JP6731971B2 - Information processing apparatus, information processing apparatus control method, information processing apparatus control program, wireless communication apparatus, wireless communication apparatus control method, and wireless communication apparatus control program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, a method for controlling the information processing device, a control program for the information processing device, a wireless communication device, a method for controlling the wireless communication device, and a control program for the wireless communication device, and particularly gas, water, electricity. The present invention relates to an information processing device and the like relating to a smart meter that measures the usage amount of the above.

Conventionally, there is a remote data collection system that collects and relays data such as meter values indicating the amount of electricity, water, gas, etc. used in each home using a wireless network and transmits it to a remote meter collection center or other data collection center. Exists (for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, with the spread of IoT (Internet of Things) in recent years, a network of multiple smart meters in the field has formed a network to collect meter reading data and control the meters, such as FAN (Field Area Network) and FAN. Development of a smart utility system using a WAN (Wide Area Network) that transmits the generated data to a remote server is underway (for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

JP, 2002-218080, A

"Wi-SUN FAN Solution in Smart City", [Online], Nisshin Systems, [Search on March 28, 2018], Internet <URL: http://www.co-nss.co.jp/solution/ sol-wisun_fan.html>

In the FAN, the information of each meter can be transmitted by using multi-hop communication between multiple meters, and the information transmitted between the lower meters is collected by the upper gateway (GW) and is transmitted via the WAN to the server. Sent to. In addition, by providing a meter with a gateway function, a highly versatile operation has been attempted in which FAN and WAN can be performed only by a meter installed in each home without using a dedicated gateway device. That is, one meter enables communication between gas meters (function as a slave unit) and wide area network communication (function as a master unit).

Here, in constructing the FAN, it is necessary to appropriately select the communication route in consideration of the surrounding environment such as a wall around the meter or a shield such as a car that may affect the communication quality of the wireless communication. Further, when a new meter is installed in the field for constructing an existing FAN, it is necessary to update the FAN to incorporate the new meter. The technique described in Patent Document 1 does not mention the construction of a FAN in consideration of the ambient environment of the meter or the update of a FAN.

Therefore, the present invention provides an information processing apparatus capable of constructing and updating a communication network between meters in consideration of the surrounding environment of the meter, a control method for the information processing apparatus, a control program for the information processing apparatus, a wireless communication apparatus, and a wireless communication apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide a control method of the above and a control program of a wireless communication device.

An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus including at least position information of a plurality of wireless communication devices that can operate in a first operation mode and a second operation mode and operate in either operation mode. Associating as an interim group that includes an acquisition unit that acquires information and a first wireless communication device that operates in the first operation mode and a second wireless communication device that operates in the second operation mode, based on the information about the position, at least To the wireless communication device selected by the selecting unit and the wireless communication device selected by the selecting unit, and the setting information is transmitted from each wireless communication device to which the setting information is transmitted. And a communication unit that receives response information regarding whether or not to set based on the above, and at least one of a plurality of wireless communication terminals included in the provisional group that includes the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device according to the response information. And a setting unit configured to set a fixed group, wherein the communication unit directly communicates with the first wireless communication device included in one fixed group, and communicates with the second wireless communication device. , At least communication via the first wireless communication device can be executed.

In the information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the acquisition unit further acquires, as device information, manager information about managers of a plurality of wireless communication devices, and the selection unit determines that the manager is based on the manager information. The same wireless communication device can be selected.

In the information processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit specifies, as setting information, a wireless communication device that operates as a first wireless communication device and a wireless communication device that operates as a second wireless communication device. To the wireless communication device, and as the response information, information about the operation mode of the wireless communication device can be received.

In the information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit transmits, as the setting information, information regarding the priority of the connection destination to the wireless communication device when the communication unit functions as the second operation mode, and as the response information. , It is possible to receive information regarding whether or not setting based on priority is possible.

In the information processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the selection unit may select a wireless communication device that is inoperable in the operation mode specified in the setting information as a wireless communication device to be associated with another provisional group. it can.

In the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the setting unit can set the fixed group when the acquisition unit acquires new device information.

In the information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the acquisition unit further acquires, as device information, information regarding the first communication strength in communication with the first wireless communication device included in the confirmed group, and the setting unit. Can set a new definite group when the first communication strength satisfies a predetermined condition.

In the information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the acquisition unit further acquires, as the device information, information regarding the second communication strength in the communication between the second wireless communication devices included in the determined group, and the setting unit, When there is communication in which the second communication strength satisfies the predetermined condition, a new fixed group can be set.

In the information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the setting unit sets the fixed group by the acquisition unit as at least one of the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device included in the fixed group as device information. This can be performed when the change information regarding the change of the operation mode is acquired.

A control method for an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention relates to at least positions of a plurality of wireless communication devices that are operable in a first operation mode and a second operation mode and that operate in either operation mode. One provisional group including an acquisition step of acquiring device information including information, and a first wireless communication device operating in the first operation mode and a second wireless communication device operating in the second operation mode based on the position information Selecting at least two wireless communication devices to be associated with each other, and transmitting the setting information regarding the configuration of the provisional group to the wireless communication devices selected in the selecting step, and transmitting the setting information. From the plurality of wireless communication terminals included in at least the provisional group according to the response information, the communication step of receiving response information regarding whether or not setting is possible based on the setting information from the first wireless communication apparatus and the second wireless communication apparatus. And a setting step of setting one fixed group including the communication step, the communication step directly performing communication with the first wireless communication device included in the fixed group, and the second wireless communication device. Communication with at least the first wireless communication device.

A control program for an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention allows the information processing apparatus to operate in a first operation mode and a second operation mode and to operate in any one of the operation modes. An acquisition function for acquiring device information including at least position information, and a first wireless communication device operating in the first operation mode and a second wireless communication device operating in the second operation mode based on the position information. Including the selection function of selecting at least two wireless communication devices to be associated as one provisional group, and the setting information regarding the configuration of the provisional group to the wireless communication device selected by the selection function, and the setting information is transmitted. And a communication function of receiving response information regarding whether or not setting is possible based on the setting information from each of the wireless communication devices, and a plurality of wireless communication terminals included in the provisional group according to the response information, And a setting function for setting one fixed group including two wireless communication devices, and the communication function directly communicates with the first wireless communication device included in the one fixed group. , And communicates with at least the second wireless communication device via the first wireless communication device.

