JP6381468B2 - 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, a wireless telemeter system developed for meter reading of water, gas, electricity, etc. has a host computer, a center network control device, etc. as a configuration on the center side, and a wireless master device, a wireless slave device as a configuration on the terminal side. Equipped with machines. The terminal-side wireless master unit is connected to a center-side host computer via a wide-area communication network such as a public telephone network, a PHS network, or a FOMA network, and also has a narrow-area wireless communication such as a specific low-power wireless system. A plurality of wireless slaves are communicably connected via a network. Each wireless slave unit is connected to a meter that measures the amount of water, gas, electricity, and other supplies supplied to each consumer, and each wireless slave unit has a measurement result ( The meter reading value) is transmitted to the wireless master unit through the narrow area wireless network. The wireless master device transmits the meter reading value received from each wireless slave device to the host computer on the center side through the wide area communication network.

  A mesh type network is known as one of the terminal side network configurations. In a mesh type network, for example, when the own device can receive data transmitted from the outside, the beacon is periodically used to search for other devices (wireless master device or wireless slave device) having data to be transmitted. To send. When the wireless master device or the wireless slave device having data to be transmitted receives the beacon, the wireless master device or the wireless slave device transmits data to the transmission source of the beacon.

  In such a mesh type network, the communication path is dynamically determined by the routing function of each device, and even if there is a disconnection point in a part of the network, if one communication path can be secured. It has the advantage that data can be transmitted and received.

JP 2007-74564 A

  However, on the other hand, even if a partial failure occurs in the network, it is difficult to detect the failure. For this reason, when a failure is detected such that the data to be transmitted from the terminal side cannot be received at the center side, there is a problem that a number of failures may occur at various points in the network.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and even when a mesh network is used, a wireless communication system and a wireless communication system that can easily identify a communication path including a wireless slave device in which a failure has occurred An object is to provide a communication device.

  The wireless communication system of the present application includes a plurality of wireless communication devices connected via a wireless network, and each wireless communication device transmits a search signal for searching for a communication partner to the outside and is transmitted from the outside. Wireless communication that includes a communication unit that receives a search signal, and that has its own data to be transmitted and that transmits the data to the transmission source of the search signal when it receives a search signal transmitted from the outside In the system, each wireless communication device includes a storage unit that stores route information for determining a communication route from the own device to another wireless communication device, and has data to be transmitted to the other wireless communication device. The data is not transmitted when a search signal is received from a wireless communication apparatus on a communication path different from the communication path determined from the path information.

  In the wireless communication system of the present application, each wireless communication device includes a measurement unit that measures the signal strength of the search signal received by the communication unit, and the signal strength of the search signal measured by the measurement unit is used as the path information. It is made to memorize | store in the said memory | storage part, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  The wireless communication system of the present application includes an issuing device that issues an identifier for identifying the wireless communication device in the wireless network in response to a request from a wireless communication device newly connected to the wireless network, and the wireless communication The apparatus stores the transmission path of the request or the transmission path of the identifier issued from the issuing apparatus as the path information in the storage unit.

  In the wireless communication system of the present application, at least one of the plurality of wireless communication devices includes a connection unit that connects a meter that measures a usage amount of a supply supplied to a consumer and outputs a measurement result, Data related to the measurement result output from the meter connected to the connection unit is transmitted according to the path information stored in the storage unit.

  The wireless communication device of the present application is communicably connected to another wireless communication device via a wireless network, transmits a search signal for searching for a communication partner to the outside, and transmits a search signal transmitted from the outside. In a wireless communication device that includes a communication unit for receiving, when the device has data to be transmitted and receives a search signal transmitted from the outside, the wireless communication device transmits the data to a transmission source of the search signal. A storage unit that stores route information related to a communication route from the own device to another wireless communication device, and having data to be transmitted to the other wireless communication device, and a communication route determined from the route information; Is characterized in that the data is not transmitted when a search signal is received from a wireless communication device on a different communication path.

  According to the present application, even when a mesh network is used, a communication path including a wireless slave device in which a failure has occurred can be easily specified.

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 figure which shows an example of the message | telegram format of the message | telegram which each radio | wireless machine on a communication path produces. It is a figure which shows an example of the message | telegram format of the message | telegram which each radio | wireless machine on a communication path produces. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which the radio | wireless main | base station of a transmission source performs. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which the radio | wireless subunit | mobile_unit on a communication path | route performs. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of setting a communication path according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by the wireless master device according to the second embodiment. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of setting a communication path according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of setting a communication path according to Embodiment 4. FIG.

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 radio 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 includes a radio master unit 21, radio slave units 22A to 22H and 22N as a configuration on the terminal side, And the meter 23 connected to each of the radio | wireless subunit | mobile_units 22A-22H and 22N is provided. The meter 23 is installed for each consumer such as an individual house, for example, measures the amount of supply such as water, gas, electricity supplied from the supplier to each consumer, and the measurement result (meter reading value) Is a measuring instrument that outputs

  The radio telemeter system according to the present embodiment has various data output from the terminal side, such as data including meter reading values output from the meter 23, data indicating the operating states of the wireless master device 21 and the wireless slave devices 22A to 22H, and 22N. While transmitting data to the center side using wireless communication, various data including commands for controlling the operations of the wireless master device 21 and the wireless slave devices 22A to 22H and 22N are transmitted from the center side to the terminal side. Send.

  In the following description, each of the wireless slave devices 22A to 22H and 22N is referred to as a wireless slave device 22 when it is not necessary to distinguish between the wireless slave devices 22A to 22H and 22N. Further, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the wireless master device 21 and the wireless slave device 22, they are also simply referred to as wireless devices.

