JP4355434B2 - Wireless communication apparatus, control method therefor, and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Field of the Invention]
The present invention relates to a wireless communication device, a control method thereof, and a storage medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a wireless communication system is known in which a wireless communication device as a slave unit that connects office equipment such as a copying machine and a wireless communication device as a master unit are connected so as to be capable of wireless communication via a line. In this system, the slave unit must be registered in the master unit during operation. Normally, the slave unit is registered by setting the master unit and the slave unit to the slave unit registration mode almost simultaneously. In general, if there is no setting data, the slave unit is in registration mode at the first startup, but the master unit needs to be set to registration mode, and the slave unit is in registration mode at the same time as the master unit. It is necessary to become.
[0003]
Therefore, when registering the slave unit, for example, if the slave unit is installed on the side of the master unit, one person can perform the registration work.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the master unit and the slave unit are separated from each other, it is necessary to perform registration work by two persons: a person who operates the master unit and a person who operates the slave unit. For example, if the slave unit is a wireless communication device that connects large office equipment such as a copier and monitors the operating status, and is installed away from the master unit, Since the office equipment itself is large, it is not easy to carry it. Therefore, it is impossible to install a slave unit on the side of the master unit and perform slave unit registration work by one person. Therefore, in the conventional wireless communication system, there is a problem that a plurality of workers are indispensable for registering the slave unit, which is complicated.
[0005]
An object of this invention is to solve the subject at the time of registering the communicating party which performs wireless communication.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Wireless communication device of the present invention in order to achieve the above object, a wireless communication device, an input means for inputting a registration start timing of the communication partner performs wireless communication, registration start input by said input means A timing unit that counts the time until timing, a transition unit that shifts to a registration mode for registering a communication partner for wireless communication when the result of timing by the timing unit reaches the registration start timing, and the transition Registering means for registering another wireless communication apparatus operating in the registration mode as a communication partner after shifting to the registration mode by means.
[0010]
The control method of a wireless communication apparatus of the present invention is a control method for a radio communication apparatus having an input means for inputting a registration start timing of the communication partner performs wireless communication, registering input by said input means The time until the start timing is counted, and when the registration start timing is reached, a transition is made to a registration mode for registering a communication partner for wireless communication, and after the transition to the registration mode, the operation is being performed in the registration mode. Another wireless communication apparatus is registered as a communication partner .
[0012]
A storage medium of the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the wireless communication apparatus control method according to claim 8 .
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a radio communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0020]
This wireless communication system is configured by connecting a wireless device 102 (wireless communication device) as a slave device and a wireless device 104 (wireless communication device) as a parent device so that wireless communication is possible.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1A, the wireless device 102 is connected to the office machine 101 and the slave side data input device 103. As shown in FIG. 2B, the wireless device 104 is connected to the public network 105. Further, the base unit side data input device 106 is connected to the wireless device 104.
[0022]
The office machine 101 is a large apparatus such as a copying machine, for example, and is an object whose operation status is monitored. The slave side data input device 103 is used for setting parameters (slave unit registration data) necessary for registering the wireless device 102 in the wireless device 104 (slave unit registration).
[0023]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the slave unit side data input device 103. The base unit side data input device 106 is configured in the same manner as the base unit side data input device 103.
[0024]
Slave side data input device 103, the control unit 20 3 on the display unit 201, an input unit 20 2, the storage unit 20 4, and the timer 20 5及 beauty equipment connection interface unit 206 is connected. The display unit 201 displays various information. The input unit 202 includes keys and the like and is used to input various data. The control unit 203 controls the slave unit side data input device 103 as a whole. The storage unit 204 includes a RAM, a hard disk, and the like, and stores data such as input parameters. The timer 205 counts (measures time) the time and transmits the information to the control unit 203. The device connection interface unit 206 is connected to the wireless device 102 and exchanges slave unit registration data and the like with the wireless device 102. Note that, in the base-side data input device 106, the device connection interface unit 206 is connected to the wireless device 104.
[0025]
In such a configuration, the slave unit registration is performed as follows.
[0026]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a slave unit registration process executed by the slave unit side data input device 103.
[0027]
First, a mode selection process is performed (step S301). That is, a message prompting the user to select an operation mode is displayed on the display unit 201 by the user's operation. Here, the user selects either the intelligent mode or the normal keyboard mode as the operation mode.
