cannot communicate with the second terminal, but When the fourth terminal can communicate with the fourth terminal and the fourth terminal can communicate with the third terminal, the first alternative process is performed instead of the communication process. The first alternative process is a process in which the first terminal transmits the communication data to the third terminal via the fourth terminal.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the communication control method is a method of controlling a telemeter system including a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, and a fourth terminal. The communication control method includes a step of determining whether or not the first terminal can communicate with the second terminal. The communication control method includes a step of determining whether or not the first terminal can communicate with the fourth terminal. The communication control method includes a step of determining whether or not the fourth terminal can communicate with the third terminal. In the communication control method, when the first terminal performs a communication process of transmitting communication data to the third terminal via the second terminal, the first terminal is the second terminal. However, if it is possible to communicate with the fourth terminal and the fourth terminal can communicate with the third terminal, a step of performing a first alternative process instead of the communication process is provided. The first alternative process is a process in which the first terminal transmits the communication data to the third terminal via the fourth terminal.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress interruption of communication processing.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the telemeter system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a master unit. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a slave unit. It is a flow chart which shows the communication process. It is a flow chart which shows the 1st alternative process. FIG. 1 is a flow showing a second alternative process. It is FIG. 2 of the flow which shows the 2nd alternative process. FIG. 1 is a flow showing a third alternative process. FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing a third alternative process.

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

The telemeter system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a telemeter system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The telemeter system 100 is a system that collects measured values measured at a plurality of measurement locations.

The telemeter system 100 includes a host computer 11, a center-side network control device 12, a plurality of terminals, and a plurality of meters 23.

The plurality of terminals are composed of a master unit 21 and a plurality of slave units 22. The plurality of slave units 22 include the slave units 22A to 22F.

In the following, the host computer 11 and the center side network control device 12 may be referred to as the center side. Further, the master unit 21, the plurality of slave units 22, and the plurality of meters 23 may be described as the terminal side.

The meter 23 is installed for each customer such as a private house, a company, and various facilities. The meter 23 is, for example, a measuring instrument that measures the amount of gas, water, or electricity used and outputs a measured value (meter reading value).

Each of the plurality of meters 23 corresponds to a plurality of slave units 22. The meter 23 outputs a measured value (meter reading value) to the corresponding slave unit 22.

The host computer 11 controls the master unit 21 and the plurality of slave units 22. The host computer 11 collects the measured values measured by the plurality of meters 23 via the master unit 21 and the plurality of slave units 22.

The center-side network control device 12 is connected to, for example, a PHS network and a wide area wireless network N1 such as a FOMA network. The center-side network control device 12 wirelessly communicates with the master unit 21 via the wide area wireless network N1. The center-side network control device 12 and the master unit 21 may be connected by a wired communication network.

The center side network control device 12 transmits / receives data to / from the terminal side via the wide area wireless network N1. The center-side network control device 12 has a function of controlling communication with the terminal side via the wide area wireless network N1.

When data is input from the host computer 11 to the center side network control device 12, the center side network control device 12 transmits the data to the terminal side using a communication method compliant with the communication standard of the wide area wireless network N1. .. When the center side network control device 12 receives the data transmitted from the terminal side, the center side network control device 12 transmits the received data to the host computer 11.

The master unit 21 has an NCU (Network Control Unit) function in order to enable connection to the wide area wireless network N1, and wirelessly communicates with the center side via the wide area wireless network N1. The communication between the master unit 21 and the center side is not limited to wireless communication, and may be wired communication. In this case, the master unit 21 and the center side network control device 12 are connected by a wired communication network.

In the present embodiment, the master unit 21 forms a mesh-type narrow-range radio network N2 together with the plurality of slave units 22. In FIG. 1, a communication path capable of direct communication between the master unit 21 and the plurality of slave units 22 is indicated by a broken line. Being able to communicate directly means that it is possible to communicate directly without going through a terminal other than the terminal to be communicated.

In the present embodiment, the master unit 21 can directly communicate with each of the slave unit 22A and the slave unit 22C. The communication path between the other slave units 22 is also as shown in FIG.

In the following, the master unit 21 and the plurality of slave units 22 may be collectively referred to as a radio unit.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, one master unit 21 and six slave units 22 are installed in the narrow area radio network N2, but the number of radios installed in the narrow area radio network N2. And the connection relationship of each radio is not limited to the example shown in FIG. For example, within the range of the maximum number of installations specified by the communication specifications of the narrow-area radio network N2 and / or the maximum number of connections per radio, the number of radios and the connection relationship of each radio can be changed as appropriate. Can be done.

The master unit 21 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the master unit 21.

As shown in FIG. 2, the master unit 21 includes a wide area wireless communication unit 210, an antenna 210a, a narrow area wireless communication unit 211, an antenna 211a, a display unit 212, an operation unit 213, a storage unit 214, and the like. It includes a control unit 215.

