JP6282954B2 - Wireless communication system and wireless communication device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication system and a wireless communication device that transmit usage amounts of water and gas measured by a meter to a communication device on a center side using a wireless network.

  Conventionally, in a wireless telemeter system developed for meter reading of gas, water, etc., a wireless master unit is connected to a center side device equipped with a host computer and a center network control device via a wide area wireless network such as a PHS network and a FOMA network. Connected. In addition, a plurality of wireless slave devices are connected to the wireless master device, and a meter for meter reading is connected to each of the wireless slave devices. Data such as a meter reading value obtained from the meter is transmitted from the wireless slave unit to the wireless master unit, and further transmitted from the wireless master unit to the center side device.

  In the wireless telemeter system, for example, a number issuing wireless device that issues an identifier (wireless device number) for identifying each device in a narrow area wireless network is installed. When a new wireless slave device is connected to the narrow area wireless network, the wireless slave device transmits a number issue request to the number issuing wireless device via the existing wireless slave device connected to the number issuing wireless device. The number issuing wireless device generates an issuance response including the wireless device number assigned to the requesting wireless slave device, and transmits the issued response to the requesting wireless slave device via the existing wireless slave device. The wireless master device and each wireless slave device can communicate with other devices by specifying the wireless device number issued from the number issuing wireless device as a destination.

JP 2012-244541 A

  A mesh type network is known as one of network configurations of a wireless telemeter system. In the mesh network, for example, when the device itself can receive data transmitted from the outside, a beacon is periodically transmitted to search for a wireless master device and a wireless slave device having data to be transmitted. And when the radio | wireless main | base station and radio | wireless handset which have the data which should be transmitted receive a beacon, it is set as the structure which transmits data with respect to the transmission source of the beacon.

  In the mesh type network as described above, when a beacon transmitted from a wireless master device or another wireless slave device is received, data is transmitted to the beacon transmission source when the own device has data to be transmitted. It is configured. That is, the timing at which a wireless slave unit transmits data to another wireless slave unit or a wireless master unit depends on the communication status of each device. For this reason, even if the number issuing radio is issued to the newly installed wireless slave unit, the timing when the wireless unit number of the newly installed wireless slave unit is transmitted to the entire system is not known, For example, the installation contractor had the problem that he / she had to perform the communication test in a timely manner.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a wireless communication system and a wireless communication apparatus that can notify the operation start timing of a wireless slave unit newly installed in a narrow-area wireless network. And

  The wireless communication system of the present application includes a wireless master device and a plurality of wireless slave devices each having an identifier for identifying each in the wireless communication network, and each of the wireless master device and each wireless slave device has its own identifier. And a hop number table for storing the hop number from the own device in association with the number of hops from the own device to the wireless master device or the wireless slave device identified by the identifier. In the wireless communication system for determining a communication path based on the hop number table, each wireless slave unit obtains, from the wireless slave unit connected to the own unit, a hop number table included in the wireless slave unit; and Among the identifiers stored in the hop number table acquired from the wireless slave unit, the identifiers not stored in the hop number table included in the own unit, and the hop numbers stored in association with the identifiers A wireless device management table for storing the identifier assigned to each wireless slave device and the unique information of each wireless slave device in association with each other. Means for acquiring a hop number table provided in the wireless slave device from a wireless slave device connected to the wireless device, whether an identifier not stored in the wireless device management table is included in the hop number table acquired from the wireless slave device Means for determining whether or not an identifier that is not stored in the wireless device management table is included, and means for notifying the presence of a wireless device newly connected to the wireless communication network to the outside It is characterized by that.

  In the wireless communication system of the present application, when the wireless master unit determines that an identifier that is not stored in the wireless device management table is included in the hop number table, the wireless slave device to which the identifier is assigned, Means for requesting transmission of unique information of the wireless slave unit, means for receiving unique information transmitted from the wireless slave unit in response to a request from the means, and unique information received by the means; And a means for storing the identifier in the radio management table.

  The wireless communication system of the present application includes a wireless master device and a plurality of wireless slave devices each having an identifier for identifying each in the wireless communication network, and each of the wireless master device and each wireless slave device has its own identifier. And a hop number table for storing the hop number from the own device in association with the number of hops from the own device to the wireless master device or the wireless slave device identified by the identifier. In the wireless communication system for determining a communication path based on the hop number table, each wireless slave unit obtains, from the wireless slave unit connected to the own unit, a hop number table included in the wireless slave unit; and Among the identifiers stored in the hop number table acquired from the wireless slave unit, the identifiers not stored in the hop number table included in the own unit, and the hop numbers stored in association with the identifiers A wireless device management table for storing the identifier assigned to each wireless slave device and the unique information of each wireless slave device in association with each other. Means for acquiring a hop number table provided in the wireless slave device from a wireless slave device connected to the wireless device, whether an identifier not stored in the wireless device management table is included in the hop number table acquired from the wireless slave device Means for determining whether or not an identifier that is not stored in the wireless device management table is included, so that unique information of the wireless slave device is transmitted to the wireless slave device to which the identifier is assigned. Means for requesting, a means for receiving unique information transmitted from the wireless slave device in response to a request from the means, and a wireless slave device newly connected to the wireless communication network when the unique information is received Wherein the means for notifying the presence to the outside, and the received unique information and said identifier comprises means for storing the radio management table.

  In the wireless communication system of the present application, the wireless master device includes means for communicating with an external communication device, and notifies the external communication device of the presence of a wireless slave device newly connected to the wireless communication network. It is characterized by that.

  The wireless communication system of the present application is characterized in that the wireless master device notifies the wireless slave device of the presence of a wireless slave device newly connected to the wireless communication network.

