JP6660133B2 - Wireless communication system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention includes a management device, a control device, and a wireless device in an intranet system using a local connection, a dedicated line, or the like or a wired / wireless Internet environment. The present invention relates to a wireless communication system capable of extending use permission time and controlling use prohibition.

  Patent Document 1 discloses that when the elapsed time from the start of use of the wireless device exceeds the normal operation time, that is, when the maximum operation time, which is the use period of the wireless device, becomes short, A warning sound is emitted, so that the communication partner can know in advance that the time during which the wireless device can communicate is short, so that if communication with the user of the wireless device is interrupted, the communication period will be longer. A wireless communication system has been disclosed that can determine whether the communication is due to an elapse of time or is due to an unexpected situation, and that the communication partner can prompt the user of the wireless device to update the usage period. I have.

  Further, the wireless communication system of Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of wireless devices 100, a plurality of control devices 200, and a management device 300, and the management device 300 is configured to be connected to the control device 200 via a network.

JP 2013-179411 A

However, in the conventional wireless communication system as disclosed in Patent Literature 1, it is necessary that a communication path (VPN (Virtual Private Network) connection) of an application is always secured between a management device (server) and a control device (client). , On which communication required by the application was carried out.
In the case of implementing a VPN connection, the number of communication packets for securing a communication path for the VPN connection tends to increase, and on the client side, the amount of packet data and the communication charge may increase in a wireless Internet environment. Had been a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and controls VPN connection / disconnection from a client (control device) application only when performing communication required by the client (control device) application. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication system capable of limiting a VPN connection time to a minimum necessary time and reducing a data amount (the number of packets).

  In order to achieve the above object, a wireless communication system according to the present invention includes a management device that registers and manages availability of a wireless device and a control device, and receives the wireless device availability information from the management device, In a wireless communication system including a control device that controls availability of a wireless device and a wireless device that operates based on the availability control from the control device, the control device includes the management device A VPN connection is performed at predetermined time intervals, communication regarding various information is performed, and the VPN connection is disconnected after a predetermined VPN connection time has elapsed.

  In order to achieve the above object, a wireless communication system according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above wireless communication system, the various information is the availability information of the control device or the wireless device. .

  In order to achieve the above object, a wireless communication system according to the present invention, in the above wireless communication system, wherein the management device performs control of extending the usable time of the control device or the wireless device and prohibiting use thereof. It is characterized by performing.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the wireless communication system according to the present invention, in the above wireless communication system, the predetermined VPN connection time is set in accordance with a maximum value of a necessary information amount acquired by the control device. It is characterized in that it can be automatically set or arbitrarily set.

  In order to achieve the above object, the wireless communication system according to the present invention, in the above wireless communication system, when the number of lost or stolen in a specific wireless device deployment area is large, the predetermined time interval is set short. The frequency of information transmission is increased to reduce the frequency of information transmission by setting the predetermined time interval longer if the loss or theft is small.

  Further, in order to achieve the above object, a wireless communication system according to the present invention, in the above wireless communication system, wherein the predetermined time interval is determined by using information on a lost or stolen specific wireless device deployment area. It can be set automatically or arbitrarily.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the wireless communication system according to the present invention, in the above wireless communication system, individual or all of the control devices designated by the management device do not disconnect the VPN at the next connection. It is characterized by setting.

  Further, in order to achieve the above object, the wireless communication system according to the present invention, in the above wireless communication system, when performing remote maintenance of the control device from the management device, individually or all of the control device Thus, the setting is made not to disconnect the VPN.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the wireless communication system according to the present invention, in the above wireless communication system, the management device may be configured so that the predetermined time interval and / or the predetermined VPN connection time Is set.

  According to the present invention, VPN connection time is controlled from the client (control device) application only when the communication required by the client (control device) application is executed, so that the VPN connection time can be minimized. It is possible to provide a wireless communication system that can limit the time and reduce the data amount (the number of packets).

1 is a configuration diagram of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating functions of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for explaining an outline of processing of VPN connection control between a control device and a management device in a radio communications system concerning one embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart of a VPN connection control process of the control device in the wireless communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an example of a control device VPN connection setting screen in a management device in a wireless communication system concerning one embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of wireless devices 10, a plurality of control devices 20, and a management device 30. It is connected to a local connection, an intranet system using a dedicated line or the like, or a wired / wireless Internet, and is connected via a communication path 50 based on a VPN (Virtual Private Network).