  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 a plurality of wireless master devices 21 may be connected. In this embodiment, the center side and the terminal side are connected by the wide area wireless network N1, but may be connected by a wired communication network such as a public telephone network.

  The center side network control device 12 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 protocol 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 wireless slave devices 22A to 22H. The wireless master device 21 has a gateway function for performing protocol conversion between a communication protocol used in the wide area wireless network N1 and a communication protocol used in the narrow area wireless network N2, and is received from the center side. It is configured to relay data addressed to the wireless slave devices 22A to 22H and 22N and data addressed to the host computer 11 received from the wireless slave devices 22A to 22H and 22N.

  In FIG. 1, radios that can communicate directly are connected by a broken line. For example, the wireless master device 21 is communicably connected to the two wireless slave devices 22A and 22B, and can directly communicate with these wireless slave devices 22A and 22B. The connection status between other wireless devices is also as shown in FIG.

  In the conventional mesh network, the communication path is dynamically determined by the routing function of each wireless device. For example, conventionally, when determining a communication route in the narrow-area wireless network N2, the communication route with the smallest number of hops to the destination is preferentially selected, and the operating status of each wireless device passing through, The route was appropriately changed according to the situation, communication status, and the like.

  For this reason, the conventional mesh network has the advantage that even if a disconnection point occurs in a part of the network, even if one communication path can be ensured, it has the advantage that data can be transmitted / received. When a failure occurred, it was difficult to identify the failure location.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the communication path in the narrow-area wireless network N2 is determined according to the path information that each wireless device (the wireless master device 21 and the wireless slave devices 22A to 22H and 22N) has. Each wireless slave unit 22 can receive data transmitted from the center side through a predetermined communication path. Similarly, each wireless slave device 22 can transmit data including the meter reading value to the center side via the wireless master device 21 when acquiring the meter reading value from the meter 23 connected thereto.

  Note that the number of installed wireless devices in the narrow-area wireless network N2 and the connection form are not limited to the example shown in FIG. 1, but the maximum number of wireless devices installed per communication specification etc. It can be appropriately changed within the range of the maximum number of connections.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the wireless master device 21 and the wireless slave device 22 will be described.
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 a CPU, a ROM, and the like, and the CPU executes a control program stored in advance in the ROM to control the entire device, thereby causing the wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention to function. The control unit 210 also includes clock means (not shown) for outputting time information, a timer (not shown) for measuring the time from when the start instruction is given until the end instruction is given, and a counter for counting the number (not shown). May be provided.

  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 related to the operation of the own device, route information related to a communication route to each wireless slave device 22, A wireless device number (ID) for identifying the wireless master device 21 and the wireless slave devices 22A to 22H and 22N in the local wireless network N2 is stored.

  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 transmits or receives radio waves via the antenna 213a, thereby performing predetermined wireless communication with the wireless slave device 22 (in the example of FIG. 1, the wireless slave devices 22A and 22B) having a hop count of “1”. Communicate using the method. 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 including a wireless device number that is an identifier of a transmission source as a search signal for searching for the wireless slave device 22 having data to be transmitted. To do. In addition, when the narrow-area wireless communication unit 213 receives a beacon transmitted from the wireless slave unit 22 and has data to be transmitted, the narrow-area wireless communication unit 213 transmits the data to the transmission source of the beacon.

  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 is 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 a configuration. 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 a CPU, a ROM, and the like, and executes a control program stored in advance in the ROM to control the entire device, thereby causing the wireless communication device according to the present invention to function. The control unit 220 also includes clock means (not shown) for outputting time information, a timer (not shown) for measuring the time from when the start instruction is given until the end instruction is given, and a counter for counting the number (not shown). May be provided.

  The storage unit 221 is configured by, for example, a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM, and includes setting information related to the operation of the own device, route information related to a communication route to the wireless master device 21 and the other wireless slave devices 22, and narrowband wireless communication. A wireless device number (ID) for identifying the wireless master device 21 and the wireless slave devices 22A to 22H and 22N in the network N2 is stored.

  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 for measuring the usage amount of gas, water, electricity 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.

  Hereinafter, as one application example of the present application, when data is transmitted from the wireless master device 21 to the wireless slave device 22N, the wireless master device 21 and each wireless slave device 22 (22B, 22F, 22H) on the communication path are transmitted. Processing to be executed will be described.

  In the wireless master device 21, a communication route passing through the wireless slave devices 22B, 22F, and 22H is set as a communication route from the wireless master device 21 to the wireless slave device 22N, and route information relating to such a communication route is set. Are stored in the storage unit 211 in advance. The route information is transmitted, for example, from the host computer 11 to the wireless master device 21 via the wide area wireless network N1, or from the data setting unit (not shown) to the wireless master device 21 via the narrow area wireless network N2. By transmitting, the wireless master device 21 can be set. That is, in the first embodiment, a communication path artificially determined from the outside is used.

  4 and 5 are diagrams showing an example of a message format of a message created by each wireless device on the communication path. Each wireless device in the narrow area wireless network N2 creates a message in accordance with a predetermined message format when transmitting data. In the message format shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the NET item represents the source and destination radios, and the APP items SADDR, DADDR, and DATA are the source address, destination address, and transmission target, respectively. The data is shown. 4 and 5, the wireless slave units 22A to 22H and 22N are abbreviated as slave units A to H and slave unit N, respectively.