The wide area wireless communication unit 210 communicates with the center side network control device 12 by transmitting or receiving radio waves through the antenna 210a. For example, when the narrow-area wireless communication unit 211 receives the meter reading value data from the slave unit 22, the wide-area wireless communication unit 210 transmits radio waves from the antenna 210a, thereby adopting a method compliant with the communication standard of the wide-area wireless network N1. And sends the meter reading value data to the center side.

When the wide area wireless communication unit 210 receives a radio wave with the antenna 210a, the wide area wireless communication unit 210 acquires data in a predetermined format by decoding the received radio wave. The wide area wireless communication unit 210 outputs the data obtained by decoding the received radio wave to the control unit 215. When the control unit 215 acquires the data output from the wide area wireless communication unit 210, the control unit 215 performs various controls based on the acquired data.

The narrow-range wireless communication unit 211 transmits or receives radio waves through the antenna 211a to perform wireless communication with the slave unit 22 by a predetermined wireless communication method. As the wireless communication method, for example, wireless communication in the 920 MHz band is adopted. When the master unit 21 has data to be transmitted, the narrow-range wireless communication unit 211 of the master unit 21 transmits an activation signal with a designated destination. When the Ac signal corresponding to the start signal is returned from the slave unit 22 designated as the destination, the master unit 21 establishes a communication connection with the destination slave unit 22. As a result, the master unit 21 performs data communication with the slave unit 22. A beacon is transmitted from the slave unit 22 that is not designated as the destination.

The narrow range wireless communication unit 211 is a first example of the transmission unit and the reception unit of the present invention.

The display unit 212 includes an LED lamp (LED: Light Emitting Diode) and a liquid crystal display panel. The display unit 212 displays, for example, information indicating the installation work of the master unit 21 and information to be notified to the worker who performs the maintenance work of the master unit 21.

The operation unit 213 includes various switches such as DIP switches and buttons. The operation unit 213 receives an instruction from the outside. The control unit 215 operates based on the instruction received by the operation unit 213.

The storage unit 214 includes a main storage device (for example, a semiconductor memory) such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and may further include an auxiliary storage device (for example, a hard disk drive). The storage unit 214 stores various computer programs executed by the control unit 215. The storage unit 214 stores the hop number table 214a.

The hop number table 214a is a table in which the identifier of each slave unit 22 is associated with the number of hops from the master unit 30 to each slave unit 22. The identifier is information that is assigned in advance to each of the plurality of terminals (master unit 21 and the plurality of slave units 22) to identify the plurality of terminals from each other. Identifiers include, for example, numbers, symbols, and / or letters. The number of hops of the slave unit 22 that can directly communicate with the master unit 30 is 1, and the number of hops of the slave unit 22 that can indirectly communicate with the master unit 30 is larger than 1. In the present embodiment, the slave units 22 that can directly communicate with the master unit 21 are the slave unit 22A and the slave unit 22C. In the present embodiment, the slave units 22 that can indirectly communicate with the master unit 21 are the slave unit 22B, the slave unit 22D, the slave unit 22E, and the slave unit 22F.

The control unit 215 of the master unit 21 can appropriately communicate with the slave unit 22 which can directly communicate with the master unit 21 among the plurality of slave units 22 by the narrow range wireless communication unit 211, and can directly communicate with the master unit 21. The hop number table 224a (see FIG. 3) of the slave unit 22 is received. As a result, the control unit 215 of the master unit 21 acquires the identifier of the slave unit 22 that can directly or indirectly communicate with the master unit 21, and also acquires the information indicating the number of hops to reach the slave unit 22 from which the identifier has been acquired. .. Then, the control unit 215 of the master unit 21 updates the hop number table 214a of its own unit based on the acquired information.

The control unit 215 includes processors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 215 controls each element of the master unit 21 by executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 214.

The slave unit 22 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the slave unit 22.

As shown in FIG. 3, the slave unit 22 includes a narrow-range wireless communication unit 220, an antenna 220a, a connection port 221, a display unit 222, an operation unit 223, a storage unit 224, and a control unit 225. ..

The narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 transmits or receives radio waves through the antenna 220a to perform wireless communication with the master unit 21 and another slave unit 22 by a predetermined wireless communication method. As the wireless communication method, for example, wireless communication in the 920 MHz band is adopted. In the present embodiment, when the slave unit 22 has data to be transmitted, the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22 continuously transmits an activation signal with a designated destination. When an Ac signal corresponding to the start signal is returned from the master unit 21 or another slave unit 22 designated as the destination, the slave unit 22 makes a communication connection with the master unit 21 or another slave unit 22 which is the destination. Establish. As a result, the slave unit 22 performs data communication with the master unit 21 or another slave unit 22. A beacon is transmitted from the master unit 21 or another slave unit 22 that is not designated as a destination.

The narrow range wireless communication unit 220 is a second example of the transmission unit and the reception unit of the present invention.

A meter 23 is connected to the connection port 221. The control unit 225 of the slave unit 22 acquires the meter reading value of the meter 23 through the connection port 221.

The display unit 222 includes an LED lamp and a liquid crystal display panel. The display unit 222 displays, for example, information indicating the installation work of the slave unit 22 and information to be notified to the worker who performs the maintenance work of the slave unit 22.