  In the wireless communication system of the present application, each wireless slave unit is an identifier that is not stored in the hop number table included in the own unit among the identifiers stored in the hop number table acquired from the wireless slave unit connected to the own unit. Is included, it further comprises means for notifying the outside of the information indicating the communicable time of the wireless slave device identified by the identifier based on the number of hops from the own device to the wireless master device. .

  The wireless communication device of the present application is given an identifier for identifying each wireless communication device in the wireless communication network, and is identified by one or a plurality of identifiers including the identifier of the own device and the identifier from the own device. In a wireless communication device connected to at least one of a plurality of wireless communication devices each having a hop number table that associates and stores the number of hops to the wireless communication device, an identifier assigned to each wireless communication device and each wireless device A wireless device management table that associates and stores unique information of a communication device, means for obtaining a hop number table provided in the wireless communication device from a wireless communication device connected to the own device, and is stored in the wireless device management table Means for determining whether or not an identifier is included in the hop number table acquired from the wireless communication device, and stored in the wireless device management table If it is determined that contains no identifier, characterized in that it comprises means for notifying the presence of the newly connected radio communication device to the wireless communication network to the outside.

  The wireless communication device of the present application is given an identifier for identifying each wireless communication device in the wireless communication network, and is identified by one or a plurality of identifiers including the identifier of the own device and the identifier from the own device. In a wireless communication device connected to at least one of a plurality of wireless communication devices each having a hop number table that associates and stores the number of hops to the wireless communication device, from the wireless communication device connected to the own device, Of the identifiers stored in the hop number table acquired from the wireless communication device connected to the wireless communication device and the hop number table included in the wireless communication device, are not stored in the hop number table included in the local device When the identifier is included, the communication of the wireless communication device identified by the identifier based on the number of hops from the own device to the predetermined wireless communication device Characterized in that it comprises means for notifying the information suggesting the outside ability timing.

  According to the present application, it is possible to notify the operation start timing of a wireless slave unit newly installed in the narrow area wireless network.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of a radio telemeter system. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a wireless main | base station. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of a radio equipment management table. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a radio | wireless subunit | mobile_unit. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a number issuing radio | wireless machine. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a hop number table. It is explanatory drawing explaining the update procedure of a hop number table. 3 is a timing chart illustrating the operation of each device in the first embodiment. 6 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of each device in the second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which the installed radio | wireless subunit | mobile_unit performs. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by a wireless master device according to Embodiment 4.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the radio telemeter system. The wireless telemeter system according to the present embodiment includes a host computer 11 and a center-side network control device 12 as a configuration on the center side, and a wireless master device 21, wireless slave devices 22, 22,. 22 and meters 23, 23,..., 23 and a number issuing radio 30. The meter 23 is a measuring instrument that is installed in, for example, individual homes, companies, and various facilities, measures the amount of gas, water, electricity, etc., and outputs a measurement result (meter reading value). The wireless telemeter system according to the present embodiment uses wireless communication for various data output from the terminal side, such as data indicating the meter reading value of the meter 23, data indicating the operating state of the wireless master device 21 and the wireless slave device 22, and so on. One of the features is that various data including commands for controlling operations of the wireless master device 21 and the wireless slave device 22 are transmitted from the center side to the terminal side.

  The center-side network control device 12 and the terminal-side wireless master device 21 are connected to a wide-area wireless network N1 such as a PHS network or a FOMA network, and perform wireless communication via the wide-area wireless network N1. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the number of the wireless master devices 21 connected to the wide area wireless network N <b> 1 is one, but it goes without saying that a plurality of wireless master devices 21 may be connected. .

  The center-side network control device 12 is provided, for example, in a base station of a communication carrier and has a function of controlling communication with the terminal side via the wide area wireless network N1. When data to be transmitted from the host computer 11 to the terminal side is input from the host computer 11, the center side network control device 12 transmits the data to the terminal side by a communication method compliant with the communication standard of the wide area wireless network N1. In addition, when the data transmitted from the terminal side is received via the wide area wireless network N1, the received data is transmitted to the host computer 11.

  The wireless master device 21 is connected to the center side via the wide-area wireless network N1 and forms a mesh-type narrow-area wireless network N2 with the plurality of wireless slave devices 22, 22,. The wireless master device 21 performs wireless communication with the host computer 11 on the center side via the wide area wireless network N1 and wireless communication with the wireless slave devices 22, 22,..., 22 via the narrow area wireless network N2. It is configured.

  When the wireless slave device 22 acquires the meter reading value from the meter 23 connected to the wireless slave device 22, the wireless slave device 22 transmits data indicating the meter reading value to the wireless master device 21 via the narrow area wireless network N <b> 2. Further, the wireless master device 21 receives the data transmitted from the wireless slave device 22, and when an event to be notified to the host computer 11 occurs in the own device, etc., the host computer via the wide area wireless network N1. 11 and wireless communication.

  The number issuing wireless device 30 is connected to the narrow area wireless network N2, and issues a wireless apparatus number, which is a unique identifier in the narrow area wireless network N2, to each of the wireless master device 21 and the wireless slave device 22. To do. Each of the wireless master device 21 and each wireless slave device 22 stores a unique wireless device number issued from the number issuing wireless device 30, and is configured to identify and communicate with each device.

  The number issuing radio device 30 may be a dedicated terminal that issues a radio device number to the wireless master device 21 and the wireless slave device 22 in the narrow area wireless network N2, and is one of the wireless slave devices 22. It may function as. In the example of FIG. 1, the number issuing radio device 30 is connected to one wireless slave device 22. However, the number issuing wireless device 30 may be connected to the wireless master device 21, and a plurality of wireless slave devices may be connected. The structure connected to the machine 22,22, ... may be sufficient.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the wireless master device 21. The wireless master device 21 includes a control unit 210, a storage unit 211, a wide area wireless communication unit 212, a narrow area wireless communication unit 213, a display unit 214, an operation unit 215, and the like. Each component of the hardware provided in the wireless master device 21 is configured to operate with electric power supplied from the battery 219.

