JP3428793B2 - Wireless communication system and wireless communication device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication system in which a plurality of movable wireless communication devices constitute a wireless network, and in particular, each wireless communication device is an identification code of another wireless communication device in the network. And a wireless communication device that executes the procedure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a communication network in which three or more communication devices participate, an individual identification code is given to each communication device, and a transmission destination device and a transmission source device are specified by the identification code. . In the case of a wired network in which a transmission cable is provided between communication devices and communication is performed through the cables, or in the case of a wireless network in which each wireless communication device is fixedly installed at a predetermined position, the communication devices that make up the network are fixed. Therefore, when the network is constructed, each communication device only needs to store the identification code of the other communication device in addition to its own identification code, and thereafter, communication can be performed using the stored identification code.
However, when a new communication device is added to the network, it becomes necessary to update the identification code stored in each communication device.

A management device is provided for managing the identification codes of all the communication devices that make up the network, and each communication device gives its own identification code to the management device to store the identification code and the identification codes of other communication devices. A network having a configuration obtained from a management device is also known. In this network, it is not necessary for each communication device to store the identification code of another communication device when the network is constructed. Further, it is possible to flexibly deal with the addition of a new communication device to the network and the withdrawal of the communication device from the network. However, since the identification code cannot be obtained unless communication with the management device is possible, this method can be used only in a wired network or a wireless network limited to the vicinity of the installation position of the management device.

In recent years, the spread of devices having a wireless communication function in portable electronic devices has been remarkable. As an example, there is known an electronic device having a storage function, such as an electronic notebook, in which a wireless transmission / reception device is incorporated. Such a device is configured on the assumption that it communicates with an unspecified device of the same type, and a wireless network can be formed irrespective of time and place only by assembling at least two devices. If this is used in, for example, a conference, information can be transmitted without using documents, the efficiency of information exchange is improved, and resource conservation is greatly contributed.

However, while such a device has a great feature that it can communicate with an arbitrary device at an arbitrary place at any time, since the communication partner is not limited, the identification code of the partner device is stored in advance. I can't. Therefore, when the network is formed, each device cannot specify the other device participating in the network, and it is necessary to acquire and store the identification code of the other device by some method.

In addition, even if each device is communicating by acquiring the identification code of another device after the network is formed,
The device newly joining the network does not store the identification code of the other device, and the other device does not store the identification code of the newly joining device. Therefore, each time the device joins the network, each device needs to acquire the identification code of the other device.

By the way, in a network composed of a plurality of wireless communication devices, when one communication device transmits the same information to all other communication devices, instead of sequentially changing the transmission destination and transmitting individually, Broad transmission is performed for all communication devices. Since broad transmission does not specify the destination, the identification code of each communication device is not required. Generally, a code common to all wireless communication devices is defined in advance to indicate that it is broad transmission, and when performing broad transmission, this common code is used instead of the identification code for indicating the transmission destination. According to the broad transmission, all the communication devices existing within the range where the radio wave reaches can obtain the same information at the same time.

For transmission to a communication device that cannot be directly transmitted because a radio wave does not directly reach, relay transmission is performed to relay one or more communication devices. At this time, not only the final transmission destination but also the communication device to be the relay device is specified by the identification code.

[0009]

In a network of mobile wireless communication devices, there is a method in which each communication device uses broad transmission to acquire the identification code of another communication device when the network is formed. Each communication device broadcasts the data in which its own identification code is written to notify the other communication device of its own identification code. Thereby, each communication device can acquire the identification code of the communication device existing in the vicinity thereof.

This is an extremely simple method, but if all communication devices are not in a receivable state, there is a problem that some communication devices cannot obtain the identification codes of other communication devices. For example, when another communication device broadly transmits its own identification code, if there is a communication device that has been delayed in operation by the user and has not been supplied with power, this communication device outputs the identification code of the other communication device. You will not be able to get it. This communication device will join the network with a delay after another communication device starts communication.

Another problem occurs in the above method. Each communication device cannot acquire the identification code of the communication device existing at the position where the radio wave does not reach itself, and cannot even know that such a communication device exists. Direct transmission is impossible because radio waves do not arrive, but if the identification code of the device is acquired, it can be transmitted by relay transmission, but this relay transmission cannot be performed. . This leads to a decrease in the operational efficiency of the network.

After the start of communication, a wireless communication device that newly joins the network acquires the identification code of another communication device, and another communication device also performs broad transmission in order to acquire the identification code of the communication device that has joined. Can be used. That is, the joining communication device notifies the other communication device of its own identification code by broad transmission, and the communication device receiving this notifies the joining communication device of its own identification code. Also in this case, the communication device in the position where the radio wave from the communication device that has entered does not reach the communication device that has entered and the communication device that has entered cannot acquire the identification code of the other party, and cannot know the existence.

By managing the identification code of the movable wireless communication device by the management device described above, the above-mentioned inconvenience can be solved to some extent. However, since communication is possible only near the management device, the feature of being mobile is significantly impaired, and it becomes impossible to form a network at any place.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication system and a communication device that efficiently acquire an identification code in a wireless network composed of mobile wireless communication devices.

[0015]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a plurality of movable wireless communication devices provided with identification codes, each communication device being an identification code of an individual communication device. In a wireless communication system in which a destination communication device is designated by using, and a broad transmission is performed in which all communication devices are designated as destinations without designating the destination communication device, one communication device The communication device that broadcasts the identification code list containing the identification code and the identification codes of all other communication devices stored by itself, and receives the identification code list without the identification code of itself, identifies itself. The ID code list containing the codes and the identification codes of all the other communication devices stored by itself is broad-transmitted, and the identification code listing the identification codes not stored by itself is transmitted. The communication device receiving the list stores the identification code, and then broadly transmits the identification code list containing the identification code of the communication device and the identification codes of all the other communication devices stored by the communication device. Mutually provide identification codes between them. Each communication device uses the identification code stored in itself to specify the destination communication device and perform destination-specified transmission.

The identification code list is broadly transmitted and received by many communication devices. Each communication device
(1) When the received identification code list does not have its own identification code, or (2) when the received identification code list has an identification code that is not stored by itself, a new identification code list is displayed. Create and send. (1) or (2) here is not an exclusive meaning,
(3) This also includes the case where the received identification code list does not contain the identification code of itself and the identification code not stored by itself. The communication device knows that there is a communication device that does not store its own identification code at (1), and knows that there is another communication device that does not store its own identification code at (2). .

In both the case (1) and the case (2), the newly created identification code list, together with the identification code of the communication device, all the communication devices stored at that time by the communication device. The identification code of is written. In the case of (2), since a new identification code list is created after storing the identification code that was written in the received identification code list and was not stored by itself, the identification code just stored is also included in this list. Written down. In either case, the transmitted identification code list will have more identification codes than the received identification code list.

The communication device at the position where the output radio wave of the communication device that transmitted the identification code list arrives surely acquires the identification code of the communication device that transmitted the identification code list. Since the identification code is transmitted at the time of (1) or (2), the identification code of one communication device is provided to the communication device which is not in the position where the output radio wave of the communication device reaches. The respective communication devices thus provide the identification codes to each other, and the acquired and stored identification codes of the other communication devices are used for designating the transmission destination in the addressed transmission.

The communication device receiving the identification code list is
In the case of (2) above, the identification code written in the identification code list and not stored by itself is stored together with the identification code of the communication device that transmitted the identification code list in association with the identification code. Good. The fact that the communication device has received the identification code list means that the communication device exists in a position where it can receive the output radio wave of the communication device of the transmission source, and conversely, the radio wave output by itself is the transmission source. It means that there is a high possibility of reaching the communication device of 1), that is, there is a high possibility that the direct transmission from itself to the communication device of the transmission source will succeed. The identification code of the transmission source communication device stored in association with the identification code described in the identification code list is a relay device when performing relay transmission to the communication device having the identification code described in the identification code list. Can be used to specify.

In the above wireless system, the communication device that has received the identification code list waits for a predetermined waiting time after receiving the identification code list to receive its identification code and An identification code list in which the identification codes of all the other communication devices stored in itself are recorded is transmitted. During this waiting time, a new identification code list is received, and when the new identification code list is (1) or (2), the identification code list intended to be transmitted is not transmitted. Since this newly received identification code list satisfies the condition (1) or (2), this communication device recreates and transmits the identification code list. In this identification code list, all the identification codes in the identification code list waiting to be transmitted are written, and more identification codes are written. The transmission of this identification code list also waits for a predetermined time. By not transmitting the identification code list that is clearly small in the amount of information during the transmission standby, the increase in the amount of communication is suppressed.