The operation unit 223 includes various switches such as DIP switches and buttons. The operation unit 223 receives an instruction from the outside. The control unit 225 operates based on the instruction received by the operation unit 223.

The storage unit 224 includes a main storage device such as a ROM and a RAM, and may further include an auxiliary storage device. The storage unit 224 stores various computer programs executed by the control unit 225. The storage unit 214 stores the hop number table 224a.

The hop number table 224a is a table in which the identifier of each communication terminal is associated with the number of hops from the own machine to each communication terminal. The communication terminal is a terminal capable of directly or indirectly communicating with its own unit among a plurality of terminals (master unit 21 and a plurality of slave units 22).

The control unit 225 of the slave unit 22 appropriately communicates with a terminal capable of directly communicating with the own unit among a plurality of terminals by the narrow area wireless communication unit 220, and a hop number table of the terminal capable of directly communicating with the own unit. Receives 214a and 224a. As a result, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22 acquires the identifier of the terminal capable of directly or indirectly communicating with the own unit and the information indicating the number of hops to the terminal for which the identifier has been acquired. Then, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22 updates the hop number table 224a of the own unit based on the acquired information.

The control unit 225 includes a CPU and a processor such as an MPU. The control unit 225 controls each element of the slave unit 22 by executing the computer program stored in the storage unit 224.

The control unit 225 of the slave unit 22 determines the transmission route of communication data in the narrow area wireless network N2 based on the hop number table 224a and a predetermined rule. The predetermined rule is, for example, a rule that preferentially selects the route having the smallest number of hops to the destination as the transmission route of communication data. However, the predetermined rule is, for example, a rule for appropriately changing the transmission route of communication data from the preferentially selected transmission route according to the operating status, radio wave condition, and / or communication status of each slave unit 22. It may be included. The control unit 215 of the master unit 21 also determines the transmission route of communication data in the narrow area wireless network N2 based on the hop number table 214a and a predetermined rule, similarly to the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22. To do.

[First example]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, communication processing, which is a first example of the operation of the telemeter system 100, will be described. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing communication processing. In the communication process, communication data is transmitted in the order of the master unit 21, the slave unit 22A, and the slave unit 22B.

In the communication process, the host computer 11 instructs the master unit 21 to transmit communication data to the slave unit 22B. Then, the control unit 215 of the master unit 21 determines the transmission route of the communication data in the order of the master unit 21, the slave unit 22A, and the slave unit 22B based on the hop number table 214a and a predetermined rule. Then, the control unit 215 of the master unit 21 performs a communication process of transmitting communication data in the order of the master unit 21, the slave unit 22A, and the slave unit 22B. In the communication process, communication data may be transmitted between the plurality of slave units 22 without going through the master unit 21. Further, in the present embodiment, the transmission path of the communication data in the communication process ends at the slave unit 22B. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The communication data transmission path in the communication process may continue from the slave unit 22B to another slave unit 22 (for example, the slave unit 22F) without ending at the slave unit 22B.

The content of the communication data transmitted in the communication process is not particularly limited. The communication data may be, for example, a control command instructing the slave unit 22B to transmit the measured value of the meter 23 connected to the slave unit 22B to the host computer 11 via the master unit 21.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, in step S210, the control unit 215 of the master unit 21 transmits an activation signal addressed to the slave unit 22A by the narrow area wireless communication unit 211. As a result, a start request is made to the slave unit 22A.

In step S220, when the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22A receives the activation signal from the master unit 21, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22A confirms the destination included in the activation signal and receives the activation signal. Determines whether or not is a start signal addressed to the own unit (slave unit 22A). The narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22A intermittently receives the start signal.

When the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22A determines that the received activation signal is the activation signal addressed to the own unit, the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22 causes the master unit 21 which is the source of the activation signal. An Ac signal containing an identifier is transmitted.

When the control unit 215 of the master unit 21 receives the Ac signal from the slave unit 22A by the narrow area wireless communication unit 211, the control unit 215 establishes a communication connection with the slave unit 22A. By establishing a communication connection between the master unit 21 and the slave unit 22A, data communication is possible between the master unit 21 and the slave unit 22A. Then, the control unit 215 of the master unit 21 transmits communication data to the slave unit 22A by the narrow area wireless communication unit 211. As a result, the narrow range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22A receives the communication data.

Further, when the narrow area wireless communication unit 211 of the master unit 21 transmits the communication data, the transfer destination designation data is transmitted to the slave unit 22A. The transfer destination designation data is data indicating a transfer destination of communication data. In the present embodiment, the slave unit 22B is designated as the transfer destination of the communication data in the transfer destination designation data. The transfer destination designation data is, in other words, data indicating a transmission route of communication data.

The control unit 225 of the slave unit 22A receives the transfer destination designation data transmitted from the master unit 21 by the narrow range wireless communication unit 220. Then, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22A recognizes that the transfer destination of the communication data is the slave unit 22B based on the transfer destination designated data.

