JP6376881B2 - 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

In the wireless communication system of the present application, when an issuance request of an identifier for identifying each of the plurality of wireless communication devices forming the wireless communication network and the wireless communication network is received from the wireless communication device, the wireless communication device that is the issue request source A wireless communication system that transmits and receives data between a plurality of wireless communication devices that are identified by identifiers issued from the identifier issuing device. One wireless communication device is newly connected to the wireless communication network via its own device , relay means for relaying the issue request and issue response sent and received between the other wireless communication device and the identifier issuing device. that when relaying by the relay unit issuing response sent from said identifier issuing device in response to the issuance request from another wireless communication device, the identification with respect to the other wireless communication device Means for obtaining an identifier issuer issued from said issuing response, storage means for storing the acquired identifier, after the storage unit has stored the identifier, whether the received data including the identifier Means for determining, and means for notifying that the other wireless communication device is communicable via the wireless communication network when it is determined that the data including the identifier has been received. .

  When the wireless communication system of the present application receives a request for issuing a plurality of wireless communication devices forming a wireless communication network and an identifier for identifying each of the wireless communication devices in the wireless communication network, the wireless communication device should be assigned to the wireless communication device that issued the request One wireless communication in a wireless communication system comprising an identifier issuing device for sending an issue response including an identifier, and transmitting and receiving data between a plurality of wireless communication devices identified by the identifier issued from the identifier issuing device And a storage device selectively connected to another wireless communication device newly connected to the wireless communication network via the one wireless communication device, and the other wireless communication device includes: The one wireless communication apparatus comprising: a connection unit that connects a storage device; and a unit that stores an identifier issued from the identifier issuing device to the own device in a storage device connected to the connection unit. Connecting means for connecting the storage device storing the identifier; means for acquiring the identifier from the storage device connected to the connecting means; storage means for storing the acquired identifier; and storage means Means for determining whether or not the data including the identifier is received after storing the identifier, and when determining that the data including the identifier is received, the other wireless communication device uses the wireless communication network. And means for notifying that communication has become possible.

  In the wireless communication system of the present application, each wireless communication device includes one or a plurality of identifiers including the identifier of the own device and a wireless communication device that passes through the communication path from the own device to the wireless communication device identified by the identifier. And a hop number table for storing the number of hops indicating the number in association with each other, wherein the data received by the one wireless communication device includes the hop number table transmitted from each wireless communication device.

The wireless communication device of the present application is a wireless communication device that transmits / receives data to / from a plurality of wireless communication devices to which identifiers for identifying each wireless communication network are assigned. Relay means for relaying an issuance request and an issuance response transmitted / received to / from an identifier issuance device that transmits an issuance response including identification information to be given to the other wireless communication device in response to an issuance request from the wireless communication device And when the relay means relays an issue response transmitted from the identifier issuing device in response to an issue request from another wireless communication device newly connected to the wireless communication network, the other wireless communication device de comprising means for obtaining the identifier ID issuing device issues from the issuance response, storage means for storing the acquired identifier, after storing the identifier in the storage unit, the identifier against And means for notifying that the other wireless communication apparatus is communicable via the wireless communication network when it is determined that the data including the identifier has been received. It is characterized by providing.

  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 block diagram which shows the internal structure of a radio | wireless subunit | mobile_unit. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a hop number table. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a number issuing radio | wireless machine. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of a radio equipment management table. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of number issuing processing in the first embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the hop number table with which a newly added subunit | mobile_unit is provided. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which an adjacent planned subunit | mobile_unit performs. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of connection of devices in a number issuing process according to Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a setting device. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of number issuing processing in the second embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the example of a connection at the time of the detection confirmation of a new additional subunit | mobile_unit. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of detection confirmation processing according to the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of detection confirmation processing according to Embodiment 3. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of detection confirmation processing 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 for each consumer such as a personal house, measures the amount of supply medium such as water and gas supplied from a supplier, 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. At this time, the wireless slave device 22 directly transmits data to the wireless master device 21 or transmits data to the wireless master device 21 through one or more other wireless slave devices 22, 22,. To do. When the wireless master device 21 receives data transmitted from the wireless slave device 22 or when an event to be notified to the host computer 11 occurs in the own device, the wireless master device 21 communicates with the host computer 11 via the wide area wireless network N1. Perform 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 to control the entire device.

  The storage unit 211 is configured by a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), for example, setting information regarding the operation of the own device, and the wireless device number of the own device issued from the number issuing wireless device 30 Etc., and a hop number table described later is provided.