The predetermined waiting time may be set to a different value depending on whether (1) or (2). in this case,
In the case of (1), the first waiting time within the first predetermined time is set, and in the case of (2), the second waiting time exceeding the first predetermined time and within the second predetermined time is set. Communication congestion is reduced by different transmission times. The fact that the received identification code list does not include its own identification code means that its own identification code is not stored in the communication device of the transmission source, and there is a possibility that it can be transmitted directly to itself. It means that expensive communication devices do not know their existence. By shortening the waiting time in the case of (1), it becomes possible to quickly start direct transmission with good communication efficiency. In the case of (3), the first waiting time is also set.

Further, the first waiting time and the second waiting time are randomly set every time the identification code list is received. By randomizing the waiting time, the possibility that the identification code list is transmitted from each communication device at the same time is reduced, and communication congestion is further reduced.

Mutual donation of the identification code may be continued until there is no transmission of the identification code list. Each communication device
While repeatedly transmitting the identification code list, the identification codes of many other communication devices are acquired. Therefore, unless a new communication device joins the communication, the identification code list corresponding to the above (1) or (2) gradually decreases, and finally the identification code list is not transmitted. When mutual supply of the identification codes is continued until this state is reached, each communication device acquires as many identification codes as possible under the communication conditions at that time.

Mutual donation of the identification codes may be terminated when a predetermined time has elapsed. When a communication device is newly added to the communication due to movement of the communication device, movement of an obstacle, or the like while mutually providing the identification codes, the identification code list is transmitted each time. By canceling the mutual supply of the identification codes within a predetermined time, the transmission of the identification code list is stopped, and thereafter the communication volume is reduced.

Mutual donation of identification codes can be initiated when all communication devices do not store the identification code of other communication devices. In this case, the identification code list transmitted first contains only the identification code of the communication device transmitting the identification code list. Each communication device gradually obtains the identification codes of many other communication devices, and it becomes possible to perform addressing transmission which was impossible at first.

Mutual donation of the identification codes may take place at any point in the communication. In this case, the identification code list transmitted first includes the identification code of the communication device transmitting the identification code list and the identification codes of all the other communication devices stored in the communication device. During normal communication, each communication device stores the identification codes of many communication devices participating in the communication. If a new communication device joins the communication in this state and then mutually provides the identification code, the newly added communication device acquires many identification codes from the beginning. Therefore, the time required for mutual provision of the identification codes at this time is shortened. Also, the communication volume does not increase so much.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention also transmits / receives a packet wirelessly and designates the destination designated transmission in which the identification code of the destination communication device is written in the packet to be transmitted, and the individual destination in the packet to be transmitted. In the communication device which does not write the identification code of the communication device and performs broad transmission to all the communication devices, the first storage means for storing the identification code of the other communication device and the source of the received packet A packet including a second storage means for storing the identification code of the communication device and an identification code list in which the identification code of itself and all identification codes of the other communication devices stored in the first storage means are written is created. , A first transmitting means for broad-transmitting this packet, and when the received packet includes an identification code list, its identification code is written in the identification code list. Determination means for determining whether or not there is an identification code not stored in the first storage means, and an identification code not stored in the first storage means by the determination means. When it is determined that the identification code is stored in the first storage means, the identification code of the communication device that is the transmission source of the received packet is stored in the second storage means and the identification code stored in the first storage means. And the storage control means for storing the identification code, and when the determination means determines that the identification code of itself is not written, or when it is determined that the identification code not stored in the first storage means is written. , The transmission control means for causing the first transmission means to create and transmit the packet including the identification code list, and the identification code stored in the first storage means or the second storage means for the destination communication device. Create a packet marked as code, and a second transmission means for transmitting the packet.

When the packet received by this communication device includes an identification code list, the determination means compares the identification code in the packet with the identification code in the first storage means to determine whether or not the condition (1) is met. It is determined whether or not and (2) is satisfied. In the case of (2), the storage control means stores the identification code, which is not stored in the first storage means and is written in the identification code list, in the first storage means, and correspondingly The identification code of the transmission source communication device is stored in the second storage means. Therefore, the transmission source of the identification code of the first storage means becomes clear by referring to the second storage means.

In both cases (1) and (2), the transmission control means causes the first transmission means to send a packet including an identification code list in which all identification codes stored in the first storage means are described. Send broadly. In particular, in the case of (2), the identification code list to be transmitted is created after the identification code is stored in the first storage means, so that the identification code just stored is also transmitted. The packet thus transmitted is similarly processed by another communication device having this configuration. The identification code stored in the first storage means or the second storage means is used by the second transmission means for designating the destination when performing the destination designation transmission. In particular, the identification code stored in the second storage means represents a communication device that is highly likely to be directly transmitted.

In this communication device, the transmission control means is
When the determination means determines that the above (1) is satisfied, the first
The second transmission means waits for the packet transmission by the first predetermined time, and when the determination means determines that the condition (2) is satisfied, the second transmission exceeds the first predetermined time by the first transmission means. Wait for a predetermined time. The packet including the identification code list is received while the transmission is on standby, and when the determination means determines that the identification code list corresponds to (1) or (2), the transmission control means has the standby packet. Stop sending.

The communication device also creates an identification code list when it receives a new identification code list, and this identification code list contains all the identification codes in the identification code list waiting to be transmitted and more. The identification code of is written. The transmission control means also causes the transmission of this identification code list to wait for a predetermined time. By not transmitting the identification code list on standby, which clearly shows that the amount of information is small, an increase in the amount of communication is suppressed.

If the predetermined waiting time is set to a different value in the case of (1) and the case of (2), the number of packets transmitted at the same time can be reduced and the communication congestion can be reduced. That the identification code of the communication device that has received this is not written in the identification code list, the communication device of the transmission source, although there is a communication device that can surely perform direct transmission from itself, It means that they do not know the identification code. By making the first time in (1) shorter than the second time in (2),
It is possible to speed up the start of direct transmission without inviting communication congestion.

The communication device may be provided with display means for displaying the identification code stored in the first storage means. From the display of the display means, the user can know the number of communication devices participating in the communication and their respective identification codes.

[0034]

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a portable wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wireless communication device 1 is configured to transmit and receive packets by radio waves for communication, and for transmission and reception, a wireless module 11, an antenna 12, a receiving device 13, a receiving buffer 14, a transmitting device 15, a transmitting buffer 16 and packets. Generator 17
Is equipped with. The wireless module 11 transmits and receives radio waves in a predetermined frequency band.

The receiver 13 restores the packet from the signal received by the wireless module 11 via the antenna 12 and stores it in the reception buffer 14. The transmission device 15 reads out the packet stored in the transmission buffer 16 and gives the packet to the wireless module 11 to be transmitted. In addition to the data that is the content of the transmission, the transmitted and received packets include an identification code indicating the communication device that is the source of the data, an identification code that indicates the communication device that is the destination of the data, and a packet type code that indicates the type of packet. The information required for communication is written in a predetermined format. The packet generator 17 generates a packet to be transmitted according to this predetermined format, and the transmission buffer 1
Store in 6.

The control of communication is performed by the control device 21. The control device 21 comprises a microcomputer, R
The OM22, RAM23, RAM24, RAM25 and four timers T0, T1, T2, T3 are connected. In addition, a display device 31 and an operation unit 41 are connected to the control device 21. The ROM 22 includes the control device 2
A program describing the processing performed by the wireless communication device 1 and various parameters necessary for control are stored, and the name and identification code of the wireless communication device 1 are also stored.

An information processing device 51 is connected to the RAM 23. The information processing device 51 performs processing outside the scope of the present invention, and although it will not be described in detail, it functions as, for example, an electronic notebook. The RAM 23 stores the data provided from the information processing device 51 for transmission, and stores the received data to give to the information processing device 51.

The RAM 24 is for storing names and identification codes of other wireless communication devices that communicate with the wireless communication device 1. The communication device 1 transmits an identification code list describing the names and identification codes of the communication device 1 and the names and identification codes of the other communication devices stored therein in order to inform the other communication devices. A packet including the identification code list is called a list packet. The RAM 25 is for storing the identification code of the transmission source communication device when the list packet is received. The four timers T0 to T3 are used to set the processing time in transmitting and receiving the list packet. RAM24, RAM2
5 and the timers T0 to T3 will be described in detail later.

The display device 31 includes a RAM 24 and a RAM 2.
The name and identification code of the other communication device stored in 5 are displayed. The display is only the storage contents of the RAM 24,
Display of the stored contents of the RAM 24 and the RAM 25,
And you can choose to hide. The displayed identification code is selected according to the operation of the operation unit 41 and can be used as an identification code for designating a transmission destination at the time of transmission. As the display device 31, a small and lightweight liquid crystal display device is used for convenience of carrying.

