JP6845088B2 - Wireless communication equipment, wireless telemeter system, and control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a wireless communication device, a wireless telemeter system, and a control method.

Wireless telemeter systems developed for meter reading of gas, water, electricity, etc. are known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). The wireless telemeter system includes a host computer, a center network control device, and the like as a configuration on the center side, and a wireless master unit, a wireless slave unit, and the like as a configuration on the terminal side. Communication is possible between the host computer on the center side and the wireless master unit on the terminal side via a wide area communication network such as a public telephone network, PHS (Personal Handyphone System) network, or FOMA (Freedom Of Mobile multimedia Access) network. Will be done. The wireless master unit on the terminal side and each wireless slave unit are connected so as to be communicable via a narrow-range wireless network in a specific frequency band (for example, 920 MHz band). Further, it is also known that one or a plurality of relay radios are installed between the radio master unit and the radio slave unit, and communication is performed via the relay radios.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-0255888 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-176011

However, in the conventional wireless telemeter system, when a communication failure occurs between the host computer on the center side and the wireless slave unit on the terminal side, it is difficult to identify the location where the communication failure has occurred at an early stage. For example, conventionally, in order to identify a location where a communication failure has occurred, a data setting device is connected to a wireless slave unit or a relay wireless device, and route information is read and read from a memory provided in the wireless slave unit or the relay wireless device. It was necessary to identify the location of the communication failure by analyzing the route information.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication device, a wireless telemeter system, and a control method capable of identifying a location where a communication failure occurs at an early stage.

The wireless communication device of the present application is connected to a wireless communication network, and data including measured values measured by a meter is sent to a predetermined destination device via one or a plurality of relay devices arranged in the wireless communication network. In the wireless communication device in the wireless telemeter system for transmission, a light emitting unit whose light emitting mode is determined corresponding to each of the relay devices arranged on the communication path from the own device to the destination device, and the inside of the wireless communication network. When there is a change in the communication path, a relay device corresponding to the changed part is specified, and a control unit for causing the light emitting unit to emit light in a light emitting mode determined corresponding to the specified relay device is provided.

According to the present application, the location where the communication failure occurs can be identified at an early stage.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of a wireless telemeter system. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the wireless master unit which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the relay radio which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the wireless handset which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of the hop number table. It is a flowchart explaining the procedure of the process which a wireless handset executes at the time of confirming the number of relay stages. It is a schematic diagram which shows the display example of the number of relay stages. It is a flowchart explaining the procedure of the process which a wireless handset executes at the time of notifying a change part on a communication path. It is a schematic diagram which shows the display example of the changed part. It is explanatory drawing explaining the allocation of the LED lamp to each radio. It is explanatory drawing explaining the allocation of the LED lamp to each radio.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments thereof.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a wireless telemeter system. The wireless telemeter system according to the present embodiment includes a host computer 11 and a center-side network control device 12 as a center-side configuration, and has a wireless master unit 21, relay radios 22A to 22E, and wireless as a terminal-side configuration. A slave unit 23 is provided. A meter 24 is connected to the wireless slave unit 23. The meter 24 is a measuring instrument installed for each consumer such as a private house, measures the amount of gas, water, electricity, etc. used, and outputs a measured value (meter reading value) which is a measurement result.

The center-side network control device 12 is connected to a wide-area wireless network N1 such as a PHS network or a FOMA network, and wirelessly communicates with the terminal-side wireless master unit 21 via the wide-area wireless network N1. In the present embodiment, the center-side network control device 12 and the wireless master unit 21 are connected to the wide area wireless network N1, but may be connected by a wired communication network.

The center-side network control device 12 has a function of controlling communication with the terminal side via the wide area wireless network N1. When the data to be transmitted from the host computer 11 to the terminal side is input from the center side network control device 12, the center side network control device 12 transmits the data to the terminal side by a communication method compliant with the communication standard of the wide area wireless network N1. Further, when the center side network control device 12 receives the data transmitted from the terminal side via the wide area wireless network N1, the center side network control device 12 transmits the received data to the host computer 11.

The wireless master unit 21, the relay radios 22A to 22E, and the wireless slave unit 23 on the terminal side form a narrow area wireless network N2. These wireless master units 21, relay radios 22A to 22E, and wireless slave units 23 each perform wireless communication with an appropriate communication partner in accordance with the communication standard of the narrow area wireless network N2. For example, 900 MHz band wireless communication can be used as wireless communication conforming to the communication standard of the narrow area wireless network N2. The communication path in the narrow area wireless network N2 is configured to be autonomously determined with reference to a hop number table or the like described later. In the present embodiment, the following description will be given assuming that the communication path via the relay radios 22A, 22B, 22C is set as the communication path between the wireless master unit 21 and the wireless slave unit 23 at the time of initial installation. ..