  The control unit 210 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, reads a control program stored in advance in the ROM into the RAM, and the CPU executes the control program, whereby the entire device is a wireless master device according to the present invention. To function as.

  The storage unit 211 is configured by a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), and stores, for example, its own radio number issued from the number issuing radio 30. In addition, the storage unit 211 includes a hop number table, which will be described later, and a wireless device management table that manages information on devices installed in the narrow area wireless network N2.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the radio management table. The example shown in FIG. 3 shows a state in which the radio number of each device issued by the identifier issuing device 30 and the radio ID of each device are stored in association with each other. The wireless device number is an identifier in the narrow area wireless network N2 issued by the identifier issuing device 30 to each device installed in the narrow area wireless network N2, and is represented by an integer of 1 or more, for example. The wireless device ID is information unique to each device such as a manufacturing number and a serial number, and is represented by a character string made up of alphanumeric characters, for example.

  The wide area wireless communication unit 212 of the wireless master device 21 performs wireless communication via the wide area wireless network N1 by transmitting or receiving radio waves through the antenna 212a. For example, when the wireless master device 21 acquires the meter reading value of the meter 23 through the wireless slave device 22, the wireless master device 21 transmits data indicating the meter reading value to the host computer 11 on the center side. When the wide-area wireless communication unit 212 acquires data to be transmitted through the control unit 210, the wide-area wireless communication unit 212 transmits the data in a format compliant with the communication standard of the wide-area wireless network N1 by driving the antenna 212a to transmit radio waves. Process.

  In addition, when the radio wave is received by the antenna 212a, the wide area wireless communication unit 212 detects the radio wave intensity of the radio wave and decodes the received radio wave to acquire data in a predetermined format. The received radio wave received by the antenna 212a includes various control commands such as an activation command from the host computer 11, for example. Wide-area wireless communication unit 212 outputs data obtained by decoding received radio waves to control unit 210. When the control unit 210 acquires the data output from the wide area wireless communication unit 212, the control unit 210 performs various controls based on the data.

  The narrow area wireless communication unit 213 communicates with a plurality of wireless slave units 22, 22,..., 22 by a predetermined wireless communication method by transmitting or receiving radio waves through the antenna 213a. As the wireless communication method, for example, a specific low power wireless method is adopted. The narrow area wireless communication unit 213 of the wireless master device 21 intermittently transmits a beacon as a search signal for searching for the wireless slave device 22 having data to be transmitted. In addition, the narrow area wireless communication unit 213 receives the beacon transmitted from the wireless slave unit 22 and transmits the data to the transmission source of the beacon when the own apparatus has data to be transmitted.

  The display unit 214 includes an LED lamp, a liquid crystal display panel, and the like, and displays information to be notified to a worker or the like who performs maintenance work based on a control signal output from the control unit 210.

  The operation unit 215 includes various switches such as dip switches and buttons, and accepts various setting operations by, for example, a worker performing maintenance work. The control unit 210 performs various controls based on the setting content input from the operation unit 215 and stores the setting content in the storage unit 211 as necessary.

  In the present embodiment, the wireless master device 21 has been described as having an NCU function. However, a network control device having an NCU function is prepared as an individual device, and the wireless master device 21 is connected to the network control device. It may be configured to. In this case, the wireless master device 21 may be configured to include a connection interface for connecting the network control device and to communicate with the center side via the network control device connected to the connection interface.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the wireless slave unit 22. The wireless slave device 22 includes a control unit 220, a storage unit 221, a narrow-area wireless communication unit 222, a meter IF 223, a display unit 224, an operation unit 225, and the like. Each part of the hardware included in the wireless slave device 22 is configured to operate with electric power supplied from the battery 229.

  The control unit 220 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, reads a control program stored in advance in the ROM into the RAM, and the CPU executes the control program, whereby the entire device is connected to the wireless slave device according to the present invention. To function as.

  The storage unit 221 is configured by a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM. Remember. In addition, the storage unit 221 includes one or a plurality of wireless device numbers including the wireless device number of the own device and the number of hops from the own device to the wireless master device 21 or the wireless slave device 22 identified by the wireless device number. A hop number table for storing the information in association is provided. The hop number table will be described in detail later.

  The narrow area wireless communication unit 222 communicates with the wireless master device 21 and other wireless slave devices 22 by a predetermined wireless communication method by transmitting or receiving radio waves through the antenna 222a. As the wireless communication method, for example, a specific low power wireless method is adopted. The narrow area wireless communication unit 222 of the wireless slave device 22 intermittently transmits a beacon as a search signal for searching for the wireless master device 21 or other wireless slave device 22 having data to be transmitted. In addition, the narrow-area wireless communication unit 222 receives a beacon transmitted from the wireless master device 21 or another wireless slave device 22, and when the own device has data to be transmitted, Send to the sender.

  The meter IF 223 is connected to the meter 23 for measuring the usage amount of gas, water and the like. When the meter IF 223 acquires a meter reading value from the connected meter 23, the meter IF 223 sends data indicating the meter reading value to the control unit 220.

  The display unit 224 includes an LED lamp, a liquid crystal display panel, and the like, and displays information to be notified to a worker or the like performing maintenance work based on a control signal output from the control unit 220.

