JP2020194509A - Communication method, communication apparatus, server, and communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

To make it possible to perform efficient data transmission to a server based on the premise that the server acquires data in the pull type.SOLUTION: A communication method includes: a communication apparatus 100 retaining first data to be communicated to an LwM2M server 400 and second data used for requiring the LwM2M server 400 to read the first data; when causing the communication apparatus 100 to notify the LwM2M server 400 of the first data, a retroposed apparatus 200 controlling the communication apparatus 100 to change the second data; the communication apparatus 100 notifying the LwM2M server 400 of the second data at the change of the second data; and when the LwM2M server 400 receives the second data from the communication apparatus 100, regarding the received second data as a request to read the first data, and transmitting a reading command for reading the first data to the communication apparatus 100.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to communication methods, communication devices, servers, and communication systems.

Non-Patent Document 1 describes the technical specifications of LwM2M (Lightweight Machine to Machine), which is one of the communication protocols for device management for IoT (Internet of Things) devices. LwM2M is capable of exchanging data with a small amount of data for IoT devices. In addition, LwM2M adopts a client-server model, and the server is a Pull type to acquire client data.

"Lightweight Machine to Machine Technical Specification", Open Mobile Alliance, Internet <URL: http: // www. open mobile alliance. org / release / LightweightM2M / V1_0-20170208-A / OMA-TS-LightweightM2M-V1_0-20170208-A. pdf>

In order to efficiently transmit data from a communication device that is a client to a server, there is a need to transmit data from a communication device to a server at an arbitrary timing.

However, LwM2M is a Pull type, and the server basically acquires data from the communication device, and it is not assumed that the communication device voluntarily sends data to the server, so that the efficiency from the communication device to the server is achieved. Data transmission is difficult.

Therefore, the present invention provides a communication method, a communication device, a server, and a communication system that enable efficient data transmission to the server under the premise that the server acquires data in the Pull type. The purpose.

The communication method according to the first aspect is a method using a server, a communication device that communicates with the server, and a rear device that is electrically connected to the communication device. In the communication method, the communication device holds the first data to be notified to the server and the second data used to request the server to read the first data, and after that. When the position device notifies the server of the first data from the communication device, the communication device is controlled so as to change the second data, and the communication device changes the second data. Notifying the server of the second data, and when the server receives the second data from the communication device, the received second data is regarded as a read request of the first data, and the first data is received. Includes sending a read command to the communication device.

The communication device according to the second aspect is used for a communication system including a server, a communication device that communicates with the server, and a rear device that is electrically connected to the communication device. The communication device changes the storage unit that holds the first data to be notified to the server and the second data used for requesting the server to read the first data, and the second data. When the control to be performed is received from the rear device, the control unit that notifies the server of the second data when the second data changes and the server that regards the second data as a read request of the first data A communication unit that receives a read command for reading the first data is provided.

The server according to the third aspect is used for a communication system including a server, a communication device that communicates with the server, and a secondary device that is electrically connected to the communication device. The server refers to the communication device that holds the first data to be notified to the server and the second data used to request the server to read the first data. A communication unit for transmitting a notification instruction command instructing the server to notify the second data when a change occurs is provided. When the communication unit receives the second data from the communication device, the communication unit transmits the read command for reading the first data to the communication device by regarding the received second data as a read request for the first data. To do.

The communication system according to the fourth aspect is a communication system including a server and a communication device that communicates with the server. The communication device changes the storage unit that holds the first data to be notified to the server and the second data used for requesting the server to read the first data, and the second data. When the control to be performed is received from the rear device electrically connected to the communication device, the control unit that notifies the server of the second data when the second data changes, and the first data from the server. It is provided with a first communication unit that receives a read command to read. The server includes a second communication unit that transmits a notification instruction command instructing the communication device to notify the server of the second data when the second data changes. When the second communication unit receives the second data from the communication device, the second communication unit regards the received second data as a read request for the first data, and issues a read command for reading the first data to the communication device. Send to.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a communication method, a communication device, a server, and a communication system that enable efficient data transmission to a server on the premise that the server acquires data in the Pull type.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the communication system which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the communication device which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the LwM2M server which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the communication method which concerns on one Embodiment.

An embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are designated by the same or similar reference numerals.

(Communication system configuration)
First, the configuration of the communication system according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication system 1 according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes a communication device 100, a secondary device 200, a communication network 300, and an LwM2M server 400. The LwM2M server 400 is an example of a server that acquires data from the communication device 100.

The communication device 100 corresponds to the LwM2M client. The communication device 100 is an IoT device having a wireless communication function. For example, the communication device 100 has various sensors and uploads the data obtained by the sensors to the LwM2M server 400.

The communication device 100 may perform LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) wireless communication with the communication network 300. The LPWA method is a method that realizes long-distance wireless communication while suppressing power consumption. The LPWA method is, for example, cellular LPWA, SIGFOX, or LoRaWAN. Cellular LPWA ^may be 3GPP (3 rd Generation Partnership Project) eMTC specified in Standard (enhanced Machine Type Communications) or NB-IoT (Narrow Band-Internet of Things).

The rear device 200 is a device that is electrically connected to the communication device 100. The secondary device 200 is directly connected to the communication device 100 or indirectly connected to the communication device 100 via a cable. The secondary device 200 performs wired communication with the communication device 100, for example, by a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter) system or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) system.

The secondary device 200 is a device such as a PC (Personal Computer), a sensor device, a meter device, or a vending machine. The rear device 200 executes an application for IoT. The rear-end device 200 connected to the communication device 100 can communicate with the communication network 300 and the LwM2M server 400 via the communication device 100 even if it does not have a wireless communication function.

The communication network 300 includes a network provided by a telecommunications carrier. The communication network 300 may include the Internet. The communication network 300 has a base station 310 that performs wireless communication with the communication device 100. Although only one base station 310 included in the communication network 300 is illustrated in FIG. 1, the communication network 300 includes a plurality of base stations 310.

The LwM2M server 400 manages the communication device 100, which is an LwM2M client, based on the LwM2M standard via the communication network 300. The LwM2M adopts a client-server model, and the LwM2M server 400 acquires data in a pull type from the communication device 100 which is a LwM2M client.

The following four commands are mainly transmitted from the LwM2M server 400 to the communication device 100.

1) Read:
A read command for acquiring data from the communication device 100.

2) Write:
A write command for writing data and parameters to the communication device 100.

3) Execute:
An execution command that causes the communication device 100 to execute processing such as restarting.

4) Observ:
An extended version of the Read command, a notification instruction command that instructs the LwM2M server 400 to notify the LwM2M server 400 of this data at the timing when the specified data changes and at the specified time interval.

In the communication system 1, the life period (Lifetime) is held by both the LwM2M server 400 and the communication device 100 in consideration of the state in which the communication device 100 cannot communicate. The state in which the communication device 100 cannot communicate means, for example, a state in which the communication device 100 is out of service area, a state in which the communication device 100 is in a sleep mode in order to reduce power consumption, and the like. The communication device 100 extends the survival period by updating the registration of the LwM2M server 400 before the survival period ends.

The following three messages are transmitted from the communication device 100 to the LwM2M server 400.

1) Register:
Registration request message for the first time to the LwM2M server 400.

2) Update:
Renewal request message for extended survival.

3) Notify:
Notification message notifying the data corresponding to the Observe command.

The communication device 100 adds some parameters to the Register message and the Update message, and transmits the message to the LwM2M server 400. The parameters are, for example, the Lifetime described above, the number of supported objects, and the like.

The communication device 100 manages data in the form of a resource model. The resource model has a tree structure of objects, object instances, and resources. Each element is assigned a number. For example, the resource representing the manufacturer of the device (Manufacturer) is expressed as / 3/0/0, which means that it is the 3rd object, the 0th object instance, and the 0th resource. When the communication device 100 receives the Read command for specifying / 3/0/0 from the LwM2M server 400, the communication device 100 returns the manufacturer data of the communication device 100 to the LwM2M server 400.

