JP6584052B2 - 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.

  The wireless master device and the wireless slave device in the wireless telemeter system form, for example, a narrow area wireless network based on a specific low power wireless system. When the wireless master unit and the wireless slave unit are in a state where they can receive data transmitted from the outside in the narrow-area wireless network, they periodically transmit beacons to search for devices having data to be transmitted. Send. 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 radio telemeter system, a number issuing radio is installed in order to assign a radio number, which is a unique identifier in a narrow area wireless network, to each device. When a wireless handset is newly installed in a narrow area wireless network, the wireless handset transmits a number issuance request to the number issuing wireless device via another wireless handset. The number issuing wireless device generates a wireless device number to be assigned to the requesting wireless slave device, and transmits the wireless device number to the requesting wireless slave device via another wireless slave device.

JP 2007-243290 A

  In a conventional wireless telemeter system, in order to assign a wireless device number to a newly installed wireless slave device, the newly installed wireless slave device and the installed wireless slave device are operated, and both devices issue numbers It was necessary to switch to the mode. In other words, in order to switch to the number issuing mode, it is necessary to operate not only newly installed wireless slave units but also installed wireless slave units. When installed in a home, the operation itself becomes difficult, and there is a problem that it is difficult to shift to the number issuing mode.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and can issue a wireless device number addressed to itself from only newly installed wireless communication devices without operating two wireless communication devices. An object is to provide a wireless communication system and a wireless communication apparatus.

The wireless communication system of the present application is connected to a plurality of wireless communication devices communicating via a wireless communication network and at least one of the plurality of wireless communication devices, and each wireless communication device in the wireless communication network In the wireless communication system, each wireless communication device includes a storage unit that stores an identifier issued from the identifier issuing device, and each wireless communication device performs a predetermined operation. Means for receiving an identifier issuing request and one or a plurality of other wireless communication devices or the identifier issuing device when a predetermined operation is accepted by the means, and for searching for a communication partner Means for receiving the search signal, means for detecting the radio wave intensity of the search signal received by the means, and the radio wave intensity of the search signal received from the identifier issuing device. If it is greater than or equal, the issue request is transmitted to the identifier issuing device at a first transmission speed, when the radio wave strength is less than the threshold, to extend the wireless reach, lower than the first transmission rate Means for transmitting the issue request to the identifier issuing device at a second transmission rate; and means for receiving an issue response transmitted from the identifier issuing device as a response to the issue request, the identifier issuing device comprising: Means for generating an issuance response including an identifier to be transmitted to the issuance request source wireless communication device, and a means for transmitting the generated issuance response to the issuance request source wireless communication device when the issuance request is received; And when the wireless communication device receives an issuance response transmitted from the identifier issuance device, an identifier included in the issuance response is stored in a storage unit of the own device. And wherein the door.

  In the wireless communication system of the present application, each wireless communication device is a case where the storage unit of its own device stores the identifier issued from the identifier issuing device, and the search signal transmitted from another wireless communication device is stored. Means for determining whether or not it has data to be transmitted to the outside when received, and means for transmitting the data to a transmission source of the search signal when it is determined that it has data to be transmitted to the outside It is characterized by that.

The wireless communication device of the present application is configured to be able to communicate with a plurality of wireless communication devices via a wireless communication network, and from the identifier issuing device that is communicably connected to at least one of the plurality of wireless communication devices. In a wireless communication apparatus to which an identifier of its own apparatus is assigned in a communication network, means for accepting a predetermined operation, means for generating an issuance request for an identifier when a predetermined operation is accepted by the means, and one or more Means for receiving a search signal transmitted from another wireless communication device or the identifier issuing device for searching for a communication partner, means for detecting radio wave intensity related to the search signal received by the means, and the identifier When the radio wave intensity of the search signal received from the issuing device is greater than or equal to a threshold, the issue request is transmitted to the identifier issuing device at a first transmission speed, and the radio wave intensity is less than the threshold. If, in order to extend the radio reach, transmitted the issue request by the first lower than the transmission speed second transmission rate and means for transmitting to said identifier issuing unit, from the identifier issuing device in response to the issuance request And a means for receiving an issuance response including an identifier addressed to the own apparatus, and a means for storing an identifier included in the received issuance response.