  The operation unit 225 includes various switches such as dip switches and buttons, and accepts various setting operations by, for example, a worker performing maintenance work. The control unit 220 performs various controls based on the setting content input from the operation unit 225 and stores the setting content in the storage unit 221 as necessary.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the number issuing radio 30. The number issuing radio device 30 includes a control unit 300, a storage unit 301, a narrow area wireless communication unit 302, a meter IF 303, a display unit 304, an operation unit 305, and the like. Each hardware unit included in the number issuing radio 30 is configured to operate with electric power supplied from the battery 309.

  The control unit 300 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The CPU causes the entire device to function as the identifier issuing device according to the present invention by reading the control program stored in the ROM in advance into the RAM and executing it.

  The storage unit 301 is configured by, for example, a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM, and stores an issued wireless device number, information of an issued wireless slave device, and the like.

  The narrow-area wireless communication unit 302 communicates with the wireless slave device 22 by a predetermined wireless communication method by transmitting or receiving radio waves through the antenna 302a. As the wireless communication method, for example, a specific low power wireless method is adopted.

  The meter IF 303 is an interface for connecting the meter 23. When the number issuing radio device 30 is caused to function as one of the radio slave devices 22, the meter 23 is connected to the meter IF 303. When the meter 23 is connected, the meter IF 303 acquires the meter reading value output from the meter 23 and sends data indicating the acquired meter reading value to the control unit 300.

  The display unit 304 includes an LED lamp, a liquid crystal display panel, and the like, and displays information to be notified to a worker or the like performing maintenance work based on a control signal output from the control unit 300. The operation unit 305 includes various switches such as dip switches and buttons, and accepts various setting operations by, for example, a worker who performs maintenance work.

Hereinafter, the hop number table included in each device will be described.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the hop number table. The wireless slave unit 22 installed in the narrow-area wireless network N2 has one or more wireless unit numbers including the wireless unit number of the wireless slave unit 22 and one or more wireless unit numbers from the wireless slave unit 22. A hop number table is provided that stores the number of hops to the identified wireless master device 21 or wireless slave device 22 in association with each other. Here, the number of hops represents the number of communications to the wireless master device 21 or the wireless slave device 22 to which the corresponding wireless device number is assigned. For example, the hop number of the own device is 0 and the hop number of the adjacent wireless device. Becomes 1.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the hop number table in the wireless slave device 22 with the wireless device number “3”. The wireless slave device 22 with the wireless device number “3” is connected to the wireless slave device 22 with the wireless device number “2” as an adjacent wireless device, and the wireless device number through the wireless slave device 22 with the wireless device number “2”. It is assumed that the wireless master device 21 of “1” is connected.

  Since the wireless slave device 22 with the wireless device number “3” is its own device, the wireless device number “3” and the hop number 0 are stored in association with each other in the hop number table. Further, since the wireless slave device 22 with the wireless device number “2” is an adjacent wireless device, the wireless device number “2” and the hop number 1 are stored in association with each other in the hop number table. Further, since the number of communications (hop count) from the own device to the radio master device 21 with the radio device number “1” is 2, the radio device number “1” and the hop number 2 are stored in association with each other.

  The wireless slave device 22 with the wireless device number “3” can directly communicate with the wireless slave device 22 with the wireless device number “2” by referring to such a hop number table. It is possible to grasp that communication can be made with the wireless communication device 22 via the wireless slave device 22 having the wireless device number “2”.

  In the present embodiment, the wireless master device 21 and each wireless slave device 22 appropriately update their own hop number table by exchanging information of the hop number table included in each wireless device between adjacent wireless devices. It is configured.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a procedure for updating the hop number table. FIG. 7A shows an example of the hop number table included in the wireless slave device 22 with the wireless device number “3” described above. FIG. 7B shows a wireless slave device 22 (newly connected to the narrow-area wireless network N2 ( Hereinafter, an example of the hop number table provided in the newly installed terminal) is shown.

  The newly installed terminal transmits a number issuance request to the number issuance radio 30 directly or via another existing radio slave unit 22, and a number issuance transmitted from the number issuance radio 30 as a response to the number issuance request. By receiving the response, the wireless device number addressed to itself is acquired. When acquiring the wireless device number issued from the number issuing wireless device 30 and addressed to the own device, the newly installed terminal associates the acquired wireless device number addressed to the own device and the hop number (= 0) in the hop number table. Remember. That is, only the own radio number and the corresponding number of hops (= 0) are stored in the initial hop number table where the newly installed terminal is installed.

FIG. 7C shows an example of the updated hop count table included in the wireless slave device 22 with the wireless device number “3”. When the information of the hop number table is exchanged between the wireless slave unit 22 with the wireless device number “3” and the newly installed terminal, the hop number table of the own device is obtained based on the information of the hop number table acquired from the exchange destination. Update. Since the number of hops of the newly installed terminal is 1 when viewed from the wireless slave device 22 of the wireless device number “3”, the wireless slave device 22 of the wireless device number “3” is associated with the wireless device number “4” of the newly installed terminal. The hop number table is updated by adding the number of hops to be performed (= 1).
The same applies to the hop number table of the newly installed terminal, and the newly installed terminal updates its own hop number table based on the information of the hop number table acquired from the wireless slave device 22 with the wireless device number “3”. .

As described above, since the wireless master device 21 and each wireless slave device 22 have a configuration for updating the hop number table of the own device by exchanging information of the hop number table included in each wireless device between adjacent wireless devices, The wireless device number issued to the newly installed terminal is sequentially transmitted to the existing wireless slave device 22 and the wireless master device 21 with the exchange of information stored in the hop number table.
In the first embodiment, when the wireless master device 21 acquires the wireless device number of the newly installed terminal by exchanging information stored in the hop number table, the center side host computer 11 is notified of the presence of the newly installed terminal. .