When the wireless slave unit 23 acquires the meter reading value from the meter 24, or when an event to be notified to the center side occurs, the wireless slave unit 23 sends data including the meter reading value data, information to be notified, etc. to a predetermined destination device (host). Send to computer 11). The data transmitted from the wireless slave unit 23 is transmitted to the wireless master unit 21 via a communication path via the relay radios 22C, 22B, 22A. When the wireless master unit 21 receives the data transmitted from the wireless slave unit 23 from the relay radio unit 22A, the wireless master unit 21 communicates with the center side via the wide area wireless network N1 and transmits the received data to the center side. The data from the wireless slave unit 23 transmitted from the wireless master unit 21 reaches the host computer 11 via the wide area wireless network N1 and the center side network control device 12.

In the present embodiment, a narrow area wireless network N2 consisting of one wireless master unit 21, five relay radios 22A to 22E, and one wireless slave unit 23 will be described, but the number of each installed is Is not limited to that shown in FIG. For example, a plurality of wireless master units 21 capable of communicating with the center side may be installed in the narrow area wireless network N2. Further, more relay radios and wireless slave units may be installed in the narrow area wireless network N2, and the narrow area wireless network N2 may form a cascade type or mesh type network.

Further, the relay radios 22A, 22B, and 22C do not have to be relay-dedicated radios, and may be configured to include an interface for connecting a meter and each have a function of a radio slave unit. Further, the wireless slave unit 23 does not need to be installed at the most downstream of the communication path in the narrow area wireless network N2, but is installed in the middle of the communication path and has a function of relaying a signal from another wireless slave unit or a relay device. It may have.

In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the relay radios 22A, 22B, and 22C, the relay radio 22 is also described at the end. Further, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the wireless master unit 21, the relay radios 22A to 22E, and the wireless slave unit 23, it is also simply described as a radio.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the wireless master unit 21 according to the first embodiment. The wireless master unit 21 includes a control unit 210, a storage unit 211, a wide area wireless communication unit 212, a narrow area wireless communication unit 213, a display unit 214, an operation unit 215, and the like. Each part of the hardware included in the wireless master unit 21 is configured to operate with electric power supplied from a battery or a commercial power source (not shown in the figure).

The control unit 210 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only memory), and the like, and the CPU executes a control program stored in the ROM in advance to control the entire device. Further, the control unit 210 may have functions such as a clock for measuring the time, a timer for measuring the elapsed time from giving the measurement start instruction to giving the measurement end instruction, and a counter for counting the number.

The storage unit 211 is composed of, for example, a non-volatile memory such as an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), and includes setting information regarding the operation of the own unit and a communication partner (for example, a relay radio 22A) paired with the own unit. Stores the identifier of. Further, the storage unit 211 includes a hop number table that stores the number of hops from the own unit to each radio unit. The details of the hop number table will be described later.

The wide area wireless communication unit 212 transmits or receives radio waves through the antenna 212a to perform wireless communication via the wide area wireless network N1. For example, when the wireless master unit 21 receives the meter reading value data transmitted from the wireless slave unit 23 in the narrow range wireless communication unit 213, or when an event to be notified to the center side such as a decrease in battery voltage occurs. In the above, the control unit 210 generates a signal conforming to the communication standard of the wide area wireless network N1, and drives the antenna 212a of the wide area wireless communication unit 212 to transmit radio waves, thereby performing a process of transmitting the signal.

Further, when the wide area wireless communication unit 212 receives a radio wave by the antenna 212a, the wide area wireless communication unit 212 acquires a signal conforming to the communication standard of the wide area wireless network N1 by decoding the received radio wave. The wide area wireless communication unit 212 outputs the decoded signal to the control unit 210. When the control unit 210 acquires the signal output from the wide area wireless communication unit 212, the control unit 210 performs various controls based on the signal.

By transmitting or receiving radio waves through the antenna 213a, the narrow-range wireless communication unit 213 performs wireless communication with the paired communication partner by a communication method compliant with the communication standard of the narrow-range wireless network N2. As the wireless communication performed by the narrow range wireless communication unit 213, for example, wireless communication in the 920 MHz band can be used.

The display unit 214 is composed of light emitting elements such as an LED lamp (LED: Light Emitting Diode), and notifies workers who perform installation work and maintenance work based on a control signal output from the control unit 210. Display the information to be done.

The operation unit 215 is composed of various switches and buttons such as DIP switches, and receives various setting operations by, for example, an operator who performs installation work or maintenance work. The control unit 210 performs various controls based on the setting contents input from the operation unit 215, and stores the setting contents in the storage unit 211 as needed.

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

Further, the wireless master unit 21 may include a connection portion for connecting a meter 24 for measuring the amount of gas, water, electricity, and the like used. In this case, the wireless master unit 21 can acquire the meter reading value from the meter 24 connected to the connection portion and transmit the acquired meter reading value to the center side.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the relay radio 22 according to the first embodiment. The relay radio 22 includes a control unit 220, a storage unit 221, a narrow range wireless communication unit 222, a meter IF 223, a display unit 224, an operation unit 225, and the like. Each part of the hardware included in the relay radio 22 is configured to operate by electric power supplied from a battery or a commercial power source (not shown in the figure).