  The wide area wireless communication unit 212 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 radio communication unit 212 acquires data in a predetermined format by decoding the received radio wave (received radio wave). 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, for example, a worker who performs installation 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 an operator or the like. 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. 3 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 connection port 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 so that the entire device is a wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention. To function as.

  The storage unit 221 is configured by, for example, a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM, and stores setting information related to the operation of the own device, the wireless device number of the own device issued from the number issuing wireless device 30, and the like, which will be described later. A hop count table is provided.

  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 connection port 223 includes an interface for connecting a meter 23 and the like for measuring the usage amount of gas, water and the like. When the connection port 223 acquires a meter reading value from the connected meter 23, the connection port 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, for example, a worker who performs installation work based on a control signal output from the control unit 220.

  The operation unit 225 includes various switches and buttons such as a dip switch, and accepts various setting operations by an operator or the like. 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. 4 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 is a wireless master unit identified by one or more wireless unit numbers including the wireless unit number of the own unit and one or more wireless unit numbers from the own unit. 21 or a hop number table for storing the number of hops to the wireless handset 22 in association with each other. Here, the number of hops represents the number of devices existing on the communication path from the own device to the wireless master device 21 or the wireless slave device 22 identified by the wireless device number. For example, the hop number of the own device is 0, the number of hops of the adjacent radio is 1.

  FIG. 4 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. Furthermore, since the number of hops from the own device to the wireless master device 21 with the wireless device number “1” is 2, the wireless 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 example illustrated in FIG. 4, the hop number table provided in the wireless slave device 22 has been described, but the same applies to the hop number table provided in the wireless master device 21. 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. 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 connection port 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 includes a wireless device management table that stores the issued wireless device number and information indicating the issue destination in association with each other. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the radio management table. The wireless device number is a unique number in the narrow area wireless network N2 assigned to each device installed in the narrow area wireless network N2. For example, 1 to N (N is already connected to the narrow area wireless network N2) The number of devices) is represented by an integer value. Further, the information indicating the issue destination is information unique to each device (hereinafter referred to as a wireless device ID) such as a manufacturing number and a serial number of the wireless master device 21 or the wireless slave device 22, and is, for example, a character string made up of alphanumeric characters. expressed.

  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 connection port 303 includes an interface for connecting the meter 23 and the like. When the number issuing wireless device 30 functions as one of the wireless slave devices 22, the meter 23 is connected to the connection port 303. When the meter 23 is connected, the connection port 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, for example, a worker who performs installation 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 an operator or the like.

  Hereinafter, the operation when the wireless slave unit 22 is newly installed in the narrow area wireless network N2 will be described. The newly installed wireless slave unit 22 will be referred to as a newly added slave unit in the following description. The internal configuration of the newly added slave unit is exactly the same as that of the wireless slave unit 22, but since the radio unit number issued from the number issuing radio unit 30 is not acquired, the storage unit 221 of the newly added slave unit has its own unit. It is assumed that no radio number is stored. Further, the existing wireless slave unit 22 to which the newly added slave unit is connected is referred to as an adjacent scheduled slave unit in the following description.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of number issuing processing in the first embodiment. The control unit 220 of the newly added slave unit determines whether or not a predetermined operation has been accepted in order to shift to the number issuing mode (step S101). When the predetermined operation is not received (S101: NO), the control unit 220 stands by until the predetermined operation is received.

  If it is determined that a predetermined operation has been accepted (S101: YES), the newly added slave unit, for example, an existing radio unit connected to the narrow-band radio network N2 is requested to issue a radio unit number addressed to the own unit. A number issuance request is transmitted to one of the machines 22 (adjacent planned child machine) (step S102).

  The control unit 220 of the adjacent planned child device determines whether or not a number issue request transmitted from the newly added child device has been received (step S103). When it is determined that the number issue request has not been received (S103: NO), the control unit 220 waits until a number issue request transmitted from the newly added slave unit is received.

  When it is determined that the number issuing request transmitted from the newly added terminal has been received (S103: YES), the control unit 220 of the adjacent planned child device narrows down to request the issuance of the radio device number to the newly added child device. The indirect number issuance request is transmitted to the number issuing radio 30 through the area wireless communication unit 222 (step S104). The indirect number issuance request transmitted from the adjacent scheduled handset reaches the number issuing radio 30 directly or through one or more other radio handsets 22, 22,.

  The control unit 300 of the number issuing radio 30 determines whether or not an indirect number issuing request has been received through the narrow area wireless communication unit 302 (step S105). When it is determined that the indirect number issue request has not been received (S105: NO), the control unit 300 waits until the indirect number issue request is received.