[0028]
Next, in the operation mode selection process, it is determined whether the operation mode selected by the user is the intelligent mode or the keyboard mode (step S302). As a result of the determination, if the operation mode selected by the user is the keyboard mode, the input value is immediately passed to the wireless device 102 as the connected device via the device connection interface unit 206 (step S303), and this process is performed. On the other hand, if the operation mode selected by the user is the intelligent mode, the display unit 201 displays that the slave unit registration mode is set (step S304).
[0029]
Next, it is determined whether or not the key input is a new slave unit registration data input (step S305). As a result of the determination, if retransmission, that is, key input is not data input for a new slave unit, the process immediately proceeds to step S308. On the other hand, if new input, that is, key input is data input for a new slave unit registration, Then, the input of the slave unit number is accepted (step S306), and other necessary parameters such as a password are sequentially accepted according to the display unit 201 (step S307), and the process proceeds to step S308. Note that these input data are stored in the storage unit 204.
[0030]
In step S308, the display unit 201 displays input parameters. Here, the data already stored in the storage unit 204 is displayed in the case of retransmission, and the newly input data is displayed in the case of new input.
[0031]
Next, based on the display on the display unit 201, the user determines whether or not there is an error in the input data, thereby determining whether or not input confirmation has been made by the user (step S309). . As a result of the determination, if the input confirmation is not made and the intention of correction is indicated, the process returns to the step S306 and the input of the slave unit number and other parameters is performed again. On the other hand, if the input confirmation is made, the setting is made. Time (start timing) is input (step S310).
[0032]
Here, the set time defines the timing for transmitting the input slave unit registration data from the slave unit side data input device 103 to the wireless device 102. For example, the elapsed time from the current time (transmitted after 10 minutes, etc.) Or the transmission time (transmitted at 10:20).
[0033]
Next, it is determined whether or not the set time has arrived (step S311). This determination is made based on the time measured by the timer 205 built in the handset side data input device 103. Then, the determination is repeated until the set time arrives. When the timer reaches the set value and the set time has come, the setting is started, that is, the slave unit registration data held in the storage unit 204 is transmitted to the wireless device via the device connection interface unit 206. 102 (step S312), and this process is terminated. Thereby, the slave unit registration on the slave unit side is performed at the set timing.
[0034]
On the other hand, in order to realize slave registration by one person, the master unit (wireless device 104) must be shifted to the slave unit registration mode at the same timing as the slave unit (wireless device 102). Therefore, the user moves to the base unit before the set time arrives at the handset side, and waits for the timing when the set time arrives, that is, when the handset shifts to the handset registration mode, The slave unit is registered on the master unit.
[0035]
That is, the base unit side data input device 106 connected to the wireless device 104 is used in the keyboard mode, or the other handset registration data such as the handset number and password required for handset registration are wirelessly transmitted using another keyboard. Input to device 104. As a result, the slave unit is registered in a state where both the master unit and the slave unit are in the slave unit registration mode.
[0036]
If the timing of input on the parent device side is bad and registration of the child device has failed, the set time may be reset on the child device side data input device 103 again.
[0037]
According to the present embodiment, one user first sets the slave unit registration start timing as the set time on the slave unit side, and sets the master unit side at the timing when the slave unit automatically enters the slave unit registration mode. The slave unit registration mode can be manually set, and the slave unit can be registered automatically by the slave unit and manually by the master unit. Therefore, the handset registration work can be performed by one person at the set start timing.
[0038]
(Second Embodiment)
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the processing on the slave unit side and the master unit side is reversed. Therefore, the configuration of the system and the master data input device 106 is as shown in FIGS. However, the slave unit registration process shown in FIG. 3 is executed not by the wireless device 102 but by the wireless device 104.
[0039]
One user first sets the slave unit registration start timing as the set time on the master unit side, and manually sets the slave unit side to the slave unit registration mode when the master unit automatically enters the slave unit registration mode. . In other words, the user moves to the slave unit before the set time set on the master unit arrives, and estimates the timing when the set time arrives, that is, when the master unit enters the slave unit registration mode. Then, the slave unit registration work is performed on the slave unit side. Thus, the slave unit registration operation is automatically performed on the master unit side and manually on the slave unit side.
[0040]
According to the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.
[0041]
(Third embodiment)
In the present embodiment, the same process as the process on the slave unit in the first embodiment is executed not only on the slave unit but also on the master unit side, and the manual slave unit registration is eliminated. Different from the embodiment. Therefore, the configuration of the system is as shown in FIG. 1, and the configurations of the slave side data input device 103 and the master side data input device 106 are as shown in FIG. However, the slave unit registration process shown in FIG. 3 is executed not only by the wireless device 102 but also by the wireless device 104.