The operation section 41 is provided with a power switch 42, a clear switch 43, a display switch 44, a selection switch 45, a list transmission switch 46 and a data transmission switch 47 for the user to operate. The power switch 42 is used for controlling power supply from a power source (not shown) to the above-mentioned various devices including the control device 21.
Receive buffer 14, transmit buffer 16 and three RAs
When the power supply to M23, 24, and 25 is cut off, the stored contents are erased, and when power is supplied again, nothing is stored. The contents stored in the ROM 22 are not erased even when the power is cut off.

The clear switch 43 is used to erase the contents stored in the RAM 24 and the RAM 25. By operating the clear switch 43 without operating the power switch 42, the RAM 24, 2 can be stored without erasing the storage of the reception buffer 14, the transmission buffer 16 and the RAM 23.
Only the names and identification codes of other communication devices stored in 5 can be erased. The display switch 44 is used to switch the display of the display device 31. The selection switch 45 is used to select a desired identification code from the identification codes displayed on the display device 31 in order to specify a destination when transmitting a packet including general data other than the list packet. It The list transmission switch 46 is used for an instruction to start transmission of a list packet, and the data transmission switch 47 is used for an instruction to start transmission of a general data packet.

The operation of the communication device 1 in transmitting and receiving general data packets other than list packets will be described. In transmission, data to be transmitted is created by the information processing device 51 and stored in the RAM 23.
The control device 21 reads this data from the RAM 23,
It is given to the packet generation device 17 together with its own identification code stored in the ROM 22. On the other hand, the user operates the display switch 44 to specify the transmission destination and operates the RAM 2
4 and the identification code of another communication device stored in the RAM 25 are displayed on the display device 31, and the selection switch 45 is operated to select a desired identification code. The selected identification code is given to the packet generation device 17 by the control device 21.

The packet generator 17 writes its own identification code as the identification code of the transmission source, the identification code selected as the identification code of the transmission destination, and the packet type code indicating general data. Create the header you created. This header is added to the data to generate a packet, which is stored in the transmission buffer 16. afterwards,
When the user operates the data transmission switch 47, the control device 21 instructs the transmission device 15 to transmit this packet. The transmission device 15 reads the packet from the transmission buffer 16, and the wireless module 11
And send it.

At the time of packet reception, the receiving device 13
Restores the packet and stores it in the reception buffer 14. The control device 21 reads this, knows from the packet type code that it is general data, and determines from the identification code of the transmission destination whether or not the packet includes data addressed to itself. When the packet includes data addressed to itself, the data is stored in the RAM 23 so that the information processing apparatus 51 can process it. The control device 21 also gives the packet generation device 17 the identification code of the transmission source described in the packet in order to notify the transmission source communication device that the data has been received, and causes the packet generation device 17 to generate a predetermined response packet. . Immediately thereafter, the transmission device 15 is caused to transmit this response packet.

When the received packet is a request to transfer the data to another communication device, the control device 21 sends the identification code of the transfer destination described in the packet together with the data to the packet generation device 17 To generate a packet and cause the transmitter 15 to transmit it. As a result, relay transmission is performed. The transfer operation in the relay transmission is automatically performed, and the user does not need to operate the data transmission switch 47.

When the communication device 1 requests the relay transmission, it performs as follows. The control device 21 reads out the data generated by the information processing device 51 from the RAM 23 and gives this to the packet generation device 17 together with its own identification code. The user operates the display switch 44 to operate the RAM 24.
The identification code stored in is displayed on the display device 31, and the identification code of the destination is selected. The control device 21 sets the identification code stored corresponding to this identification code to R
The identification code is read from the AM 25 and given to the packet generator 17.

The packet generation device 17 creates a header in a predetermined format for requesting relay, and uses the identification code of itself as the transmission source, the identification code selected by the user as the transmission destination, and the control device as the relay device. 21 describes the identification code read from the RAM 25. This header is added to the data to generate a packet, which is stored in the transmission buffer 16. The controller 21 uses the data transmission switch 47 of the user.
Based on the operation, the transmitter 15 is caused to transmit this packet.

Instead of setting the relay device by the control device 21, the contents stored in the RAM 24 and the RAM 25 may be displayed on the display device 31, and the user may designate the relay device from among them. When the communication device having the identification code stored in the RAM 25 is moving and the relay transmission is unsuccessful, the relay device can be designated by the judgment of the user.

The communication device 1 performs broad transmission when transmitting the same data to a large number of communication devices. The broad transmission uses a broad transmission code that all communication devices consider to be the same as their own identification code. By writing this broad transmission code in the packet as the identification code of the destination, it is not necessary to transmit the packet in which the identification code of each communication device is written multiple times. The broad transmission code is stored in the ROM 22.

At the time of broad transmission, the control device 21 reads the broad transmission code from the ROM 22 and gives it to the packet generation device 17 together with its own identification code and the data to be transmitted. The packet generation device 17 generates a packet in which an identification code of itself as a transmission source and a broad transmission code as a transmission destination are written. When this packet is transmitted by the transmission device 15, all communication devices located within the reach of the radio wave receive this packet.
Since each communication device has a broad transmission code as a transmission destination, it knows that it is a packet containing data addressed to itself, and performs appropriate processing.

Mutual provision of identification codes in the wireless communication system according to the present invention will be described. RAM2 in Figure 3
4 and the format of the storage contents of the RAM 25 are shown. RAM2
In 4, the names of other communication devices and their identification codes are stored. NAM-1 to NAM-n are names of other communication devices, and ID-1 to ID-n are identification codes of the respective communication devices. The RAM 25 stores the identification code of the communication device that provided them in association with the name and the identification code of the communication device stored in the RAM 24. IDS-1 to IDS-n are these identification codes.

The communication device 1 transmits the identification code list in order to provide the name and identification code of the communication device 1 and the name and identification code of the other communication device stored therein to the other communication device. FIG. 4 shows the format of the identification code list. In the identification code list transmitted by the communication device 1, its own name and identification code are written at the beginning. In FIG. 4, NAM-0 and ID-0 represent these. Following this, the names and identification codes of all communication devices stored in the RAM 24 are sequentially written.

Mutual provision of the identification code is performed by the communication devices in the network transmitting the identification code list to each other. The mutual provision of the identification code can be performed in parallel with the general data communication. It can also be performed as an initialization process prior to communication of general data when forming a network.

The identification code list is transmitted by broad transmission. Therefore, the broad transmission code is written as the destination in the header of the list packet including the identification code list. In addition, in the header of the list packet, a packet type code indicating a list packet, the identification code list thereof, and the identification code of the communication device that is the transmission source that generated the list packet are described.

The main operation of the communication device 1 when receiving the list packet is as follows. The received list packet is stored in the reception buffer 14, and the control device 21
Knows that the list packet is received by the packet type code. Then, the name and identification code of the communication device are read from the identification code list in the reception buffer 14 one by one, and the read identification code is compared with its own identification code and the identification code stored in the RAM 24. As a result of the comparison, the read identification code is stored in the RAM 24.
If not stored, the identification code and the name of the communication device are stored in the RAM 24, and the identification code of the sender of the list packet is stored in the RAM 25 in association with these. However, its own name and identification code are not stored in the RAM 24.

As a result of performing the above comparison for all the identification codes included in the received identification code list,
(1) If the received identification code list does not have its own identification code, or (2) if the received identification code list has at least one identification code not stored in the RAM 24, control The device 21 creates a new identification code list. In this identification code list,
Since the names and identification codes of all the communication devices stored in the RAM 24 at that time are written, all the identification codes written in the received identification code list are included.

The control device 21 prepares the identification code list even if (3) the received identification code list does not have its own identification code and the identification code not stored in the RAM 24 is written. To do. After creating the identification code list, the control device 21 deletes the received list packet from the reception buffer 14. (1),
In cases other than (2) and (3), the control device 21 does not create the identification code list and deletes the received list packet.

The controller 21 gives the created identification code list to the packet generator 17 and instructs the packet generator 17 to generate a list packet. After generating the list packet, the packet generation device 17 stores it in the transmission buffer 16. This list packet may be sent immediately,
For the following reason, the control device 21 suspends the transmission of the list packet for a while.

Since the list packet is broadly transmitted, it is simultaneously received by many communication devices. Therefore, many communication devices create a new identification code list and try to transmit a list packet. If these are transmitted at the same time, the communication amount may temporarily increase and the communication efficiency may decrease. Each communication device cannot receive a plurality of packets at exactly the same time, and there is a risk of failing to receive the identification code list.