  The management device 30 stores identification information (usability identification information) of the wireless device 10 and the control device 20 to be prohibited from being used, and VPN connection management information at the time of VPN connection with the control device 20. The management device 30 is connected to the control device 20 via the communication path 50 based on the VPN connection management information, and refers to the availability information to determine whether or not the control device 20 is designated as a use prohibition device. It is determined that the activation process by the control device 20 is prohibited when the device is designated as the use prohibition device.

The control device 20 activates the nearby wireless device 10 and sets a normal operation time (for example, 7 days) and an emergency operation time (for example, 1 day) for the wireless device 10. Note that the time obtained by adding the normal operation time and the emergency operation time is the maximum operation time of the wireless device 10, and the period from the activation time to the lapse of the maximum operation time is the wireless device 10. This is the communication usage period.
Further, when receiving an activation request from the wireless device 10, the control device 20 determines whether or not the wireless device 10 is designated as a use prohibited device. The use of the wireless device 10 is prohibited.

  The wireless device 10 activates by communicating with any one of the control devices 20, and is permitted to transmit and receive wireless audio signals to and from another wireless device 10 during a use period set by the control device 20. .

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating functions of the wireless communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
The management device 30 includes a control unit 31, a display unit 32, an operation unit 33, a storage unit 34, and a network communication unit 35.

The storage unit 34 stores identification information (usability identification information) of the wireless device 10 to be prohibited and the control device 20 to be prohibited, and VPN connection management information at the time of VPN connection with the control device 20. Here, the control device 20 to be prohibited from use includes, for example, the stolen control device 20 and the like.
The control unit 31 includes a VPN connection setting unit 31a and an availability notification unit 31b. The control unit 31 uses the network communication unit 35 to transmit use permission information indicating use prohibition to the control device 20 having the same identification information as the use permission identification information stored in the storage unit 34 by the use notification unit 31b. I do. In addition, the control unit 31 uses the availability notification unit 31b to notify the control device 20 having the identification information not stored in the storage unit 34 of the availability information indicating permission of use and the usage information stored in the storage unit 34. The identification information of the wireless device 10 to be prohibited is transmitted by the network communication unit 35. Further, the control unit 31 instructs the network communication unit 35 to perform a VPN connection with the control device 20 based on the VPN connection management information in the storage unit 34.
The control unit 31 sets a VPN connection interval and a VPN connection time for each control device 20 by the VPN connection setting unit 31 in accordance with an instruction operation from the operation unit 33 by the administrator in a method described later, and sets the set VPN. The connection management information is registered in the storage unit 34.

  The network communication unit 35 communicates with the control device 20 via a communication path 50 based on a VPN connection. Further, the network communication unit 35 records the log information of the wireless communication system in the storage unit 34 based on the response of the permission / inhibition notification information received from the control device 20 and the information on the activation process.

  The control device 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a network communication unit 23, and a wireless communication unit 24.

The network communication unit 23 communicates with the management device 30 via the communication path 50 through the VPN connection, and receives the use enable / disable identification information indicating whether the own device can be used and the identification information of the wireless device 10 to be prohibited from being used. I do. Here, the wireless device 10 to be prohibited from use includes, for example, a stolen wireless device 10 or a lost wireless device 10. Further, the network communication unit 23 records the received identification information in the storage unit 22.
The storage unit 22 stores identification information of the wireless device 10 to be prohibited from being used.

The control unit 21 includes an activation unit 21a and an availability setting unit 21b. The control unit 21 receives an activation request from the wireless device 10 via the wireless communication unit 24 by the activation unit 21a. When the identification information of the wireless device 10 is not stored in the storage unit 22 by the activation unit 21a, the control unit 21 transmits an activation instruction including a predetermined normal operation time and an emergency operation time to the wireless communication unit 24. To send through.
The control unit 21 controls the operation of the own device by the availability setting unit 21b based on the availability identification information of the own device received from the management device 30 via the network communication unit 23.

  The wireless communication unit 24 performs communication with the wireless device 10 at the same frequency used when performing voice communication between the wireless devices 10. The signal output by the wireless communication unit 24 is weaker than the signal used by the wireless device 10 for voice communication.

  The wireless device 10 includes a control unit 11, a display unit 12, a timer unit 13, an audio input unit 14, an audio output unit 15, and a wireless communication unit 16.

  The wireless communication unit 16 performs wireless communication with the control device 20 for activation. In addition, the wireless communication unit 16 performs wireless communication with another wireless device 10 while the clock unit 13 is counting down. Specifically, when the call button of the wireless device 10 is pressed while the timer 13 is counting down, the wireless communication unit 16 converts the audio signal received by the audio input unit 14 into a wireless signal. The data is converted and transmitted to another wireless device 10. On the other hand, if the call button of the wireless device 10 is not pressed while the time counting unit 13 is counting down, the wireless communication unit 16 converts the wireless signal received from the other wireless device 10 into an audio signal and outputs the audio signal. Output to the output unit 15.