  When it is determined that the indirect number issue request has been received (S105: YES), the control unit 300 refers to the wireless device management table in the storage unit 301, and the wireless device to be assigned to the requesting newly added slave device A number is determined (step S106). For example, the control unit 300 may assign a wireless device number to be assigned to the requesting newly added child device with the smallest wireless device number among the wireless device numbers excluding the issued wireless device number from the wireless device numbers to be issued. Determine as a number.

  Next, the control unit 300 generates an issuance response including the wireless device number determined in step S <b> 106, and sends the generated issuance response to the adjacent scheduled child device that is the transmission source of the indirect number issuance request through the narrow area wireless communication unit 302. Transmit (step S107).

  After transmitting the indirect number issuance request in step S104, the control unit 220 of the adjacent scheduled child device determines whether or not the issuance response transmitted from the number issuing radio 30 is received through the narrow area radio communication unit 222 ( Step S108). When determining that the issue response has not been received (S108: NO), the control unit 220 waits until the issue response from the number issuing radio 30 is received.

  When it is determined that the issue response has been received (S108: YES), the control unit 220 extracts the radio number addressed to the newly added slave unit from the received issue response (step S109), and the extracted radio number is newly set. It is memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 221 as a radio | wireless machine number of an additional subunit | mobile_unit (step S110). Next, the control unit 220 transfers the issue response received from the number issuing radio device 30 to the newly added slave device (step S111).

  After transmitting the number issue request in step S102, the control unit 220 of the newly added slave unit determines whether or not an issue response transferred from the adjacent planned slave unit has been received (step S112). When it is determined that the issue response has not been received (S112: NO), the control unit 220 waits until an issue response is received from the adjacent scheduled child device.

  When it is determined that the issue response has been received (S112: YES), the control unit 220 extracts the radio number addressed to the own device included in the received issue response, and the extracted radio number is a hop in the storage unit 221. The number is stored in the number table (step S113). The newly added slave unit to which the wireless unit number is assigned can perform wireless communication with the wireless master unit 21 or another wireless slave unit 22 using the wireless unit number in the same manner as the other wireless slave units 22. .

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a hop number table provided in the newly added slave unit. When the wireless device numbers 1 to N have already been issued to the existing wireless master device 21 and the wireless slave devices 22, 22,..., The number issuing wireless device 30 is N + 1 for the newly added slave device. Is issued as a radio number. The newly added slave unit associates the acquired radio unit number (= N + 1) with the number of hops of its own unit (= 0) and stores it in the hop count table. At this time, since the hop number table is not exchanged between the new additional slave unit and the other wireless slave units 22 including the adjacent planned slave units, the new additional slave unit has a new hop number table. Only the machine's radio number is stored. The hop number table of the newly added slave unit is updated by exchanging information on the hop number table with, for example, adjacent planned slave units.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by the adjacent scheduled child device. The control unit 220 of the adjacent scheduled child device determines whether or not the hop number table provided in another device is received through the narrow area wireless communication unit 222 (step S121). If it is determined that it has not been received (S121: NO), the control unit 220 waits until it receives a hop number table provided in another device.

  If it is determined that the hop number table has been received (S121: YES), the control unit 220 includes a wireless device number that matches the wireless device number of the newly added child device stored in advance in the received hop number table. By judging whether or not, it is judged whether or not the radio number of the newly added slave unit has been detected (step S122). When the wireless device number of the newly added child device has not been detected (S122: NO), the control unit 220 returns the process to step S121.

  When it is determined that the wireless device number of the newly added slave unit has been detected (S122: YES), the control unit 220 notifies the detection confirmation of the newly added slave unit (step S123). For example, the adjacent child device may be configured to notify the detection confirmation by displaying character information indicating that a new child device has been detected on the display unit 224 of the own device, and the display unit 224 of the own device is provided. It is good also as a structure which alert | reports a detection confirmation by making an LED lamp light by the suitable lighting method. Further, the adjacent slave unit notifies the newly added slave unit of the detection confirmation, and causes the display unit 224 of the newly added slave unit to display information indicating that the newly added slave unit is incorporated in the narrow area wireless network N2. Alternatively, the LED lamp included in the display unit 224 of the newly added slave unit may be turned on by an appropriate lighting method.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, when the adjacent planned child device confirms the detection of the new additional child device, the notification is made so that the worker who is performing the installation work has the new additional child device. The operation start timing of the machine can be grasped, and a notification test or the like for the newly added slave machine can be immediately executed.