  According to the present application, it is possible to issue a wireless device number addressed to itself from only newly installed wireless communication devices without operating two wireless communication devices.

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 block diagram which shows the internal structure of a number issuing radio | wireless machine. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by a number acquisition radio device according to the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by a number acquisition radio device according to the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by a number acquisition radio device according to Embodiment 3. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by a number acquisition radio device according to a fourth embodiment.

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,... The meter 23 is a measuring instrument that is installed in, for example, individual homes, companies, and various facilities, measures the amount of gas, water, electricity, etc., and outputs a measurement result (meter reading value). The wireless telemeter system according to the present embodiment uses wireless communication for various data output from the terminal side, such as data indicating the meter reading value of the meter 23, data indicating the operating state of the wireless master device 21 and the wireless slave device 22, and so on. One of the features is that various data including commands for controlling operations of the wireless master device 21 and the wireless slave device 22 are transmitted from the center side to the terminal side.

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

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

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

  When the wireless slave device 22 acquires the meter reading value from the meter 23 connected to the wireless slave device 22, the wireless slave device 22 transmits data indicating the meter reading value to the wireless master device 21 via the narrow area wireless network N <b> 2. Further, when the wireless master device 21 receives data transmitted from the wireless slave device 22 and when an event to be notified to the host computer 11 occurs in its 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 so that the entire device is a wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention. To function as.

  The storage unit 211 is configured by a non-volatile memory such as an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), for example, setting information regarding the operation of the own device, the wireless device number of the own device issued from the number issuing wireless device 30, Information related to the connection with the wireless slave unit 22 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 assembled with the own device, the wireless master device 21 transmits data indicating the meter reading value to the host computer 11 on the center side. When the wide-area wireless communication unit 212 acquires data to be transmitted through the control unit 210, the wide-area wireless communication unit 212 transmits the data in a format compliant with the communication standard of the wide-area wireless network N1 by driving the antenna 212a to transmit radio waves. Process.

  In addition, when the radio wave is received by the antenna 212a, the wide area wireless communication unit 212 detects the radio wave intensity of the radio wave and decodes the received radio wave to acquire data in a predetermined format. The received radio wave received by the antenna 212a includes various control commands such as an activation command from the host computer 11, for example. The wide area wireless communication unit 212 outputs the detection result of the radio wave intensity and the data obtained by decoding to the 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 pre-assembled wireless slave units 22, 22,..., 22 by a predetermined wireless communication method by transmitting or receiving radio waves through the antenna 213a. As the wireless communication method, for example, a specific low power wireless method is adopted. The narrow area wireless communication unit 213 of the wireless master device 21 intermittently transmits a beacon as a search signal for searching for the wireless slave device 22 having data to be transmitted. In addition, the narrow area wireless communication unit 213 receives the beacon transmitted from the wireless slave unit 22 and transmits the data to the transmission source of the beacon when the own apparatus has data to be transmitted.

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

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

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

  FIG. 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 meter IF 223, a display unit 224, an operation unit 225, and the like. Each part of the hardware included in the wireless slave device 22 is configured to operate with electric power supplied from the battery 229.

  The control unit 220 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, reads a control program stored in advance in the ROM into the RAM, and the CPU executes the control program 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 non-volatile memory such as an EPROM, and includes 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 association with the wireless master device 21. The information etc. are memorized.

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

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

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

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

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the number issuing radio 30. The number issuing radio device 30 includes a control unit 300, a storage unit 301, a narrow area wireless communication unit 302, a meter IF 303, a display unit 304, an operation unit 305, and the like. Each hardware unit included in the number issuing radio 30 is configured to operate with electric power supplied from the battery 309.

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

  The storage unit 301 is configured by, for example, a nonvolatile memory such as an EPROM, and stores information on the issued wireless master device 21 and the wireless slave device 22 and the issued wireless device number in association with each other.

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

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

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

  Hereinafter, the 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 device 22 is referred to as a number acquisition wireless device in the following description. The internal configuration of the number acquisition wireless device is exactly the same as that of the wireless slave device 22, but since the wireless device number issued from the number issuing wireless device 30 is not acquired, the storage unit 221 of the number acquisition wireless device has its own device. It is assumed that no radio number is stored.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the number acquisition wireless device according to the first embodiment. The control unit 220 of the number acquisition wireless device determines whether or not a predetermined operation has been received in order to shift to the number issuing mode (step S11). When the predetermined operation is not received (S11: NO), the control unit 220 stands by until the predetermined operation is received.