If the newly created identification code list is to be immediately transmitted, another identification code list is received immediately after the transmission, and these are sent to (1), (2),
It may be applicable to any of (3). At this time, a new identification code list is to be created, and in addition to all the identification codes described in the transmitted identification code list, other identification codes are also described in this identification code list. That is, the identification code list transmitted later has more information and is more useful. By transmitting the created identification code list for a while without sending it immediately, it is possible to reduce the transmission of the identification code list of low utility.

The control device 21 uses two timers T1 and T2 in order to wait for the transmission of the list packet. The timer T1 is given two predetermined times T1min and T1max, and the elapsed time after startup exceeds the time T1min.
A time-out signal is output at a random time until reaching. Similarly, the timer T2 is also given two predetermined times T2min and T2max, and outputs a timeout signal at a random time until the time T2max is reached after the elapsed time after activation exceeds the time T2min. .

Here, the time T given to the timer T2
2 min is set to a value equal to or longer than the time T1max given to the timer T1. Therefore, the output of the time-out signals of the timers T1 and T2 is different for each activation, but when both are activated at the same time, the timer T1 always outputs the time-out signal earlier. Here, the predetermined time T1min, T1m
The ax, T2min and T2max are set to several tens of milliseconds to several hundreds of milliseconds.

After instructing the packet generator 17 to generate the list packet, the controller 21 activates the timer T1 or the timer T2. Which timer is activated is determined by the condition that created the identification code list. When the own identification code is not written in the received identification code list, the timer T1 is started, and when it is written, the timer T2 is started. Therefore, in the case of (3), the timer T1 is started.

The fact that the identification code list has been received means that it is possible to directly transmit from the communication device of the transmission source to the received communication device. However, the fact that the identification code of the communication device that received this is not written in the identification code list means that the communication device of the transmission source does not recognize that it can directly transmit to the communication device that received it. become. Direct transmission is the most efficient communication method, and direct transmission should be performed instead of relay transmission when direct transmission is possible. Therefore, it is desirable in terms of communication efficiency that each communication device quickly knows a communication device that can directly transmit from itself.

The time-out time of the timer T1 which is started when the identification code of the user is not written in the received identification code list is set to the timer T2 which is started when the identification code of the own is written in the received identification code list. It is for this reason that it is set shorter than the timeout time of. Also, by setting in this way, it is possible to prevent the list packets from being intensively transmitted in a short period of time so that the communication is not congested.

The control unit 21 uses the activated timer T1.
Alternatively, when the time-out signal is received from T2, the transmitter 15 is instructed to transmit the waiting list packet. The transmission device 15 reads the list packet from the transmission buffer 16 and transmits the list packet in response to this instruction.

When a new list packet is received after the timer T1 or the timer T2 is started and before the time-out signal is received, the control device 21 sets each identification code in the identification code list of the list packet. , Its own identification code and RAM2 as described above
4 and all identification codes stored in 4. When the comparison result corresponds to any one of (1), (2), and (3), the activated timer T1 or T2 is released, and the waiting list packet is erased from the transmission buffer 16. After that, create a new identification code list,
The packet generation device 17 is instructed to generate the list packet, and the timer T1 or the timer T2 is started.

By this processing, the list packet having a small amount of information which has been waiting for transmission is not transmitted, and it is possible to suppress a meaningless increase in the communication amount. The newly received list packet is (1), (2), (3)
If neither of the above applies, the waiting list packet is transmitted after waiting for the time-out signal from the activated timer.

The list packet broadly transmitted is received by all the communication devices in a state of being able to receive the radio wave of the communication device of the transmission source. Each communication device that has received the list packet performs the same processing as above. Therefore, the identification code list surely includes more identification codes for each transmission and is transmitted one after another. In this way, mutual identification codes are provided within the wireless network. Even when the two communication devices are in a positional relationship in which radio waves do not reach each other, the identification code is transmitted via the other communication device, the mutual existence of the other party can be known, and the identification code can be acquired.

The wireless communication device 1 is set to automatically broadly transmit its own name and identification code after power supply is started. The control device 21 has a power switch 42.
When the power is supplied by the operation of, the control program is first read from the ROM 22. Then, according to the program, the own name and the identification code are read from the ROM 22 and an identification code list including only the own name and the identification code is created. Immediately after power supply is started, the names and identification codes of other communication devices are not stored in the RAM 24, so
Reading from the AM 24 is not performed.

The controller 21 gives the created identification code list to the packet generator 17 to give an instruction to generate a list packet. The packet generator 17 generates a list packet and stores it in the transmission buffer 16. The control device 21 does not immediately send this list packet, but puts it on standby for a predetermined time. The timer T0 is used for this transmission standby. After giving the instruction to generate the list packet, the control device 21 starts the timer T0. The timer T0 outputs a time-out signal when a predetermined time T0out has elapsed after starting. This predetermined time is specifically set to about 10 seconds.

Waiting for the list packet to be transmitted is
This is because the identification code list may be received from another communication device during this period. The identification code list to be transmitted here describes only its own name and identification code, and the amount of information is minimal. If a new identification code list to which the name or identification code of the communication device described in the identification code list from another communication device is added and transmitted, the amount of information to be transmitted is increased and the communication efficiency is improved.

When a list packet is received from another communication device while waiting for the transmission of the list packet,
The controller 21 cancels the timer T0 and sends the transmission buffer 1
Delete the list packet of 6. After that, the processing at the time of receiving the identification code list described above is followed.

If the identification code list is not received while waiting for the list packet transmission, the control device 21 receives a time-out signal from the timer T0. In response to this, the control device 21 instructs the transmission device 15 to start transmission,
The transmission device 15 reads the list packet from the transmission buffer 16 and transmits it. In response to this transmission, the identification code list is transmitted from the other communication device, and the name and identification code of the other communication device are acquired by receiving it.

As described above, since the communication device 1 automatically transmits the identification code list after the power supply is started, the network is automatically formed when the power supply to two or more communication devices is started. Will be. In addition, when a network is already formed, a communication device that is about to newly join the network can automatically join the network simply by operating the power switch 42 to start power supply.

When the network is already formed, each communication device participating in this network stores the names and identification codes of many other communication devices. In response to the code list, an identification code list containing the names and identification codes of many communication devices is transmitted. Therefore, a newly entered communication device can acquire the names and identification codes of many communication devices at one time. Therefore, the transmission of the identification code list does not occur frequently.

The transmission of the identification code list can be started at any time other than the start of power supply. For this, the list transmission switch 46 provided on the operation unit 41 is used. When the list transmission switch 46 is operated, the control device 21 reads its own name and identification code from the ROM 22 and also reads the names and identification codes of other communication devices from the RAM 24 to create an identification code list.
Then, the packet generator 17 is instructed to generate the list packet, and the timer T0 is started. The subsequent processing is the same as the processing at the start of power supply, but the identification code list created here contains the names and identification codes of other communication devices stored at that time as well as itself. Will be.

If the clear switch 43 is operated before the list transmission switch 46 is operated, the RAM 24 and R
Since the stored contents of the AM 25 are erased, it is possible to create an identification code list in which only the name and identification code of the user are recorded, just as when power supply is started. This is used to reset information about other communication devices when the stored information no longer matches the current situation of the network.

For example, if a large number of communication devices leave the network during a long period of communication, the names and identification codes of the communication devices not participating in the network are stored. Remembering the names and identification codes of communication devices that have left the network
At that time, it holds information that has no meaning to be used, which wastes the storage areas of the RAM 24 and the RAM 25, and hinders finding a communicable communication device.

Communication devices participating in the network communicate with each other so as to erase the contents stored in their own RAMs 24 and 25, and then each communication device uses the clear switch 43 to temporarily store the contents stored in the RAMs 24 and 25. Erase, and then one communication device switches to the list transmission switch 46
When the identification code list is transmitted by the operation of, the network can be reformed without interrupting the power supply. The notification of the deletion of the stored contents may be made by including the data to that effect in the general data packet, or may be made by preparing a special packet for that purpose and transmitting it.

Next, the termination of mutual provision of identification codes will be described. Since the number of identification codes written in the identification code list increases each time the identification code list is sent,
The frequency with which the identification code list received by each communication device corresponds to the above (1), (2), and (3) gradually decreases. Then, unless there is a change in the entry of new communication devices to the network or the arrival status of radio waves, the identification code list will no longer be transmitted within the network, and mutual provision of identification codes will end naturally. To do. In this state, each communication device has acquired the names and identification codes of many communication devices that can communicate by relay transmission, in addition to the communication devices that can directly transmit to each other.