The control unit 220 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, and the like, and the CPU executes a control program stored in advance in the ROM to make the entire device function as one of the relay devices according to the present invention. Further, the control unit 220 may have functions such as a clock for measuring the time, a timer for measuring the elapsed time from giving the measurement start instruction to giving the measurement end instruction, and a counter for counting the number.

The storage unit 221 is composed of, for example, a non-volatile memory such as an EPROM, and stores setting information related to the operation of the own machine, an identifier of a paired communication partner, and the like. Further, the storage unit 221 includes a hop number table that stores the number of hops from the own unit to each radio unit. The details of the hop number table will be described later.

By transmitting or receiving radio waves through the antenna 222a, the narrow-range wireless communication unit 222 performs wireless communication with the paired communication partner by a communication method compliant with the communication standard of the narrow-range wireless network N2. As the wireless communication performed by the narrow range wireless communication unit 222, for example, wireless communication in the 920 MHz band can be used.

The meter IF223 is an interface for connecting a meter 24 that measures the amount of gas, water, electricity, and the like used. When the meter IF223 acquires the meter reading value from the connected meter 24, the meter IF 223 sends a signal indicating the meter reading value to the control unit 220.

The display unit 224 is composed of an LED lamp or the like, and displays information to be notified to an operator or the like performing installation work or maintenance work based on a control signal output from the control unit 220.

The operation unit 225 is composed of various switches and buttons such as DIP switches, and receives various setting operations by, for example, an operator who performs installation work or maintenance work. The control unit 220 performs various controls based on the setting contents input from the operation unit 225, and stores the setting contents in the storage unit 221 as needed.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the wireless slave unit 23 according to the first embodiment. The wireless slave unit 23 includes a control unit 230, a storage unit 231, a narrow-range wireless communication unit 232, a meter IF 233, a display unit 234, an operation unit 235, and the like. Each part of the hardware included in the wireless slave unit 23 is configured to operate by the electric power supplied from the battery (not shown in the figure).

The control unit 230 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, and the like, and the CPU executes a control program stored in advance in the ROM to make the entire device function as one of the wireless communication devices according to the present invention. Further, the present invention is not only realized by the wireless slave unit 23, but also a program that executes characteristic processing of the wireless master unit 21, the relay radio unit 22, the wireless telemeter system including the wireless slave unit 23, and the wireless slave unit 23. , The program can be realized by a recording medium (storage unit 231) in which the program is readablely recorded. The control unit 230 may have functions such as a clock for measuring the time, a timer for measuring the elapsed time from giving the measurement start instruction to the measurement end instruction, and a counter for counting the number.

The storage unit 231 is composed of, for example, a non-volatile memory such as an EPROM, and stores setting information related to the operation of the own machine, an identifier of a paired communication partner, and the like. Further, the storage unit 231 includes a hop number table that stores the number of hops from the own unit to each radio unit.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a hop number table. In the hop number table, the identifiers of a plurality of radios including the own unit are stored in association with the number of hops up to each radio identified by the identifiers. Here, the identifier of the radio may be identification information unique to each radio assigned individually, or may be arbitrary identification information subsequently given in the narrow area radio network N2. Good. The number of hops is represented by the number of radios passing from the own unit to the target radio. The number of hops of the own device is 0, and the number of hops of the adjacent wireless device capable of direct wireless communication with the own device is 1. FIG. 5 shows a hop number table included in the wireless slave unit 23. In the hop number table included in the wireless slave unit 23, since the number of hops of the wireless slave unit 23 is 0, the number of hops (= 0) is stored in association with the identifier of the wireless slave unit 23. Further, since the relay radio 22C in which the wireless slave unit 23 can directly perform wireless communication has one hop number, the number of hops (= 1) is stored in association with the identifier of the relay radio 22C. Similarly, the number of hops of the relay radios 22B and 22A and the radio master unit 21 are 2, 3 and 4, respectively, and these identifiers and the number of hops are associated and stored in the hop number table.

The hop count table is created as follows. The radio (new radio) newly installed in the narrow area radio network N2 shall include a hop number table in which the identifier of the new radio and the number of hops (= 0) are associated with each other. The new radio acquires the hop number table from the adjacent radio at an appropriate timing after installation, and transmits its own hop number table to the adjacent radio. The hop number table acquired from the adjacent radio includes, for example, the identifier and the number of hops of each radio passing from the adjacent radio to the radio master 21. By updating its own hop number table based on the hop number table acquired from the adjacent radio, the new radio has the number of hops including the information of each radio on the communication path from the own unit to the wireless master unit 21. You can create a table. In addition, the existing radios in the narrow area radio network N2 including the adjacent radios are newly installed by registering the identifier of the new radio and the number of hops up to the new radio in the hop number table stored by each. You can create a hop count table that contains radio information.