A wireless communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is a wireless communication apparatus that is operable in a first operation mode and a second operation mode and operates in either operation mode, and when operating in the first operation mode, The first communication is executed directly with the information processing apparatus, and the second communication using a method different from the first communication is executed with another wireless communication apparatus, and the second operation mode is executed. And a second wireless communication device that performs second communication with another wireless communication device when the second information communication device operates in the first operation mode and the second wireless communication device that operates in the first operation mode. The setting information regarding the configuration of one provisional group including the second wireless communication device operating in the operation mode is received, and the response information regarding whether or not the setting based on the setting information is possible is transmitted to the information processing device.

A method of controlling a wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a method of controlling a wireless communication device that is operable in a first operation mode and a second operation mode and operates in either operation mode. When the device operates in the first operation mode, the device directly performs the first communication with the information processing device and with the other wireless communication device by using a method different from the first communication. Second communication is performed, and when the second communication mode is performed in the second operation mode, the second communication is performed with another wireless communication device, and the second information communication device operates in the first operation mode. Setting information regarding the configuration of one provisional group including one wireless communication device and a second wireless communication device operating in the second operation mode is received, and response information regarding whether or not the setting based on the setting information is possible is transmitted to the information processing device. Including the step of performing.

A control program for a wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a control program for a wireless communication device that can operate in a first operation mode and a second operation mode and that operates in either operation mode. When the device operates in the first operation mode, the first communication is directly performed with the information processing device, and the first communication is performed with another wireless communication device using a method different from the first communication. 2 is executed, and when operating in the second operation mode, a communication function for executing the second communication is realized with another wireless communication device. The setting information on the configuration of one provisional group including the first wireless communication device operating in the second mode and the second wireless communication device operating in the second operation mode, and receiving the response information on the propriety of setting based on the setting information, Send to the information processing device.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the information processing apparatus which can build and update the communication network between meters which considered the surrounding environment of a meter, the control method of an information processing apparatus, the control program of an information processing apparatus, a wireless communication apparatus, and a wireless communication apparatus. And a control program for a wireless communication device.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the communication system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram showing an example of composition of a server (information processor) concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the radio|wireless communication apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. (A), (b) is a figure explaining the group composition of the radio communication equipment concerning one embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation example of a wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the information table of the radio|wireless communication apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. (A), (b) is a figure explaining the group composition of the radio communication equipment concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a hardware block diagram which shows an example of the computer which implement|achieves the function of the information processing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 500 is a system for collecting information from meters installed in homes, businesses, facilities, etc., and remotely controlling the meters. The measurement target measured by the meter is not particularly limited, but may be gas (city gas, LP gas), water supply, petroleum, electricity, or the like, for example. In one embodiment of the present invention, the meter is not supplied with electric power from the outside and is driven by a storage battery provided inside, and its driving period is finite.

As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 500 includes a server (information processing device) 100, a meter 300 provided with a wireless communication device 200, and a network 400. Note that the wireless communication device 200 may be provided outside the meter 300 as a separate wireless communication device by being connected to an input/output I/F on the outside (not shown) of the meter 300 as illustrated. The wireless communication device 200 may be incorporated in the meter 300 as a communication board, for example. In the communication system 500, the plurality of wireless communication devices 200 configures the FAN 10, and in the illustrated example, the wireless communication devices 200Aa, 200Ab, 200Ac, and 200Ad cause the FAN 10A to operate by the wireless communication devices 200Ba, 200Bb, 200Bc, and 200Bd. , FAN 10B are configured. Here, the FAN 10A and the FAN 10B may be distinguished by different areas or may be distinguished by different meter administrators. In the latter case, the areas may overlap (details will be described later). Note that, hereinafter, when there is no particular need to make a distinction, the alphabetic characters in the reference numerals will be omitted in the description. Further, the number of wireless communication devices included in each FAN is not limited to the illustrated number.

In each FAN 10, it is assumed that the wireless communication device 200a functions as a gateway (master device: first wireless communication device), and the other wireless communication devices 200b to 200d function as slave devices (second wireless communication device). .. It should be noted that each wireless communication device 200 can operate as both a master and a slave. The wireless communication device 200a, which is a master device, can directly communicate with the server 100 via the network 400 using the first communication method. Here, the first communication method is, for example, a communication method such as LTE, LTE-Advanced, fourth generation (4G), fifth generation (5G), or CDMA. The first communication method is, for example, a wireless communication method for IoT such as Category M, Category M1, and NB-IoT (Narrow Band IoT), and is an extended LTE communication method. Note that the first communication method is not limited to these examples. The slaves 200b to 200d perform communication (data transmission) with other slaves and the master using the second communication method. The first communication method is, for example, a communication method (public radio) that requires a license under the Radio Law. Here, the second communication method is, for example, a specific low-power wireless method of performing communication using the 920 MHz band. The specific low-power wireless system that communicates using the 920 MHz band is, for example, a communication system based on the Wi-SUN communication standard or a communication of a wireless communication standard that operates on IEEE 802.15.4 such as Zigbee (registered trademark). It is a method. Note that the second communication method is not limited to the 920 MHz band, and any communication band may be used for communication. The second communication method is, for example, a communication method that does not require a license under the Radio Law. The first communication method and the second communication method are different from each other in the frequency band of radio waves used for communication, for example.