The fact that a new communication device joins the network or that the arrival state of the radio wave changes due to the movement of the communication device or the movement of obstacles is a small scale in which about 10 communication devices participate. If it is a wireless network, the frequency of occurrence is low, and the transmission of the identification code list disappears promptly. However, as the scale of the network increases, the speed at which the identification code list is not transmitted becomes slower, and in a large-scale network in which a large number of communication devices participate, the transmission of the identification code list may not be lost within a practical time. I can not always expect. If the identification code list is transmitted too much, it hinders general communication, resulting in a decrease in communication efficiency.

Therefore, in the communication device 1 of the present invention, after the identification code list is first transmitted after the start of the power supply and after the identification code list is first transmitted by the operation of the list transmission switch 46, a predetermined time is passed. It is configured so that the transmission of the identification code list can be terminated when the time has elapsed. This termination is performed by the timer T3. The timer T3 outputs a time-out signal when the time T3out has elapsed after activation. Here, the predetermined time T3out is set to about 1 minute.

It has already been described that the control device 21 creates the identification code list and activates the timer T0 after operating the power switch 42 and the list transmission switch 46. However, at the same time when the timer T0 is activated, the timer T3 is activated. Also start. Even when the identification code list is received, the control device 21 does not cancel the timer T3.
Until the time-out signal is received from timer T3,
The control device 21 creates and sends an identification code list according to the received identification code list. After receiving the time-out signal from the timer T3, the identification code list is received and stored in the RAMs 24 and 25.
Regardless of the above cases (1), (2), and (3), the control device 21 does not create and transmit the identification code list.

By this processing, the transmission of the identification code list can be terminated even in a large-scale network, and a decrease in communication efficiency can be prevented. However,
If you keep sending the identification code list,
There is an inconvenience that a communication device that newly joins the network cannot obtain the names and identification codes of other communication devices. In order to avoid this inconvenience, after the transmission of the identification code list due to the time-out of the timer T3 is completed, the transmission of the identification code list according to the received identification code list is restarted after waiting for a certain amount of time. You can do it.

For example, it is possible to provide another timer which is activated by the time-out of the timer T3, and restart the transmission of the identification code list by the time-out signal. In the present embodiment, the control device 21 starts the timer T3 again when the timeout signal of the timer T3 is first received, and restarts the transmission of the identification code list when the second timeout signal is received. I am configuring. If the identification code list is not aborted, it is not necessary to activate the timer T3.

The process of transmitting the identification code list is shown in the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 2, steps # 100 to #
Reference numeral 135 denotes a process when the communication device 1 first transmits the identification code list after starting the power supply. Step # 20
0 to # 265 correspond to the state of waiting for the reception of the identification code list from another communication device after the transmission of the identification code list and the processing of the identification code list received at that time. Steps # 300 to # 340 are a process of, when the identification code list is received, generating the identification code list according to the reception and waiting for the transmission.

When power supply is started (step # 1)
00), the transmission of the identification code list, that is, the transmission of the list packet is permitted (# 105). First, an identification code list in which only its own name and identification code are written and a list packet including this are generated (# 110),
The timers T0 and T3 are activated (# 115). After waiting until the timer T0 times out (# 13
0), the list packet is transmitted (# 135), but if a list packet is received from another communication device during this time (# 120), the timer T0 is canceled (# 125) and the process proceeds to step # 300.

After sending the first list packet (# 1
35), it is determined whether or not the timer T3 has timed out in order to determine whether or not the transmission of the identification code list is prohibited (# 200). If the timer T3 has not timed out, the transmission of the identification code list is still permitted. Therefore, it waits for reception of a list packet from another communication device (# 205). During this time # 20
The judgment of 0 is also repeated. When a list packet is received (#
205), the above-mentioned condition (1) that the received identification code list does not include its own identification code, and (2) even if the received identification code list does not have any identification code stored in the RAM 24. It is determined whether or not the condition that it is written is satisfied (# 210,
# 220).

When the condition (2) is satisfied,
The name and identification code of the communication device not stored in the RAM 24 are stored in the RAM 24, and the identification code of the communication device that has transmitted the list packet is stored in the RAM 2 in association with this.
5 is stored (# 215). When one of the conditions (1) and (2) is satisfied, it is determined whether the list packet transmission is permitted (# 22).
5) If it is permitted, the process proceeds to step # 300, and if it is prohibited, the process returns to # 200. If neither the condition (2) nor the condition (1) is satisfied, # 20
Return to 0.

When the transmission of the list packet is permitted in the determination of step # 225, the identification code list in which the name and identification code of the list packet and the names and identification codes of all the communication devices stored in the RAM 24 are described and the list thereof. A packet is generated (# 300). Then, depending on whether or not the condition (1) is satisfied, the timer T1 or the timer T2 is activated (# 305), and the list packet transmission standby state is entered (# 310, # 335). When the activated timer times out (# 335), the waiting list packet is transmitted (# 340), and step #
Return to 200.

When a list packet is received from another communication device while waiting for transmission (# 310), it is determined again whether the conditions (1) and (2) are satisfied (# 315,
# 325). When the condition (2) is satisfied, the name and identification code of the communication device not stored are stored in the RAM.
24, and correspondingly, the identification code of the communication device that transmitted the list packet is stored in RAM 25 (# 320). When either one of the conditions (1) and (2) is satisfied, after releasing the activated timer to send a newer identification code list (#
330) and returns to # 300. When both the conditions (1) and (2) are not satisfied (# 325), there is no need to send a newer identification code list, so waiting for a waiting list packet to be sent or another list packet to be received. (# 310, # 335).

In the determination of step # 200, when the timer T3 has timed out, it is determined whether the list packet transmission is permitted or prohibited (# 250), and when it is permitted, the list packet is prohibited (# 25).
5) If it is prohibited, allow it (# 260).
Then restart the timer T3 (# 265),
Go to 205. After prohibiting list packet transmission,
Step # when timer T3 times out again #
The timeout was detected in 200, and # 260
At, the list packet transmission is permitted again. Therefore, the permission and prohibition of the list packet transmission are reversed at the predetermined time interval T3out.

While the list packet transmission is prohibited, the list packet from another communication device is received, and when the condition (2) is satisfied, the name and identification code of the new communication device are stored ( # 200-225). If other communication devices also prohibit the transmission of list packets,
During this period, the list packet is not transmitted in the network, and the mutual provision of the identification code is completed. If each communication device does not reset the transmission permission in step # 260, mutual provision of the identification code can be terminated and forced termination. If each communication device omits steps # 115, # 200, and # 250 to # 265 regarding the timer T3, mutual provision of the identification code list is continued until the list packet is naturally transmitted. Become.

The flowchart of FIG. 2 shows the power switch 4
Communication device 1 from the time when 2 is operated and power supply is started
Although the flow of the process is shown, the same process is performed when the list transmission switch 46 is operated. That is, instead of step # 100, the list transmission switch 46
The process is started by the operation of. In this case, in the identification code list created in # 110, in addition to the name and identification code of this communication device itself, the names and identification codes of all communication devices currently stored in the RAM 24 are described. become. The other processing is performed in exactly the same way.

The process in which the wireless communication device 1 obtains the names and identification codes of other communication devices will be described over time, taking a network composed of several communication devices 1 as an example. FIG. 5 shows a network composed of four communication devices 1. In FIG. 5, A, B, C and D represent the names and positions of the respective communication devices, and a, b,
c and d respectively represent the reach of the radio waves output by the communication devices A, B, C and D. Communication device A,
ID codes of B, C, and D are ID-A and ID-, respectively.
B, ID-C, and ID-D.

The reach of the radio wave depends on the magnitude and directivity of the output and the presence / absence of an obstacle, but here it is assumed that the reach of the radio wave of each communication device is circular. In the situation of FIG. 5, the communication devices B, C, and D are in a position where they can mutually receive the output radio wave of the other party, and the radio wave of the communication device A reaches only the communication device B. Only the radio wave of the communication device B reaches the communication device A.

Now, it is assumed that power is started to be supplied to the respective communication devices at substantially the same time in order to form a network. Also,
Since it is a small-scale network and it is not necessary to terminate the mutual provision of the identification codes, the timer T3 is not used. FIG. 6 shows a flow of transmitting and receiving the identification code list. P0 to P8 represent time, and L1 to L8 represent time P1.
The identification code list transmitted in P8 is shown. The mark □ indicates the transmission of the identification code list, and the marks ◎ and ○ indicate the reception of the identification code list. Of these, the ◎ mark indicates the above-mentioned condition (1).
Or, the condition (2) is satisfied, and the mark ◯ indicates that neither of the conditions (1) and (2) is satisfied.