  When it is determined that a predetermined operation has been accepted (S11: YES), the control unit 220 starts a time measurement by operating a built-in timer (not shown) (step S12).

  Next, the control unit 220 determines whether or not a radio wave (beacon) transmitted from another wireless slave device 22 has been received through the antenna 222a of the narrow area wireless communication unit 222 (step S13). When determining that it has not been received (S <b> 13: NO), the control unit 220 executes the processing after step S <b> 16.

  When it is determined that the radio wave transmitted from the other wireless slave unit 22 has been received (S13: YES), the narrow area wireless communication unit 222 detects the radio wave intensity and decodes the received radio wave to An identifier (radio device number) is acquired (step S14). The transmission source radio number and radio wave intensity acquired by the narrow area radio communication unit 222 are notified to the control unit 220.

  The control unit 220 stores the wireless device number and the radio wave intensity notified from the narrow area wireless communication unit 222 in the storage unit 221 (step S15), and whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the built-in timer was activated in step S12. Is determined (step S16). When it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (S16: NO), the control unit 220 returns the process to step S13. When it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (S16: YES), the control unit 220 specifies the wireless slave device 22 that is the transmission source that maximizes the radio field intensity (step S17). If a radio wave transmitted from another wireless slave unit 22 is not received during a predetermined time, a warning to that effect may be notified through the display unit 224.

  Next, the control unit 220 makes an indirect number issuance request to the wireless slave unit 22 identified in step S17 in order to request issuance of an identifier (wireless unit number) addressed to itself, thereby issuing a number issuance request. It transmits to the number issuing radio | wireless machine 30 (step S18). The wireless handset 22 that has received the indirect number issuing request directly performs wireless communication with the number issuing wireless device 30 or wirelessly communicates with the number issuing wireless device 30 via another wireless handset 22. Then, a number issuance request from the number acquiring radio is transmitted to the number issuing radio 30. The number issuing radio 30 returns a number issuing response including the radio number addressed to the number acquisition radio to the radio slave unit 22 as a response to the received number issuance request. When receiving the number issuance response from the number issuing radio 30, the wireless slave unit 22 transmits the received number issuance response to the number acquisition radio.

  After transmitting the number issuance request in step S18, the control unit 220 determines whether or not a number issuance response has been received through the wireless handset 22 that has made the indirect number issuance request (step S19). If not received (S19: NO), the control unit 220 waits until a number issuance response is received.

  If it is determined that it has been received (S19: YES), the control unit 220 acquires the wireless device number addressed to itself from the number issuance response, and stores the acquired wireless device number addressed to itself in the storage unit 221 (step S21). S20).

  In the first embodiment, by performing a predetermined operation on the operation unit 225 of the number acquisition radio device, the other radio slave device 22 having the highest radio wave intensity is automatically identified, and the radio slave device 22 A radio number addressed to the own device can be acquired from the number issuing radio device 30. The number acquisition wireless device can transmit / receive various data to / from the wireless master device 21 and other wireless slave devices 22 by communicating using the acquired wireless device number.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, the radio wave intensity of a radio wave received from another radio slave unit 22 is detected, and the number issuance request is made via the other radio slave unit 22 having the maximum radio field intensity. In a situation where radio waves (beacons) transmitted from the number issuing radio 30 can be received, the number obtaining radio may be configured to directly issue a number issuing request to the number issuing radio 30.
In the second embodiment, a configuration in which a number acquisition radio device directly issues a number issue request to the number issue radio device 30 will be described. The system configuration of the wireless telemeter system, the internal configuration of the wireless master device 21 and the wireless slave device 22, and the number issuing wireless device 30 are the same as in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the number acquisition wireless device according to the second embodiment. The control unit 220 of the number acquisition wireless device determines whether or not a predetermined operation has been accepted in order to shift to the number issuing mode (step S21). When the predetermined operation is not received (S21: NO), the control unit 220 stands by until the predetermined operation is received.

  When it is determined that the predetermined operation has been accepted (S21: YES), the control unit 220 starts a time measurement by operating a built-in timer (not shown) (step S22).