The server 100 has a function of configuring and updating the FAN based on the installation location of each meter 300 and the administrator (business operator). Here, “update” refers to changing the communication path between the wireless communication devices 200 in the existing FAN, or configuring a FAN in which the wireless communication device 200 is newly incorporated. The server 100 also has a function as an IoT-PF (platform) that processes information of each meter 300 transmitted from each wireless communication device 200 and transfers necessary data to an administrator of the meter (not shown). The information of each meter 300 is a measurement value (meter reading value) of the measurement target, and indicates a usage amount of the measurement target in a predetermined period (for example, one day, one week, one month, etc.) and a remaining amount of the measurement target. It may be data. Further, the information of each meter 300 may be data (for example, gas leakage) indicating an abnormality of the measurement target. In the figure, two servers 100 are shown, but the number is not limited to this. Note that the server 100 may be any device as long as it is an information processing device that can realize the functions described in the embodiments, and examples thereof include a server device and a computer (for example, without limitation, a desktop, a laptop, Tablet, etc.), communication platform, etc. may be included.

Here, the necessity of FAN will be described as an example. As described above, the FAN is a system that forms a network with a plurality of smart meters in the field and collects meter reading data and controls the meters. The multi-hop communication between the wireless communication devices in the FAN makes it possible to transmit the information of the meter installed in the place where the radio waves of the WAN are hard to reach to the IoT-PF. As described above, since the storage battery of the meter is finite, each wireless communication device is not supplied with electric power from the outside, and the driving period is finite. However, the master device has standby power for accepting polling from the IoT-PF, and transmission power for transmitting to the IoT-PF the meter reading values of the slave devices and the self device connected to the master device. It has the feature that it is necessary and consumes more power than the slave unit.

Here, in the present embodiment, since each wireless communication device forming the FAN can operate as both a master unit and a slave unit, by rotating the role of the master unit in the FAN, the battery in the FAN can be changed. Expected to smooth consumption. Therefore, forming a FAN between wireless communication devices is not only from the viewpoint of the communication environment, but also from the viewpoint of power consumption as compared with the case where each wireless communication device communicates with the IoT-PF on the WAN. It is advantageous.

The description of FIG. 1 will be continued. The network 400 may include a wireless network or a wired network. Specifically, the network 400 includes a wireless LAN (wireless LAN: WLAN), a wide area network (WAN), ISDNs (integrated service digital networks), wireless LANs, LTE (long term evolution), LTE-Advanced, The fourth generation (4G), the fifth generation (5G), CDMA (code division multiple access), and the like. The network 400 is not limited to these examples. For example, the public switched telephone network (PSTN), Bluetooth (registered trademark), optical line, ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber LINE) line, satellite. It may be a communication network or the like, and may be any network. Further, the network 400 may be a combination of these. Further, the network 400 may include a plurality of different networks combining these examples. For example, the network 400 may include an LTE wireless network and a wired network such as an intranet that is a closed network.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the server 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the server 100 includes a control unit 110, a communication I/F unit 120, an input/output I/F unit 130, and a storage unit 140.

First, the storage unit 140 is typically realized by various recording media such as an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), and a flash memory, and various programs necessary for the server 100 to operate and It has the function of storing data. The storage unit 140 also stores information (device information) about the FANs that communicate with the server 100 and about the wireless communication device 200 and the meter 300 that form each FAN. FIG. 7 shows an example of the FAN information table stored in the storage unit 140. As shown in FIG. 7, the storage unit 140 stores, in the storage unit 140, a device ID that is an identifier capable of uniquely identifying each wireless communication device 200, designation of a master unit/slave unit for each wireless communication device 200, and a wireless communication device 200 of each wireless communication device 200. Position information, a meter ID that is an identifier that can uniquely identify the meter 300, a meter administrator ID related to the administrator of the meter 300, a network ID required for the first communication method, and a FAN including the wireless communication device 200. The network ID and the like necessary for the second communication method for performing the communication are stored. The information stored in the storage unit 140 is not limited to that shown and described above. The network ID required for the first communication method is, for example, an IP address or a telephone number. The network ID required for the second communication method is, for example, a FAN network ID.

The control unit 110 is a processor having a function of controlling each unit of the server 100 by a code or a command in a program. The control unit 110 includes a communication control unit 111, an acquisition unit 112, a selection unit 113, a setting unit 114, a determination unit 115, and an input/output control unit 116. The communication control unit 111 controls communication via the communication I/F unit 120. The communication I/F unit 120 is an interface connected to a communication device (not shown) such as an antenna. The communication I/F unit 120 has a function of communicating data with an external device such as the wireless communication device 200 via a communication line of a mobile communication network. The input/output control unit 116 controls connection with a display device (display or the like) or an input/output device (keyboard, touch panel, or the like) not shown via the input/output I/F unit 130. The determination unit 115 performs various determination processes.

The acquisition unit 112 acquires device information including at least information regarding positions of a plurality of wireless communication devices 200 that are operable in the first operation mode and the second operation mode and operate in either operation mode. Information regarding the location may be entered by the installer of meter 300 via a predetermined application. For example, when the installer installs the meter 300, the installation location of the meter 300 may be transmitted to the server 100 by an operation on the map information application started on a tablet or a smartphone. Alternatively, the GPS (Global Positioning System) information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 215 included in the wireless communication device 200 may be transmitted to the server 100.

Since it is preferable that the FAN is configured for the same meter 300, the acquisition unit 112 uses the administrator as the device information regarding the manager associated with the information transmitted from the plurality of wireless communication devices 200. Information may be acquired. Here, the information transmitted from the wireless communication device 200 is the information of the meter 300 described above, and the administrator information regarding the administrator associated with the information transmitted from the wireless communication device 200 is the information of the meter 300. This is information about a manager (management company). The administrator information may be, for example, an identifier that can uniquely identify the administrator of the meter 300. The administrator information can be appropriately transmitted from a wireless terminal such as a tablet or a smartphone owned by the administrator when installing the meter or when the administrator of the existing meter is changed. For example, the meter 300 may be provided with a QR code that represents a device ID that can uniquely identify the meter 300, and an administrator may read the QR code with a wireless terminal and transmit the QR code to the server 100. As a result, the association between the meter 300 and the administrator is transmitted to the server 100 and stored in the storage unit 140.