  FIG. 4A shows an example of a message originally created when the wireless master device 21 transmits data to the wireless slave device 22N. The example shown in FIG. 4A indicates that the NET item is a message from the wireless master device 21 (transmission source) to the wireless slave device 22N (transmission destination), and each item of APP includes This indicates that the ID, the ID of the wireless slave device 22N, and the data to be transmitted are set.

  The wireless master device 21 does not transmit the created message as it is, changes the destination based on the route information set in advance, and executes processing for adding the route information to the data.

  FIG. 4B shows an example of a message converted by the wireless master device 21. When a communication path passing through the wireless slave devices 22B, 22F, and 22H is set as a communication route for data transmitted from the wireless master device 21 to the wireless slave device 22N, the wireless master device 21 transmits the NET in the message to be transmitted. The transmission destination of the item is changed to the wireless slave device 22B, and the transmission destination address of the APP item is changed to the ID of the wireless slave device 22B. In addition to the data to be transmitted, the wireless master device 21 adds route information indicating that it is a message to be transmitted in the order of the wireless slave devices 22B, 22F, 22H, and 22N to the APP item DATA. The wireless master device 21 transmits the converted message to the wireless slave device 22B at the timing of receiving the beacon transmitted from the wireless slave device 22B.

  FIG. 4C shows an example of a message transmitted by the wireless slave device 22B. When the wireless slave device 22B receives a message addressed to the wireless slave device 22N transmitted from the wireless master device 21, the wireless slave device 22B converts the message based on the path information included in the DATA.

  For example, when route information indicating that a message is to be transmitted in the order of the wireless slave devices 22B, 22F, 22H, and 22N is added to the DATA of the message received by the wireless slave device 22B, refer to this route information. By doing this, it is understood that the next transmission destination is the wireless slave device 22F. Therefore, the wireless slave device 22B changes the transmission destination of the NET item in the transmission target message to the wireless slave device 22F, and changes the transmission destination address of the APP item to the ID of the wireless slave device 22F. Further, the wireless slave device 22B adds route information indicating that the electronic message is to be transmitted in the order of the wireless slave devices 22F, 22H, and 22N to the APP item DATA in addition to the data to be transmitted. The wireless slave device 22B transmits the converted message to the wireless slave device 22F at the timing of receiving the beacon transmitted from the wireless slave device 22F.

  FIG. 5A shows an example of a message transmitted by the wireless slave device 22F. When receiving a message addressed to the wireless slave device 22N transmitted from the wireless slave device 22B, the wireless slave device 22F converts the message based on the path information included in the DATA.

  By the same procedure as described above, the wireless slave device 22F changes the transmission destination of the NET item in the transmission target message to the wireless slave device 22H, and changes the transmission destination address of the APP item to the ID of the wireless slave device 22H. Further, the wireless slave device 22F adds route information indicating that the electronic message is to be transmitted in the order of the wireless slave devices 22H and 22N to the APP item DATA in addition to the data to be transmitted. The wireless slave device 22F transmits the converted message to the wireless slave device 22H at the timing when the beacon transmitted from the wireless slave device 22H is received.

  FIG. 5B shows an example of a message transmitted by the wireless slave device 22H. When receiving a message addressed to the wireless slave device 22N transmitted from the wireless slave device 22F, the wireless slave device 22H converts the message based on the path information included in the DATA.

  By the same procedure as described above, the wireless slave device 22H changes the transmission destination of the NET item in the transmission target message to the wireless slave device 22N, and changes the transmission destination address of the APP item to the ID of the wireless slave device 22N. Further, since the wireless slave device 22N as the transmission destination is the final destination of data, the wireless slave device 22H deletes the route information from the DATA of the APP item. The wireless slave device 22H transmits the converted message to the wireless slave device 22N at the timing when the beacon transmitted from the wireless slave device 22N is received.

  Through the above processing, data transmitted from the wireless master device 21 to the wireless slave device 22N is transmitted to each wireless device on the communication path specified by the preset route information (in the above example, the wireless slave devices 22B and 22F). , 22H) to reach the destination wireless slave unit 22N.

  In the above example, the contents of processing executed by each wireless device when data is transmitted from the wireless master device 21 to the wireless slave device 22N have been described. However, wireless devices other than the wireless slave device 22N from the wireless master device 21 have been described. The same applies to the case where data is transmitted to the devices 22A to 22H, the case where data is transmitted from the wireless slave devices 22A to 22H and 22N to the wireless master device 21, and the like. Data transmission / reception is performed by performing message conversion processing or the like according to the above.

  Hereinafter, as an example of a communication procedure, a communication procedure when data is transmitted from the wireless master device 21 to the wireless slave device 22 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by the transmission-source wireless master device 21. The control unit 210 of the wireless master device 21 determines whether there is data to be transmitted to the wireless slave device 22 (step S101). For example, when an event to be notified to the wireless slave device 22 occurs in the wireless master device 21 or when data transmitted from the center side to the wireless slave device 22 is received by the wide area wireless communication unit 212, the wireless slave device 21 It is determined that there is data to be transmitted to the machine 22. When there is no data to be transmitted to the wireless slave device 22 (S101: NO), the control unit 210 waits until data to be transmitted to the wireless slave device 22 is generated.

  When it is determined that there is data to be transmitted to the wireless slave device 22 (S101: YES), the control unit 210 reads out route information including the destination wireless slave device 22 as the final destination from the storage unit 211. Thus, a communication path is set (step S102).