In step S230, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22A transmits an activation signal addressed to the slave unit 22B by the narrow area wireless communication unit 220. As a result, a start request is made to the slave unit 22B.

In step S240, when the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22B receives the activation signal from the slave unit 22A, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22B confirms the destination included in the activation signal and receives the activation signal. Determines whether or not is a start signal addressed to the own unit (slave unit 22B). When the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22B determines that the received activation signal is the activation signal addressed to the own unit, the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 sends an Ac signal to the slave unit 22A, which is the source of the activation signal. Send.

When the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22A receives the Ac signal from the slave unit 22B by the narrow area wireless communication unit 220, the control unit 225 establishes a communication connection with the slave unit 22B. Then, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22B transmits communication data to the slave unit 22B by the narrow area wireless communication unit 220. As a result, the narrow range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22B receives the communication data.

When the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22B receives the communication data, the communication process ends.

[Second example]
Next, the first alternative process, which is a second example of the operation of the telemeter system 100, will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the first alternative process. The first alternative process is a process in which the master unit 21 transmits communication data to the slave unit 22B via the slave unit 22C.

In the second example, the first alternative processing is performed instead of the communication processing of the first example.

The second example is different from the first example in that the slave unit 22A cannot communicate with each of the master unit 21 and the slave unit 22C. For example, when the slave unit 22A is stopped due to maintenance, or when a communication failure occurs in the slave unit 22A due to an obstacle around the slave unit 22A, the slave unit 22A cannot communicate. Become in a state. Hereinafter, the points different from the first example will be mainly described.

In the second example, the master unit 21 is an example of the first terminal of the present invention. The slave unit 22A is an example of the second terminal of the present invention. The slave unit 22B is an example of the third terminal of the present invention. The slave unit 22C is an example of the fourth terminal of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5, in step S210, the control unit 215 of the master unit 21 transmits an activation signal addressed to the slave unit 22A by the narrow area wireless communication unit 211.

In step S210, the activation signal transmitted from the master unit 21 is an example of the first activation signal of the present invention.

In step S211 the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22C receives the activation signal from the master unit 21. When the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22C receives the activation signal from the master unit 21, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22C confirms the destination included in the activation signal, and the received activation signal is the own unit ( It is determined whether or not the start signal is addressed to the slave unit 22C).

In the second example, the destination included in the start signal is the slave unit 22A. Therefore, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22C determines that the received activation signal is not the activation signal addressed to the own unit.

When the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22C determines that the received activation signal is not the activation signal addressed to the own unit, the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22 causes the master unit 21 which is the source of the activation signal. Send a beacon containing an identifier. As a result, the narrow range wireless communication unit 211 of the master unit 21 receives the beacon from the slave unit 22C.

When the narrow-range wireless communication unit 211 of the master unit 21 receives the beacon from the slave unit 22C, the control unit 215 of the master unit 21 recognizes that it can communicate with the slave unit 22C.

When transmitting the beacon, the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22C transmits the hop number table 224a stored in the storage unit 224 of the slave unit 22C. As a result, the narrow range wireless communication unit 211 of the master unit 21 receives the hop number table 224a of the slave unit 22C. Then, the control unit 215 of the master unit 21 recognizes that the slave unit 22C can communicate with the slave unit 22B based on the hop number table 224a received from the slave unit 22C.

In step S231, if the narrow-range wireless communication unit 211 of the master unit 21 does not receive the Ac signal from the slave unit 22A within the first predetermined period after transmitting the activation signal addressed to the slave unit 22A, the control of the master unit 21 is performed. Unit 215 determines that communication with the slave unit 22A is impossible.

The control unit 215 of the master unit 21 determines in step S231 that communication with the slave unit 22A is impossible, and in step S211 the slave unit 22C is the slave unit based on the hop number table 224a received from the slave unit 22C. When it is recognized that communication with 22B is possible, the transmission path of communication data is transmitted from the master unit 21 to the slave unit 22B via the slave unit 22A, and then from the master unit 21 via the slave unit 22C to the slave unit 22B. Change to the route to send to. Then, the control unit 215 of the master unit 21 starts a process of transmitting communication data to the slave unit 22C.

In step S232, the control unit 215 of the master unit 21 transmits an activation signal addressed to the slave unit 22C by the narrow area wireless communication unit 211.

The activation signal transmitted from the master unit 21 in step S232 is an example of the second activation signal of the present invention.

In step S241, when the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22C receives the start signal from the master unit 21, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22C informs the master unit 21 by the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220. Sends an Ac signal containing the machine's identifier.

In step S241, the Ac signal transmitted from the slave unit 22C is an example of the first response signal of the present invention.

When the control unit 215 of the master unit 21 receives the Ac signal from the slave unit 22C by the narrow area wireless communication unit 211, the control unit 215 establishes a communication connection with the slave unit 22C. Then, the control unit 215 of the master unit 21 transmits communication data to the slave unit 22C by the narrow area wireless communication unit 211. As a result, the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22C receives the communication data.

Further, when the narrow area wireless communication unit 211 of the master unit 21 transmits the communication data, the transfer destination designation data is transmitted to the slave unit 22C.