[0042]
In this embodiment, both the parent device and the child device are operated in the intelligent mode, and the setting time set in step S310 in FIG. 3 is set in the setting time set in the wireless device 102 and the wireless device 104. The set time should be approximately the same. Both of the set times are set, for example, as the transmission time (transmitted at 10:20).
[0043]
According to the present embodiment, the parent device side and the child device side shift to the child device registration mode at substantially the same timing, and the child device registration is automatically started and executed respectively. Therefore, the slave device registration work can be automatically performed at the set start timing, and the necessary setting work such as the set time in the master device and the slave device can be performed by one person.
[0044]
It should be noted that by providing the slave unit side data input device 103 with a built-in battery or adopting a non-volatile memory in the storage unit 204, the user can set the slave unit side data input device 103 and the master unit side data input device 106. Necessary handset registration data is stored in advance in each storage unit 204, and then each data input device 103, 106 is connected to the wireless device 102 and wireless device 104, and held in the storage unit 204 after connection. The slave unit registration may be performed using the slave unit registration data.
[0045]
(Fourth embodiment)
In the present embodiment, means for inputting, holding, and timing the slave unit registration data is provided not in the slave unit side data input device 103 but in the wireless device 102 itself, and the sequence of the slave unit registration process is set in the slave unit side data. This is different from the first embodiment in that it is executed by the wireless devices 102 and 104 themselves without using the input device 103.
[0046]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of radio apparatus 102 in the present embodiment. Note that base unit radio apparatus 104 is configured in the same manner as slave unit radio apparatus 102.
[0047]
The wireless device 102 is configured by connecting a control unit 303 to a display unit 301, an input unit 302, a storage unit 304, a timer 305, and a communication interface unit 306. The display unit 301 displays various information. The input unit 302 includes keys and the like, and is used to input various data. The control unit 303 controls the entire wireless device 102. The storage unit 304 includes a RAM, a hard disk, and the like, and stores data such as input parameters. The timer 305 counts (measures time) the time and transmits the information to the control unit 303. The communication interface unit 306 performs wireless communication with the wireless device 104.
[0048]
In such a configuration, the slave unit registration is performed as follows.
[0049]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the slave unit registration process executed by the wireless apparatus 102. Note that the same processing is also performed in the wireless device 104.
[0050]
First, the display unit 301 displays that it is in the slave unit registration mode (step S501). Next, in steps S502 to S508, processing similar to that in steps S305 to S311 in FIG. 3 is executed. However, in this process, the functions of the display unit 201, the input unit 202, the storage unit 204, and the timer 205 in FIG. Will bear.
[0051]
As a result of the determination in step S508, when the timer becomes a set value and the set time has come, the setting is started, that is, the slave unit registration is performed using the slave unit registration data held in the storage unit 304 (step S509). Thereby, the slave unit registration on the slave unit side is performed at the set timing.
[0052]
On the other hand, the same processing as in FIG. 5 is also executed in the wireless device 104 of the parent device, but at this time, the wireless device 104 has the same timing as the wireless device 102 by setting the set time to the same value as that of the child device. Then, the slave unit registration mode is set and the slave unit is registered.
[0053]
According to the present embodiment, by providing the slave unit and the master unit themselves with the processing function of FIG. 5, the master unit side and the slave unit side shift to the slave unit registration mode at substantially the same timing, and the slave unit registration is performed. It starts and runs automatically. Therefore, similar to the third embodiment, the slave unit registration work can be automatically performed at the set start timing, and only one setting operation such as the set time in the master unit and the slave unit is required. Can be done.
[0054]
Note that only a part of functions such as input, storage, and display of slave unit registration data may be provided in the wireless devices 102 and 104 themselves.
[0055]
(Fifth embodiment)
In this embodiment, the data input devices 103 and 106 further include a function for the wireless device 102 and the wireless device 104 to perform wireless communication with each other via the data input devices 103 and 106, and transmit and receive a slave unit registration start signal. The point which started the subunit | mobile_unit registration as an opportunity differs from 1st Embodiment. The overall configuration of the wireless communication system is as shown in FIG.
[0056]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of base unit side data input device 106 in the present exemplary embodiment. Incidentally, the slave unit side data input device 103 is configured similarly to the base-side data input device 106.