  Next, the control unit 210 creates a message based on the set communication path (step S103). For example, the data transmission destination is the wireless slave device 22N, and the route information passing through the wireless slave devices 22B, 22F, and 22H is stored in the storage unit 211 as the communication route from the wireless master device 21 to the wireless slave device 22N. If there is, the control unit 210 sets the transmission destination of the NET item to the wireless slave unit 22B, the transmission destination address of the APP item to the ID of the wireless slave unit 22B, and adds the data of the APP item to the data to be transmitted, A message with route information indicating that the messages are to be transmitted in the order of the wireless slave devices 22B, 22F, 22H, and 22N is created.

  Next, the control unit 210 determines whether or not a beacon transmitted intermittently from each wireless slave device 22 has been received through the narrow area wireless communication unit 213 (step S104). In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, there are two wireless slave devices 22 (wireless slave devices 22 having a hop number of 1) that are connected to the wireless master device 21 so as to be directly communicable with each other, the wireless slave devices 22A and 22B. The wireless master device 21 can receive beacons from these two wireless slave devices 22A and 22B. When the beacon is not received (S104: NO), the control unit 210 waits until a beacon is received through the narrow area wireless communication unit 213.

  If it is determined that a beacon has been received (S104: YES), the control unit 210 determines whether the beacon transmission source is the wireless slave unit 22 on the set communication path based on the transmission source ID included in the beacon. Is determined (step S105). In the above-described example, since the communication path passing through the wireless slave units 22B, 22F, and 22H is set, the control unit 210 transmits the beacon source only when the beacon transmitted from the wireless slave unit 22B is received. Is determined to be the wireless slave unit 22 (22B) on the set communication path.

  When it is determined that the beacon transmission source is not the wireless slave device 22 (22B) on the set communication path (S105: NO), the control unit 210 returns the process to step S104.

  When it is determined that the beacon transmission source is the wireless slave device 22 (22B) on the set communication path (S105: YES), the control unit 210 transmits the message created in step S103 as a response to the beacon. (Step S106).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by the wireless slave unit 22 on the communication path. The control unit 220 of the wireless slave device 22 determines whether or not a message has been received through the narrow area wireless communication unit 222 (step S111). When the electronic message has not been received (S111: NO), the control unit 220 stands by until the electronic message is received.

  If it is determined that a message has been received (S111: YES), the control unit 220 refers to the NET item, the transmission destination address of the APP item, etc. included in the message, so that the received message is a message addressed to itself. Whether or not (step S112).

  When it is determined that the electronic message addressed to itself is received (S112: YES), the control unit 220 performs processing based on the received electronic message (for example, meter reading processing), and then ends the processing according to this flowchart.

  When it is determined that a message addressed to another device has been received (S112: NO), the control unit 220 refers to the path information included in the DATA of the APP item in the received message and converts the message (step S113). . For example, when the own device is the wireless slave device 22B and the electronic message to which the route information indicating that the electronic devices should be transmitted in the order of the wireless slave devices 22B, 22F, 22H, and 22N is received, Since it is understood that the destination is the wireless slave device 22F, the control unit 220 of the wireless slave device 22B sets the transmission destination address of the NET item and the transmission destination address of the APP item to the IDs of the wireless slave device 22F and the wireless slave device 22F, respectively. The message is converted by changing the route information added to DATA to the route information indicating that the message is to be transmitted in the order of the wireless slave devices 22F, 22H, and 22N.

  Next, the control unit 220 determines whether or not a beacon transmitted intermittently from each wireless device is received through the narrow area wireless communication unit 222 (step S114). When the beacon is not received (S114: NO), the control unit 210 waits until a beacon is received through the narrow area wireless communication unit 222.

  When it is determined that a beacon has been received (S114: YES), the control unit 220 determines that the transmission source of the received beacon is a wireless device on a communication path determined by a message based on the transmission source ID included in the beacon. Is determined (step S115). In the above-described example, since a communication path via the wireless slave units 22B, 22F, and 22H is set, when a beacon transmitted from a wireless unit (for example, the wireless slave unit 22F) on this communication path is received. Only the control unit 220 determines that the transmission source of the beacon is a wireless device on the communication path.

  When determining that the transmission source of the received beacon is not a wireless device on the communication path determined by the path information added to the electronic message (S115: NO), the control unit 220 returns the process to step S114.

  When it is determined that the transmission source of the received beacon is a wireless device on the communication path determined by the path information added to the message (S115: YES), the control unit 220 returns step S113 as a response to the beacon. The message converted at step S116 is transmitted (step S116).

  Through the above procedure, data transmitted from the wireless master device 21 to the wireless slave device 22 is transmitted to each wireless device (for example, the wireless slave devices 22B, 22F, and 22H) on the communication path determined by the route information set in advance. Via, it reaches the destination wireless slave unit 22.

  In the above example, the procedure executed by each wireless device when data is transmitted from the wireless master device 21 to the wireless slave device 22 has been described. However, from each wireless slave device 22A to 22H and 22N to the wireless master device 21. The same applies to the case of transmitting data and the like, and each wireless device transmits and receives data according to preset route information.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, it is possible to fix a communication path for transmitting and receiving data between wireless devices while utilizing a mesh network. For this reason, when there is a radio that has failed in the narrow-area wireless network N2, it is possible to identify the radio that has failed by referring to predetermined route information. It becomes easy to perform maintenance of the radio.

  In the first embodiment, the communication route is fixed based on the route information of each wireless device. However, it is not always necessary to fix the communication route, and the terminal transmits a message transmitted from the center side. A configuration may be adopted in which route information is set in each wireless device and the communication route is fixed only when a sign of a failure in the narrow-area wireless network N2 such that a response from the side cannot be obtained starts to appear. .