The narrow-range wireless communication unit 232 included in the wireless slave unit 23 of FIG. 4 conforms to the communication standard of the narrow-range wireless network N2 with the paired communication partner by transmitting or receiving radio waves through the antenna 232a. Wireless communication is performed by the communication method. As the wireless communication performed by the narrow range wireless communication unit 232, for example, wireless communication in the 920 MHz band can be used.

The meter IF233 is an interface for connecting a meter 24 for measuring the amount of gas, water, electricity, and the like used. When the meter IF233 acquires the meter reading value from the connected meter 24, the meter IF 233 sends a signal indicating the meter reading value to the control unit 230.

The display unit 234 includes, for example, LED lamps 234A to 234D (see FIG. 7), and should notify a worker performing installation work or maintenance work based on a control signal output from the control unit 230. Display information.

The operation unit 235 is composed of various switches and buttons such as DIP switches, and receives various setting operations by, for example, an operator who performs installation work or maintenance work. The control unit 230 performs various controls based on the setting contents input from the operation unit 235, and stores the setting contents in the storage unit 231 as necessary.

Hereinafter, the operation when the number of relay stages is confirmed by the wireless slave unit 23 will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing executed by the wireless slave unit 23 when confirming the number of relay stages. The control unit 230 of the wireless slave unit 23 determines whether or not the confirmation instruction of the number of relay stages has been received (step S101). When the operation unit 235 receives a predetermined operation (for example, an operation involving switching of the first DIP switch) for giving a confirmation instruction of the number of relay stages, the control unit 230 receives the confirmation instruction of the number of relay stages. It can be judged that it was. When the confirmation instruction of the number of relay stages is not received (S101: NO), the control unit 230 waits until the instruction is received.

When it is determined that the confirmation instruction of the number of relay stages has been received (S101: YES), the control unit 230 refers to the hop number table stored in the storage unit 231 and specifies the number of relay stages (step S102). The number of relay stages is equal to the number of relay radios 22 installed between the radio slave unit 23 and the radio master unit 21. For example, referring to the hop number table shown in FIG. 5, since the number of relay radios 22 installed between the wireless slave unit 23 and the wireless master unit 21 is three, the relay in the wireless slave unit 23 The number of stages can be specified to be "3".

Next, the control unit 230 controls the display unit 234 to display the number of relay stages specified in step S102 on the display unit 234 (step S103).

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the number of relay stages. As described above, the display unit 234 of the wireless slave unit 23 includes LED lamps 234A to 234D. In the present embodiment, the light emitting mode of the LED lamps 234A to 234D is defined corresponding to each of the relay radios 22 (that is, the relay radios 22A to 22C) on the communication path including the radio slave unit 23. When the number of relay radios 22A to 22C is smaller than the number of LED lamps 234A to 234D, any one of the LED lamps 234A to 234D can be assigned to each of the relay radios 22A to 22C on a one-to-one basis. is there. For example, by assigning the LED lamps 234B, 234C, and 234D to the relay radios 22A, 22B, and 22C, and assigning the LED lamp 234A to the wireless master unit 21, the light emitting modes of the LED lamps 234A to 234D can be changed. It is possible to determine.

When the control unit 230 displays the number of relay stages specified in step S102 on the display unit 234, the control unit 230 has LED lamps 234B to 234D (or LEDs) assigned to the relay radio 22 (or wireless master unit 21) corresponding to the number of relay stages. The lamp 234A) is controlled to blink. For example, when the number of relay stages specified in step S102 is "3", the control unit 230 blinks the LED lamp 234D assigned to the relay radio 22C having the number of relay stages "3", and the other LED lamps 234A. Control is performed to turn off ~ 234C. The same applies to the case where the number of relay stages specified in step S102 is "0" to "2", and the control unit 230 controls to blink the LED lamps 234A to 234C independently.

As described above, by giving the confirmation instruction of the number of relay stages to the wireless slave unit 23, the number of stages of the relay radio unit 22 to which the wireless slave unit 23 is connected can be displayed on the display unit 234. The person can confirm the installation environment of the wireless slave unit 23 without using a special jig.

Next, the operation when the communication path from the wireless slave unit 23 to the wireless master unit 21 is changed will be described. For example, when a structure is provided between the wireless master unit 21 and the relay radio 22A, a communication failure may occur between the wireless master 21 and the relay radio 22A, resulting in communication failure. There is. At this time, if another radio (for example, the relay radio 22D) exists within the communication range of the relay radio 22A, the relay radio 22A can directly communicate with the radio master 21 from the communication path. It is possible to change to a communication path that indirectly performs wireless communication with the wireless master unit 21 via another wireless device (relay wireless device 22D). Such a change of the communication path is autonomously performed in each radio.