Further, since the communication quality in the FAN is affected by the surrounding environment of the wireless communication device 200, it is preferable to appropriately update the FAN according to the change in the surrounding environment. The acquisition unit 112 further acquires, as device information, information regarding the first communication strength in communication between the server 100 and the wireless communication device (master device: first wireless communication device) 200 operating in the first operation mode. May be. Further, the acquisition unit 112 may acquire, as the device information, information regarding the second communication strength in the communication between the wireless communication devices (slave units: second wireless communication devices) operating in the second operation mode.

The selection unit 113 is a provisional group including a first wireless communication device operating in the first operation mode and a second wireless communication device operating in the second operation mode, based on the information about the position acquired by the acquisition unit 112. Select at least two wireless communication devices to be associated with. This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4A shows that the wireless communication devices 200 a to 200 e whose physical positions are close to each other are selected by the selection unit 113 and are associated with each other as the provisional group 11 based on the information on the position. The selection unit 113 can select the wireless communication device 200, for example, based on the condition that 20 wireless communication devices of the operator A are selected within a radius of 2 km in a certain area. In addition, the selection unit 113 also selects a wireless communication device that functions as a first wireless communication device (master device) and a wireless communication device that functions as a second wireless communication device (slave device) in the provisional group 11. Here, the parent device can be selected based on conditions such as good communication quality, new installation time, and short distance to another wireless communication device. Information for establishing communication with each wireless communication device 200 is provided to the server 100 in advance by an installer or administrator. The information for establishing communication may be information such as a network ID, a USIM (Universal Subscriber Identity Module) of the wireless communication device 200, and an eSIM (embedded SIM).

The communication control unit 111 transmits, to each of the wireless communication devices 200 selected by the selection unit 113 as the provisional group 11, setting information regarding the configuration of the provisional group including designation of a parent device and a child device. The number of hops in multi-hop communication (designation of the connected slave unit) is also transmitted to the slave unit. For example, in FIG. 4, the setting information transmitted to the wireless communication device 200a includes (1) designation information for causing the wireless communication devices 200b to 200e to function as master devices, and (2) connection as slave devices. Information regarding the connection destinations of the wireless communication devices 200b to 200e to be connected is included. Further, in the setting information transmitted to the wireless communication device 200b, at least (1) designation information for causing the wireless communication device 200a to function as a slave device to which the wireless communication device 200a is connected in the upper stage, and (2) connection in the lower stage of the own device. The information about the wireless communication device 200d, which is a child device to be created, is included. The setting information is transmitted from the server 100 to each wireless communication device 200 using the first communication method. Here, in the example of FIG. 4A, a shield (for example, a wall) 50 is present around the wireless communication device 200e, and is good with other wireless communication devices 200 included in the provisional group 11. Communication paths cannot be established. However, since the surrounding environment of the wireless communication device 200e cannot be grasped only by the information on the position, the selection unit 113 selects the provisional group 11.

Here, when each wireless communication device 200 receives the setting information from the server 100, each wireless communication device 200 tries whether the setting based on the setting information is possible. For example, each wireless communication device 200 transmits, for example, a predetermined beacon signal to the child device designated to connect to itself, and waits for a response. Upon receiving the beacon signal, the child device transmits a response signal to the upper wireless communication device 200 to which the child device connects. The wireless communication device 200 designated as the master device receives the response signal from the slave device connected to the lower stage of the self device. Then, the communication control unit 111 receives response information regarding whether or not setting is possible based on the setting information from each wireless communication device 200 after a certain period of time has passed. Note that the response information may be transmitted from each wireless communication device 200 using the first communication method, or may be transmitted using the first communication method via the newly configured FAN master unit. Good. Here, the wireless communication device 200e cannot receive a beacon signal from another wireless communication device 200 in the provisional group 11 or, even if it can receive the beacon signal, the radio field intensity is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value and constitutes a FAN. Suppose that the condition is not met. Therefore, the response signal from the wireless communication device 200e becomes information indicating "no" with respect to the setting information.

The setting unit 114 sets one fixed group including the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device from at least a plurality of wireless communication terminals included in the provisional group according to the response information. In the example of FIG. 4B, the regular FAN 12 is configured by the wireless communication devices 200a to 200d. Information about the FAN 12 is stored in the storage unit 140. Then, the communication control unit 111 executes direct communication with the first wireless communication device (master device) 200a included in the finalized group FAN12, and with the second wireless communication devices (slave devices) 200b to 200d. In between, communication is performed via the first wireless communication device (master device) 200a.

Note that the hop count in multi-hop communication (designation of the connected slave device) included in the setting information may include a plurality of conditions to which a predetermined priority is assigned. For example, in FIG. 4, as the setting information transmitted to the wireless communication device 200d, (1) designation information for causing the wireless communication device 200b to function as a slave device with the upper connection destination, (2) the wireless communication device 200c, The designation information for causing the device to function as the connection destination in the upper stage may be transmitted in the order of priority (1) and (2). The wireless communication device 200d first attempts to establish a communication path with the wireless communication device 200b as a connection destination, and the communication path is not established (there is no response from the wireless communication device 200b, the communication quality is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold, etc.). In this case, an attempt is made to establish a communication path with the wireless communication device 200c as a connection destination. As the priority, for example, the wireless communication device 200 having a short distance from the wireless communication device 200d may be prioritized. Alternatively, the strength of the radio wave of the second communication method may be reflected in the priority. As a response information from the wireless communication device 200d, the communication control unit 111 receives the information of the wireless communication device of the connection destination when the communication path is established. If the communication path has not been established with any of the wireless communication devices, the response information “NO” is received for the setting information.

As described above, since information regarding a plurality of communication route candidates is transmitted to the wireless communication device 200 functioning as a slave, it is possible to set an appropriate route according to the surrounding environment of the wireless communication device 200. Become.