The solid line portions of the arrows labeled T0, T1 and T2 indicate that the timers T0, T1 and T2 have been activated, and the dotted line portions indicate that the timer has been released. Also, the tips of these arrows represent the occurrence of timeout when the timer is not released. The contents of the identification code lists L1 to L8 are shown in FIG. Here, the parentheses represent the communication device that is the transmission source of the identification code list. R of each communication device in each time P0-P1 to P7-P8
The contents stored in the AMs 24 and 25 are shown in FIGS.

Power supply is started at time P0, and each communication device activates timer T0 and waits for its time-out. At this time, each communication device does not store anything in the RAMs 24 and 25 (a in FIG. 8). At time P1, the communication device A times out, and the communication device A receives the identification code list L.
Broadly send 1. Only the name and identification code of the communication device A are written in the identification code list L1.
The identification code list L1 is received by the communication device B. Since the output radio wave of the communication device A does not reach the communication devices C and D, these communication devices C and D continue to wait for the timer T0 to time out.

The communication device B receives the identification code list L
1. Name "A" and identification code "ID-"
“A” is stored in the RAM 24, and the identification code list L1
The identification code "ID-A" of the communication device of the transmission source of the
25 (b in FIG. 8). The identification code of the communication device of the transmission source can be known from the identification code written at the beginning of the identification code list and also from the identification code of the transmission source written in the header of the list packet including the identification code list. The communication device B creates the identification code list L2, releases the timer T0, and activates the timer T1 because its own identification code is not written in the identification code list L1.

It is not possible to predict which of the timer T1 of the communication device B and the timer T0 of the communication devices C and D will occur first, but here it is assumed that the timeout of the communication device B is earlier. Communication device B
Is P2 when the timer T1 times out,
The identification code list L2 is transmitted. The identification code list L2 is received by all of the communication devices A, C, and D.

Since the communication device A does not store the information about the communication device B described in the identification code list L2 in the RAM 24, it stores this in the RAM 24 and the RAM 25.
The identification code “ID-B” of the transmission source is stored in (c in FIG. 8). Also, the identification code list L5 is created, and since the identification code of itself is written in the identification code list L2, the timer T2 is started. The communication devices C and D are the communication devices B and A described in the identification code list L2.
The information relating to the above is stored in the RAM 24, and the identification code “ID-B” of the transmission source is stored in the RAM 25 corresponding to the information (c in FIG. 8). Further, each of them creates an identification code list, and since its own identification code is not written in the identification code list L2, the timer T1 is started.

As described above, the timer T started at the same time
1 and timer T2 time out, timer T
1 is faster. Therefore, the timer T1 of the communication devices C and D times out earlier than the timer T2 of the communication device A. Here, the timer T1 of the communication device C
However, it is assumed that the time-out occurs at time P3 earlier than the communication device D. The communication device C transmits the created identification code list L3. The identification code list L3 is the communication device B.
And D.

The communication device B stores the information of the communication device C described in the identification code list L3 in the RAM 24 and the identification code "ID-C" of the transmission source in the RAM 25 (d in FIG. 8). And create an identification code list,
Since the identification code of itself is described in the identification code list L3, the timer T2 is started. On the other hand, the communication device D is
Information of the communication device C described in the identification code list L3 is stored in the RAM 24, and the identification code “ID- of the transmission source is stored.
"C" is stored in the RAM 25 (d in FIG. 8). In addition, the activated timer T1 is released, and the identification code list L4 is released.
To create. Since the identification code list L3 does not have its own identification code, the communication device D restarts the timer T1.

The timer T1 of the communication device D times out before the timer T2 of the communication device B. The communication device D transmits the identification code list L4 at the time point P4 when the timeout occurs. This is received by the communication devices B and C. The communication devices B and C use the identification code list L4.
Since the information of the communication device D described in 1 is not stored in the RAM 24, this is stored in the RAM 24, and the identification code “ID-D” of the transmission source is stored in the RAM 25 (FIG. 9).
E). The communication device B has started the timer T2 but cancels it. The communication devices B and C create an identification code list, and since their own identification codes are written in the identification code list L4, they activate the timer T2.

At time P5 before the timer T2 of the communication devices B and C times out, it is assumed that the timer T2 of the communication device A activated at time P2 has timed out. The communication device A transmits the identification code list L5 created at time P2. The identification code list L5 is received by the communication apparatus B, but since the communication apparatus B has already stored all the information described in the identification code list L5, the storage processing in the RAMs 24 and 25 and the identification code list creation processing are performed. Do not do. Also, the timer T that has been activated
It does not cancel 2.

At time P6, it is assumed that the timer T2 of the communication device B times out before the timer 2 of the communication device C. The communication device B transmits the identification code list L6 created at time T4. The identification code list L6 is received by all of the communication devices A, C and D. However, since the communication devices C and D have already acquired all the information described in the identification code list L6, the communication devices C and D do not perform the storage processing in the RAMs 24 and 25 or the identification code list creation processing. The communication device C also does not cancel the timer T2 that has been activated.

On the other hand, the communication device A uses the identification code list L
The information of the communication devices C and D described in 6 is stored in the RAM 2
Since they are not stored in RAM 4, these are stored in RAM 24. The identification code “I
"D-B" is stored in the RAM 25 (f in FIG. 9). Next, the identification code list L8 is created, and since the identification code of itself is written in the identification code list L6, the timer T2 is started.

Of the timer T2 of the communication device A and the timer T2 of the communication device C, it is assumed that the timer T2 of the communication device C times out at time T7. The communication device C uses the identification code list L7 created at time P4.
To send. This is received by the communication devices B and D, but since the communication devices B and D have already acquired all the information, the storage process in the RAMs 24 and 25 and the identification code list creation process are not performed.

At time T8, the communication device A, which has timed out in the timer T2, transmits the identification code list L8. The communication device B receives this identification code list, but since it has already acquired all the information, the RAM 2
The storage processing in Nos. 4 and 25 and the identification code list creation processing are not performed.

After that, there is no communication device which starts the timer and waits for the transmission of the identification code list, and the mutual provision of the identification code ends. At this time, the information regarding the other communication devices stored in the RAM 24 by the communication devices A, B, C and D is as shown in f of FIG. Each communication device stores the names and identification codes of all other communication devices participating in the network,
The information acquired by each communication device is the same, including its own name and identification code stored in the ROM 22.

However, R is associated with the information in the RAM 24.
The information stored in the AM 25 is different for each communication device. This is because the information stored in the RAM 25 represents the transmission source of the identification code list and depends on the relative positional relationship between the communication devices. The identification code of the RAM 25 indicates a partner device that is likely to be directly transmitted to each other.

Since the occurrence of the timeout of the two timers T1 and T2 for determining the transmission waiting time of the identification code list is random, the above example shows only one possible case. However, the information regarding the other communication devices that each communication device finally stores in the RAM 24 is the same as that shown in f of FIG. 9 regardless of the time-out occurrence of the timer T1 and the timer T2. The order of storing in RAM24 is timer T
1, depending on the timing of the T2 timeout,
The arrangement order of the information of the communication devices in the RAM 24 has no special meaning in the use of these information.

As shown in FIG. 5, the communication device A exists outside the reach of the output radio waves of the communication devices C and D. However, when the transmission of the identification code list is completed, the communication device A has acquired the names and identification codes of the communication devices C and D. Similarly, although the communication devices C and D exist outside the reach of the radio wave of the communication device A,
The name and identification code of the communication device A are acquired.

As described above, in the communication system of the present invention,
The identification codes of the communication devices in the network can be acquired not only between the communication devices that can directly transmit each other but also between the communication devices that cannot directly transmit each other. Moreover, by using the timers T1 and T2, simultaneous transmission of the identification code list is avoided as illustrated in FIG. 6, and communication confusion due to frequent transmissions is prevented.

Although only the transmission of the identification code list has been described here, while the identification code lists are being transmitted, the transmission destination is designated by the identification code acquired at that time and general data is transmitted. It is also possible to send. Further, in a large-scale network, mutual provision of identification codes does not always end promptly and naturally. In that case, for example, by using the timer T3, mutual provision of identification codes is started for a predetermined time after the mutual provision of identification codes is started. You can force it to end with.

After the mutual provision of the identification codes is completed in the network of FIG. 5 and the information about the other communication devices stored in the communication devices A, B, C and D becomes as shown in f of FIG. A case where a new communication device enters the network will be described. The positional relationship of the communication device at this time is shown in FIG. E is a communication device that has entered, and its identification code is ID-E. The communication devices A, B, C and D are shown in FIG.
It has not been moved from the state.