  In the present embodiment, a configuration has been described in which a detection confirmation is notified when an adjacent planned slave unit receives a hop count table including a radio unit number of a newly added slave unit. Of course, it is also possible to notify the detection confirmation when the adjacent scheduled child device receives data other than the hop number table including the device number.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, in the middle of the process of issuing a number to the newly added slave unit, the adjacent scheduled slave unit acquires the radio unit number of the newly added slave unit. The wireless device number may be read using a reader / writer.
In the second embodiment, the wireless unit number issued to the newly added slave unit is read using a reader / writer and stored in advance in the storage unit 221 of the adjacent scheduled slave unit, and then the detection confirmation of the newly added slave unit is performed. The structure which performs is demonstrated.

  First, a configuration for reading a radio number issued to a newly added slave unit using a reader / writer will be described.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a connection example of each device in the number issuing process according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the number issuing process is directly performed between the newly added slave unit and the number issuing radio unit 30. For this reason, the number issuing process is started in the state where the newly added slave unit (wireless slave unit 22) is temporarily installed within the communicable range of the number issuing radio unit 30. In addition, the connection port 223 of the newly added slave unit is provided with a reader / writer function for reading information stored in the storage unit 221 of the newly added slave unit and writing appropriate information to the storage unit 221. A device 40 is connected.
In the second embodiment, the setting device 40 is configured to read out the radio unit number issued to the newly added slave unit from the storage unit 221 of the newly added slave unit.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the setting device 40. The setting device 40 includes a control unit 400, a storage unit 401, a connection unit 402, a display unit 404, an operation unit 405, and the like. Each part of the hardware provided in the setting device 40 is configured to operate with electric power supplied from the battery 409.

  The control unit 400 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The control program stored in the ROM is read into the RAM, and the CPU executes the control program, whereby the entire device is used as the storage device according to the present invention. Make it work.

  The storage unit 401 is configured by a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM, and stores information read from the storage unit 221 included in the wireless slave device 22 to be connected, information to be written in the storage unit 221, and the like.

  The connection unit 402 is connected to the connection port 223 of the wireless slave device 22 and inputs information read from the storage unit 221 included in the connection-destination wireless slave device 22 and outputs information to be written to the storage unit 221. Note that the connection unit 402 does not need to be directly connected to the connection port 223 of the wireless slave device 22, and may be configured to be connected to other devices (for example, the meter 23) via a bus.

  The display unit 404 includes an LED lamp, a liquid crystal display panel, and the like, and displays information to be notified to, for example, a worker who performs installation work based on a control signal output from the control unit 400.

  The operation unit 405 includes various switches such as dip switches and buttons, and accepts various setting operations by an operator or the like. The control unit 400 performs various controls based on the setting content input from the operation unit 405 and stores the setting content in the storage unit 401 as necessary.

  In the second embodiment, using such a setting device 40, the wireless device number issued to the newly added slave unit is read from the storage unit 221 of the newly added slave unit, and stored in the storage unit 221 of the adjacent scheduled slave unit. Remember.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the number issuing process in the second embodiment. The control unit 220 of the newly added slave unit determines whether or not a predetermined operation has been accepted in order to shift to the number issuing mode (step S201). When the predetermined operation is not received (S201: NO), the control unit 220 waits until the predetermined operation is received.

  If it is determined that the predetermined operation has been accepted (S201: YES), the newly added slave unit transmits a number issuance request to the number issuing radio unit 30 in order to request issuance of the radio unit number addressed to itself (step S202). ).

  The control unit 300 of the number issuing radio 30 determines whether or not a number issuing request has been received through the narrow area wireless communication unit 302 (step S203). When it is determined that the number issue request has not been received (S203: NO), the control unit 300 stands by until the number issue request is received.

  When it is determined that the number issue request has been received (S203: YES), the control unit 300 refers to the wireless device management table in the storage unit 301, and the wireless device number to be assigned to the requesting newly added slave device Is determined (step S204). For example, the control unit 300 may assign a wireless device number to be assigned to the requesting newly added child device with the smallest wireless device number among the wireless device numbers excluding the issued wireless device number from the wireless device numbers to be issued. Determine as a number.

  Next, the control unit 300 generates an issuance response including the wireless device number determined in step S204, and transmits the generated issuance response to the newly added child device through the narrow area wireless communication unit 302 (step S205).

  After transmitting the number issue request in step S202, the control unit 220 of the newly added slave unit determines whether or not an issue response issued by the number issue radio unit 30 has been received (step S206). If it is determined that the issue response has not been received (S206: NO), the control unit 220 waits until an issue response is received from the number issuing radio 30.

  When it is determined that the issue response has been received (S206: YES), the control unit 220 extracts the radio number addressed to the own device included in the received issue response, and the extracted radio number is a hop in the storage unit 221. The number table is stored (step S207).