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, the configuration in which the communication route is fixed based on predetermined route information has been described. However, a configuration in which each wireless device actively fixes the communication route may be used.
In the second embodiment, a configuration in which a communication path is fixed based on the signal strength of a beacon received by each wireless device will be described. Note that the overall configuration of the wireless telemeter system and the internal configurations of the wireless master device 21 and the wireless slave device 22 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of setting a communication path according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 shows a simplified radio telemeter system including one radio master unit 21 and nine radio slave units 22A to 22H and 22N. Further, in FIG. 8, the wireless master device 21 is indicated by Z, and the wireless slave devices 22A to 22H and 22N are indicated by reference characters A to H and N, respectively.

  Each wireless device has an appropriate timing (for example, a regular timing, a timing when a new wireless device is installed in the narrow-area wireless network N2, and a timing when a predetermined number of wireless devices are installed in the narrow-area wireless network N2). The signal strength of the beacon is measured at a timing such as, and the measured signal strength is stored in association with the wireless device number (ID) of the transmitting wireless device. Each wireless device sets a communication path based on the stored signal strength when transmitting data. That is, in the second embodiment, each wireless device stores the measured signal strength of the beacon as route information for determining a communication route at the time of data transmission.

  For example, the narrow-area wireless communication unit 213 of the wireless master device 21 measures the signal strength of the beacon received through the antenna 213a and notifies the control unit 210 of the measured signal strength and the wireless device number (ID) of the beacon transmission source. To do. The control unit 210 associates the signal strength and the wireless device number notified from the narrow area wireless communication unit 213 and stores them in the storage unit 211. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the signal strength of the beacon received from the wireless slave device 22A is −50 dBm, the signal strength of the beacon received from the wireless slave device 22B is −60 dBm, and each signal strength is the wireless slave device 22A, 22B. The state is stored in the wireless master device 21 in association with the wireless device number.

  Similarly, the narrow-area wireless communication unit 222 of the wireless slave device 22 measures the signal strength of the beacon received through the antenna 222a, and sends the measured signal strength and the wireless device number (ID) of the beacon transmission source to the control unit 220. Notice. The control unit 220 associates the signal strength and the wireless device number notified from the narrow area wireless communication unit 222 and stores them in the storage unit 221. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the signal strength of the beacon received from the wireless slave device 22C is −50 dBm, the signal strength of the beacon received from the wireless slave device 22D is −60 dBm, and each signal strength is the wireless slave device 22C, 22D. The wireless unit number is stored in the storage unit 221 of the wireless slave unit 22A.

  In the example shown in FIG. 8, out of the signal intensity of the beacon that can be measured by each wireless device, data is transmitted from the wireless master device 21 to the wireless slave device 22N in the downlink direction measured by the wireless master device 21 and the wireless slave device 22. Although only the signal strength in the transmission direction) is shown, it is assumed that the signal strength of the beacon measured by the uplink direction and other wireless devices is also stored in each wireless device.

  In the second embodiment, the communication path is fixed by selecting a communication path whose destination is the radio with the highest signal strength of the stored beacon at each radio.

For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 8, the signal strength of the beacon stored in the storage unit 211 of the wireless master device 21 is −50 dBm for the wireless slave device 22A, −60 dBm for the wireless slave device 22B, and the wireless slave device 22A. Therefore, the wireless master device 21 selects a communication path whose destination is the wireless slave device 22A as a communication path in the downlink direction.
The signal strength of the beacon stored in the storage unit 221 of the wireless slave device 22A is -50 dBm for the wireless slave device 22C, -60 dBm for the wireless slave device 22D, and higher for the wireless slave device 22C. The slave unit 22A selects a communication path whose destination is the wireless slave unit 22C as a communication path in the downlink direction.

  Note that the wireless slave devices 22C and 22G have one wireless device connected so as to be communicable in the downlink direction, so the wireless slave device 22C has the wireless slave device 22G as a destination as a communication path in the downlink direction. The wireless slave device 22G selects a communication route that is destined for the wireless slave device 22N as a downstream communication route.

  Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 8, a communication path via the wireless slave units 22A, 22C, and 22G is automatically set as a communication path from the wireless master unit 21 to the wireless slave unit 22N. In addition, the communication path can be fixed by maintaining the signal strength of the beacon measured at a specific timing for each wireless device.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by the wireless master device 21 according to the second embodiment. The control unit 210 of the wireless master device 21 determines whether there is a message to be transmitted to the wireless slave device 22 (step S201). For example, when an event to be notified to the wireless slave device 22 occurs in the wireless master device 21 or when an electronic message destined for the wireless slave device 22 is received from the outside, it should be transmitted to the wireless slave device 22 Judge that there is a message. When there is no message to be transmitted to the wireless slave device 22 (S201: NO), the control unit 210 stands by until a message to be transmitted to the wireless slave device 22 is generated.

  When it is determined that there is a message to be transmitted to the wireless slave device 22 (S201: YES), the control unit 210 sets a communication path based on the signal strength of the beacon stored in the storage unit 211 (step S201). S202). Specifically, the control unit 210 sets a communication path by determining a wireless device associated with the highest signal strength among the signal strengths stored in the storage unit 211 as the next transmission destination. .