  Next, the control unit 220 determines whether or not a radio wave (beacon) transmitted from the number issuing radio 30 has been received through the antenna 222a of the narrow area wireless communication unit 222 (step S23). Whether or not a radio wave transmitted from the number issuing radio 30 has been received can be determined, for example, by specifying a transmission source identifier (radio number) obtained by decoding received data.

  When determining that it has not been received (S23: NO), the controller 220 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of time measurement in step S22 (step S24). If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (S24: NO), the control unit 220 returns the process to step S23. If it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed without receiving radio waves from the number issuing radio 30 (S24: YES), the control unit 220 performs error processing such as notifying a warning through the display unit 224. (Step S25).

  If it is determined in step S23 that the radio wave transmitted from the number issuing radio 30 has been received (S23: YES), the control unit 220 transmits a number issuing request to the number issuing radio 30 through the narrow area radio communication unit 222. (Step S26).

  After transmitting the number issuance request, the control unit 220 determines whether a number issuance response returned from the number issuance radio 30 has been received (step S27). If not received (S27: NO), the controller 220 waits until a number issuance response is received.

  If it is determined that it has been received (S27: YES), the control unit 220 acquires the wireless device number addressed to itself from the number issuance response, and stores the acquired wireless device number addressed to itself in the storage unit 221 (step S21). S28).

  In the second embodiment, by performing a predetermined operation with the operation unit 225 of the number acquisition wireless device, it is possible to acquire the wireless device number addressed to itself directly from the number issuing wireless device 30. The number acquisition wireless device can transmit / receive various data to / from the wireless master device 21 and other wireless slave devices 22 by communicating using the acquired wireless device number.

(Embodiment 3)
In the third embodiment, when the radio wave from the number issuing radio 30 is higher than the predetermined strength, the number issuing radio 30 is directly requested to issue a number. A configuration for issuing a number issue request will be described.
The system configuration of the radio telemeter system, the radio master unit 21 and the radio slave unit 22, and the internal configuration of the number issuing radio unit 30 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the number acquisition wireless device according to the third embodiment. The control unit 220 of the number acquisition wireless device determines whether or not a predetermined operation has been accepted in order to shift to the number issuing mode (step S31). When the predetermined operation is not received (S31: NO), the control unit 220 waits until the predetermined operation is received.

When it is determined that the predetermined operation has been accepted (S31: YES), the control unit 220 activates a built-in timer (not shown) and starts measuring time (step S32).
Next, the control unit 220 determines whether or not a radio wave (beacon) transmitted from the number issuing radio 30 has been received through the antenna 222a of the narrow area wireless communication unit 222 (step S33). Whether or not a radio wave transmitted from the number issuing radio 30 has been received can be determined, for example, by specifying a transmission source identifier (radio number) obtained by decoding received data.

  When it is determined that the radio wave transmitted from the number issuing radio 30 has been received (S33: YES), the narrow area radio communication unit 222 detects the radio wave intensity (step S34). The radio field intensity detected by the narrow area wireless communication unit 222 is notified to the control unit 220.

  The control unit 220 determines whether or not the radio field intensity notified from the narrow area wireless communication unit 222 is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold (step S35). When the radio wave intensity is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold (S35: YES), the control unit 220 transmits a number issue request to the number issuing radio 30 through the narrow area wireless communication unit 222 (step S36).

  When it is determined in step S33 that a radio wave transmitted from the number issuing radio 30 is not received (S33: NO), or when it is determined in step S35 that the radio wave intensity is less than a predetermined threshold (S35: NO) The control unit 220 determines whether or not a radio wave (beacon) transmitted from another wireless slave device 22 has been received through the antenna 222a of the narrow area wireless communication unit 222 (step S37). When determining that it has not been received (S <b> 37: NO), the control unit 220 executes the processing after step S <b> 40.

  When it is determined that the radio wave transmitted from the other wireless slave unit 22 has been received (S37: YES), the narrow area radio communication unit 222 detects the radio wave intensity and decodes the received radio wave to An identifier (radio device number) is acquired (step S38). The transmission source radio number and radio wave intensity acquired by the narrow area radio communication unit 222 are notified to the control unit 220.