  Next, the control unit 400 of the setting device 40 determines whether or not a number acquisition request has been received by determining whether or not a predetermined operation has been received by the operation unit 405 (step S208). When the number acquisition request is not received (S208: NO), the control unit 400 waits until the number acquisition request is received through the operation unit 405.

  If it is determined that the number acquisition request has been accepted (S208: YES), the control unit 400 transmits the number acquisition request to the newly added slave unit through the connection unit 402 (step S209).

  The control unit 220 of the newly added slave unit determines whether a number acquisition request has been received from the setting device 40 through the connection port 223 (step S210). When the number acquisition request has not been received (S210: NO), the control unit 220 stands by until a number acquisition request from the setting device 40 is received.

  If it is determined that a number acquisition request has been received from the setting device 40 (S210: YES), the control unit 220 reads out the wireless device number of the own device stored in the storage unit 221 and reads the read wireless device number of the own device. Is transmitted from the connection port 223 to the setting device 40 (step S211).

  After transmitting the number acquisition request in step S209, the control unit 400 of the setting device 40 determines whether or not the wireless unit number transmitted from the newly added slave unit is received by the connection unit 402 (step S212). When it is determined that the wireless device number of the newly added slave unit has not been received (S212: NO), the control unit 400 waits until it is received, and when it is determined that it has been received (S212: YES), the received new addition is received. The wireless device number of the child device is stored in the storage unit 401 (step S213).

  Next, a configuration in which the wireless device number of the newly added slave unit acquired by the setting device 40 is stored in the adjacent scheduled slave unit and detection confirmation of the newly added slave unit is executed will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a connection example at the time of confirming the detection of a newly added slave unit. The setting device 40 that has acquired the wireless device number of the newly added child device is connected to the adjacent planned child device (wireless child device 22). In the example illustrated in FIG. 13, the meter 23 and the setting device 40 are connected to the adjacent scheduled child device via one bus. Further, the newly added slave unit (wireless slave unit 22) is removed from the temporary installation position when the number issuing process is performed, and is the installation position at the time of actual operation and within the communicable range of the adjacent planned slave unit. Installed.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a procedure of detection confirmation processing according to the second embodiment. The control unit 400 of the setting device 40 determines whether or not a transmission instruction for the wireless device number has been received by determining whether or not a predetermined operation has been received through the operation unit 405 (step S221). When the transmission instruction is not received (S221: NO), the control unit 400 stands by until a transmission instruction for the wireless device number is received.

  When it is determined that the transmission instruction of the wireless device number has been accepted (S221: YES), the control unit 400 reads the wireless device number of the newly added slave device from the storage unit 401 and outputs it from the connection unit 402. The wireless device number of the device is transmitted to the adjacent planned child device (step S222).

  When the adjacent scheduled child device receives the wireless device number of the newly added child device transmitted from the setting device 40 (step S223), the received wireless device number of the newly added child device is stored in the storage unit 221 (step S224). ). The adjacent scheduled slave unit stores the wireless unit number of the newly added slave unit in the storage unit 221 and then executes the process after step S121 in the flowchart shown in FIG. Run.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, even when the number issuing process is directly performed between the newly added slave unit and the number issuing radio unit 30, the setting unit 40 is used to add a new item. The wireless device number issued to the slave unit can be stored in the adjacent planned slave unit. When the radio number of a newly added slave unit is detected in an adjacent planned slave unit, a notification to that effect is given, so the worker performing the installation work must grasp the operation start timing of the newly added slave unit. It is possible to immediately perform a notification test or the like for the newly added slave unit.

(Embodiment 3)
In the second embodiment, the setting unit 40 is used to store the radio number of the newly added slave unit in the adjacent scheduled slave unit. However, after the number issuing process is completed, the number issuing radio unit 30 performs the new adder unit. It is good also as a structure which notifies the radio | wireless machine number of an apparatus to an adjacent planned subunit | mobile_unit.
In the third embodiment, a configuration in which a radio number of a newly added slave unit is notified from a number issuing radio unit to an adjacent scheduled slave unit will be described.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a procedure of detection confirmation processing according to the third embodiment. The control unit 300 of the number issuing radio 30 determines whether or not the number issuing response is completed by determining whether or not a number issuing response is transmitted in response to the number issuing request from the newly added slave unit. (Step S301). If it is determined that the number issuance response has not been completed (S301: NO), the control unit 300 waits until the number issuance response is completed.