The wireless communication device 200e that is not included in the FAN 12 may be selected as the provisional group 13 with another wireless communication device, and may be set to be included in another FAN by the above process. Alternatively, the wireless communication device 200e not included in the FAN 12 may be set to directly communicate with the IoT-PF by using the first communication method without forming the FAN. Note that the wireless communication device 200, which has not been able to make the setting based on the setting information, may retry the setting (establishing the communication circuit) based on the setting information every predetermined period. Then, when the number of trials exceeds a predetermined number, it may be included in another FAN.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the FAN is provisionally configured based on the position information of the wireless communication device 200, the FAN configuration is determined based on the response information, and an appropriate FAN configuration is established. To be searched. Therefore, it is possible to configure the FAN in consideration of the actual surrounding environment. Further, even for a wireless communication device 200 that has not been incorporated in a certain FAN, control for incorporating it in another FAN may be performed. Therefore, it is possible to configure an efficient communication network without surplusing the installed meters.

Note that the selection unit 113 may select the wireless communication device 200 having the same administrator as the wireless communication device associated with the provisional group based on the above-described administrator information. Therefore, for example, in FIG. 4A, even if there is a wireless communication device (not shown) that can be included in the provisional group 11 due to the physical distance, it may not be selected as the provisional group 11. .. Thereby, an appropriate FAN can be provided for each manager.

As described above, the setting information includes information that specifies the wireless communication device that operates as the first wireless communication device and the wireless communication device that operates as the second wireless communication device. The communication control unit 111 receives, as response information, information about the operation mode of the device itself (whether the operation mode is the first operation mode or the second operation mode) from each wireless communication device that has received the setting information. May be. In other words, the response information is information indicating whether the operation mode specified by the setting information has been realized. This makes it possible to appropriately select a wireless communication device to function as a master or a slave when actually configuring the FAN.

Next, the wireless communication device 200 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a wireless communication device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the wireless communication device 200 includes a control unit 210, a communication I/F unit 220, an input/output I/F unit 230, and a storage unit 240.

The storage unit 240 is typically realized by various recording media such as an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), and a flash memory, and various programs and programs necessary for the wireless communication device 200 to operate. It has the function of storing data. The storage unit 240 stores, for example, a driver program, an operating system program, an application program, data and the like used for various processes in the control unit 210. For example, the storage unit 240 stores, as the driver program, a communication driver program that executes a wireless communication method of the IEEE 802.11 standard or a wireless communication method of mobile communication (cellular communication). The storage unit 240 also stores a connection control program and the like for performing authentication and the like in the wireless communication system of the IEEE 802.11 standard and the wireless communication system of the mobile communication (cellular communication). Further, the storage unit 240 may store various kinds of information for connecting to an access point of a wireless LAN. In addition, the storage unit 240 stores information related to the meter and its own device (for example, meter ID, wireless communication device ID, position information, administrator information, network ID, information on USIM, eSIM, etc.) and performs predetermined processing. The temporary data (communication history, meter reading value by the meter, FAN configuration data, etc.) relating to the above may be temporarily stored.

The control unit 210 has a function of executing a predetermined function according to a code or an instruction in a program, and is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU). The control unit 210 may be, for example, a microprocessor, a multiprocessor, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field-programmable gate array), or the like. The control unit 210 is not limited to these examples. The control unit 210 includes a communication control unit 211, an acquisition unit 212, a determination unit 216, and an input/output control unit 217.

The communication control unit 211 controls communication with another wireless communication device or the server 100 via the communication I/F unit 220, and performs, for example, digital processing for transmitting and receiving data. The communication I/F unit 220 is a communication interface capable of transmitting/receiving data to/from another wireless communication device 200 or the server 100 via the network 400. The communication I/F unit 220 is, for example, a communication interface capable of wireless communication, and has a function of communicating via an access point of a wireless LAN and a function of communicating via a wireless communication network such as LTE and CDMA. May be included. Here, the communication I/F unit 220 includes a first communication unit 221 and a second communication unit 222. The first communication unit 221 and the second communication unit 222 are communication interfaces for communication using the above-described first communication system and second communication system, respectively.

The input/output control unit 217 controls communication with the meter 300 via the input/output I/F unit 230. When the meter 300 is a gas meter, for example, the input/output I/F unit 230 is an interface of an N line or U bus that is a unique communication standard, and is also an interface that is compatible with U bus air that is a communication system between gas meters. Is. When the wireless communication device 200 is realized as a communication board, it can be installed by being installed in an existing gas meter by including the above interface. Note that the meter 300 is not limited to gas, and the input/output I/F unit 230 may be any interface as long as it is incorporated into a meter such as water supply.

The acquisition unit 212 includes a communication quality acquisition unit 213, a battery remaining amount acquisition unit 214, and a position information acquisition unit 215. The communication quality acquisition unit 213 acquires information about the communication quality between the device itself and the other wireless communication device 200 or the server 100. The information about communication quality may be information about received signal strength, transmission/reception delay, and the like. That is, the communication quality acquisition unit 213 can respectively acquire the radio wave intensity related to the first communication and the radio wave intensity related to the second communication. The battery remaining amount acquisition unit 214 acquires information regarding the battery remaining amount of a battery (not shown) that supplies power to the wireless communication device 200. The battery remaining amount may be obtained from the voltage, the temperature, or the like, the communication history of the wireless communication device 200, or the like, or may be obtained by maintenance and inspection by the administrator. The position information acquisition unit 215 acquires information (position information) regarding the installation position of the wireless communication device 200. The position information may be acquired from the GPS signal, such as latitude or longitude, or may be acquired by an administrator inputting an address at the time of installation.

Next, the processing of the server 100 described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the acquisition unit 112 acquires device information including information regarding the position of each wireless communication device 200 (step S11). The selection unit 113 selects at least two wireless communication devices 200 to be associated as a provisional group (step S12). The process from step S12 may be performed every time the acquisition unit 112 acquires the device information, or the wireless communication device corresponding to the device information acquired by the acquisition unit 112 and that newly configures the FAN. It may be performed when the number of 200 becomes a predetermined number or more. The predetermined number may be freely set by the meter administrator. The communication control unit 111 transmits the setting information to the wireless communication device 200 selected by the selection unit 113 (step S13). Then, the response information regarding whether or not the setting based on the setting information is possible is received from the wireless communication device 200 (step S14). The setting unit 114 sets the definite group forming the FAN according to the response information (step S15). Information indicating that the setting is completed by the setting unit 114 is transmitted to each wireless communication device included in the FAN. After that, the server 100 directly communicates with the wireless communication device (master device) 200 in the first operation mode and communicates with the wireless communication device 200 in the second operation mode at least in the first operation mode. Communication is performed via the wireless communication device (master device) 200 (step S16).