The control unit 225 of the slave unit 22C receives the transfer destination designation data transmitted from the master unit 21 by the narrow range wireless communication unit 220. Then, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22C transfers the transmission path of the communication data set to be transferred from the slave unit 22A to the slave unit 22B in the transfer destination designated data from the slave unit 22C to the slave unit 22B. Rewrite to the route. Then, the slave unit 22C starts a process of transferring the communication data transmitted from the master unit 21 to the slave unit 22B.

The process of rewriting the transfer destination designation data may be performed by the control unit 215 of the master unit 21.

In step S250, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22C transmits an activation signal addressed to the slave unit 22B by the narrow area wireless communication unit 220.

In the second example, the slave unit 22A cannot receive the start signal from the slave unit 22C. When the slave unit 22A can receive the activation signal from the slave unit 22C, the slave unit 22A transmits a beacon.

In step S250, the activation signal transmitted from the slave unit 22C is an example of the third activation signal of the present invention.

In step S260, when the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22B receives the start signal from the slave unit 22C, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22B causes the slave unit 22C to own the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220. An Ac signal including the identifier of the machine (slave unit 22B) is transmitted.

In step S260, the Ack signal transmitted from the slave unit 22B is an example of the second response signal of the present invention.

When the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22C receives the Ac signal from the slave unit 22B by the narrow area wireless communication unit 220, the control unit 225 establishes a communication connection with the slave unit 22B. Then, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22C transmits communication data to the slave unit 22B by the narrow area wireless communication unit 220. As a result, the narrow range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22B receives the communication data.

When the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22B receives the communication data, the first alternative process ends.

As described above, as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, and 5, when the master unit 21 performs communication processing, the master unit 21 cannot communicate with the slave unit 22A, but can communicate with the slave unit 22C. Moreover, when the slave unit 22C can communicate with the slave unit 22B, which is a terminal one step ahead of the slave unit 22A in the communication processing, the telemeter system 100 performs the first alternative processing instead of the communication processing. Therefore, even if the handset 22A cannot communicate, the communication process can be continued by transmitting the communication data to the handset 22B via the handset 22C without going through the handset 22A. As a result, it is possible to suppress interruption of communication processing.

[Third example]
Next, a second alternative process, which is a third example of the operation of the telemeter system 100, will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is a first diagram of a flow showing the second alternative process. FIG. 7 is a second diagram of a flow showing the second alternative process. The second alternative process is a process in which the master unit 21 transmits communication data to the slave unit 22B via the slave unit 22C and the slave unit 22A.

In the third example, the second alternative process is performed instead of the communication process of the first example.

In the third example, the slave unit 22A cannot communicate with the master unit 21, but can communicate with the slave unit 22C, and the slave unit 22C cannot communicate with the slave unit 22B. Different from the second example. Hereinafter, the differences from the first example and the second example will be mainly described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6, communication data is transmitted from the master unit 21 to the slave unit 22C by performing the processing shown in steps S210 to S241.

In step S250, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22C transmits an activation signal addressed to the slave unit 22B by the narrow area wireless communication unit 220.

The slave unit 22B cannot receive the start signal from the slave unit 22C. As a result, the Ac signal corresponding to the start signal is not transmitted from the slave unit 22B to the slave unit 22C.

In step S270, the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22A receives the activation signal from the slave unit 22C. When the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22A receives the activation signal from the slave unit 22C, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22A confirms the destination included in the activation signal, and the received activation signal is the own unit ( It is determined whether or not the start signal is addressed to the slave unit 22A).

In the third example, the destination included in the start signal is the slave unit 22B. Therefore, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22A determines that the received activation signal is not the activation signal addressed to the own unit.

When the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22A determines that the received activation signal is not the activation signal addressed to the own unit, the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22C, which is the source of the activation signal, of the slave unit Send a beacon containing an identifier. As a result, the narrow range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22C receives the beacon from the slave unit 22A. The control unit 225 of the slave unit 22A transmits the hop number table 224a of its own unit when transmitting the beacon by the narrow area wireless communication unit 220. As a result, the narrow range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22C receives the hop number table 224a of the slave unit 22A. Then, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22C recognizes that the slave unit 22A can communicate with the slave unit 22B based on the hop number table 224a received from the slave unit 22A.

When the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22C receives the beacon from the slave unit 22A, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22C recognizes that it can communicate with the slave unit 22A.

In step S270, the beacon transmitted from the slave unit 22A is an example of the first notification signal of the present invention.

In step S271, if the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22C does not receive the Ac signal from the slave unit 22B within the second predetermined period after transmitting the activation signal addressed to the slave unit 22B, the control of the slave unit 22C Unit 225 determines that communication with the slave unit 22B is impossible.

In step S271, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22C determines that communication with the slave unit 22B is impossible, and in step S270, the slave unit 22A is the slave unit based on the hop number table 224a received from the slave unit 22A. When it is recognized that communication with 22B is possible, the transmission route of the communication data is changed from the route of transmitting from the slave unit 22C to the slave unit 22B to the route of transmitting from the slave unit 22C to the slave unit 22B via the slave unit 22A. .. Then, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22C starts a process of transmitting communication data to the slave unit 22A.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 7, in step S272, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22C transmits an activation signal addressed to the slave unit 22A by the narrow area wireless communication unit 211.