In the present embodiment, when the communication path is changed, the relay radio 22 corresponding to the changed part is specified, and the LED lamps 234A to 234D are in a light emitting mode determined corresponding to the specified relay radio 22. To emit light.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing executed by the wireless slave unit 23 when notifying a changed portion on the communication path. The control unit 230 of the wireless slave unit 23 determines whether or not the confirmation instruction for changing the route has been received (step S121). When the operation unit 235 receives a predetermined operation (for example, an operation involving switching of the second DIP switch) for giving a route change confirmation instruction, the control unit 230 receives the route change confirmation instruction. It can be judged that it was. If the route change confirmation instruction has not been received (S121: NO), the control unit 230 waits until the instruction is received.

When it is determined that the route change confirmation instruction has been received (S121: YES), the control unit 230 determines whether or not the communication route from the own unit to the wireless master unit 21 has been changed (step S122). Whether or not the communication route has been changed can be determined by comparing the hop count tables at two different time points. Therefore, the wireless slave unit 23 stores the hop number table at the first time point (for example, at the time of initial installation) and the hop number table at the second time point (for example, the latest) different from the first time point in the storage unit 231. It is preferable to keep it in. When it is determined that there is no change in the communication path (S122: NO), the control unit 230 ends this flowchart without executing the following processing.

When it is determined that there is a change in the communication path (S122: YES), the control unit 230 identifies the relay radio 22 corresponding to the changed part on the communication path (step S123). The control unit 230 can identify the changed part by referring to the hop number tables at two different time points. For example, the communication path from the wireless slave unit 23 to the wireless master unit 21 is changed from a communication path that goes through the relay radios 22C, 22B, 22A in that order to a communication path that goes through the relay radios 22C, 22B, 22A, 22D in that order. If so, the ID and the number of hops of the relay radio 22D will be added to the hop number table. By referring to such a hop number table, the control unit 230 can determine that the communication path has been changed in the relay radio 22A, and sets the relay radio 22A as the relay radio 22 corresponding to the changed part. Can be identified.

When the relay radio 22 corresponding to the changed part is specified in step S123, the control unit 230 controls the display unit 234 to display the information of the changed part on the display unit 234 (step S124).

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a display example of the changed portion. When displaying the information of the changed part in the communication path on the display unit 234, the control unit 230 controls to turn on the LED lamps 234B to 234D assigned to the relay radio 22 of the changed part. For example, when the relay radio 22 specified in step S123 is the relay radio 22A, the control unit 230 lights the LED lamp 234B assigned to the relay radio 22A, and the other LED lamps 234A, 234C, 234D. Controls to turn off the light. The same applies to the case where the relay radios 22 specified in step S123 are the relay radios 22B and 22C, and the control unit 230 controls to independently turn on the LED lamps 234B and 234D, respectively.

As described above, in the first embodiment, any one of the LED lamps 234A to 234D is assigned to each wireless device on the communication path from the wireless slave unit 23 to the wireless master unit 21, and the communication path is changed. When the relay radio 22 corresponding to the above is specified, the LED lamp (any one of the LED lamps 234B to 234D) associated with the relay radio 22 is turned on. By giving a confirmation instruction of the changed part from the wireless slave unit 23, the operator grasps the changed part in the communication path from the wireless slave unit 23 to the wireless master unit 21 by lighting the LED lamps (LED lamps 234B to 234D). This makes it possible to identify the relay radio 22 that may have a communication failure at an early stage.

In the present embodiment, the LED lamp 234A is assigned to a wireless device having a number of relay stages of "0" (a wireless master unit 21 or a wireless slave unit (not shown) that directly communicates with the wireless master unit 21). For radios with the number of relay stages of "0", the LED lamps 234A to 234D may be turned off or turned on. In this case, LED lamps 234A to 234C are assigned to the relay radios 22A, 22B, and 22C having the number of relay stages "1" to "3", respectively, and the relay radios having the number of relay stages "4" (not shown) are assigned. The LED lamp 234D can be assigned. When notifying a radio with a relay stage number of "0" by turning off all the LED lamps 234A to 234D, the LED lamps 234A to 234D are used to indicate that the display unit 234 is operating normally. It may be configured to turn off all lights after blinking.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, any one of the LED lamps 234A to 234D is assigned to each wireless device on the communication path from the wireless slave unit 23 to the wireless master unit 21, but each wireless device is assigned a light emitting mode. The light emitting mode may be such that a combination of LED lamps 234A to 234D is assigned.
In the second embodiment, a light emitting mode in which a combination of LED lamps 234A to 234D is assigned to each relay radio 22 will be described. Since the overall configuration of the wireless telemeter system and the internal configuration of each wireless device are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the allocation of LED lamps 234A to 234D to each radio. In the example of FIG. 10, it is shown that LEDs 1 to LED 4 are assigned one by one to the radios having the number of relay stages from the wireless master unit 21 of "0" to "3". Here, taking the network configuration of FIG. 1 as an example, the radio having the number of relay stages "0" is the radio master unit 21, and the radios having the number of relay stages "1" are the relay radios 22A and 22D, and the number of relay stages. The radio with "2" is the relay radios 22B and 22E, and the radio with the number of relay stages is "3" is the relay radio 22C. Further, the LEDs 1 to LED4 correspond to, for example, the LED lamps 234A to 234D provided in the display unit 234 of the wireless slave unit 23.