Hereinafter, the operation of each device when the wireless slave device 22 is newly installed in the narrow area wireless network N2 will be described.
FIG. 8 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of each device in the first embodiment. A newly installed terminal installed in the narrow-area wireless network N2, for example, when a predetermined operation for shifting to the number issuing mode is accepted by the operation unit 225, a number for requesting the issuance of a radio number addressed to itself An issue request is transmitted to the number issuing radio device 30 (step S101). The newly installed terminal may be configured to transmit a number issuing request directly to the number issuing radio 30 or as a configuration to transmit to the number issuing radio 30 via one or more already installed wireless slave units 22. Also good.

  The number issuing radio 30 that has received the number issuing request determines a radio number to be assigned to the newly installed terminal, and transmits a number issuance response including the determined radio number to the newly installed terminal (step S102). For example, the number issuing radio 30 is a radio that should give the smallest radio number to the requesting newly installed terminal among the radio numbers excluding the issued radio number from the radio numbers to be issued. It is determined as a device number, and a number issue response including the determined wireless device number can be transmitted to the newly installed terminal.

  When the newly installed terminal receives the number issuance response transmitted from the number issuance radio 30, the newly installed terminal extracts the radio number addressed to the own device included in the received number issuance response, and extracts the radio number and the own device The number of hops (= 0) is associated and stored in the hop number table.

  The newly installed terminal and the adjacent wireless device (wireless handset 22) exchange information stored in each other's hop count table at a timing determined by the communication status between the newly installed terminal and the adjacent wireless device (step). S103). For example, when a newly installed terminal receives a beacon transmitted from an adjacent radio, it transmits information on its own hop number table to the adjacent radio and also stores information on the hop number table stored in the adjacent radio. Information on the hop count table of the adjacent radio is acquired by requesting transmission. In the following, exchanging information stored in the hop count table between adjacent devices is also referred to as table exchange.

  Further, the two adjacent wireless slave devices 22 exchange information stored in the hop number table at a timing determined by the communication status of the two (step S104). For example, when the wireless slave device 22 located on the lower side receives a beacon issued from the wireless slave device 22 located on the upper side, the lower-order wireless slave device 22 stores the information in the hop number table of its own device in the higher order. Information of the hop number table of the upper wireless slave unit 22 by requesting to transmit the information of the hop number table stored in the upper wireless slave unit 22 as well as being transmitted to the higher side wireless slave unit 22 To get. In the example shown in FIG. 8, for the sake of simplification of description, the configuration in which tables are exchanged between a pair of wireless slave units 22 and 22 has been described. Of course, the configuration may be such that the replacement is performed.

  Further, the wireless master device 21 and the adjacent wireless device (wireless slave device 22) store information stored in each other's hop count table at a timing determined by the communication status between the wireless master device 21 and the wireless slave device 22. Are exchanged (step S105). For example, when receiving a beacon issued from the wireless master device 21, the wireless slave device 22 transmits information of its own hop count table to the wireless master device 21 and also stores the number of hops stored in the wireless master device 21. Information on the hop count table of the wireless master device 21 is acquired by requesting transmission of table information.

  In the example shown in FIG. 8, the procedure for exchanging tables in the order of steps S103, S104, and S105 has been described for convenience. In the present embodiment, table exchange is performed at a timing determined by the communication status of each device. Therefore, the table exchange is not necessarily performed in the above order. The information on the wireless device number assigned to the newly installed terminal may be transmitted to the wireless master device 21 while the table exchange is performed a plurality of times between the devices.

  The control unit 210 of the wireless master device 21 periodically checks the information stored in its own hop count table and the information stored in the wireless device management table (step S106), and the presence of a newly installed terminal. Whether or not is detected. When it is determined that a wireless device number not registered in the wireless device management table is stored in the hop number table of the own device, the control unit 210 of the wireless base device 21 determines that the presence of a newly installed terminal has been detected. Then, the presence of the newly installed terminal is notified to the host computer 11 through the wide area wireless communication unit 212 (step S107).

  As described above, in the first embodiment, when the wireless device number assigned to the newly installed terminal is transmitted to the wireless master device 21, the presence of the newly installed terminal is notified from the wireless master device 21 to the host computer 11. The host side that has received the notification can grasp the operation start timing of the newly installed terminal, and can perform a communication test or the like for the newly installed terminal.

(Embodiment 2)
In the second embodiment, the wireless master device 21 detects the presence of a newly installed terminal based on information obtained by exchanging the hop number table, and registers the wireless device ID of the newly installed terminal in the wireless device management table. A configuration for notifying the host computer 11 on the host side of the presence of a newly installed terminal will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of each device in the second embodiment. Similar to the first embodiment, by executing the processing of steps S101 to S106, the control unit 210 of the wireless master device 21 determines whether or not the presence of a newly installed terminal has been detected.

  The control unit 210 of the wireless master device 21 indicates a wide area terminal update notification indicating that the newly installed terminal is connected to the wide area wireless network N1 through the wireless master device 21 in order to request transmission of the wireless device ID of the newly installed terminal. Are transmitted to the newly installed terminal through the other wireless slave units 22, 22,... (Step S201).

  When the newly installed terminal receives the wide area terminal update notification transmitted from the wireless master device 21, it registers itself as a terminal that can communicate with the wide area wireless network N1 (step S202) and responds to the wide area terminal update notification. Then, the wide area terminal update response attached with the wireless device ID of the own device is transmitted to the wireless master device 21 through the other wireless slave devices 22, 22,... (Step S203).

  When receiving the wide area terminal update response transmitted from the newly installed terminal, the wireless master device 21 registers the wireless apparatus ID of the newly installed terminal attached to the wide area terminal update response in the wireless apparatus management table (step S204). . Next, the control unit 210 of the wireless master device 21 notifies the host computer 11 of the presence of a newly installed terminal through the wide area wireless communication unit 212 (step S205).