(Communication equipment configuration)
Next, the configuration of the communication device 100 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication device 100 according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the communication device 100 includes an antenna 110, a communication unit 120, a control unit 130, a storage unit 140, a power management unit 150, and a connection unit 160. The UIM / SIM 170 and the sensor 180 can be connected to the communication device 100 via an interface (not shown).

The antenna 110 is used for transmitting and receiving radio signals. The communication unit 120 performs wireless communication with the base station 310 under the control of the control unit 130, and also communicates with the LwM2M server 400 via the base station 310. The communication unit 120 performs amplification processing, filter processing, and the like on the radio signal received from the base station 310 by the antenna 110, converts the radio signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the radio signal to the control unit 130. Further, the communication unit 120 converts the baseband signal input from the control unit 130 into a wireless signal, performs amplification processing and the like, and transmits the baseband signal from the antenna 110.

The communication unit 120 communicates with the LwM2M server 400 based on the LwM2M standard. For example, the communication unit 120 receives any one of the Read command, Write command, Execute command, and Observe command from the LwM2M server 400. Further, the communication unit 120 transmits any one of the Register message, the Update message, and the Notice message to the LwM2M server 400.

The control unit 130 performs various processes and controls on the communication device 100. For example, the control unit 130 controls the communication unit 120 so as to perform wireless communication with the base station 310 by the LPWA method. The control unit 130 includes at least one processor. The processor may include a baseband processor and a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The baseband processor modulates / demodulates and encodes / decodes the baseband signal. The CPU executes a program stored in the storage unit 140 to perform various processes.

The control unit 130 performs processing based on the LwM2M standard. For example, when the communication unit 120 receives any of the Read command, Write command, Execute command, and Observe command, the control unit 130 performs processing according to the received command. Further, the control unit 130 generates one of a Register message, an Update message, and a Notify message, and outputs the generated message to the communication unit 120. In addition, the control unit 130 manages the survival period (Lifetime), and extends the survival period by updating the registration with the LwM2M server 400 before the survival period ends.

The storage unit 140 includes a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory, and stores a program executed by the control unit 130 and information and data used for processing by the control unit 130.

The power management unit 150 includes a battery and its peripheral circuits. The power management unit 150 supplies the driving power of the communication device 100. When the communication device 100 is connected to the rear device 200 by USB, the drive power may be supplied from the rear device 200 by USB power supply.

The connection unit 160 is an interface for electrically connecting to the rear device 200. In a state where the rear device 200 is electrically connected to the connection unit 160, the control unit 130 performs a data transfer process for the rear device 200 to send and receive to and from the communication network 300.

The UIM / SIM 170 stores subscriber information and the like necessary for communicating with the communication network 300.

The sensor 180 includes a plurality of types of sensors, measures temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, illuminance, acceleration, geomagnetism, etc., and outputs data consisting of measured values. The data output by the sensor 180 is stored in the storage unit 140 via the control unit 130. The control unit 130 manages the data stored in the storage unit 140.

(LwM2M server configuration)
Next, the configuration of the LwM2M server 400 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the LwM2M server 400.

As shown in FIG. 3, the LwM2M server 400 has a communication unit 410, a control unit 420, and a storage unit 430.

The communication unit 410 is connected to the communication network 300 by wire or wirelessly. The communication unit 410 communicates with the LwM2M server 400 via the communication network 300 under the control of the control unit 420.

The communication unit 410 communicates with the communication device 100 based on the LwM2M standard. For example, the communication unit 410 transmits any one of the Read command, the Write command, the Execute command, and the Observe command to the communication device 100. Further, the communication unit 410 receives any one of the Register message, the Update message, and the Notice message from the communication device 100.