In the second embodiment, a combination of LEDs selected from LEDs 1 to LED 4 is assigned to a radio (not shown) having a number of relay stages of 4 or more. For example, in the example of FIG. 10, the combination of LED1 and LED2 is assigned to the radio having the number of relay stages of "4", and the combination of LED1 and LED is assigned to the radio having the number of relay stages of "5". Is shown. The same applies to the radios having the number of relay stages of "6" or later, and in the example of FIG. 10, it is possible to correspond to the radios having the number of relay stages up to the 14th stage.

When a confirmation instruction for the number of relay stages is given to the wireless slave unit 23 in the narrow area wireless network N2, the control unit 230 uses the same procedure as in the first embodiment to connect the relay radio to which the own unit is connected. The number of stages of the machine 22 is specified, and the corresponding LED lamp (any one of the LED lamps 234A to 234D or a combination of the LED lamps 234A to 234D) is blinked. For example, when it is determined that the number of relay stages of the relay radio 22 to which the own unit is connected is "4", the control unit 230 blinks both the LED lamp 234A and the LED lamp 234B.

Further, when a route change confirmation instruction is given to the wireless slave unit 23 in the narrow area wireless network N2, the control unit 230 performs the same procedure as in the first embodiment from the own unit to the wireless master unit 21. If the changed part on the communication path leading to is specified and the changed part can be specified, the LED lamp (any one of the LED lamps 234A to 234D) corresponding to the relay radio 22 corresponding to the changed part, or the LED lamp The combination of 234A to 234D) is turned on. For example, when it is determined that the route has been changed in the relay radio 22 (not shown) in which the number of relay stages from the radio master 21 is "4", the control unit 230 lights both the LED lamp 234A and the LED lamp 234B. Let me. The same applies when the route is changed in the other relay radio 22.

As described above, in the second embodiment, not only the LED lamps 234A to 234D are individually assigned to each radio, but also the combination of the LED lamps 234A to 234D is used, so that it is possible to support a larger number of stages display. Even when more relay radios 22 are arranged on the communication path from the wireless slave unit 23 to the wireless master unit 21, the changed portion of the communication path can be appropriately displayed.

(Embodiment 3)
In the second embodiment, the combination of the LED lamps 234A to 234D is used to support more relay radios 22, but each of the LED lamps 234A to 234D can emit light in a plurality of emission colors. In this case, the light emitting mode for each relay radio 22 may be determined by the light emitting color.
In the third embodiment, a configuration in which the light emitting mode for each relay radio 22 is determined by the light emitting colors of the LED lamps 234A to 234D will be described. Since the overall configuration of the wireless telemeter system and the internal configuration of each wireless device are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the allocation of LED lamps 234A to 234D to each radio. In the example of FIG. 11, LEDs 1 to LED 4 are assigned one by one to the radios having the number of relay stages "0" to "3" from the wireless master unit 21, and the LEDs 1 to LED 4 are made to emit green light. .. Here, taking the network configuration of FIG. 1 as an example, the radio having the number of relay stages "0" is the radio master unit 21, and the radios having the number of relay stages "1" are the relay radios 22A and 22D, and the number of relay stages. The radio with "2" is the relay radios 22B and 22E, and the radio with the number of relay stages is "3" is the relay radio 22C. Further, the LEDs 1 to LED4 correspond to, for example, the LED lamps 234A to 234D provided in the display unit 234 of the wireless slave unit 23.

In the third embodiment, the emission color of the LEDs 1 to LED 4 is switched from green to red for a radio (not shown) having a number of relay stages of 4 or more. That is, LEDs 1 to LED 4 are assigned one by one to the radios having the number of relay stages "4" to "7" from the wireless master unit 21, and the LEDs 1 to LED 4 are made to emit light in red.

When a confirmation instruction for the number of relay stages is given to the radio slave unit 23 in the narrow area wireless network N2, the control unit 230 uses the same procedure as in the first embodiment to connect the relay radio to which the own unit is connected. The number of stages of the machine 22 is specified, and the corresponding LED lamp (any one of the LED lamps 234A to 234D) is blinked in green or red. For example, when it is determined that the number of relay stages of the relay radio 22 to which the own unit is connected is "3", the control unit 230 blinks the LED lamp 234D in green. Further, when it is determined that the number of relay stages of the relay radio 22 to which the own unit is connected is "4", the control unit 230 blinks the LED lamp 234A in red.