  The control unit 11 includes the availability setting unit 11a, stores the normal operation time and the emergency operation time included in the activation instruction received by the wireless communication unit 16 from the control device 20 in the internal memory, and activates the timekeeping unit 13 The counting of the elapsed time from the reception time of the instruction (information indicating permission to use) is started. Communication between the wireless device 10 and the control device 20 is possible irrespective of whether or not the timer unit 13 counts down.

The timer 13 starts counting down the normal operation time from the time when the wireless communication unit 16 receives the activation instruction. When the countdown of the normal operation time ends, the timer unit 13 starts counting down the emergency operation time. The time measurement by the time measurement unit 13 is performed by a built-in clock (not shown), and the time measurement is continued even when the power of the wireless device 10 is shut off.
The display unit 12 displays the remaining time of the normal operation time or the remaining time of the emergency operation time on which the timer 13 counts down on the display.

The voice input unit 14 receives an input of a voice signal from a microphone, and transmits the voice signal to another wireless device 10 via the wireless communication unit 16.
The audio output unit 15 receives the audio signal from the wireless communication unit 16 and outputs the audio signal via a speaker.

[VPN connection control in wireless communication system]
Next, VPN connection control in the wireless communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a VPN connection control process between the control device and the management device in the wireless communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In step S101, the control device 20 issues a VPN connection request to the management device 30.
In step S102, in the VPN connection state, the information acquired by the control device 20 from the management device 30 is use identification information indicating permission / prohibition of use of the wireless device 10 and the control device 20, and the like. It may be determined according to the update frequency of the registration information in the management device 30, and may be made variable by transmitting and setting information from the management device 30 to the control device 20.
For example, if there is a lot of loss or theft in the area where the specific wireless device 10 is deployed, the VPN connection interval is set shorter by setting, and the frequency of information transmission is increased. Set a longer interval. The VPN connection interval may be automatically set by using such lost / stolen statistical information of the specific area.

In step S103, after the VPN connection is established, the control device 20 acquires information from the management device 30, and after the completion of the information acquisition, disconnects the VPN after a predetermined VPN connection time (for example, 30 minutes) elapses. The predetermined VPN connection time may be determined according to the maximum value of the required data amount, and may be automatically set and variable based on the statistical information up to now.
In step S104, after a predetermined connection interval (for example, 8 hours) elapses after the VPN disconnection, the control device 20 sends a VPN connection request to the management device 30 again.
Steps S101 to S104 described above are repeatedly performed.

  Due to the system configuration, a configuration is conceivable in which a VPN connection cannot be made from the management device 30 to the control device 20, and individual or all control devices 20 specified by the management device 30 do not disconnect the VPN at the next connection. It may be.

[VPN connection control by control device]
Next, VPN connection control processing of the control device in the wireless communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a VPN connection control process of the control device in the wireless communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
In step S201, it is checked whether the VPN connection time has elapsed. If the VPN connection time has not elapsed (NO), the process returns to step S201, and if the VPN connection time has elapsed (YES). ) Advances the process to step S202.
In step S202, a VPN connection process is performed on the management device 30.
In step S203, a process of acquiring information from the management device 30 is performed.
In step S204, a VPN disconnection timer is set. Note that the time of the disconnection timer is automatically set according to the maximum value of the necessary data amount and past statistical information.
In step S205, it is checked whether the VPN disconnection time has elapsed. If the VPN disconnection time has not elapsed (NO), the process returns to step S205, and if the VPN connection time has elapsed (YES). Proceeds to step S206.
In step S206, a VPN disconnection process for the management device 30 is executed.
In step S207, a VPN connection timer is set. Note that the time of the connection timer may be automatically set based on the information acquired in step S203.

Here, in the wireless communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention, a setting / registration method when the management apparatus 30 performs the VPN connection setting with the control apparatus 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a control device VPN connection setting screen in the management device in the wireless communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
When the management device 30 performs the VPN connection setting with the control device 20, a VPN connection setting screen 500 shown in FIG. First, the device ID 501, the VPN connection interval 502, and the VPN connection time 503 of the control device 20 are set. In each field of the VPN connection interval 502 and the VPN connection time 503, a value may be directly input, or a candidate value may be formed into a pull-down menu and selected from the pull-down menu.