[0057]
The wireless communication unit 20 7 is connected to the control unit 203, and performs wireless communication with the base unit wireless device 104 side. Various configurations of the wireless communication unit 207 are conceivable, but weak wireless can be used as an example. When weak wireless is used, there is a possibility of crosstalk with others, so that the possibility of malfunctioning increases when it is determined by signal level detection by analog modulation such as AM modulation. Therefore, it is desirable to use digital modulation schemes such as FSK modulation (frequency shift keying), repeatedly transmit a specific pattern, and detect this pattern on the receiving side to trigger the start of slave registration. it can.
[0058]
In addition, the display unit 201, the input unit 202, the control unit 203, the storage unit 204, the timer 205, and the device connection interface unit 206 are the same as those in the first embodiment.
[0059]
In such a configuration, the user first inputs a parameter (slave unit registration data) necessary for slave unit registration using the slave unit side data input device 103, and sets the slave unit to a standby state for receiving a slave unit registration start signal. Thereafter, the slave unit registration data is similarly input using the master unit side data input device 106. After the input is completed, a slave unit registration start signal is transmitted using the wireless communication unit 207 provided in the master unit side data input device 106 and the slave unit registration mode is entered. When the wireless communication unit 207 provided in the handset side data input device 103 receives this handset registration start signal, the wireless device 102 also enters the handset registration mode and performs handset registration.
[0060]
The slave unit registration start signal is transmitted from the master unit side data input device 106, for example, in the PHS self-employed mode, the wireless device 104 issues a slave unit registration notification signal, and the slave unit wireless device This is because 102 receives the notification signal, obtains data related to the slave unit registration included in the notification signal, and then executes the slave unit registration.
[0061]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the slave unit registration process executed by the master unit side data input device 103.
[0062]
First, in steps S701 to S709, processing similar to that in steps S301 to S309 in FIG. 3 is executed. Next, the wireless communication unit 207 transmits a slave unit registration start signal to the wireless device 102 (step S710), and starts setting, that is, the slave unit registration held in the storage unit 204 of the master unit side data input device 106. The data is transferred to the wireless device 104, and the wireless device 104 is shifted to the slave registration mode (step S711). As a result, the slave unit is registered on the master unit side. Thereafter, this process is terminated.
[0063]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the slave unit registration process executed by the slave unit side data input device 103.
[0064]
As described above, actually, the user performs operations such as input of slave unit registration data on the slave unit side (FIG. 8) and waits for reception of a slave unit registration start signal, and then the master unit. On the side, procedures such as inputting of slave unit registration data (FIG. 7) are performed.
[0065]
First, in steps S801 to S809, processing similar to that in steps S701 to S709 in FIG. 7 is executed.
[0066]
Next, it is determined whether or not a slave unit registration start signal has been received by the wireless communication unit 207 on the slave unit side (step S810). If the slave unit registration start signal is received as a result of the determination, the setting start, that is, the slave unit registration data held in the storage unit 204 of the slave unit side data input device 103 is passed to the wireless device 102 and the wireless device 102 is shifted to the slave registration mode (step S811). As a result, the slave unit is also registered on the slave unit side. Thereafter, this process is terminated.
[0067]
On the other hand, if the slave unit registration start signal is not received, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 1 hour) has elapsed (step S812), and the determinations in steps S810 and S812 are repeated until the predetermined time has elapsed. If the predetermined time has passed without receiving the slave unit registration start signal, the setting NG is displayed, that is, the fact that the slave unit registration has failed is displayed on the display unit 201 (step S813), and this process is terminated. To do. In this case, handset registration is not performed.
[0068]
According to the present embodiment, since the slave unit registration work is automatically performed at the timing designated on the master unit side in response to the slave unit registration start signal, the same effects as those of the third embodiment can be obtained. it can.
[0069]
In this embodiment, the slave unit registration start signal is transmitted from the master unit side to the slave unit side. However, the configuration may be reversed. That is, a slave unit registration start signal is transmitted from the slave unit side to the master unit side, the slave unit registration data is input on the master unit side, and the master unit side receives the slave unit registration start signal. After entering the waiting state, operations such as input of slave unit registration data may be performed on the slave unit side.