In step S272, the activation signal transmitted from the slave unit 22C is an example of the fourth activation signal of the present invention.

In step S273, when the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22A receives the activation signal from the slave unit 22C, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22A informs the slave unit 22C by the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220. Sends an Ac signal containing the machine's identifier.

In step S273, the Ack signal transmitted from the slave unit 22A is an example of the third response signal of the present invention.

When the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22C receives the Ac signal from the slave unit 22A by the narrow area wireless communication unit 220, the control unit 225 establishes a communication connection with the slave unit 22A. Then, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22C transmits communication data to the slave unit 22C by the narrow area wireless communication unit 220. As a result, the narrow range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22A receives the communication data.

Further, when transmitting the communication data, the narrow area wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22C transmits the transfer destination designation data to the slave unit 22A.

The control unit 225 of the slave unit 22A receives the transfer destination designation data transmitted from the slave unit 22C by the narrow range wireless communication unit 220. Then, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22A transfers the transmission path of the communication data set to be transferred from the slave unit 22C to the slave unit 22B in the transfer destination designated data from the slave unit 22A to the slave unit 22B. Rewrite to the route. Then, the slave unit 22A starts a process of transferring the communication data transmitted from the slave unit 22C to the slave unit 22B.

The process of rewriting the transfer destination designation data may be performed by the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22C.

In step S274, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22A transmits an activation signal addressed to the slave unit 22B by the narrow area wireless communication unit 220.

In step S275, when the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22B receives the start signal from the slave unit 22A, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22B informs the slave unit 22A by the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220. An Ac signal including the identifier of the machine (slave unit 22B) is transmitted.

When the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22A receives the Ac signal from the slave unit 22B by the narrow area wireless communication unit 220, the control unit 225 establishes a communication connection with the slave unit 22B. Then, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22A transmits communication data to the slave unit 22B by the narrow area wireless communication unit 220. As a result, the narrow range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22B receives the communication data.

When the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22B receives the communication data, the second alternative process ends.

As described above, as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, 6 and 7, when the master unit 21 performs communication processing, the master unit 21 cannot communicate with the slave unit 22A, but the slave unit 22C When the slave unit 22C cannot communicate with the slave unit 22B but can communicate with the slave unit 22A, the telemeter system 100 performs a second alternative processing instead of the communication processing. Therefore, even if the slave unit 22C cannot establish the communication connection with the slave unit 22B, the communication process can be continued by establishing the communication connection between the slave unit 22C and the slave unit 22A. As a result, it is possible to suppress interruption of communication processing.

[4th example]
Next, a third alternative process, which is a fourth example of the operation of the telemeter system 100, will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, 8 and 9. FIG. 8 is a first diagram of a flow showing a third alternative process. FIG. 9 is a second diagram of a flow showing the third alternative process. The third alternative process is a process in which the master unit 21 transmits communication data to the slave unit 22B via the slave unit 22C and the slave unit 22D.

In the fourth example, the third alternative process is performed instead of the communication process of the first example.

The fourth example is different from the first to third examples in that the slave unit 22C cannot communicate with each of the slave unit 22A and the slave unit 22B. Hereinafter, the differences from the first to third examples will be mainly described.

In the fourth example, the slave unit 22D is an example of the fifth terminal of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 8, the processing shown in steps S210 to S241 is performed to transmit communication data from the master unit 21 to the slave unit 22C.

In step S250, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22C transmits an activation signal addressed to the slave unit 22B by the narrow area wireless communication unit 220.

The slave unit 22A cannot receive the start signal from the slave unit 22C. As a result, the beacon corresponding to the activation signal is not transmitted from the slave unit 22A to the slave unit 22C. Further, the slave unit 22B cannot receive the start signal from the slave unit 22C. As a result, the Ac signal corresponding to the start signal is not transmitted from the slave unit 22B to the slave unit 22C.

In step S280, the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22D receives the activation signal from the slave unit 22C. When the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22D receives the activation signal from the slave unit 22C, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22D confirms the destination included in the activation signal, and the received activation signal is the own unit ( It is determined whether or not the start signal is addressed to the slave unit 22D).

In the fourth example, the destination included in the start signal is the slave unit 22B. Therefore, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22D determines that the received activation signal is not the activation signal addressed to the own unit.

When the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22D determines that the received activation signal is not the activation signal addressed to the own unit, the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22C, which is the source of the activation signal, of the slave unit Send a beacon containing an identifier. As a result, the narrow range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22C receives the beacon from the slave unit 22D.

When the narrow range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22C receives the beacon from the slave unit 22D, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22C recognizes that it can communicate with the slave unit 22D.