  If it is determined that the number issuance response has been completed (S301: YES), the control unit 300 accepts the transmission destination radio number (step S302). Here, the transmission destination wireless device number is the wireless device number of the connection-scheduled child device to which the new connection child device is connected, and is input by the operator's hand through the operation unit 305 of the number issuing wireless device 30, for example. .

  When receiving the transmission destination wireless device number, the control unit 300 reads the wireless device number of the newly added slave device from the wireless device management table in the storage unit 301, and through the narrow area wireless communication unit 302, The wireless device number is transmitted to the adjacent scheduled child device (step S303). The radio unit number of the newly added slave unit transmitted from the number issuing radio unit 30 reaches the transmission destination adjacent planned slave unit directly or via one or more other radio slave units 22, 22,. To do.

  When the adjacent scheduled child device receives the wireless device number of the newly added child device transmitted from the number issuing wireless device 30 (step S304), it stores the received wireless device number of the newly added child device in the storage unit 221 ( Step S305). The adjacent scheduled slave unit stores the wireless unit number of the newly added slave unit in the storage unit 221 and then executes the process after step S121 in the flowchart shown in FIG. Run.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, even when the number issuance process is directly performed between the newly added slave unit and the number issuing radio unit 30, the radio unit number issued to the newly added slave unit. Can be notified and stored in advance to the adjacent slave unit. When the radio number of a newly added slave unit is detected in an adjacent planned slave unit, a notification to that effect is given, so the worker performing the installation work must grasp the operation start timing of the newly added slave unit. It is possible to immediately perform a notification test or the like for the newly added slave unit.

  In the third embodiment, the configuration is such that the wireless device number of the adjacent slave unit is received at the timing when the number issuance response is completed. However, the number issuing wireless device 30 receives the number issuing request from the newly added slave unit. It is good also as a structure which receives the radio | wireless machine number of an adjacent planned subunit | mobile_unit at the timing which did. In addition, the number issuing radio 30 may be configured to display a guidance message for requesting the input of the radio number on the display unit 304 when receiving the radio number of the adjacent planned slave unit.

(Embodiment 4)
In Embodiment 1, when it is determined that the wireless device number of the newly added slave unit is included in the hop count table received by the adjacent planned slave unit, the detection confirmation is notified. It is good also as a structure which alert | reports a detection confirmation, after notifying the radio | wireless base station 21 of the radio | wireless machine number of the newly added subunit | mobile_unit which confirmed the detection.
In the fourth embodiment, a configuration will be described in which a detection confirmation is notified after a radio unit number of a newly added slave unit is notified from the adjacent planned slave unit to the radio base unit 21.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the detection confirmation process according to the fourth embodiment. The control unit 220 of the adjacent scheduled child device determines whether or not the hop number table provided in another device is received through the narrow area wireless communication unit 222 (step S401). If it is determined that it has not been received (S401: NO), the controller 220 waits until it receives a hop count table provided in another device.

  When it is determined that the hop number table has been received (S401: YES), the control unit 220 determines whether or not the hop number table includes a wireless device number that matches the wireless device number of the newly added child device stored in advance. By determining whether or not the wireless device number of the newly added slave device has been detected, it is determined (step S402). When the wireless device number of the newly added child device has not been detected (S402: NO), the control unit 220 returns the process to step S401.

  When it is determined that the wireless device number of the newly added child device has been detected (S402: YES), the control unit 220 notifies the wireless parent device 21 of the wireless device number of the newly added child device through the narrow area wireless communication unit 222 ( Step S403).

  The control unit 210 of the wireless master device 21 determines whether or not the narrow-area wireless communication unit 213 has received the wireless device number of the newly added slave device notified from the adjacent planned slave device (step S404). For example, when receiving a radio number that is not stored in the hop number table included in the own unit, the control unit 210 can determine that the radio number of the newly added slave unit has been received. Further, when the adjacent planned slave unit notifies the radio unit number of the newly added slave unit, information indicating that the radio unit number is a radio unit number issued to the newly added slave unit may be added. .

  When it is determined that the wireless unit number of the newly added slave unit has not been received (S404: NO), the control unit 210 waits until it is received, and when it is determined that it has been received (S404: YES), the newly added slave unit Is notified to the adjacent slave unit through the narrow-band radio communication unit 213 (step S405).