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the wireless master device 21 notifies the host computer 11 of the presence of a newly installed terminal at the timing when the newly installed terminal becomes operational. The operation start timing of the newly installed terminal can be grasped, and a communication test or the like for the newly installed terminal can be performed.

(Embodiment 3)
In the first and second embodiments, the wireless master device 21 is configured to notify the host computer 11 on the center side of the presence of the newly installed terminal. However, the newly installed terminal starts operation on the installed wireless slave device 22. The timing may be determined, and information indicating the operation start timing may be notified to the host computer 11 on the center side.
In the third embodiment, a configuration in which information indicating the operation start timing of a newly installed terminal is notified from the installed wireless slave unit 22 will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by the installed wireless slave unit 22. As in the first embodiment, the installed wireless slave units 22 (hereinafter referred to as existing terminals) enter the hop count table of each other at a timing determined by the communication status with the adjacent wireless devices including the newly installed terminals. The stored information is exchanged (step S301). For example, when the wireless slave device 22 located on the lower side receives a beacon issued from the wireless slave device 22 located on the upper side, the lower-order wireless slave device 22 stores the information in the hop number table of its own device in the higher order. Information of the hop number table of the upper wireless slave unit 22 by requesting to transmit the information of the hop number table stored in the upper wireless slave unit 22 as well as being transmitted to the higher side wireless slave unit 22 To get.

  The control unit 220 of the existing terminal compares the information of the hop number table acquired from the adjacent wireless device with the information of the hop number table stored in the own device, and determines whether or not the presence of the newly installed terminal is detected. Judgment is made (step S302). When a wireless device number that is not registered in the hop number table of the own device is included in the acquired hop number table, the control unit 220 can determine that the presence of a newly installed terminal has been detected.

  When the presence of the newly installed terminal is not detected (S302: NO), the control unit 220 waits until the presence of the newly installed terminal is detected. On the other hand, when the presence of a newly installed terminal is detected (S302: YES), the control unit 220 generates information suggesting the operation start timing of the newly installed terminal (step S303). For example, if the number of hops from the own device to the wireless master device 21 is N1, and the hop number from the adjacent terminal to the newly installed terminal is N2, the number of hops from the newly installed terminal to the wireless master device 21 is N1 + N2 + 1. Therefore, for example, the control unit 220 generates information indicating that (N2 + 1) / (N1 + N2 + 1) of the entire process is completed and that the remaining N1 / (N1 + N2 + 1) is opened.

  Next, the existing terminal notifies the host computer 11 of information indicating the operation start timing of the newly installed terminal generated in step S303 through the other wireless slave units 22 and the wireless master unit 21 (step S304).

  As described above, in the third embodiment, the timing at which the newly installed terminal can be operated is determined by the existing wireless slave unit 22, and information indicating the operation start timing of the newly installed terminal is notified to the host computer 11. The host side that has received the notification can predict the operation start timing of the newly installed terminal, and can prepare a communication test for the newly installed terminal.

(Embodiment 4)
In the first and second embodiments, each time the presence of a newly installed terminal is detected, the wireless master device 21 notifies the host side. However, the wireless master device 21 may wait until a certain number of newly installed terminals are detected. Good.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by the wireless master device 21 according to the fourth embodiment. The control unit 210 of the wireless master device 21 determines whether or not the presence of a newly installed terminal has been detected by exchanging tables with adjacent wireless devices (step S401). When the presence of the newly installed terminal is not detected (S401: NO), the control unit 210 waits until the presence of the newly installed terminal is detected.

  When it is determined that the presence of a newly installed terminal is detected (S401: YES), the control unit 210 increments the value of the counter indicating the number of detections by 1 (step S402). Next, the control unit 210 determines whether or not the counter value has reached a predetermined threshold value (for example, 5) (step S403).

  When the value of the counter has not reached the threshold value (S403: NO), the control unit 210 returns the process to step S401. If it is determined that the counter value has reached the threshold value (S403: YES), the wireless master device 21 notifies the host computer 11 of information on the detected predetermined number of newly installed terminals via the wide area wireless communication unit 212. At the same time (step S404), the counter value is reset to 0 (step S405).

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, information on newly installed terminals detected by the wireless master device 21 can be collectively reported to the host side.

  The embodiment disclosed this time is to be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the meanings described above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, when the wireless master device 21 (or the wireless slave device 22) detects the presence of a newly installed terminal, the host computer 11 is notified of this fact. It is good also as a structure which notifies to predetermined external communication apparatuses, such as a portable terminal possessed by. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which notifies to a newly installed terminal via the radio | wireless subunit | mobile_unit 22, 22, ... connected to the narrow area | region wireless network N2, and displays that on the display part 224 of a newly installed terminal.

  Regarding the above embodiment, the following additional notes are disclosed.

  The wireless communication system of the present application includes a wireless master device (21) and a plurality of wireless slave devices (22) to which identifiers for identifying each of them in the wireless communication network (N2) are provided, and the wireless master device (21 ) And each wireless slave device (22) includes one or a plurality of identifiers including the identifier of the own device, and a hop from the own device to the wireless master device (22) or the wireless slave device (21) identified by the identifier. In a wireless communication system that includes a hop number table that stores a number of hops in association with each other, and determines a communication route from the own device to a predetermined destination based on the hop number table, each wireless slave device (22) Among the identifiers stored in the hop number table acquired from the wireless slave unit (22) and the means for acquiring the hop number table included in the wireless slave unit (22) from the connected wireless slave unit (22) , Own aircraft Means (220) for updating the hop number table of its own device based on the identifier not stored in the hop number table and the hop number stored in association with the identifier, the wireless master unit (21) Includes a wireless device management table for storing an identifier assigned to each wireless slave device (22) and unique information of each wireless slave device, and the wireless slave device includes a wireless slave device connected to the wireless slave device. Means (210) for acquiring a hop number table; means (210) for determining whether an identifier not stored in the wireless device management table is included in the hop number table acquired from the wireless slave device (22); And (212) means for notifying the outside of the presence of a wireless slave unit newly connected to the wireless communication network (N2) when it is determined that an identifier not stored in the wireless device management table is included. Characterized in that it obtain.