As shown in the setting column 511, the device ID 001 is a device having a basic setting value (VPN connection interval: 8 hours, VPN connection time 30 minutes).
As shown in the setting column 512, the device ID 002 is a device in which the past transmission / reception data amount is small, and the VPN connection time is shorter than the basic setting value and is automatically set.
As shown in the setting column 513, the device ID 003 is a device that has a large amount of past transmission / reception data and is automatically set so that the VPN connection time is longer than the basic setting value.
As shown in the setting column 514, the device IDs 004 to 006 are devices in which the number of lost or stolen areas is small according to past statistical data, and the VPN connection intervals are automatically set longer than the basic setting value.
As shown in the setting column 515, the device IDs 007 to 009 are devices that are frequently lost or stolen in the area based on past statistical data, and the VPN connection interval is automatically set shorter than the basic setting value.
As shown in the setting column 516, the device ID 010 is a device that is set not to be disconnected in order to perform remote maintenance from the management device 30.
The operation button 521 is a check box for switching between setting whether or not to perform automatic time setting.
The operation button 522 is a button for saving when the setting value is changed.
The operation button 523 is a button for canceling without changing the setting value when the setting value is changed.

  As described above, according to the wireless communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the control of the VPN connection / disconnection is performed only when the communication required by the client (control device) application is executed. By implementing from an application, it is possible to provide a wireless communication system capable of limiting the VPN connection time to a minimum necessary time and reducing the data amount (the number of packets).

Further, by controlling connection / disconnection of the VPN from the control device, the VPN connection time can be limited to a minimum necessary time, and the amount of packets and packet communication charges can be reduced.
Also, the setting of the VPN connection interval and the VPN connection time may be the same for all the control devices for each control device, or according to the past data communication volume and specific information (alert area), etc. The time can be manually or automatically variably set individually, and more detailed connection control can be performed.
If it is necessary to perform remote maintenance of the control device from the management device, a setting may be made so that the VPN connection is continued without disconnecting the VPN for all control devices or individual control devices.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying constituent elements in an implementation stage without departing from the scope of the invention. Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment.

  The present invention constructs a wireless communication system including a plurality of wireless devices, a plurality of control devices, and a management device, wherein the control device and the management device are connected by a communication path of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). Used by manufacturers that do.

10: Wireless device, 11: Control unit, 11a: Usability setting means, 12: Display unit, 13: Clock unit, 14: Voice input unit, 15: Voice output unit, 16: Wireless communication unit, 20: Control device, 21: control unit, 21a: activation means, 21b: availability setting means, 22: storage unit, 23: network communication unit, 24: wireless communication unit, 30: management device, 31: control unit, 31a: VPN connection setting means , 31b: use availability notification means, 32: display unit, 33: operation unit, 34: storage unit, 35 network communication unit, 50: communication path, 500: VPN connection setting screen, 501: device ID, 502: VPN connection interval , 503: VPN connection time, 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, 516: setting column, 521, 522, 523: operation button.

Claims (7)

A management device for registering and managing the availability of the wireless device and the control device;
A control device that receives the availability information of the wireless device from the management device, and controls the availability of the wireless device,
A wireless device that operates based on the availability control from the control device,
From the time at which the wireless device receives the use request instruction, to start the countdown of the normal operation time, when the countdown of the normal operation time is finished, a timer that starts the countdown of the emergency operation time,
A display unit that displays the remaining time of the normal operation time or the remaining time of the emergency operation time on the display, where the timer unit counts down,
In a wireless communication system composed of
The control device performs a VPN connection to the management device at predetermined time intervals, performs communication related to various information, and disconnects the VPN connection after a predetermined VPN connection time elapses ,
The control device includes availability setting means, stores the normal operation time and the emergency operation time included in the use request instruction received by the wireless device from the control device in an internal memory, and sends the use request instruction to the timer. It starts counting the time elapsed from the reception time, and when there is a request for availability information from the wireless device, it is determined whether or not the wireless device is designated as a prohibited device. In a case, the use request processing by the control device is prohibited .   2. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the various information is information indicating whether the control device or the wireless device is usable.   3. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the management device performs control of extending a usable time of the control device or the wireless device and prohibiting use of the control device or the wireless device. 4. The wireless communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the predetermined VPN connection time, determined according to the maximum value of the necessary amount of information the control unit acquires, set in the automatic setting or any A wireless communication system characterized by being enabled. 5. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the individual or all of the control devices designated by the management device are configured not to disconnect the VPN at the next connection. 6. Communications system. The wireless communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when performing remote maintenance of the control device from the management device, a setting for not disconnecting a VPN for each or all of the control devices. A wireless communication system characterized by: 7. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the management device sets the predetermined time interval and / or the predetermined VPN connection time for each of the control devices. 8. Wireless communication system.