  When receiving the notification from the wireless master device 21, the adjacent scheduled slave device notifies the detection confirmation of the newly added slave device (step S406). For example, the adjacent child device may be configured to notify the detection confirmation by displaying character information indicating that a new child device has been detected on the display unit 224 of the own device, and the display unit 224 of the own device is provided. It is good also as a structure which alert | reports a detection confirmation by making an LED lamp light by the suitable lighting method. Further, the adjacent slave unit notifies the newly added slave unit of the detection confirmation, and causes the display unit 224 of the newly added slave unit to display information indicating that the newly added slave unit is incorporated in the narrow area wireless network N2. Alternatively, the LED lamp included in the display unit 224 of the newly added slave unit may be turned on by an appropriate lighting method.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, since the wireless master unit 21 is notified of the wireless unit number of the newly added slave unit, the detection confirmation of the newly added slave unit is notified. The worker who is working can grasp the timing at which communication with the wireless master device 21 becomes possible, and can immediately perform a notification test or the like for the newly added slave device.

  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.

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

  The wireless communication system of the present application wirelessly communicates a plurality of wireless communication devices (22, 22,...) Forming a wireless communication network (N2) and an issuance request for an identifier for identifying each of the wireless communication networks (N2). An identifier issuing device (30) for sending an issuance response including an identifier to be assigned to the wireless communication device (22) that is the issue request source when received from the device (22), from the identifier issuing device (30) In a wireless communication system that transmits and receives data between a plurality of wireless communication devices (22, 22,...) Identified by issued identifiers, one wireless communication device (22) transmits the wireless communication via its own device. Means (222) for acquiring an identifier issued by the identifier issuing device (30) in response to an issue request from another wireless communication device (22) newly connected to the network (N2), and the acquired identifier Memory Storage means (221), means (220) for determining whether or not data including the identifier is received after the storage means (221) stores the identifier, and data including the identifier is received If it is determined that the other wireless communication device (22) can communicate with the other wireless communication device (22) via the wireless communication network (N2), the wireless communication device (224) is provided.

  In this application, when receiving data including an identifier assigned to a new wireless communication device, in order to notify that the wireless communication device can communicate via the wireless communication network, The operation start timing of the newly installed wireless communication apparatus can be grasped, and a notification test or the like for the wireless communication apparatus can be immediately performed.

  In the wireless communication system of the present application, the one wireless communication device (22) relays an issue request and an issue response transmitted and received between the other wireless communication device (22) and the identifier issuing device (30). Means (222), and an identifier issued by the identifier issuing device (30) to the other wireless communication device (22) is obtained from an issuance response relayed by the relay means (222). It is characterized by that.

  In the present application, the identifier assigned to the wireless communication device can be acquired in the process of issuing an identifier performed between the newly connected wireless communication device and the identifier issuing device.

  The wireless communication system of the present application has received a plurality of wireless communication devices (22, 22,...) Forming a wireless communication network (N2) and an issuance request for an identifier for identifying each of the wireless communication networks (N2). And an identifier issuing device (30) for sending an issuance response including an identifier to be given to the wireless communication device (22) as the issuing request source, and is identified by the identifier issued from the identifier issuing device (30). In a wireless communication system for transmitting and receiving data between a plurality of wireless communication devices (22, 22,...), A wireless communication device (22) and the wireless communication via the wireless communication device (22) A storage device (40) selectively connected to another wireless communication device (22) newly connected to the network (N2) is further provided, and the other wireless communication device (22) includes the storage device ( 40) connecting means for connecting 223) and means for storing the identifier issued from the identifier issuing device (30) to the own device in the storage device (40) connected to the connection means (223), the one wireless communication device (22) is a connection means (223) for connecting the storage device (40) in which the identifier is stored, and a means for acquiring the identifier from the storage device (40) connected to the connection means (223) (223), storage means (221) for storing the acquired identifier, and means (220) for determining whether or not data including the identifier has been received after the storage means (221) has stored the identifier. ) And means (224) for notifying that the other wireless communication device (22) is communicable via the wireless communication network when it is determined that the data including the identifier has been received. The features.

  In the present application, even if the identifier issuance process is directly performed between the new wireless communication device and the identifier issuing device, the wireless device number assigned to the new wireless communication device is wirelessly connected in advance. The transmission device can be notified and stored. When the wireless communication device receives data including an identifier assigned to the new wireless communication device, the wireless communication device notifies the fact that the wireless communication device can communicate via the wireless communication network. The person can grasp the operation start timing of the newly installed wireless communication apparatus, and can immediately perform a notification test or the like.

  In the wireless communication system of the present application, each wireless communication device (22) has one or a plurality of identifiers including its own identifier and a communication path from the own device to the wireless communication device (22) identified by the identifier. A hop number table that stores the number of hops indicating the number of wireless communication devices that pass therethrough is stored, and data received by the one wireless communication device (22) is transmitted from each wireless communication device (22). It includes a hop number table.