The control unit 420 performs various processes and controls on the LwM2M server 400. The control unit 420 includes at least one processor. The processor executes the program stored in the storage unit 430 to perform various processes.

The control unit 420 performs processing based on the LwM2M standard. For example, when the communication unit 410 receives any one of the Register message, the Update message, and the Notice message, the control unit 420 performs processing according to the received message. Further, the control unit 420 generates any one of the Read command, the Write command, the Execute command, and the Observe command, and outputs the generated message to the communication unit 410.

The storage unit 430 includes a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory, and stores a program executed by the control unit 420 and information and data used for processing by the control unit 420.

(Operation of communication system)
Next, the operation of the communication system 1 according to the embodiment will be described.

The communication system 1 is a Pull type, and the LwM2M server 400 basically acquires data from the communication device 100, and it is difficult to transmit desired data from the communication device 100 to the LwM2M server 400 at an arbitrary timing.

In particular, the rear device 200 communicates the desired data even when the communication device 100 wants the LwM2M server 400 to notify the desired data unless the LwM2M server 400 issues a Read command for the desired data. The device 100 cannot notify the LwM2M server 400.

Therefore, the Notify message is used so that the LwM2M server 400 can be prompted to issue the Read command by the Notify message. Hereinafter, such a communication method will be described.

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing a communication method according to an embodiment. The communication method according to one embodiment is a method using a LwM2M server 400, a communication device 100 that communicates with the LwM2M server 400, and a rear device 200 that is electrically connected to the communication device 100.

Prior to the sequence shown in FIG. 4, the storage unit 140 of the communication device 100 includes the first data to be notified to the LwM2M server 400 and the second data used to request the LwM2M server 400 to read the first data. To hold.

FIG. 4 shows an example in which the first data is the data of the resource A and the second data is the data of the resource Z. It is assumed that the secondary device 200 and the LwM2M server 400 grasp and hold in advance the correspondence between the first data (resource A) and the second data (resource Z).

Step S1:
In the LwM2M server 400, the control unit 420 generates an Observ command instructing the LwM2M server 400 to notify the second data (resource Z) when the second data (resource Z) changes. This Observe command includes an identifier of the second data (resource Z). The communication unit 410 transmits the Observe command generated by the control unit 420 to the communication device 100.

In the communication device 100, the communication unit 120 receives an Observ command from the LwM2M server 400. The control unit 130 starts monitoring the second data (resource Z) based on the Observe command received by the communication unit 120.

Step S2:
When the communication device 100 notifies the LwM2M server 400 of the first data (resource A), the rear device 200 controls the communication device 100 so as to change the second data (resource Z). For example, the rear device 200 generates an AT command that changes the second data (resource Z), and outputs the generated AT command to the communication device 100.

Step S3:
In the communication device 100, when the control unit 130 receives the AT Command from the rear device 200 via the connection unit 160, the control unit 130 changes the first data (resource A) based on the AT Command.

Step S4:
In the communication device 100, the control unit 130 issues an Observ command for the first data (resource A), so that the first data (resource A) is transferred to the LwM2M server 400 due to a change in the first data (resource A). It is determined that it is necessary to notify, and a Notify message including the changed first data (resource A) is generated. This Notify message includes the second data (resource Z) and its identifier. The communication unit 120 transmits the Notice message generated by the control unit 130 to the LwM2M server 400.

Step S5:
In the LwM2M server 400, the communication unit 410 receives a Notify message from the communication device 100. When the communication unit 410 receives a Notify message including the second data (resource Z) and its identifier, the control unit 420 regards the Notify message as a read request for the first data (resource A), and also regards the first data (resource A). Generate a Read command to read resource A). This Read command includes the identifier of the first data (resource A). Then, the communication unit 410 transmits the Read command generated by the control unit 420 to the communication device 100.

In the communication device 100, the communication unit 120 receives a Read command from the LwM2M server 400.