Here, the processing of the wireless communication device 200 described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The communication control unit 211 receives the setting information from the server 100 (step S21). The determination unit 216 determines whether or not the setting based on the setting information is possible (step S22). The determination unit 216 determines whether the setting based on the operation mode of the own device 200 or the designation of the connection destination included in the setting information is possible. That is, communication is executed in the designated operation mode, and an attempt is made to establish a communication path with the connection destination. When the setting based on the setting information is possible (step S22: YES), the operation mode according to the setting information is executed (step S23). When the setting based on the setting information is not possible (step S22: NO), the operation mode that can be performed by the own device is executed (step S24). Then, the communication control unit 211 transmits the response information to the server 100 (step S25). The “operation mode possible in the own device” described in step S24 may be the third mode, not the parent device or the child device. If NO in step S22, the wireless communication device 200 transmits the response information indicating that the setting based on the setting information is impossible without executing the operation of step S24 to the server 100. Good. Alternatively, if NO in step S22, the wireless communication device 200 indicates response information indicating that a possible execution mode is proposed (for example, the radio wave intensity of the first communication method or the radio wave intensity of the second communication method is indicated. Information, etc.) may be transmitted to the server 100.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the FAN is provisionally configured based on the position information and the administrator information of the wireless communication device 200, and the FAN configuration is determined based on the response information. Therefore, it is possible to configure the FAN in consideration of the actual surrounding environment.

The setting unit 114 sets the fixed group configured as the FAN (that is, a series of processes by the selection unit, the communication control unit, and the setting unit among the above-described function units), and the acquisition unit 112 sets new device information. It may be performed when acquired. This will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 8A, when the FAN 12 is configured and operated, it is assumed that a new meter including the wireless communication device 200f is installed. In this case, the acquisition unit 112 acquires the device information of the wireless communication device 200f, and the selection unit 113 selects the wireless communication devices 200a to 200d and the wireless communication device 200f as one provisional group. The selection unit 113 selects a wireless communication device to function as a master device from the wireless communication devices 200a to 200f, and generates setting information for setting a multi-hop communication circuit having the master device as an apex. The generated setting information is transmitted to each of the wireless communication devices 200a to 200f, each of the wireless communication devices 200a to 200f attempts to establish a communication path based on the setting information, and transmits response information regarding the constructed FAN 14 to the server 100. To do. In the example of FIG. 8B, the FAN 14 having the wireless communication device 200f as a new master device is constructed. Then, the storage unit 140 stores information about the new FAN 14.

Thus, according to one embodiment of the invention, the existing FAN configuration is updated with the participation of the new meter. At that time, since the FAN is provisionally assembled and the FAN is constructed in consideration of the surrounding environment of the meter, it is possible to prevent power consumption by a circuit having low communication quality.

Note that when new device information is acquired by the acquisition unit 112, the provisional group does not necessarily have to include all the wireless communication devices configuring the existing FAN, and the new wireless communication device 200f and the existing FAN do not have to be included. The provisional group may be configured with a part of the wireless communication devices configuring the.

In addition, when the acquisition unit 112 acquires new device information, the server 100 may set only the added new wireless communication device 200f as a provisional member. For example, the server 100 transmits only the wireless communication device 200f the setting information that causes it to function as a slave. The wireless communication device 200f can attempt to establish communication according to the setting information transmitted from the server 100 and return response information to the server 100. When the establishment of the communication fails, the communication may be set to directly communicate with the server 100 by the first communication method (WAN), or the process for incorporating into another FAN may be tried.

Here, the criteria of which wireless communication device is selected as the next master unit when the master unit is replaced in the FAN will be described. Note that, regardless of the remaining battery level, each wireless communication device 200 is replaced within 10 years after installation. Therefore, not only the battery level, radio wave intensity, and communication frequency but also "how many years will the wireless communication device reach 10 years" be taken into consideration as the base unit selection criteria? To do. That is, the server 100 selects the parent device based on the remaining battery level, the radio field intensity, the communication frequency, and the number of years that have passed since the installation. For example, when there are two base unit candidates in which the remaining battery level, the radio field intensity, and the communication frequency are substantially equal to each other, the server 100 preferentially selects the wireless communication device 200 having a long number of years since installation as the base unit. You may.

A specific example will be described. First, it is assumed that there are two wireless communication devices 200G and 200H as candidates for the next parent device, and there is no difference in radio field intensity and communication frequency between the two. The wireless communication device 200G is "1 year has passed since installation (9 years remaining, remaining battery level is 90%)", and the wireless communication device 200H is "8 years has been passed since installation (2 years remaining), remaining battery level is 50%". When the battery remaining amount is used as a reference, the wireless communication device 200G having a battery remaining amount of 90% may be selected as the next parent device. However, the wireless communication device 200H is to be replaced in the remaining two years, and the phenomenon of completely consuming 50% of the battery in the remaining two years is unlikely to occur. On the other hand, the wireless communication device 200G has a long remaining number of years, and in the future, there is a possibility that the radio wave intensity will weaken and high power will be required for communication. Therefore, when the wireless communication device 200H is selected as the master device, the power of the entire FAN can be used more efficiently than the wireless communication device 200G.

Although the present invention has been described based on the drawings and the embodiments, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make various variations and modifications based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these variations and modifications are included in the scope of the present invention. For example, the functions and the like included in each means and each step can be rearranged so as not to logically contradict each other, and a plurality of means and steps can be combined or divided into one. .. In addition, the configurations described in the above embodiments may be combined as appropriate. For example, each component described as being included in the server 100 may be distributed and realized by a plurality of servers. The processing described as the function of the server 100 may be performed by the wireless communication device 200. Conversely, the process performed by the wireless communication device 200 may be performed by the server 100.