  Next, the control unit 210 determines whether or not a beacon that is intermittently transmitted from each wireless slave unit 22 is received through the narrow area wireless communication unit 213 (step S203). There are two wireless slave devices 22 (wireless slave devices 22 with a hop number of 1) that are directly communicably connected to the wireless master device 21, which are the wireless slave devices 22 </ b> A and 22 </ b> B. Beacons can be received from these two wireless slave devices 22A and 22B. When the beacon is not received (S203: NO), the control unit 210 waits until a beacon is received through the narrow area wireless communication unit 213.

  If it is determined that a beacon has been received (S203: YES), the control unit 210 determines whether the beacon transmission source is the wireless slave unit 22 on the set communication path based on the transmission source ID included in the beacon. Is determined (step S204). In the above-described example, the wireless master device 21 sets a communication path whose destination is the wireless slave device 22A. Therefore, the beacon transmission source is set only when the beacon transmitted from the wireless slave device 22A is received. It is determined that the wireless slave unit 22 (22A) is on the communication path.

  When it is determined that the beacon transmission source is not the wireless slave device 22 on the set communication path (S204: NO), the control unit 210 returns the process to step S203.

  When it is determined that the beacon transmission source is the wireless slave device 22 on the set communication path (S204: YES), the control unit 210 transmits a message as a response to the beacon (step S205).

  In the example shown in FIG. 9, the procedure of processing executed by the wireless master device 21 has been described. However, it is also possible to transmit a message to each wireless slave device 22 by the same processing procedure.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the communication path can be fixed based on the information of the signal intensity measured at a specific timing. For this reason, when there is a radio that has failed in the narrow-area wireless network N2, it is possible to identify the radio that has failed by referring to predetermined route information. It becomes easy to perform maintenance of the radio.

(Embodiment 3)
In the third embodiment, a configuration will be described in which route information is set based on a communication route used when assigning a wireless device number for identifying each wireless device in the narrow area wireless network N2.
Note that the overall configuration of the wireless telemeter system and the internal configurations of the wireless master device 21 and the wireless slave device 22 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

  In the third embodiment, the wireless master device 21 functions as a number issuing wireless device that issues a wireless device number for identifying each wireless device in the narrow area wireless network N2. When the wireless master device 21 receives a message indicating a request for issuing a wireless device number (hereinafter also referred to as a number issuing request) from a wireless slave device 22 (newly installed terminal) newly connected to the narrow area wireless network N2, A message containing a wireless device number assigned to the wireless slave device 22 (hereinafter also referred to as a number issuing response) is returned through the narrow area wireless network N2.

  In the third embodiment, the wireless device numbers of the wireless slave devices 22, 22,..., 22 that relay the number issuance request transmitted from the newly installed terminal (or the number issuance response transmitted from the wireless parent device 21) are stored. Thus, the route information is set.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of setting a communication path according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a simplified view of a wireless telemeter system including a wireless master device 21, wireless slave devices 22A to 22H as existing terminals, and a wireless slave device 22N as a newly installed terminal. In FIG. 10, the wireless master device 21 is indicated by Z, and the wireless slave devices 22A to 22H and 22N are indicated by reference characters A to H and N, respectively.

  When the wireless handset 22N, which is a newly installed terminal, issues a number issuance request, a number issuance request addressed to the wireless base unit 21 is transmitted to the nearest adjacent terminal (wireless handset 22G in the example of FIG. 10) from its own device. To do.

  The wireless slave device 22G that has received the number issue request refers to the route information to the wireless master device 21 stored in the wireless slave device 22G, and the wireless device on the communication route defined by the route information (example in FIG. 10). Then, at the timing when the beacon is received from the wireless slave device 22D), the number issuing request from the newly installed terminal is transmitted to the transmission source of the beacon.

  Similarly, the wireless slave device 22D that has received the number issue request refers to the route information to the wireless master device 21 stored in the wireless slave device 22D, and the wireless device on the communication path defined by the route information (in FIG. 10). In the example, the number issuing request is transmitted to the beacon transmission source at the timing when the beacon is received from the wireless slave device 22A).

  Further, the wireless slave device 22A that has received the number issue request refers to the route information to the wireless master device 21 stored in the wireless slave device 22A, and the wireless device on the communication route determined by the route information (example in FIG. 10). Then, at the timing when the beacon is received from the wireless master device 21), a number issue request is transmitted to the beacon transmission source.

  As described above, the number issuing request transmitted from the newly installed terminal is transmitted to the wireless master device 21 via the wireless slave device 22 (wireless slave devices 22G, 22D, and 22A in the example of FIG. 10) that is an existing terminal. To reach. When receiving the number issue request, the wireless master device 21 determines a wireless device number to be assigned to the newly installed terminal, and transmits a number issuance response including the determined wireless device number to the newly installed terminal.

  The number issuance response transmitted from the wireless master device 21 is, for example, a route opposite to the route through which the number issuance request is relayed (in the example of FIG. 10, the routes are relayed in the order of the wireless slave devices 22A, 22D, and 22G). To reach the newly installed terminal. The newly installed terminal extracts the wireless device number addressed to itself from the received number issuance response, and stores it in the storage unit 221 as the wireless device number of the own device.

  In Embodiment 3, the wireless master device 21 and the newly installed terminal acquire the wireless device numbers of the wireless slave devices 22, 22,..., 22 that relayed the number issuing request (or number issuing response), and the acquired wireless device. The number is stored as route information between the wireless master device 21 and the newly installed terminal. When communication is performed between the wireless master device 21 and the newly installed terminal after storing the route information, the communication is performed according to the communication route defined by the route information, as with the existing terminal.