Step S6:
When the communication unit 120 receives the Read command for the first data (resource A), the control unit 130 acquires the first data (resource A) from the storage unit 140. The communication unit 120 transmits this first data (resource A) to the LwM2M server 400.

As described above, according to this communication method, while complying with the LwM2M standard based on the Pull type LwM2M server 400 reading data from the communication device 100, desired data can be obtained at an arbitrary timing starting from the rear device 200. It can be transmitted from the communication device 100 to the LwM2M server 400. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently transmit data to the LwM2M server 400.

(Other embodiments)
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the communication device 100 communicates with the LwM2M server 400 by wireless communication has been described, but the communication device 100 may communicate with the LwM2M server 400 by wired communication.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the communication system 1 based on the LwM2M standard has been described. However, it is not limited to the LwM2M standard as long as it is a Pull type standard or protocol based on the server acquiring data from a communication device.

A program that causes a computer to execute each process performed by the communication device 100 or the LwM2M server 400 may be provided. The program may be recorded on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media can be used to install programs on a computer. Here, the computer-readable medium on which the program is recorded may be a non-transient recording medium. The non-transient recording medium is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM. Further, the communication device 100 may be configured as a semiconductor integrated circuit (chipset, SoC) by integrating the functional units (circuits) that execute each process performed by the communication device 100.

Although the embodiments have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the above, and various design changes and the like can be made without departing from the gist.

1: Communication system 100: Communication device 110: Antenna 120: Communication unit 130: Control unit 140: Storage unit 150: Power management unit 160: Connection unit 180: Sensor 200: Rear device 300: Communication network 310: Base station 400: LwM2M server 410: Communication unit 420: Control unit 430: Storage unit

Claims (7)

A communication method using a server, a communication device that communicates with the server, and a secondary device that is electrically connected to the communication device.
The communication device holds the first data to be notified to the server and the second data used to request the server to read the first data.
When the subordinate device notifies the server of the first data from the communication device, the communication device is controlled so as to change the second data.
When the communication device notifies the server of the second data when the second data changes,
When the server receives the second data from the communication device, the received second data is regarded as a read request for the first data, and a read command for reading the first data is transmitted to the communication device. And, including communication methods. The server further includes transmitting a notification instruction command instructing the server to notify the second data when the second data changes, to the communication device.
The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the communication device notifies the server of the second data when the second data changes, based on the notification instruction command. The communication method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the read command is a Read command defined by the LwM2M standard. The communication method according to claim 2, wherein the notification instruction command is an Observ command defined in the LwM2M standard. The communication device used in a communication system including a server, a communication device that communicates with the server, and a secondary device that is electrically connected to the communication device.
A storage unit that holds the first data to be notified to the server and the second data used to request the server to read the first data.
When the control for changing the second data is received from the rear device, the control unit that notifies the server of the second data when the second data changes, and the control unit.
A communication device including a communication unit that receives a read command for reading the first data from the server that regards the second data as a read request for the first data. The server used in a communication system including a server, a communication device that communicates with the server, and a secondary device that is electrically connected to the communication device.
When the second data changes with respect to the communication device that holds the first data to be notified to the server and the second data used to request the server to read the first data. 2 It is equipped with a communication unit that sends a notification instruction command instructing the server to notify the data.
When the communication unit receives the second data from the communication device, the communication unit transmits the read command for reading the first data to the communication device by regarding the received second data as a read request for the first data. Server to do. A communication system including a server and a communication device that communicates with the server.
The communication device is
A storage unit that holds the first data to be notified to the server and the second data used to request the server to read the first data.
When the control for changing the second data is received from the rear device electrically connected to the communication device, the control unit that notifies the server of the second data when the second data changes.
It includes a first communication unit that receives a read command for reading the first data from the server.
The server
It is provided with a second communication unit that transmits a notification instruction command instructing the communication device to notify the server of the second data when the second data changes.
When the second communication unit receives the second data from the communication device, the second communication unit regards the received second data as a read request for the first data, and issues a read command for reading the first data to the communication device. Communication system to send to.

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