Specifically, the remaining battery level of the meter 300, the communication quality of the wireless communication device 200, and the like may be determined by the server 100. Further, the parent device that has collected the information of the child device may determine the remaining battery level, communication quality, and the like.

Although one embodiment of the invention according to the present invention has been described, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the above description, the aspect in which the information about the FAN is stored in the storage unit 140 of the server 100 or the storage unit 240 of the wireless communication device 200 has been described, but the various types of information are different from those of the server 100 and the wireless communication device 200. May be stored as a database in the memory.

Moreover, although the aspect which performs the multi-hop communication in FAN by a tree structure was demonstrated above, a mesh structure may be sufficient. Furthermore, the update of the FAN may be triggered by a change in the communication quality of the communication path or a change in the operation mode of the wireless communication device 200. Further, the number of wireless communication devices 200 included in the FAN may be updated (divided) with the trigger that the upper limit value of the number of individuals forming the FAN is reached. Further, the case where the administrator of the meter is changed may be used as the trigger.

Here, a case where the FAN is updated by using a change in the communication quality of the communication path as a trigger will be described. For example, when the FAN 10A shown in FIG. 1 is configured and operated, the communication quality of the communication path of the wireless communication device 200Aa, which is the master device, is, for example, installation of a shield, reduction of the remaining battery level, and device failure. Suppose that the situation has deteriorated. This can be detected by the server 100, for example, from the radio field intensity, device information, and the like. In this case, the server 100 performs the process of replacing the parent device in the FAN 10A (that is, the process of selecting the parent device based on the remaining battery level, the radio field intensity, the communication frequency, and the number of years elapsed since the installation), as described above. It can be carried out. Alternatively, the selection unit 113 of the server 100 selects the wireless communication device included in the FAN 10A and another wireless communication device that is close in distance as a provisional group, and selects the wireless communication device to function as the master device as described above. However, the setting information for setting the multi-hop communication circuit having the parent device as the apex may be generated. Alternatively, another FAN (for example, the FAN 10B in FIG. 1) may be tried to be incorporated into the FAN 10B if the wireless communication device included in the FAN 10A can be incorporated. Although the communication quality of the parent device has been described above, similar processing may be performed for the communication quality of the child device. For example, when the communication quality of the upper child device is deteriorated, the FAN may be updated so that the lower child device connected to the child device is connected to another child device.

The change in the communication quality of the communication path includes not only the deterioration but also the case where the communication quality is good. For example, a wireless communication device that cannot operate as a master device due to a surrounding obstacle such as a wall may improve communication quality by removing the obstacle. In this case, the server 100 can configure a FAN that operates the wireless communication device as a master device, or can update the FAN to which the wireless communication device belongs.

Further, a case will be described in which the FAN is updated by using the change of the operation mode of the wireless communication device 200 as a trigger. For example, an administrator may switch a wireless communication device that was functioning as a slave to a master, or switch a wireless communication device that was functioning as a master to a slave. In this case, when the server 100 receives the information regarding the change in the operation mode of the wireless communication device, the server 100 can update the FAN or configure a new FAN by the above-described processing.

Each functional unit of the server 100 may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) or a dedicated circuit formed in an integrated circuit (IC (Integrated Circuit) chip, LSI (Large Scale Integration)) or the like, or a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and may be realized by software. Further, each functional unit may be realized by one or a plurality of integrated circuits, and the functions of a plurality of functional units may be realized by one integrated circuit.

FIG. 9 shows a hardware configuration showing an example of a computer 20 that can realize the server 100 according to the present embodiment. When each functional unit of the server 100 is implemented by software, the server 100 stores a CPU 24 that executes instructions of a program that is software that implements each function, the program and various data so that the computer (or CPU) can read them. A ROM (Read Only Memory) 26 or a storage device (these are referred to as a "recording medium") 27, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 25 for expanding the program, and the like are provided. Then, the computer 20 (or the CPU 24) reads the program from the recording medium and executes the program to achieve the object of the present invention. That is, in the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present invention, the CPU 24 executes the program loaded on the RAM 25, so that the communication control unit 111, the acquisition unit 112, the selection unit 113, the setting unit 114, the determination unit 115, and the input/output. It functions as the control unit 116. As the recording medium, a "non-transitory tangible medium" such as a semiconductor memory or a programmable logic circuit can be used. Further, the program may be supplied to the computer via any transmission medium (communication network, broadcast wave, etc.) capable of transmitting the program. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the above program is embodied by electronic transmission.

Note that the above program is, for example, a scripting language such as ActionScript, JavaScript (registered trademark), Python, or Ruby, C language, an object-oriented programming language such as C++, C#, Objective-C, Swift, Java (registered trademark), or the like. It can be implemented using markup languages such as HTML5.

100 server (information processing device)
200 wireless communication device 300 meter 400 network 500 communication system 10 FAN
11,13 Provisional group FAN
12 Confirmed group FAN
110 control unit 111 communication control unit 112 acquisition unit 113 selection unit 114 setting unit 115 determination unit 116 input/output control unit 120 communication I/F unit 130 input/output I/F unit 140 storage unit 50 shield 210 control unit 211 communication control unit 212 acquisition unit 213 communication quality acquisition unit 214 battery remaining amount acquisition unit 215 position information acquisition unit 216 determination unit 217 input/output control unit 220 communication I/F unit 221 first communication unit 222 second communication unit 230 input/output I/F unit 240 storage

Claims (14)