  When the communication route is fixed between the wireless master device 21 and the existing terminal, the communication route for relaying the number issuance request is determined by the route information to the wireless master device 21 of the adjacent terminal, for example. Therefore, the wireless master device 21 and the newly installed terminal acquire the route information from the adjacent terminal (wireless slave device 22G in the example of FIG. 10) to the wireless master device 21, thereby obtaining the wireless master device 21 and the newly installed terminal. Route information can be defined between them.

  Further, when the adjacent terminal relays the number issuance request, the route information from the adjacent terminal to the wireless master device 21 may be added to the message so as to notify the wireless master device 21 of the route information. In this case, when transmitting the number issue response, the wireless master device 21 adds the route information acquired from the adjacent terminal to notify the newly installed terminal of the route information between the wireless master device 21 and the newly installed terminal. It is good also as a structure.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, information on the wireless slave units 22, 22,..., 22 that relay the number issue request (or number issue response) is acquired when the number issue request (or number issue response) is executed. As a result, the communication path can be fixed. For this reason, when there is a radio that has failed in the narrow-area wireless network N2, it is possible to identify the radio that has failed by referring to predetermined route information. It becomes easy to perform maintenance of the radio.

(Embodiment 4)
In the fourth embodiment, a configuration in which route information is set based on the communication route used in the relay transfer test will be described.
Note that the overall configuration of the wireless telemeter system and the internal configurations of the wireless master device 21 and the wireless slave device 22 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

  In the fourth embodiment, an arbitrary wireless device (source wireless device) in the narrow-area wireless network N2 uses a wireless device (target wireless device) as a target wireless message (hereinafter also referred to as a relay test command) related to a relay transfer test command. ). Each radio that relays the relay test command adds the radio number assigned to itself and the signal strength when the relay test command is received to the next radio after adding it to the received message. . When the target radio receives a relay test command, it adds the radio number assigned to itself and the signal strength at the time of receiving the relay test command to the received message and then wraps it back to the source radio . The transmission source wireless device sets path information from the own device to the target wireless device based on the wireless device number included in the returned relay test command.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a communication path setting example according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 11 shows a simplified radio telemeter system including one radio master unit 21 and nine radio slave units 22A to 22H and 22N. In FIG. 11, the wireless master device 21 is indicated by Z, and the wireless slave devices 22A to 22H and 22N are indicated by reference characters A to H and N, respectively.

  A configuration in which a relay transfer test is performed between the wireless slave device 22N and the wireless master device 21 and the wireless slave device 22N and the wireless master device 21 acquire path information between them will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, it is assumed that the wireless master device 21 and the wireless slave devices 22A to 22H and 22N do not have route information in advance.

  The wireless slave device 22N transmits a relay test command to the wireless master device 21 through another wireless slave device 22. At this time, if the wireless slave unit 22N receives a beacon transmitted from a wireless device that can communicate with the own device (in the example of FIG. 11, either the wireless slave device 22G or 22H), the wireless slave device 22N sends a relay test command to the beacon. Send to the sender.

  For example, when the wireless slave device 22G receives a relay test command transmitted from the wireless slave device 22N, the wireless slave device 22G determines the signal strength measured by the narrow-area wireless communication unit 222, the wireless device number of its own device, and Is added to the relay test command. When the wireless slave device 22G receives a beacon transmitted from a wireless device capable of communicating with itself (in the example of FIG. 11, either the wireless slave device 22C or 22D), the relay slave command is transmitted to the beacon transmission source. Send.

  For example, when the wireless slave device 22D receives a relay test command transmitted from the wireless slave device 22G, the wireless slave device 22D determines the signal strength measured by the narrow-area wireless communication unit 222, the wireless device number of its own device, and Is added to the relay test command. When the wireless slave device 22D receives a beacon transmitted from a wireless device capable of communicating with itself (wireless slave device 22A in the example of FIG. 11), the wireless slave device 22D transmits a relay test instruction to the transmission source of the beacon.

  When the wireless slave device 22A receives the relay test command transmitted from the wireless slave device 22D, the wireless slave device 22A relays the signal strength measured by the narrow-area wireless communication unit 222 and the wireless device number of its own device. Add to test command. When the wireless slave device 22A receives a beacon transmitted from a wireless device (wireless master device 21 in the example of FIG. 11) that can communicate with the own device, the wireless slave device 22A transmits a relay test command to the transmission source of the beacon.

  Since the relay test command received by the wireless master device 21 from the wireless slave device 22A includes route information related to the communication route from the wireless slave device 22N that is the source wireless device to the wireless master device 21 that is the target wireless device. The wireless master device 21 stores this route information in the storage unit 211 as route information between the wireless master device 21 and the wireless slave device 22N.

  The relay test command that is returned from the wireless master device 21 and received by the wireless slave device 22N includes a route related to a communication path from the wireless master device 21 that is the target wireless device to the wireless slave device 22N that is the source wireless device. Since the information is included, the wireless slave device 22N stores this route information in the storage unit 221 as route information between the wireless slave device 22N and the wireless master device 21.

  In FIG. 11, the example in which the forward path and the return path of the relay test command are the same has been described. However, the forward path and the return path of the relay test command may be different. In this case, the route information between the wireless master device 21 and the wireless slave device 22N stored in the wireless master device 21 and the route information between the wireless slave device 22N and the wireless master device 21 stored in the wireless slave device 22N are different. There may be.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the communication path can be fixed by acquiring the path information when transmitting / receiving a message related to the relay transfer test command. For this reason, when there is a radio that has failed in the narrow-area wireless network N2, it is possible to identify the radio that has failed by referring to predetermined route information. It becomes easy to perform maintenance of the radio.