  Each wireless communication device includes a hop number table that stores one or more 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 association with each other. A communication path can be determined with reference to the hop number table. Further, when a hop number table is received from a newly installed wireless communication device, the presence of the newly installed wireless communication device can be determined based on the identifier included in the hop number table.

  The wireless communication device of the present application is the wireless communication device (22) that transmits and receives data to and from a plurality of wireless communication devices (22) to which identifiers for identifying the wireless communication network (N2) are assigned. Means for acquiring an identifier assigned to another wireless communication device (22) newly connected to the wireless communication network (N2), storage means (221) for storing the acquired identifier, and the storage means After storing the identifier in (221), the means (220) for determining whether or not the data including the identifier is received, and the other wireless communication device when determining that the data including the identifier is received (22) comprising means for notifying that communication has become possible via the wireless communication network (N2).

  In this application, when receiving data including an identifier assigned to a new wireless communication device, in order to notify that the wireless communication device can communicate via the wireless communication network, The operation start timing of the newly installed wireless communication apparatus can be grasped, and a notification test or the like for the wireless communication apparatus can be immediately performed.

11 Host computer 12 Center side network control device 21 Wireless master unit 22 Wireless slave unit 23 Meter 30 Number issuing radio unit 40 Setting unit 210, 220, 300, 400 Control unit 211, 221, 301, 401 Storage unit 212 Wide area wireless communication unit 213, 222, 302 Narrow-area wireless communication unit 214, 224, 304, 404 Display unit 215, 225, 305, 405 Operation unit 219, 229, 309, 409 Battery 223, 303 Connection port 402 Connection unit

Claims (4)

A plurality of wireless communication devices forming a wireless communication network, and an identifier to be assigned to the issue request source wireless communication device when an issuance request for an identifier for identifying each of the wireless communication devices is received from the wireless communication device. A wireless communication system that transmits and receives data between a plurality of wireless communication devices that are identified by identifiers issued from the identifier issuing device.
One wireless communication device is
Relay means for relaying the issue request and issue response sent and received between the other wireless communication device and the identifier issuing device;
When relaying an issue response transmitted from the identifier issuing device in response to an issue request from another wireless communication device newly connected to the wireless communication network via the own device , the other Means for acquiring an identifier issued by the identifier issuing device to the wireless communication device from the issue response ;
Storage means for storing the obtained identifier;
Means for determining whether or not data including the identifier is received after the storage means stores the identifier;
A wireless communication system comprising: means for notifying that the other wireless communication device is communicable via the wireless communication network when it is determined that data including the identifier has been received. When a plurality of wireless communication devices forming a wireless communication network and an issuance request for an identifier for identifying each in the wireless communication network are received, an issuance response including an identifier to be given to the wireless communication device of the issue request source A wireless communication system that transmits and receives data between a plurality of wireless communication devices identified by an identifier issued from the identifier issuing device.
A storage device selectively connected to one wireless communication device and another wireless communication device newly connected to the wireless communication network via the one wireless communication device;
The other wireless communication device is:
Connection means for connecting the storage device;
Means for storing an identifier issued from the identifier issuing device to the own device in a storage device connected to the connection means;
The one wireless communication device is:
Connection means for connecting the storage device storing the identifier;
Means for obtaining the identifier from the storage device connected to the connection means;
Storage means for storing the obtained identifier;
Means for determining whether or not data including the identifier is received after the storage means stores the identifier;
A wireless communication system comprising: means for notifying that the other wireless communication device is communicable via the wireless communication network when it is determined that data including the identifier has been received. Each wireless communication device
Number of hops stored in association with one or more identifiers including the identifier of the own device and the number of hops indicating the number of wireless communication devices passing through the communication path from the own device to the wireless communication device identified by the identifier With a table
The wireless communication system according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the data received by the one wireless communication device includes the hop number table transmitted from each wireless communication device. In a wireless communication device that transmits and receives data to and from a plurality of wireless communication devices to which identifiers for identifying each in a wireless communication network are assigned,
Received and transmitted between another wireless communication device and an identifier issuing device that transmits an issue response including identification information to be given to the other wireless communication device in response to an issue request from the other wireless communication device Relay means for relaying the issue request and issue response;
When relaying the issue response transmitted from the identifier issuing device in response to an issue request from another wireless communication device newly connected to the wireless communication network, to the other wireless communication device Means for acquiring an identifier issued by the identifier issuing device from the issue response ;
Storage means for storing the obtained identifier;
Means for determining whether or not data including the identifier has been received after storing the identifier in the storage means;
A wireless communication device comprising: means for notifying that the other wireless communication device is communicable via the wireless communication network when it is determined that data including the identifier has been received.

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