  In the present application, when the identifier assigned to the newly installed terminal is transmitted to the wireless master unit, the presence of the newly installed terminal is notified from the wireless master unit to the outside, so the notification destination grasps the operation start timing of the newly installed terminal. It is possible to perform a communication test on a newly installed terminal.

  In the wireless communication system of the present application, when the wireless master unit (21) determines that an identifier that is not stored in the wireless device management table is included in the hop number table, the wireless slave device ( 22), a means (210) for requesting transmission of unique information of the wireless slave unit (22), and unique information transmitted from the wireless slave unit (22) in response to a request from the means , And means (210) for storing the unique information and the identifier received by the means in the radio management table.

  In this application, since the wireless master unit notifies the outside of the existence of the newly installed terminal at the timing when the newly installed terminal becomes operational, the notification destination can grasp the operation start timing of the newly installed terminal, and the newly installed terminal A communication test or the like for the terminal can be performed.

  The wireless communication system of the present application includes a wireless master device (21) and a plurality of wireless slave devices (22) to which identifiers for identifying each of them in the wireless communication network (N2) are provided, and the wireless master device (21 ) And each wireless slave device (22) includes one or a plurality of identifiers including the identifier of the own device, and a hop from the own device to the wireless master device (21) or the wireless slave device (22) identified by the identifier. In a wireless communication system that includes a hop number table that stores a number of hops in association with each other, and determines a communication route from the own device to a predetermined destination based on the hop number table, each wireless slave device (22) Means (222) for acquiring a hop number table included in the wireless slave unit (22) from the connected wireless slave unit (22) and stored in the hop number table acquired from the wireless slave unit (22) Among the identifiers, Based on an identifier that is not stored in the hop count table included in the hop count table, and a hop count table that is stored in association with the identifier. ) Is a wireless device management table that stores the identifier assigned to each wireless slave device (22) and the unique information of each wireless slave device (22) in association with each other, from the wireless slave device (22) connected to its own device. Means (213) for acquiring a hop number table included in the wireless slave unit (22), whether an identifier not stored in the wireless unit management table is included in the hop number table acquired from the wireless slave unit (22) Means (210) for determining whether or not an identifier that is not stored in the wireless device management table is included, the wireless slave device (22) to which the identifier is assigned is associated with the wireless device The means (210) for requesting to transmit the unique information in (22), the means (213) for receiving the unique information transmitted from the wireless slave unit in response to a request from the means, and the unique information received In this case, means (213) for notifying the outside of the presence of a wireless slave unit newly connected to the wireless communication network, and means (210) for storing the received unique information and the identifier in the wireless device management table It is characterized by providing.

  In this application, since the wireless master unit notifies the communication device of the existence of the newly installed terminal to the outside at the timing when the newly installed terminal becomes operational, the notification destination can grasp the operation start timing of the newly installed terminal. It becomes possible to carry out a communication test for a newly installed terminal.

  In the wireless communication system of the present application, the wireless master device (21) includes means (212) for communicating with an external communication device (11), and a wireless slave device (22) newly connected to the wireless communication network (N2). ) Is notified to the external communication device (11).

  In this application, since the presence of the newly installed terminal is notified from the wireless master device to the external communication device at the timing when the newly installed terminal becomes operational, the operation start timing of the newly installed terminal is set by the external communication device that has received the notification. Can be grasped, and a communication test or the like for a newly installed terminal can be performed.

  In the wireless communication system of the present application, the wireless master device (21) notifies the wireless slave device (22) of the presence of the wireless slave device (22) newly connected to the wireless communication network (N2). It is characterized by being.

  In the present application, since the information on the timing when the newly installed terminal becomes operational is notified to the newly installed terminal, the operation start timing can be notified to the worker who is installing the wireless slave unit.

  In the wireless communication system of the present application, each wireless handset (22) has a hop number table included in the own handset among the identifiers stored in the hop number table acquired from the wireless handset (22) connected to the own handset. When an identifier that is not stored is included, information indicating the communication possible time of the wireless slave device (22) identified by the identifier is notified to the outside based on the number of hops from the own device to the wireless master device. Further comprising means (222).

  In this application, the timing at which the newly installed terminal can be operated is determined by the existing wireless slave unit, and information indicating the communication possible time of the newly installed terminal is notified to the outside. And a communication test for a newly installed terminal can be prepared.

  The wireless communication device of the present application is given an identifier for identifying each wireless communication device (22) in the wireless communication network (N2), and includes one or more identifiers including the identifier of the own device, and the own device. A wireless communication device (21) connected to at least one of a plurality of wireless communication devices (22) each having a hop number table that stores the hop number to the wireless communication device (22) identified by the identifier in association with each other. ), The wireless device management table for storing the identifier assigned to each wireless communication device (22) and the unique information of each wireless communication device (22) in association with each other, from the wireless communication device (22) connected to the device itself , A means (213) for acquiring a hop number table included in the wireless communication device (22), and an identifier not stored in the wireless device management table is acquired from the wireless communication device (22). Means (210) for determining whether or not included in the hop count table, and wireless communication newly connected to the wireless communication network when it is determined that an identifier not stored in the wireless device management table is included A unit (212) for notifying the outside of the existence of the device is provided.