  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 includes a plurality of wireless communication devices (21, 22) connected via a wireless network (N2), and each wireless communication device (21, 22) searches for a communication partner. A communication unit (213, 222) for transmitting a signal to the outside and receiving a search signal transmitted from the outside is provided, and the search signal transmitted from the outside is obtained when the device has data to be transmitted. In the wireless communication system that transmits the data to the transmission source of the search signal when received, each wireless communication device (21, 22) has a communication path from its own device to another wireless communication device (21, 22). A storage unit (211, 221) that stores predetermined route information is provided and has data to be transmitted to the other wireless communication devices (21, 22), and is different from the communication route determined from the route information Upon receiving a search signal from the wireless communication apparatus on the signal path 21, 22, characterized in that you have not to transmit the data.

  In the present application, it is possible to fix a communication path for transmitting and receiving data between wireless communication devices while utilizing a mesh network. For this reason, when there is a wireless communication device in which a failure has occurred in the wireless network, it is possible to identify the wireless communication device in which the failure has occurred by referring to predetermined route information, It becomes easy to perform maintenance of the communication device.

  In the wireless communication system of the present application, each wireless communication device (21, 22) includes a measurement unit (213, 222) that measures the signal strength of a search signal received by the communication unit (213, 222). The signal strength of the search signal measured by the unit (213, 222) is stored in the storage unit (211, 221) as the path information.

  In the present application, the communication path can be fixed based on the information of the signal intensity measured at a certain timing.

  The wireless communication system of the present application identifies the wireless communication device (22) in the wireless network (N2) in response to a request from the wireless communication device (22) newly connected to the wireless network (N2). The wireless communication device (22) includes an issuing device (21) that issues an identifier, and the storage unit (22) uses the transmission route of the request or the transmission route of the identifier issued from the issuing device as the route information. 221) is stored.

  In the present application, in the third embodiment, a wireless communication device newly connected by acquiring route information that relays an issuance request (or a response thereto) of an identifier transmitted from the newly connected wireless communication device. And the issuing device can be fixed.

  In the wireless communication system of the present application, at least one of the plurality of wireless communication devices (22) is connected to a meter (23) that measures the amount of supply supplied to a consumer and outputs a measurement result. And transmitting data related to the measurement result output from the meter (23) connected to the connection unit (223) according to the path information stored in the storage unit (221). It is characterized by the above.

  In the present application, in a wireless telemeter system using a mesh network, a communication path between wireless communication devices connected in the wireless network can be fixed.

  The wireless communication device of the present application is communicably connected to another wireless communication device (21, 22) via the wireless network (N2), and transmits a search signal for searching for a communication partner to the outside. A communication unit (213, 222) for receiving a search signal transmitted from the outside is provided, and when the own apparatus has data to be transmitted and the search signal transmitted from the outside is received, In the wireless communication device (21, 22) that transmits the data to the transmission source, a storage unit (211, 221) that stores route information related to a communication route from the own device to another wireless communication device (21, 22). A search signal from the radio communication device (21, 22) on a communication path different from the communication path determined from the path information, when there is data to be transmitted to the other radio communication device (21, 22). The When signal, characterized in that you have not to transmit the data.

  In the present application, it is possible to fix a communication path for transmitting and receiving data between wireless communication devices while utilizing a mesh network. For this reason, when there is a wireless communication device in which a failure has occurred in the wireless network, it is possible to identify the wireless communication device in which the failure has occurred by referring to predetermined route information, It becomes easy to perform maintenance of the communication device.

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 Connection port

Claims (5)

A communication unit including a plurality of wireless communication devices connected via a wireless network, each wireless communication device transmitting a search signal for searching for a communication partner to the outside and receiving a search signal transmitted from the outside A wireless communication system for transmitting the data to the transmission source of the search signal when the search signal transmitted from the outside is received when the device has data to be transmitted.
Each wireless communication device
A storage unit for storing route information for determining a communication route from the own device to another wireless communication device;
When there is data to be transmitted to the other wireless communication device, and when a search signal is received from a wireless communication device on a communication route different from the communication route determined from the route information, the data is not transmitted. A wireless communication system. Each wireless communication device
A measurement unit that measures the signal strength of the search signal received by the communication unit;
The radio communication system according to claim 1, wherein the signal strength of the search signal measured by the measurement unit is stored in the storage unit as the path information. An issuing device for issuing an identifier for identifying the wireless communication device in the wireless network in response to a request from a wireless communication device newly connected to the wireless network;
2. The wireless communication apparatus stores the transmission path of the request or the transmission path of the identifier issued from the issuing apparatus as the path information in the storage unit. The wireless communication system described. At least one of the plurality of wireless communication devices is
It has a connection part that connects a meter that measures the amount of supply used to supply the customer and outputs the measurement results.
4. The data according to the measurement result output from the meter connected to the connection unit is transmitted according to the path information stored in the storage unit. The radio | wireless communications system as described in any one. A communication unit that is communicably connected to another wireless communication device via a wireless network, includes a communication unit that transmits a search signal for searching for a communication partner to the outside and receives a search signal transmitted from the outside, In the case where the own apparatus has data to be transmitted and when a search signal transmitted from the outside is received, the wireless communication apparatus transmits the data to the transmission source of the search signal.
A storage unit for storing route information related to a communication route from the own device to another wireless communication device;
When there is data to be transmitted to the other wireless communication device, and when a search signal is received from a wireless communication device on a communication route different from the communication route determined from the route information, the data is not transmitted. A wireless communication device.

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