[0070]
In this embodiment, functions such as input, storage and display of slave unit registration data, and transmission / reception of slave unit registration start signals are provided in the data input devices 103 and 106. However, these functions are provided in the wireless device 102. 104, and the data input devices 103 and 106 may be omitted. Further, only a part of functions such as input, storage and display of slave unit registration data, and transmission / reception of slave unit registration start signals may be provided in the wireless devices 102 and 104 themselves.
[0071]
(Sixth embodiment)
In the present embodiment, instead of receiving the slave unit registration start signal in the fifth embodiment, the transition to the slave unit registration mode is triggered by the time signal of the television broadcast or radio broadcast. The form is different. In the present embodiment, a receiving unit that receives a television broadcast or a radio broadcast and a time signal detecting unit that detects a time signal generated every hour from the received broadcast are further provided (none of which are shown).
[0072]
Both the base unit radio apparatus 104 and the sub unit radio apparatus 102 execute the sub unit registration process shown in FIG. 8. At this time, a television or radio broadcast is received, and in a processing step corresponding to step S 810, a time signal is received. Is detected. As a result of the determination, if a time signal is detected, a setting start process (step S811) is executed. As a result, the master unit side and the slave unit side simultaneously shift to the slave unit registration mode and the slave unit is registered.
[0073]
According to the present embodiment, since the slave unit registration work is automatically performed in response to the time signal, the same effect as that of the fifth embodiment can be obtained.
[0074]
In this embodiment, either the slave unit or the master unit may be manually registered by the user in accordance with the time signal. Even in this case, the slave unit registration work can be performed by one person.
[0075]
A program in which a storage medium recording software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a wireless communication system, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the wireless communication system is stored in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the code.
[0076]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0077]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or the like can be used.
[0078]
In addition, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by executing the program code read by the computer, and an OS or the like running on the computer is actually processed based on an instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the above and the processing thereof is included.
[0079]
Furthermore, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function is determined based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0080]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to adaptively shift to a registration mode for registering a communication partner for wireless communication and register the communication partner. Therefore, for example, even when the two wireless communication apparatuses are separated from each other and the user cannot operate them simultaneously, the timing for shifting to the registration mode can be adjusted.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a radio communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a slave unit side data input device.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a slave unit registration process executed by the slave unit side data input device.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless device according to a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a slave unit registration process executed by the wireless device.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a master data input device according to a fifth embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a slave unit registration process executed by the master unit side data input device.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a slave unit registration process executed by the slave unit side data input device.
[Explanation of symbols]
101 office machine 102 radio equipment 103 subsidiary unit-side data input equipment 104 radio equipment 105 PSTN 106 base-side data input equipment 201 display unit 202 input unit 203 control unit 204 storage unit 205 timer <br/> 206 Device connection interface unit 207 Wireless communication unit

Claims (9)

A wireless communication device,
An input means for inputting a registration start timing of a communication partner for performing wireless communication ;
Clocking means for timing the time until the registration start timing input by the input means ;
As a result of timing by the timing unit, when the registration start timing is reached, a transition unit that shifts to a registration mode for registering a communication partner performing wireless communication;
Registration means for registering another wireless communication device operating in the registration mode as a communication partner after the transition to the registration mode by the transition means;
A wireless communication apparatus comprising: The registration start timing input by the input means, the time to shift to the registration mode or the wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an elapsed time until transition to the registration mode. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input unit receives an input of a parameter for registering a communication partner. 4. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the parameter includes an identification number and a password of a communication partner. A determination unit that determines whether or not to input a parameter for registering a new communication partner, and when the determination unit determines that it is an input of a parameter for registering a new communication partner, Display the parameter input by the input means, and display means for displaying the parameter that has already been stored when it is determined that the parameter is not input for registering a new communication partner. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: 6. The registration unit according to claim 3, wherein the registration unit registers, as a communication partner, another wireless communication device to which the same parameter as the parameter input by the input unit is input. The wireless communication device described. The other wireless communication device registered as a communication partner by the registration unit is set to shift to the registration mode at the same timing as the registration start timing input by the input unit. Item 7. The wireless communication device according to any one of Items 1 to 6. A method for controlling a wireless communication apparatus having input means for inputting a registration start timing of a communication partner for performing wireless communication ,
The time until the registration start timing input by the input means is counted,
When the registration start timing is reached, a transition is made to a registration mode for registering a communication partner for wireless communication,
After shifting to the registration mode, another wireless communication apparatus operating in the registration mode is registered as a communication partner . A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the wireless communication apparatus control method according to claim 8 .

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