  The control unit 220 stores the wireless device number and the radio wave intensity notified from the narrow area wireless communication unit 222 in the storage unit 221 (step S39), and whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the built-in timer was activated in step S32. Is determined (step S40). When it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (S40: NO), the control unit 220 returns the process to step S37. If it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (S40: YES), the control unit 220 specifies the wireless slave device 22 of the transmission source that maximizes the radio field intensity (step S41). If a radio wave transmitted from another wireless slave unit 22 is not received during a predetermined time, a warning to that effect may be notified through the display unit 224.

  Next, the control unit 220 issues an indirect number issuance request to the wireless slave unit 22 identified in step S41 in order to request issuance of an identifier (wireless unit number) addressed to itself, thereby issuing a number issuance request. It transmits to the number issuing radio | wireless machine 30 (step S42). The wireless slave device 22 that has received the indirect number issue request transmits a number issue request from the number acquisition wireless device directly or indirectly to the number issuing wireless device 30. The number issuing radio 30 returns a number issuing response including the radio number addressed to the number acquisition radio to the radio slave unit 22 as a response to the received number issuance request. When receiving the number issuance response from the number issuing radio 30, the wireless slave unit 22 transmits the received number issuance response to the number acquisition radio.

  After transmitting the number issuance request, the control unit 220 determines whether a number issuance response returned from the number issuance radio 30 has been received (step S43). When not receiving (S43: NO), the control part 220 waits until it receives a number issue response.

  If it is determined that it has been received (S43: YES), the control unit 220 acquires the wireless device number addressed to itself from the number issuance response, and stores the acquired wireless device number addressed to itself in the storage unit 221 (step S21). S44).

  In the third embodiment, a predetermined operation is performed by the operation unit 225 of the number acquisition wireless device to determine whether or not the number issuing wireless device 30 can communicate directly with the number issuing wireless device 30. If it is possible to communicate directly with the wireless communication device 30, the wireless device number addressed to itself is acquired from the number issuing wireless device 30. In addition, when it is not possible to directly communicate with the number issuing radio device 30, the other wireless slave device 22 having the highest radio field intensity is identified, and the wireless device addressed to the own device is transmitted from the number issuing radio device 30 via the wireless slave device 22. Get the number. The number acquisition wireless device can transmit / receive various data to / from the wireless master device 21 and other wireless slave devices 22 by communicating using the acquired wireless device number.

(Embodiment 4)
In the fourth embodiment, when the radio wave from the number issuing radio 30 is less than a predetermined intensity, the number issuance request is made after reducing the transmission speed in order to extend the radio reach from the number acquiring radio. explain.
The system configuration of the radio telemeter system, the radio master unit 21 and the radio slave unit 22, and the internal configuration of the number issuing radio unit 30 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing executed by the number acquisition wireless device according to the fourth embodiment. The control unit 220 of the number acquisition wireless device determines whether or not a predetermined operation has been received in order to shift to the number issuing mode (step S51). When the predetermined operation is not received (S51: NO), the control unit 220 waits until the predetermined operation is received.

  When it is determined that the predetermined operation has been accepted (S51: YES), the control unit 220 activates a built-in timer (not shown) and starts measuring time (step S52).

  Next, the control unit 220 determines whether or not a radio wave (beacon) transmitted from the number issuing radio 30 has been received through the antenna 222a of the narrow area wireless communication unit 222 (step S53). Whether or not a radio wave transmitted from the number issuing radio 30 has been received can be determined, for example, by specifying a transmission source identifier (radio number) obtained by decoding received data.

  When determining that it has not been received (S53: NO), the controller 220 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of time measurement in step S52 (step S54). When it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (S54: NO), the control unit 220 returns the process to step S53. If it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed without receiving the radio wave from the number issuing radio 30 (S54: YES), the control unit 220 performs error processing such as notifying a warning through the display unit 224. (Step S55).

  When it is determined in step S53 that the radio wave transmitted from the number issuing radio 30 has been received (S53: YES), the narrow area wireless communication unit 222 detects the radio wave intensity (step S56). The radio field intensity detected by the narrow area wireless communication unit 222 is notified to the control unit 220.

  The control unit 220 determines whether or not the radio wave intensity notified from the narrow area wireless communication unit 222 is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold (step S57). If the radio wave intensity is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold (S57: YES), the control unit 220 transmits a number issuance request to the number issuing radio 30 through the narrow area radio communication unit 222 at the first transmission speed (step S58). .