When transmitting the beacon, the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22D transmits the hop number table 224a stored in the storage unit 224 of the slave unit 22D. As a result, the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22C receives the hop number table 224a of the slave unit 22D. Then, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22C recognizes that the slave unit 22D can communicate with the slave unit 22B based on the hop number table 224a received from the slave unit 22D.

The beacon transmitted from the slave unit 22D in step S280 is an example of the second notification signal of the present invention.

In step S281, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22C determines that communication with the slave unit 22B is impossible if the Ac signal from the slave unit 22B is not received within the third predetermined period.

Further, if the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22C does not receive the beacon from the slave unit 22A within the third predetermined period, the control unit 225 determines that the communication with the slave unit 22A is impossible.

The control unit 225 of the slave unit 22C determines in step S281 that communication with each of the slave unit 22A and the slave unit 22B is impossible, and in step S280, based on the hop number table 224a received from the slave unit 22D. When it is recognized that the slave unit 22D can communicate with the slave unit 22B, the transmission path of the communication data is transmitted from the slave unit 22C to the slave unit 22B from the slave unit 22C to the slave unit 22B via the slave unit 22D. Change to the transmission route. Then, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22C starts a process of transmitting communication data to the slave unit 22D.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 9, in step S282, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22C transmits an activation signal addressed to the slave unit 22D by the narrow area wireless communication unit 211.

In step S282, the activation signal transmitted from the slave unit 22C is an example of the fifth activation signal of the present invention.

In step S283, when the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22D receives the activation signal from the slave unit 22C, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22D causes the slave unit 22C to own the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220. Sends an Ac signal containing the machine's identifier.

In step S283, the Ack signal transmitted from the slave unit 22D is an example of the fourth response signal of the present invention.

When the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22C receives the Ac signal from the slave unit 22D by the narrow area wireless communication unit 220, the control unit 225 establishes a communication connection with the slave unit 22D. Then, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22C transmits communication data to the slave unit 22D by the narrow area wireless communication unit 220. As a result, the narrow range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22D receives the communication data.

Further, when transmitting the communication data, the narrow area wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22C transmits the transfer destination designation data to the slave unit 22D.

The control unit 225 of the slave unit 22D receives the transfer destination designation data transmitted from the slave unit 22C by the narrow range wireless communication unit 220. Then, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22D transfers the transmission path of the communication data set to be transferred from the slave unit 22C to the slave unit 22B in the transfer destination designated data from the slave unit 22D to the slave unit 22B. Rewrite to the route. Then, the slave unit 22D starts a process of transferring the communication data transmitted from the slave unit 22C to the slave unit 22B.

The process of rewriting the transfer destination designation data may be performed by the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22C.

In step S284, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22D transmits an activation signal addressed to the slave unit 22B by the narrow area wireless communication unit 220.

In step S285, when the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22B receives the start signal from the slave unit 22D, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22B causes the slave unit 22D to use the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220. An Ac signal including the identifier of the machine (slave unit 22B) is transmitted.

When the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22D receives the Ac signal from the slave unit 22B by the narrow area wireless communication unit 220, the control unit 225 establishes a communication connection with the slave unit 22B. Then, the control unit 225 of the slave unit 22D transmits communication data to the slave unit 22B by the narrow area wireless communication unit 220. As a result, the narrow range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22B receives the communication data.

When the narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave unit 22B receives the communication data, the third alternative process ends.

As described above, as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, 8 and 9, when the master unit 21 performs communication processing, the master unit 21 cannot communicate with the slave unit 22A, but the slave unit 22C When the slave unit 22C cannot communicate with each of the slave unit 22A and the slave unit 22B, but can communicate with the slave unit 22D and the slave unit 22D can communicate with the slave unit 22C, the telemeter system 100 communicates with the slave unit 22C. Instead of the process, a third alternative process is performed. Therefore, even if the slave unit 22C cannot establish the communication connection with each of the slave unit 22A and the slave unit 22B, the communication process is continued by establishing the communication connection between the slave unit 22C and the slave unit 22D. be able to. As a result, it is possible to suppress interruption of communication processing.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 9). However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various embodiments without departing from the gist thereof. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining the plurality of components disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be removed from all the components shown in the embodiments. The drawings are schematically shown mainly for each component for easy understanding, and the number of each component shown may differ from the actual one due to the convenience of drawing. Further, each component shown in the above embodiment is an example, and is not particularly limited, and various modifications can be made without substantially deviating from the effect of the present invention.

The present invention can be used in the fields of telemeter systems, information terminals, and communication control methods.