Further, when a route change confirmation instruction is given to the wireless slave unit 23 in the narrow area wireless network N2, the control unit 230 performs the same procedure as in the first embodiment from its own unit to the wireless master unit 21. If the changed part on the communication path leading to is specified and the changed part can be specified, the LED lamp (any one of the LED lamps 234A to 234D) corresponding to the relay radio 22 corresponding to the changed part is turned green or red. Turn on with. For example, when it is determined that the route change has occurred in the relay radio 22C in which the number of relay stages from the radio master 21 is "3", the control unit 230 turns on the LED lamp 234C in green. Further, when it is determined that the route change has occurred in the relay radio 22 (not shown) in which the number of relay stages from the radio master 21 is "4", the control unit 230 turns on the LED lamp 234A in red. The same applies when the route is changed in the other relay radio 22.

As described above, in the third embodiment, not only the LED lamps 234A to 234D are individually assigned to each radio, but also the emission colors of the LED lamps 234A to 234D are used, so that it is possible to support a larger number of stages display. This is possible, and even when more relay radios 22 are arranged on the communication path from the wireless slave unit 23 to the wireless master unit 21, the changed portion of the communication path can be appropriately displayed.

The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered as exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of claims, not the above-mentioned meaning, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

For example, in the first to third embodiments, the lighting examples of the LED lamps 234A to 234D in the wireless slave unit 23 have been described, but the same lighting control may be performed in the wireless master unit 21 or the relay radio unit 22.

The following additional notes will be further disclosed with respect to the above embodiments.

The wireless communication device according to one aspect of the present invention is connected to the wireless communication network (N2), and data including the measured values measured by the meter (24) is arranged in the wireless communication network (N2). In a wireless communication device (23) in a wireless telemeter system that transmits data to a predetermined destination device (21) via one or a plurality of relay devices (22A to 22C), the communication path from the own device to the destination device (21) When there is a change in the communication path within the wireless communication network (N2) and the light emitting unit (234) whose light emitting mode is determined corresponding to each of the relay devices (22A to 22C) arranged in the above. It is provided with a control unit (230) that identifies the relay device (22A) corresponding to the location and causes the light emitting unit (234) to emit light in a light emitting mode determined corresponding to the specified relay device (22A).

In the above aspect, each relay device on the communication path from the wireless communication device to the predetermined destination device is provided with a light emitting unit in which the light emitting mode is defined, and corresponds to the relay device corresponding to the changed part of the communication path. The light emitting part is made to emit light in the attached light emitting mode. By giving an instruction from the wireless communication device, the operator can grasp the changed part on the communication path from the wireless communication device to the destination device by the light emitting mode, and the relay device may have a communication failure. Can be identified at an early stage.

In the wireless communication device according to one aspect of the present invention, the light emitting units (234A to 234D) include a plurality of light emitting elements (234A to 234D), and the control unit (230) is a relay device (22A to 22C). The light emitting unit has a light emitting mode determined by a combination of light emitting elements (234A to 234D) to be emitted from the light emitting element (234A to 234D) or a plurality of light emitting elements (234A to 234D) to be emitted from each relay device (22A to 22C). (234) is made to emit light.

In the above aspect, a light emitting element or a combination of a plurality of light emitting elements is assigned to each relay device on the communication path from the wireless communication device to the predetermined destination device, and the relay device corresponding to the changed part of the communication path is specified. In this case, the light emitting mode is such that the light emitting element associated with this relay device is turned on. By giving an instruction from the wireless communication device, the operator can grasp the changed part on the communication path from the wireless communication device to the destination device by lighting the light emitting element, and there is a possibility that a communication failure has occurred. It is possible to identify the relay device at an early stage.

In the wireless communication device according to one aspect of the present invention, the light emitting unit (234) includes light emitting elements (234A to 234D) that emit light in a plurality of light emitting colors, and the control unit (230) is a relay device (22A). The light emitting unit (234) is made to emit light in a light emitting mode in which the emission color to be emitted with respect to ~ 22C) is determined.

In the above aspect, when the emission color of the light emitting element is assigned to each relay device on the communication path from the wireless communication device to the predetermined destination device and the relay device corresponding to the changed part of the communication path is specified, this relay is performed. The light emitting mode is such that the light emitting element emits light according to the light emitting color associated with the device. By giving an instruction from the wireless communication device, the operator can grasp the changed part on the communication path from the wireless communication device to the destination device by the emission color of the light emitting element, and there is a possibility that a communication failure has occurred. It becomes possible to identify a certain relay device at an early stage.

In the wireless communication device according to one aspect of the present invention, the control unit (230) emits light in a light emitting mode determined according to the number of relay stages by the relay devices (22A to 22C) arranged on the communication path. The part (234) is made to emit light.

In the above aspect, the number of relay stages of the wireless communication device can be grasped from the light emitting mode of the light emitting unit.