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the radio wave intensity is less than the threshold value (S57: NO), the control unit 220 sets the transmission speed to the second transmission speed lower than the first transmission speed (step S59), and the number. An issue request is transmitted to the number issuing radio device 30 (step S60). By reducing the transmission speed, the wireless reachable distance can be extended.

  After transmitting the number issuance request, the control unit 220 determines whether a number issuance response returned from the number issuance radio 30 has been received (step S61). If not received (S61: NO), the controller 220 waits until a number issuance response is received.

  If it is determined that it has been received (S61: YES), the control unit 220 acquires the wireless device number addressed to itself from the number issuance response, and stores the acquired wireless device number addressed to itself in the storage unit 221 (step S21). S62).

  In the fourth embodiment, the radio wave intensity from the number issuing radio device 30 is confirmed by performing a predetermined operation on the operation unit 225 of the number acquisition radio device, and the radio wave intensity from the number issuing radio device 30 is equal to or greater than a threshold value. In this case, the wireless device number addressed to itself is acquired from the number issuing wireless device 30. Further, when the radio wave intensity from the number issuing radio 30 is less than the threshold, it communicates with the number issuing radio 30 by extending the radio reach by lowering the transmission speed when transmitting the issue request, Get the radio number. The number acquisition wireless device can transmit / receive various data to / from the wireless master device 21 and other wireless slave devices 22 by communicating using the acquired wireless device number.

  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 is connected to be able to communicate with a plurality of wireless communication devices (22) communicating via a wireless communication network (N2) and at least one of the plurality of wireless communication devices (22), It includes an identifier issuing device (30) that issues an identifier for identifying each wireless communication device (22) in the wireless communication network (N2), and each wireless communication device (22) is issued from the identifier issuing device (30). In the wireless communication system including the storage means (221) for storing the identifier, each wireless communication device (22) has a means (225) for accepting a predetermined operation and an identifier when the means accepts the predetermined operation. A means (220a) for generating a request to issue a request, a means (222a) for receiving a search signal transmitted from one or more other wireless communication devices (22) and searching for a communication partner, Means (222) for detecting the radio wave intensity related to the received search signal, means (220) for specifying the source of the search signal having the maximum radio wave intensity among the detected radio wave intensities, and wireless communication of the specified source Means (222) for transmitting the issue request to the identifier issuing device via a device, and means (222) for receiving an issue response transmitted from the identifier issuing device (30) as a response to the issue request. The identifier issuing device (30), when receiving the issue request, a means (301) for generating an issue response including an identifier to be transmitted to the wireless communication device that issued the issue request, and the generated issue response Means (302) for transmitting to the issuance request source wireless communication device, and the wireless communication device (22) has received an issuance response transmitted from the identifier issuing device (30) If, characterized in that the identifier contained in the published responses are to be stored in the storage means (221) of the device itself.

  In the present application, when a predetermined operation is accepted, an issuance request for an identifier is generated, the one with the highest radio wave intensity from another wireless communication device is identified, and the issuance request is transmitted via the identified wireless communication device By doing so, an identifier addressed to its own device is acquired. That is, in the present application, it is possible to issue a wireless device number addressed to itself by only operating a newly installed wireless communication device.

  In the wireless communication system of the present application, the identifier issuing device (30) includes means (302) for transmitting a search signal for searching for a communication partner to the outside, and each wireless communication device (22) includes the identifier issuing device. Means (222a) for receiving the search signal transmitted by (30), means (222) for detecting the radio wave intensity of the received search signal from the identifier issuing device (30), and the radio wave intensity of the detected search signal Means (220) for determining whether or not the search signal is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, and if the radio wave intensity of the search signal is determined to be greater than or equal to the threshold value, the issuance request is sent via another wireless communication device Without being transmitted to the identifier issuing device.

  In the present application, when the radio wave intensity from the identifier issuing device is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the identifier can be acquired directly from the identifier issuing device.

  In the wireless communication system of the present application, each wireless communication device (22) is a case where the storage unit (221) of its own device stores the identifier issued from the identifier issuing device (30), When the search signal transmitted from the communication device (22) is received, the means (220) for determining whether or not there is data to be transmitted to the outside; And a means (222) for transmitting the data to the transmission source of the search signal.