  In the present application, when the identifier assigned to the newly installed terminal is transmitted to the wireless master unit, the presence of the newly installed terminal is notified from the wireless master unit to the outside, so the notification destination grasps the operation start timing of the newly installed terminal. It is possible to perform a communication test on a newly installed terminal.

  The wireless communication device of the present application is given an identifier for identifying each wireless communication device (22) in the wireless communication network (N2), and includes one or more identifiers including the identifier of the own device, and the own device. A wireless communication device (22) connected to at least one of a plurality of wireless communication devices (22) each having a hop number table that stores the hop number to the wireless communication device (22) identified by the identifier in association with each other. ), A means (222) for acquiring a hop number table included in the wireless communication device (22) from the wireless communication device (22) connected to the own device, and a wireless communication device (22) connected to the own device. If an identifier that is not stored in the hop count table included in the own device is included among the identifiers stored in the hop count table acquired from the Based hop count reaching the device (21), characterized in that it comprises means (222) for notifying the information suggesting the outside communicable timing of the wireless communication device (22) identified by the identifier.

  In this application, the timing at which the newly installed terminal can be operated is determined by the existing wireless slave unit, and information indicating the communication possible time of the newly installed terminal is notified to the outside. And a communication test for a newly installed terminal can be prepared.

11 Host computer 12 Center side network controller 21 Wireless master unit 22 Wireless slave unit 23 Meter 210, 220 Control unit 211, 221 Storage unit 212 Wide area wireless communication unit 213, 222 Narrow region wireless communication unit 214, 224 Display unit 215, 225 Operation unit 219, 229 Battery 223 Meter IF

Claims (5)

A wireless master device and a plurality of wireless slave devices each having an identifier for identifying each of them in a wireless communication network are provided, and each of the wireless master device and each wireless slave device includes one or more identifiers including an identifier of the device itself And a hop number table for associating and storing the hop number from the own device to the wireless master device or the wireless slave device identified by the identifier, and a communication path from the own device to a predetermined destination is indicated by the hop number table. In a wireless communication system that determines based on:
Each wireless handset
Means for obtaining a hop number table provided in the wireless slave device from a wireless slave device connected to the own device, and hops provided in the own device among the identifiers stored in the hop number table obtained from the wireless slave device A means for updating the hop number table of the own device based on an identifier not stored in the number table and a hop number stored in association with the identifier;
The wireless master unit is
A wireless device management table for storing an identifier assigned to each wireless slave device and unique information of each wireless slave device;
Means for obtaining a hop count table provided in the wireless slave device from the wireless slave device connected to the own device;
Means for determining whether an identifier not stored in the wireless device management table is included in the hop count table acquired from the wireless slave device; and determining that an identifier not stored in the wireless device management table is included In this case, the wireless communication system further comprises means for notifying the outside of the presence of a wireless slave unit newly connected to the wireless communication network. The wireless master unit is
When it is determined that an identifier not stored in the wireless device management table is included in the hop number table, a request is made to transmit the unique information of the wireless slave device to the wireless slave device to which the identifier is assigned. Means to
Means for receiving unique information transmitted from the wireless slave unit in response to a request from the means;
The wireless communication system according to claim 1, further comprising: means for storing the unique information and the identifier received by the means in the wireless device management table. A wireless master device and a plurality of wireless slave devices each having an identifier for identifying each of them in a wireless communication network are provided, and each of the wireless master device and each wireless slave device includes one or more identifiers including an identifier of the device itself And a hop number table for associating and storing the hop number from the own device to the wireless master device or the wireless slave device identified by the identifier, and a communication path from the own device to a predetermined destination is indicated by the hop number table. In a wireless communication system that determines based on:
Each wireless handset
Means for obtaining a hop number table provided in the wireless slave device from a wireless slave device connected to the own device, and hops provided in the own device among the identifiers stored in the hop number table obtained from the wireless slave device A means for updating the hop number table of the own device based on an identifier not stored in the number table and a hop number stored in association with the identifier;
The wireless master unit is
A wireless device management table for storing an identifier assigned to each wireless slave device and unique information of each wireless slave device;
Means for obtaining a hop count table provided in the wireless slave device from the wireless slave device connected to the own device;
Means for determining whether an identifier not stored in the radio management table is included in the hop count table acquired from the radio slave;
Means for requesting the wireless slave device to which the identifier is given to transmit the unique information of the wireless slave device when it is determined that an identifier not stored in the wireless device management table is included;
Means for receiving unique information transmitted from the wireless slave unit in response to a request from the means;
Means for notifying the outside of the presence of a wireless slave unit newly connected to the wireless communication network when the specific information is received, and means for storing the received unique information and the identifier in the wireless device management table; A wireless communication system comprising: The wireless master unit is
Means for communicating with an external communication device;
The wireless communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the external communication device is notified of the presence of a wireless slave unit newly connected to the wireless communication network. . An identifier for identifying each wireless communication device in the wireless communication network is given, one or a plurality of identifiers including the identifier of the own device, and the number of hops from the own device to the wireless communication device identified by the identifier In a wireless communication device connected to at least one of a plurality of wireless communication devices each having a hop number table for storing
A wireless device management table for storing an identifier assigned to each wireless communication device in association with unique information of each wireless communication device;
Means for obtaining a hop number table provided in the wireless communication device from a wireless communication device connected to the own device;
Means for determining whether an identifier not stored in the wireless device management table is included in a hop number table acquired from the wireless communication device; and determining that an identifier not stored in the wireless device management table is included In this case, the wireless communication device further comprises means for notifying the outside of the presence of a wireless communication device newly connected to the wireless communication network.

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