The wireless telemeter system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a wireless communication device (23) connected to a wireless communication network (N2), and the data including the measured value measured by the meter (24) is transmitted to the wireless. In a wireless telemeter system that transmits data from the wireless communication device (23) to a predetermined destination device (21) via one or a plurality of relay devices (23) arranged in the communication network (24), the wireless communication device (23). ) Is a light emitting unit (234) whose light emitting mode is determined corresponding to each of the relay devices (22A to 22C) arranged on the communication path from the wireless communication device (23) to the destination device (21). ) And, when the communication path is changed in the wireless communication network (N2), the relay device (22A) corresponding to the changed part is specified, and the light emission determined corresponding to the specified relay device (22A). A control unit (230) for emitting light from the light emitting unit (234) is provided in the embodiment.

In the above aspect, each relay device on the communication path from the wireless communication device to the predetermined destination device is provided with a light emitting unit in which the light emitting mode is defined, and corresponds to the relay device corresponding to the changed part of the communication path. The light emitting part is made to emit light in the attached light emitting mode. By giving an instruction from the wireless communication device, the operator can grasp the changed part on the communication path from the wireless communication device to the destination device by the light emitting mode, and the relay device may have a communication failure. Can be identified at an early stage.

In the control method according to one aspect of the present invention, when there is a change in the communication path in which one or a plurality of relay devices (22A to 22C) for relaying data including the measured value of the meter (24) are arranged, the changed portion is used. The corresponding relay device (22A) is specified, and the light emitting unit (234) is made to emit light in a light emitting mode determined corresponding to the specified relay device (22A).

In the above aspect, the light emitting unit is made to emit light in a light emitting mode associated with the relay device corresponding to the changed part of the communication path. By giving an instruction from the wireless communication device, the operator can grasp the changed part on the communication path from the wireless communication device to the destination device by the light emitting mode, and the relay device may have a communication failure. Can be identified at an early stage.

The program according to one aspect corresponds to the changed part when there is a change in the communication path in which one or a plurality of relay devices (22A to 22C) for relaying data including the measured value of the meter (24) are arranged in the computer. This is a program for specifying a relay device (22A) to be used and executing a process of causing the light emitting unit (234) to emit light in a light emitting mode determined corresponding to the specified relay device (22A).

It can be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute the above control method.

When there is a change in the communication path in which one or a plurality of relay devices (22A to 22C) for relaying data including the measured value of the meter (24) are arranged in the computer, the recording medium according to one aspect is used at the changed location. A computer-readable computer that records a program for identifying the relevant relay device (22A) and executing a process for causing the light emitting unit (234) to emit light in a light emitting mode determined corresponding to the specified relay device (22A). Recording medium.

It can be provided as a computer-readable recording medium on which the above program is recorded.

11 Host computer 12 Center side network controller 21 Wireless master unit 22A-22E Relay radio unit 23 Radio slave unit 24 meter 230 Control unit 231 Storage unit 232 Narrow range wireless communication unit 233 Meter IF
234 Display unit 234A to 234D LED lamp 235 Operation unit N1 Wide area wireless network N2 Narrow area wireless network

Claims (6)

Wireless in a wireless telemeter system that is connected to a wireless communication network and transmits data including measured values measured by a meter to a predetermined destination device via one or a plurality of relay devices arranged in the wireless communication network. In communication equipment
A light emitting unit whose light emitting mode is determined corresponding to each of the relay devices arranged on the communication path from the own device to the destination device, and
When there is a change in the communication path in the wireless communication network, a control unit that identifies the relay device corresponding to the changed location and causes the light emitting unit to emit light in a light emitting mode determined corresponding to the specified relay device. A wireless communication device equipped with. The light emitting unit includes a plurality of light emitting elements and includes a plurality of light emitting elements.
The first aspect of the present invention is that the control unit emits light in a light emitting mode determined by a combination of a light emitting element to be emitted by each relay device or a plurality of light emitting elements to be emitted by each relay device. The wireless communication device described. The light emitting unit includes a light emitting element that emits light in a plurality of light emitting colors.
The wireless communication device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit emits light from the light emitting unit in a light emitting mode in which a light emitting color to be emitted from each relay device is determined. The radio according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit emits light in a light emitting mode determined according to the number of relay stages by the relay device arranged on the communication path. Communication device. A wireless communication device connected to the wireless communication network is provided, and data including measured values measured by a meter is predetermined from the wireless communication device via one or a plurality of relay devices arranged in the wireless communication network. In the wireless telemeter system that transmits to the destination device of
The wireless communication device is
A light emitting unit whose light emitting mode is determined corresponding to each of the relay devices arranged on the communication path from the wireless communication device to the destination device, and
When there is a change in the communication path in the wireless communication network, a control unit that identifies the relay device corresponding to the changed location and causes the light emitting unit to emit light in a light emitting mode determined corresponding to the specified relay device. Wireless telemeter system with. If there is a change in the communication path where one or more relay devices that relay data including the measured values of the meter are placed, identify the relay device that corresponds to the changed location.
A method for controlling a light emitting unit in a wireless communication device that causes a light emitting unit to emit light in a light emitting mode defined in accordance with a specified relay device.

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