The positional relationship is such that the radio wave of the communication device E reaches only the communication device C and only the radio wave of the communication device C reaches the communication device E. FIG. 11 shows the identification code lists L9 to L14 transmitted here, and FIG. 12 shows the contents stored in the RAMs 24 and 25 by each communication device at the end of mutual provision of the identification codes. In FIG. 11, the reference numeral in parentheses indicates the communication device that is the transmission source of the identification code list.

When power is supplied to the communication device E, the communication device E creates the identification code list L9 and starts the timer T0. At this time, the communication device E does not store anything in the RAMs 24 and 25. When the timer T0 times out, the communication device E broadly transmits the identification code list L9, and the communication device C receives it. The communication device C stores the name and identification code of the communication device E in the RAM 24, and stores “ID-E” as the identification code of the corresponding transmission source in the RAM 25.
Remember. At this point, the RAM 24, 25 of the communication device C
The contents stored in the table are as shown in FIG.

The communication device C creates the identification code list L10 and activates the timer T1 since its own identification code is not described in the identification code list L9. When the timer T1 times out, the communication device C transmits the identification code list L10. The identification code list L10 is received by the communication devices B, D and E.

The communication device E, which has received the identification code list L10, stores the information of the communication devices C, B, A and D described therein in the RAM 24, and the identification codes "ID- C ”is stored in the RAM 25.
At this point, the contents stored in the communication device E are as shown in FIG. The communication device E creates the identification code list L11 and activates the timer T2. Identification code list L1
1 is transmitted when the timer T2 times out and is received by the communication device C, but since the communication device C has acquired all the information written therein, the storage process in the RAMs 24 and 25 and the identification code list creation process Do not do.

On the other hand, the communication devices B and D, which have received the identification code list L10, store the name and identification code of the communication device E in the RAM 24, and in response to this, the identification code "ID-C" of the transmission source is stored in the RAM 25. Remember. At this point, the contents stored in the communication devices B and D are as shown in FIG.
Each of the communication devices B and D has an identification code list L12.
And L13 are created, the timer T2 is started, and the identification code list is transmitted at the time-out. The identification code list L12 is received by the communication devices C and D, and the identification code list L13 is received by the communication devices B and C. Since each communication device has already obtained all the information written therein,
The storage process and the identification code list creation process are not performed.

Identification code list L transmitted by communication device B
12 is also received by the communication device A. The communication device A stores information regarding the communication device E in the RAM 24, and stores the identification code “ID-B” in the RAM 25. The contents stored in the communication device A are now as shown in FIG. The communication device A creates the identification code list L14 and sets the timer T
2 is activated and sent when a timeout occurs. The communication device C receives this identification code list L14, but does not perform storage processing or identification code list creation processing.

With the above, mutual provision of the identification code resulting from the entry of the new communication device E is completed. As shown in FIG. 12, each of the five communication devices participating in the network stores information about all other communication devices in the RAM 24. Even if a new communication device enters the network thereafter, mutual provision of the identification code is performed in the same manner, and each communication device can acquire information of another communication device in a short time.

When the communication device E leaves the network of FIG. 10 and the communication devices A, B, C and D move, the communication device E of FIG.
Consider the state in which Here, communication device A and communication device B, communication device B and communication device C, and communication device C
And the communication device D are in a positional relationship in which radio waves reach.

The communication device C, which has transmitted general data to the communication device E in the state shown in FIG. 10 until then, has no response packet from the communication device E for the transmitted general data. It is known that either the power supply is stopped and the user leaves the network, or the positional relationship is such that communication with the communication device E is impossible.
At this time, the communication device C will attempt relay transmission to the communication device E via the communication device A, B, or D. This relay transmission is naturally unsuccessful because the communication device E has left the network.

In this case, the user of the communication device C determines that the information stored in the communication device C does not match the network condition at that time, and reconstructs the contents stored in the RAMs 24 and 25. It can be performed. At this time, the clear switch 43 and the list transmission switch 46 of the operation unit 41
To use. By operating the clear switch 43, all the contents stored in the RAMs 24 and 25 are erased. After that, if the list transmission switch 46 is operated, the identification code list in which only the name and the identification code of the user are written is transmitted.

However, since the other communication device stores information that does not match the network condition at that time and it is meaningless to receive the identification code list describing this, the list transmission switch Prior to the operation of 46, a packet for instructing the erasure of the RAMs 24 and 25 is broad-transmitted to call another memory device for erasing the memory. The communication device that received this packet has its own RAM
While deleting 24 and 25, this packet is broadly transmitted. As a result, the memories of the RAMs 24 and 25 of all communication devices in the network that can communicate with the communication device C are erased.

When the communication device C transmits the identification code list by operating the list transmission switch 46, mutual supply of the identification codes is started. The course is as explained in detail before, so I will omit the explanation here.
RAM2 of each communication device at the end of mutual supply of identification codes
The stored contents of Nos. 4 and 25 are shown in FIG. As is clear from the contents of the RAM 25, the communication device A is given information of all other communication devices from the communication device B, and the communication device D is given information of all other communication devices from the communication device C. .

Similar results are obtained when power supply to each communication device is started while the communication devices A, B, C and D are in the positional relationship shown in FIG. The order of the other communication devices stored in the RAM 24 by each communication device is not necessarily the same as that shown in FIG. 14, but the contents are the same. RAM24
The correspondence relationship between the information of 1 and the information of RAM 25 is also the same.

The wireless communication system of the present invention can be used regardless of the shape of the network, regardless of whether it is close to a circle as shown in FIGS. 5 and 10, or a straight line as shown in FIG. The communication device can obtain the names and identification codes of other communication devices. Moreover, since the number of packets transmitted to acquire these pieces of information is small, the communication amount does not increase so much and it is difficult to hinder the communication of general data.

FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which the wireless communication device 1 of the present invention is configured as an electronic notebook and each user brings the electronic notebook to hold a conference. In such a network, it is possible to perform mutual initialization of the network by mutual provision of the above-mentioned identification code, and to exchange information with each other by using the identification code thus obtained. Thus, when the users know each other's names, the names of the users may be stored in the RAM 24 instead of or in addition to the names of the communication devices. When the name of the user is displayed on the display device 31, the operation of designating the destination becomes extremely easy.

In this embodiment, the name of the communication device and the identification code are written together in the identification code list, and these are read out and stored in the RAM 24. However, the name of the communication device need not necessarily be written in the identification code list. There is no. Essentially, it is only the identification code of the communication device that transmits this and the identification code of the other communication device stored by that communication device that needs to be written in the identification code list. If only the identification code of another communication device is acquired, it can be used to communicate with that device, and after the identification code is acquired, the name of the communication device can be queried. Further, when used in the form shown in FIG. 15, the user's name may be stored in the communication device 1 in advance, and this may be transmitted together with an identification code written in an identification code list.

The wireless communication device 1 is configured to transmit and receive radio waves in a predetermined frequency band. However, a desired band is selected from a plurality of frequency bands that are assigned in advance, and communication is performed using this. Good. In this case, the wireless module 11 has a function of selecting a frequency band. This is easily realized by well-known communication technology. Further, instead of radio waves, light, for example infrared light, can be used as a wireless carrier medium. The wireless communication system and the wireless communication device of the present invention do not depend on the type of carrier medium.

[0136]

According to the wireless communication system of the present invention, the identification codes can be mutually provided between the communication devices without providing a special management device for managing the identification codes of many communication devices. . Therefore, the place of use of the communication device is not limited, and it is possible to perform communication at any place at any time. Furthermore, there is no limit to the communication partner, and it is possible to send and receive information between arbitrary communication devices. Moreover, since the number of identification code lists transmitted for mutual provision of identification codes is small, the communication amount does not increase so much.

In the wireless communication system according to the second aspect, each communication device can store the identification code of the transmission source communication device which has transmitted by direct transmission, and the transmission in which the transmission destination is designated using this identification code is not performed. Likely to succeed.
Therefore, high communication efficiency can be obtained. Further, even when the direct transmission to another communication device is unsuccessful, the identification code of the communication device which has transmitted the identification code of the communication device is stored. You can specify and perform relay transmission. Moreover, this relay transmission is likely to succeed.

[0138] In the wireless communication system according to the third aspect, by not transmitting the identification code list with a small amount of information, it is possible to suppress an increase in the amount of communication. Moreover, since the identification code list having a larger amount of information is transmitted later, each communication device can surely acquire the identification code of the other communication device to be acquired.

According to the wireless communication system of the fourth aspect, each communication device can quickly obtain the identification code of the communication device which is highly likely to succeed in direct transmission from itself.
Since direct transmission is the most efficient transmission method, the overall communication efficiency of the communication system is improved.