An acquisition unit that acquires device information including at least information about positions of a plurality of wireless communication devices that are operable in the first operation mode and the second operation mode and that operate in either operation mode;
At least two wireless communication devices associated with each other as one provisional group including a first wireless communication device operating in the first operation mode and a second wireless communication device operating in the second operation mode based on the information on the position. A selection section for selecting
To the wireless communication device selected by the selection unit, the setting information regarding the configuration of the provisional group is transmitted, and from each wireless communication device to which the setting information is transmitted, the response information regarding whether or not the setting based on the setting information is possible. A communication unit for receiving,
A setting unit configured to set one fixed group including the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device from at least a plurality of wireless communication terminals included in the provisional group according to the response information;
Equipped with
The communication unit directly communicates with the first wireless communication device included in the one finalized group, and at least the first wireless communication device with the second wireless communication device. run the communication via the,
The information processing apparatus , wherein the selection unit selects a wireless communication apparatus to be associated with another temporary group from a plurality of wireless communication terminals included in the temporary group based on the response information . The acquisition unit further acquires administrator information regarding an administrator associated with information transmitted from the plurality of wireless communication devices as the device information,
The selection unit selects a wireless communication device having the same administrator based on the administrator information,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The communication unit transmits, as the setting information, information designating a wireless communication device that operates as the first wireless communication device and a wireless communication device that operates as the second wireless communication device, to the wireless communication device, As the response information, information about the operation mode of the wireless communication device is received,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that. The communication unit as the setting information, when the function as the second operation mode, the information about the priority of the destination is transmitted to the wireless communication device, as the response information, the setting based on the priority Receive information about availability,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The selecting unit selects a wireless communication device inoperable in the operation mode specified in the setting information as a wireless communication device to be associated with another provisional group,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The setting of the fixed group by the setting unit is performed when new device information is acquired by the acquisition unit,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The acquisition unit further acquires, as the device information, information about a first communication strength in communication with the first wireless communication device included in the confirmed group,
When the first communication strength satisfies a predetermined condition, the setting unit sets a new fixed group,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that. The acquisition unit further acquires, as the device information, information about a second communication strength in communication between the second wireless communication devices included in the determined group,
If there is communication in which the second communication strength satisfies a predetermined condition, the setting unit sets a new fixed group,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that. The setting of the fixed group by the setting unit is a change regarding the change of the operation mode of at least one of the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device included in the fixed group as the device information by the acquisition unit. Done when information is obtained,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that. An acquisition step of acquiring device information including at least information regarding positions of a plurality of wireless communication devices operable in the first operation mode and the second operation mode and operating in any one of the operation modes;
At least two wireless communication devices associated with each other as one provisional group including a first wireless communication device operating in the first operation mode and a second wireless communication device operating in the second operation mode based on the information on the position. A first selection step of selecting
To the wireless communication device selected in the selecting step, the setting information regarding the configuration of the provisional group is transmitted, and the response information regarding the propriety of setting based on the setting information is transmitted from each wireless communication device to which the setting information is transmitted. The communication step to receive,
A setting step of setting one fixed group including the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device from at least a plurality of wireless communication terminals included in the provisional group according to the response information;
A second selecting step of selecting a wireless communication device to be associated with another temporary group from a plurality of wireless communication terminals included in the temporary group according to the response information;
Including
In the communication step, direct communication is performed with the first wireless communication device included in the one finalized group, and at least the first wireless communication device is performed with the second wireless communication device. A method for controlling an information processing device, which executes communication via a computer. In the information processing device,
An acquisition function for acquiring device information including at least information regarding positions of a plurality of wireless communication devices operable in the first operation mode and the second operation mode and operating in either operation mode;
At least two wireless communication devices associated with each other as one provisional group including a first wireless communication device operating in the first operation mode and a second wireless communication device operating in the second operation mode based on the information on the position. Select function to select,
To the wireless communication device selected by the selection function, the setting information regarding the configuration of the provisional group is transmitted, and the response information regarding the propriety of setting based on the setting information is transmitted from each wireless communication device to which the setting information is transmitted. Communication function to receive,
A setting function for setting one fixed group including the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device from at least a plurality of wireless communication terminals included in the provisional group according to the response information;
Is realized,
The communication function directly communicates with the first wireless communication device included in the one finalized group, and at least the first wireless communication device with the second wireless communication device. run the communication via the,
The selection function is a control program for an information processing device , which executes selection of a wireless communication device to be associated with another temporary group from a plurality of wireless communication terminals included in the temporary group based on the response information . A wireless communication device capable of operating in a first operation mode and a second operation mode and operating in either operation mode,
When operating in the first operation mode, the first communication is directly performed with the information processing apparatus, and the second communication is performed with another wireless communication apparatus using a method different from the first communication. The communication of the
A communication unit that executes the second communication with another wireless communication device when operating in the second operation mode,
The communication unit is
Receiving from the information processing device setting information regarding the configuration of one provisional group including a first wireless communication device operating in the first operation mode and a second wireless communication device operating in the second operation mode; the response information on setting whether based on the setting information, and transmits to the information processing apparatus, based on the response information, the wireless communication device receiving the setting information about the configuration of other interim groups. A method for controlling a wireless communication device operable in a first operation mode and a second operation mode and operating in either operation mode, comprising:
The wireless communication device is different from the first communication in direct communication with the information processing device and with the other wireless communication device when operating in the first operation mode. Performing second communication using a method, and executing the second communication with another wireless communication device when operating in the second operation mode,
Receiving from the information processing device setting information regarding the configuration of one provisional group including a first wireless communication device operating in the first operation mode and a second wireless communication device operating in the second operation mode; A step of transmitting, to the information processing device, response information regarding whether or not setting is possible based on the setting information ;
Receiving setting information on the configuration of another provisional group from the information processing device based on the response information . A control program for a wireless communication device that is operable in a first operation mode and a second operation mode and that operates in either operation mode,
In the wireless communication device,
When operating in the first operation mode, the first communication is directly performed with the information processing apparatus, and the second communication is performed with another wireless communication apparatus using a method different from the first communication. Communication is executed, and when operating in the second operation mode, a communication function for executing the second communication with another wireless communication device is realized.
The communication function is
Setting information relating to the configuration of one provisional group including a first wireless communication device operating in the first operation mode and a second wireless communication device operating in the second operation mode is received from the information processing device; Response information about whether or not the setting based on the setting information is transmitted to the information processing device ,
A control program for a wireless communication device , which causes the information processing device to receive setting information regarding the configuration of another provisional group based on the response information .

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