  In the present application, when an identifier addressed to the own device is stored, data can be transmitted / received to / from another wireless communication device.

  The wireless communication device of the present application can communicate with a plurality of wireless communication devices (22) via a wireless communication network (N2), and can communicate with at least one of the plurality of wireless communication devices (22). In the wireless communication device to which the identifier of its own device in the wireless communication network (N2) is given from the connected identifier issuing device (30), a means (225) for receiving a predetermined operation, and a predetermined operation by the means The means (220) for generating an identifier issuance request and the means (222a) for receiving a search signal transmitted from one or more other wireless communication devices (22) and for searching for a communication partner. And means (222) for detecting the radio wave intensity related to the search signal received by the means, means (220) for specifying the transmission source of the search signal having the maximum radio wave intensity among the detected radio wave intensity, Means for transmitting the issue request to the identifier issuing device (30) via the transmission source wireless communication device (22), and transmitted from the identifier issuing device (30) as a response to the issue request, It is characterized by comprising means (222) for receiving an issuance response including the addressed identifier and means (221) for storing the identifier included in the received issuance response.

  In the present application, when a predetermined operation is accepted, an issuance request for an identifier is generated, the one with the highest radio wave intensity from another wireless communication device is identified, and the issuance request is transmitted via the identified wireless communication device By doing so, an identifier addressed to the own device is acquired. That is, in the present application, it is possible to issue a wireless device number addressed to itself by only operating a newly installed wireless communication device.

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

Claims (3)

A plurality of wireless communication devices communicating via a wireless communication network, and an identifier for identifying each wireless communication device in the wireless communication network are issued so as to be communicably connected to at least one of the plurality of wireless communication devices In the wireless communication system including an identifier issuing device, each wireless communication device includes storage means for storing an identifier issued from the identifier issuing device.
Each wireless communication device
Means for receiving a predetermined operation;
Means for generating a request for issuing an identifier when a predetermined operation is accepted by the means;
Means for receiving a search signal transmitted from one or a plurality of other wireless communication devices or the identifier issuing device for searching for a communication partner;
Means for detecting the radio field intensity of the search signal received by the means;
When the radio wave intensity of the search signal received from the identifier issuing device is greater than or equal to a threshold, the issue request is transmitted to the identifier issuing device at a first transmission rate, and when the radio wave intensity is less than the threshold, wireless arrival Means for transmitting the issue request to the identifier issuing device at a second transmission rate lower than the first transmission rate in order to extend the distance ;
Means for receiving an issue response transmitted from the identifier issuing device as a response to the issue request,
The identifier issuing device
Means for generating an issuance response including an identifier to be transmitted to the issuance request source wireless communication device when the issuance request is received;
Means for transmitting the generated issuance response to the issuance request source wireless communication device, and
When the wireless communication device receives an issue response transmitted from the identifier issuing device, an identifier included in the issue response is stored in a storage unit of the own device. Each wireless communication device
Whether the storage unit of the device itself stores the identifier issued from the identifier issuing device, and when receiving a search signal transmitted from another wireless communication device, does it have data to be transmitted to the outside? Means for determining whether or not,
The wireless communication system according to claim 1, further comprising means for transmitting the data to a transmission source of the search signal when it is determined that the data to be transmitted to the outside is included. An identifier issuing device that is communicable with a plurality of wireless communication devices via a wireless communication network and is communicably connected to at least one of the plurality of wireless communication devices. In a wireless communication device to which an identifier is assigned,
Means for receiving a predetermined operation;
Means for generating a request for issuing an identifier when a predetermined operation is accepted by the means;
Means for receiving a search signal transmitted from one or a plurality of other wireless communication devices or the identifier issuing device for searching for a communication partner;
Means for detecting the radio field intensity of the search signal received by the means;
When the radio wave intensity of the search signal received from the identifier issuing device is greater than or equal to a threshold, the issue request is transmitted to the identifier issuing device at a first transmission rate, and when the radio wave intensity is less than the threshold, wireless arrival Means for transmitting the issue request to the identifier issuing device at a second transmission rate lower than the first transmission rate in order to extend the distance ;
Means for receiving an issue response transmitted from the identifier issuing device as a response to the issue request and including an identifier addressed to the own device;
And a means for storing an identifier included in the received issuance response.

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