21 Master unit (first terminal)
22A handset (second terminal)
22B handset (third terminal)
22C handset (4th terminal)
22D handset (fifth terminal)
100 telemeter system

Claims (12)

It includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, and a fourth terminal.
When the first terminal performs a communication process of transmitting communication data to the third terminal via the second terminal, the first terminal cannot communicate with the second terminal, but When the fourth terminal can communicate with the fourth terminal and the fourth terminal can communicate with the third terminal, the first alternative process is performed instead of the communication process.
The first alternative process is a telemeter system in which the first terminal transmits the communication data to the third terminal via the fourth terminal. When the first terminal performs the communication process, the first terminal cannot communicate with the second terminal, but can communicate with the fourth terminal, and the fourth terminal can communicate with the fourth terminal. If communication with the third terminal is not possible, but communication with the second terminal is possible, a second alternative process is performed instead of the communication process.
The second alternative process is the process according to claim 1, wherein the first terminal transmits the communication data to the third terminal via the fourth terminal and the second terminal. Telemeter system. Each of the first terminal, the second terminal, the third terminal, and the fourth terminal
The receiver that receives the start signal and
Equipped with a transmitter that transmits a response signal
The activation signal is a signal for activating a destination terminal, which is a terminal designated as a destination among a plurality of the terminals.
The response signal is a signal for establishing a communication connection between the destination terminal and the terminal that is the source of the activation signal among the plurality of terminals.
In order for the transmission unit of the first terminal to transmit the communication data to the third terminal via the second terminal, the transmission unit, which is the activation signal addressed to the second terminal, transmits the first activation signal. After the transmission, when the receiving unit of the fourth terminal receives the first activation signal and receives the second activation signal, the transmitting unit of the fourth terminal transmits the first response signal. And, the third activation signal, which is the activation signal addressed to the third terminal, is transmitted.
The second activation signal is the activation signal addressed to the fourth terminal transmitted from the first terminal.
The telemeter system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first response signal is the response signal for establishing a communication connection between the fourth terminal and the first terminal. Within the first predetermined period after the transmitting unit of the first terminal transmits the first activation signal, the receiving unit of the first terminal must receive the response signal corresponding to the first activation signal. The telemeter system according to claim 3, wherein the transmitting unit of the first terminal transmits the second activation signal. The third or fourth aspect, wherein when the receiving unit of the first terminal receives the first response signal, the transmitting unit of the first terminal transmits the communication data to the fourth terminal. Telemeter system. When the receiving unit of the third terminal receives the third activation signal, the transmitting unit of the third terminal transmits the second response signal.
The second response signal is the response signal for establishing a communication connection between the third terminal and the fourth terminal.
When the receiving unit of the fourth terminal receives the second response signal within the second predetermined period after transmitting the third activation signal, the transmitting unit of the fourth terminal is addressed to the third terminal. The telemeter system according to claim 5, which transmits the communication data. The receiving unit of the fourth terminal does not receive the second response signal within the second predetermined period after transmitting the third activation signal, and the second terminal transfers to the third activation signal. The telemeter system according to claim 6, wherein when the first notification signal transmitted in response to the response is received, the transmitting unit of the fourth terminal transmits the fourth activation signal, which is the activation signal addressed to the second terminal. .. When the receiving unit of the second terminal receives the fourth activation signal, the transmitting unit of the second terminal transmits a third response signal.
The third response signal is the response signal for establishing a communication connection between the second terminal and the fourth terminal.
The telemeter system according to claim 7, wherein when the receiving unit of the fourth terminal receives the third response signal, the transmitting unit of the fourth terminal transmits the communication data to the second terminal. Further comprising a fifth terminal capable of communicating with the second terminal and communicating with the fourth terminal.
The receiving unit of the fourth terminal does not receive the second response signal within the second predetermined period after transmitting the third activation signal, and the fifth terminal transfers to the third activation signal. The telemeter according to claim 6, wherein when receiving the second notification signal transmitted in response, the transmitting unit of the fourth terminal transmits the fifth activation signal, which is the activation signal addressed to the fifth terminal. system. When the fifth terminal receives the fifth activation signal, the fifth terminal transmits a fourth response signal, and the fifth terminal transmits the fourth response signal.
The fourth response signal is the response signal for establishing a communication connection between the fifth terminal and the fourth terminal.
The telemeter system according to claim 9, wherein when the receiving unit of the fourth terminal receives the fourth response signal, the transmitting unit of the fourth terminal transmits the communication data to the fifth terminal. An information terminal that is one of a plurality of terminals provided in a telemeter system.
The plurality of terminals include a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, and a fourth terminal, which are the information terminals.
When the first terminal performs a communication process of transmitting communication data to the third terminal via the second terminal, the first terminal cannot communicate with the second terminal, but When the fourth terminal can communicate with the fourth terminal and the fourth terminal can communicate with the third terminal, the first alternative process is performed instead of the communication process.
The first alternative process is an information terminal, which is a process in which the first terminal transmits the communication data to the third terminal via the fourth terminal. A communication control method for controlling a telemeter system including a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, and a fourth terminal.
A step of determining whether or not the first terminal can communicate with the second terminal, and
A step of determining whether or not the first terminal can communicate with the fourth terminal, and
A step of determining whether or not the fourth terminal can communicate with the third terminal, and
When the first terminal performs a communication process of transmitting communication data to the third terminal via the second terminal, the first terminal cannot communicate with the second terminal, but When the fourth terminal can communicate with the fourth terminal and the fourth terminal can communicate with the third terminal, a step of performing a first alternative process in place of the communication process is provided.
The first alternative process is a communication control method in which the first terminal transmits the communication data to the third terminal via the fourth terminal.

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