In the wireless communication system according to the fifth aspect, the transmission of the identification code list is prevented from being concentrated at one time, and the risk of the communication device failing to receive the identification code list is greatly reduced. Moreover, the communication efficiency of the entire communication system is improved.

In the wireless communication system according to claim 6, it is possible to acquire all the identification codes of other communication devices that can be acquired. It is suitable for small-scale communication systems with a small number of constituent communication devices.

As in the wireless communication system according to claim 7, when the mutual supply of the identification codes is terminated within a predetermined time, the identification code list is not transmitted thereafter, so that transmission of the identification code list interferes with general communication. There is no.
This configuration is particularly suitable for a large-scale communication system including a large number of communication devices.

The structure of claim 8 is suitable for initial setting at the time of forming a wireless communication system. Further, it can be used when the communication system is re-formed when the communication devices frequently move or leave after the communication system is formed. The communication system re-formed by this configuration correctly reflects the availability of communication between the communication devices at that time.

In the wireless communication system according to claim 9, when a new communication device enters, the communication device can immediately obtain the identification codes of many other communication devices. In addition, the number of identification code lists transmitted at this time is smaller than the mutual provision of identification codes performed in a state where each communication device does not store the identification code of another communication device, and communication is efficient.

According to the wireless communication device of claim 10,
It is possible to notify the other communication device of its own identification code, and it is possible to obtain the identification code of another communication device having the same configuration. Therefore, it is possible to perform communication simply by gathering the communication devices having this configuration.
That is, it is not necessary to provide a special management device for managing the identification code. Further, since it is possible to communicate with any other party at any place at any time, the characteristics of a mobile communication device are fully exerted. Further, not only direct transmission but also relay transmission can be easily performed.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, since the transmission of packets including the identification code list having a small amount of information is reduced, the amount of communication can be reduced. Moreover,
Since the packet including the identification code list having a larger amount of information is transmitted later, there is no fear that another wireless device may fail to obtain the identification code to be obtained. Further, the identification code of the communication device having a high possibility of succeeding in the direct mutual transmission can be acquired quickly, and the communication efficiency is improved.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, by displaying the stored identification code of another communication device, the user can know the other device with which communication is possible.
When it is determined that it is necessary depending on the displayed content,
It is also possible to receive the identification code list from another communication device and acquire the identification code of the other communication device by transmitting the packet including the identification code list by itself.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of transmission / reception of an identification code list performed by the wireless communication device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a format of information about another communication device stored in the wireless communication device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a format of an identification code list.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a positional relationship between four wireless communication devices.

6 is a diagram showing an example of a flow of mutual provision of identification codes performed by four wireless communication devices having the positional relationship of FIG.

7 is a diagram showing the contents of an identification code list transmitted in mutual provision of the identification codes of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a part of a change in stored content of each wireless communication device in mutual provision of the identification code of FIG. 6;

9 is a diagram showing another part of the change in the stored contents of each wireless communication device in the mutual provision of the identification code of FIG.

10 is a diagram showing an example of a positional relationship when one wireless communication device is added to the wireless communication device of FIG.

11 is a diagram showing the contents of an identification code list transmitted in mutual provision of identification codes performed by the five wireless communication devices having the positional relationship shown in FIG.

12 is a diagram showing stored contents at the end of mutual provision of the identification code of the wireless communication device having the positional relationship of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of the positional relationship between four wireless communication devices.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the stored contents at the end of mutual provision of the identification code of the wireless communication device having the positional relationship of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram showing a state where a wireless communication device of the present invention is configured as an electronic notebook and a conference is held using the electronic notebook.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 wireless communication device 11 wireless module 13 receiving device 14 receiving buffer 15 transmitting device 16 transmitting buffer 17 packet generating device (first transmitting means, second transmitting means) 21 control device (determination means, storage control means, transmission control means) ) 22 ROM 23 RAM 24 RAM (first storage means) 25 RAM (second storage means) 31 display device (display means) 41 operation unit 51 information processing device T0, T1, T2, T3 timer

Claims (12)

(57) [Claims] 1. A destination-specified transmission, which comprises a plurality of movable wireless communication devices to which identification codes are assigned, each communication device specifying a communication device of a transmission destination by using the identification code of each communication device, In a wireless communication system that performs broad transmission with all communication devices as destinations without specifying a destination communication device, one communication device identifies its own identification code and all other communication devices stored by itself. The communication device that broadly transmits the identification code list containing the code and receives the identification code list without the identification code of itself is the identification code of itself and the identification codes of all other communication devices stored by itself. Is transmitted broadly, and the communication device which has received the identification code list in which the identification code not recorded by itself is stored, stores the identification code. After that, by transmitting the identification code list containing the identification code of itself and the identification codes of all the other communication devices stored by itself, the identification codes are mutually provided between the communication devices, and each communication device A wireless communication system characterized in that a destination communication device is designated by using an identification code stored in itself to perform destination designated transmission. 2. The communication device which has received the identification code list in which the identification code not stored by itself is stored, stores the identification code of the communication device which has transmitted the identification code list in association with the identification code. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein: 3. A communication device that has received an identification code list that does not have its own identification code and a communication device that has received an identification code list that has an identification code that it does not store have a predetermined number after reception. After waiting for the waiting time to pass, an identification code list containing the identification codes of its own and all the other communication devices stored by itself is transmitted, and its own identification code is written during the waiting time. 2. When receiving an identification code list that is not stored or an identification code list in which an identification code that is not stored by itself is received, the identification code list that was to be transmitted is not transmitted. Item 2. The wireless communication system according to Item 2. 4. The communication device, which has received the identification code list in which its own identification code is not written, waits for a first waiting time within a first predetermined time before transmitting the identification code list, and writes its own identification code. The communication device, which has received the identification code list in which the identification code that has been stored and which is not stored by itself is received, transmits the identification code list after the first predetermined time period and within the second predetermined time period. The wireless communication system according to claim 3, wherein the wireless communication system waits for a waiting time of 2. 5. The wireless communication system according to claim 4, wherein the first waiting time and the second waiting time are randomly set every time the identification code list is received. 6. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the mutual provision of the identification code is continued until the identification code list is no longer transmitted. 7. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein mutual supply of the identification codes is terminated when a predetermined time has elapsed. 8. The mutual provision of the identification codes is started when all communication devices do not store the identification codes of other communication devices, and the identification code list is transmitted to the identification code list transmitted first. The wireless communication system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein only an identification code of the communication device is recorded. 9. The mutual provision of the identification codes is performed at any point in communication, and the identification code list transmitted first includes the identification code of the communication device transmitting the identification code list and the communication device storing the identification code. The wireless communication system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the identification codes of all the other communication devices are recorded. 10. All-communication by sending and receiving a packet wirelessly and writing the identification code of the destination communication device in the packet to be transmitted, and without writing the identification code of each destination communication device in the packet to be transmitted. In a communication device that performs broad transmission with the device as a destination, a first storage unit that stores the identification code of another communication device and a second storage unit that stores the identification code of the communication device that is the transmission source of the received packet A first packet is created that includes a storage unit and an identification code list including the identification code of the storage unit and all identification codes of other communication devices stored in the first storage unit, and broadly transmits the packet. Transmitting means, when the received packet includes an identification code list, whether or not the identification code of the packet is written in the identification code list, and the first storage means. Determination means for determining whether or not an identification code that is not stored is recorded, and the determination means when the determination means determines that an identification code that is not stored in the first storage means is written The code is stored in the first storage unit, and the identification code of the communication device that is the transmission source of the received packet is stored in the second storage unit in association with the identification code stored in the first storage unit. And a storage control unit that stores the identification code, when the determination unit determines that the identification code of itself is not written, or when the identification code that is not stored in the first storage unit is written. 1
And a transmission control means for causing the transmitting means to create and transmit a packet including an identification code list, and the identification code stored in the first storage means or the second storage means The second packet that creates the packet described as
And a transmission means of the communication device. 11. The transmission control means, when the determination means determines that the identification code of itself is not written, makes the transmission of the packet by the first transmission means stand by for a first predetermined time, and makes the determination. When the means determines that the identification code of itself is written and the identification code that is not stored in the first storage means is written, transmission of the packet by the first transmission means is performed by the first transmission means. A packet including an identification code list is received while waiting for a second predetermined time exceeding a predetermined time to wait for a packet to be transmitted by the first transmission means, and the determination means itself is included in the identification code list. When it is determined that the identification code is not written, or when it is determined that the identification code not stored in the first storage means is written, the transmission of the waiting packet is transmitted. The communication device according to claim 10, wherein the communication device is stopped. 12. The communication device according to claim 10, further comprising display means for displaying the identification code stored in the first storage means.