JP6858456B2 - Wireless communication device and communication method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a radio communication instrumentation置及beauty communication method.

A wireless telemeter system developed for meter reading of gas, water, electricity, etc. is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The wireless telemeter system includes a host computer, a 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. The network control device on the center side and the wireless master unit on the terminal side are connected so as to be able to communicate via a wide area communication network such as a public telephone network, a PHS (Personal Handyphone System) network, and a FOMA (Freedom Of Mobile multimedia Access) network. To. Further, 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).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-208123

When a mesh-type network structure is adopted in the wireless telemeter system, even if communication between the wireless master unit and the wireless slave unit or between the wireless slave units becomes impossible, the wireless master unit By autonomously constructing a detour route, the wireless slave unit can continue wireless communication using the detour route.

However, when a detour route is constructed, there is a problem that communication is concentrated on a specific wireless slave unit and the battery may be consumed more than expected.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, aims to provide a radio communication instrumentation置及beauty communication method can even when depleted battery than expected to continue wireless communication And.

The wireless communication device according to one aspect is a wireless communication unit that transmits an identifier notification signal including an identifier of its own device and performs wireless communication with another wireless communication device that has received the identifier notification signal, and the wireless communication. In a wireless communication device in a wireless telemeter system including a battery for supplying power to a unit, when the remaining amount of the battery becomes equal to or less than a threshold value between the start of use of the own device and the elapse of the set period, the said A control unit for stopping the transmission of the identifier notification signal is provided , and when the remaining amount of the battery becomes equal to or less than the threshold value after the set period has elapsed, the control unit does not stop the transmission of the identifier notification signal without stopping the transmission. a notification signal notifying that equal to or less than the threshold value Ru is transmitted from the wireless communication unit to a predetermined destination device.

According to the present application, wireless communication can be continued even when the battery is consumed more than expected.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of a wireless telemeter system. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a wireless master unit. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a wireless handset. It is a flowchart explaining a communication procedure in a narrow area wireless network. It is a flowchart explaining a communication procedure in a narrow area wireless network. It is a graph which shows the time change of the battery voltage in a wireless handset. It is a flowchart explaining the procedure of the process executed by the wireless handset which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process executed by the wireless handset which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a host computer. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which a host computer executes. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a terminal device. It is a schematic diagram explaining the display example in a terminal apparatus. It is a schematic diagram explaining the display example in a terminal apparatus.

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, a plurality of wireless slave units 22A to 22G, as a terminal-side configuration. And meters 23, 23, ..., 23 connected to each wireless slave unit 22A to 22G, respectively. The meter 23 is a measuring instrument installed for each customer such as a private house, a company, various facilities, etc., measures the amount of gas, water, electricity, etc. used, and outputs a measurement result (meter reading value). In the wireless telemeter system, the meter reading values obtained from the meters 23, 23, ..., 23, data indicating the operating status of the wireless slave units 22A to 22G, etc. are transmitted to the center side using wireless communication, and the wireless slave unit is also transmitted. A control command or the like for controlling the operation of 22A to 22G is transmitted from the center side to the terminal side.
In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish each of the wireless slave units 22A to 22G, the wireless slave unit 22 is also described (see FIG. 3). Further, when it is not necessary to separately describe the wireless master unit 21 and the wireless slave units 22A to 22G, it is also simply described as a wireless device.

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 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 on the terminal side has an NCU (Network Control Unit) function in order to enable connection to the wide area wireless network N1, and wirelessly communicates with the center side via the wide area wireless network N1. .. The communication between the wireless master unit 21 and the center side is not limited to wireless communication, and may be wired communication. In this case, the wireless master unit 21 and the center side network control device 12 are connected by a wired communication network.

Further, the wireless master unit 21 forms a narrow area wireless network N2 together with the wireless slave units 22A to 22G. In the example of the narrow range radio network N2 shown in FIG. 1, the connection relationship between the paired radios is shown by a broken line. For example, the wireless master unit 21 is shown to be associated with three wireless devices, the wireless slave units 22A, 22D, and 22F. When the wireless master unit 21 performs wireless communication with the wireless slave unit 22A, the wireless master unit 21 transmits an activation signal destined for the wireless slave unit 22A. When the response signal (Ack) for the activation signal is returned from the wireless slave unit 22A, the wireless master unit 21 establishes a communication connection with the wireless slave unit 22A and transmits / receives necessary data. The same applies to the case where the wireless master unit 21 performs wireless communication with the wireless slave units 22D and 22F, and the case where the wireless slave units 22 perform wireless communication with each other.

As described above, in the wireless communication in the narrow area wireless network N2, the communication path predetermined by the adoption is used. However, the communication path may be changed as appropriate according to the operating status, radio wave condition, communication condition, etc. of each wireless device passing through. For example, when the wireless slave unit 22B cannot communicate, data cannot be transmitted / received between the wireless master unit 21 and the wireless slave unit 22C. Therefore, the wireless slave unit 22C may be configured to establish a communication connection with the wireless slave unit 22E that is not engaged and secure a communication path to the wireless master unit 21 via the wireless slave unit 22E. In the following description, a communication route predetermined by adoption is also described as a normal route, and a route via an unadopted radio is also described as a detour route.

Through the communication path determined in this way, each wireless slave unit 22 can receive the data transmitted from the center side via the wireless master unit 21. Further, each wireless slave unit 22 transmits these data to the center side via the wireless master unit 21 when the meter reading value is acquired from the meter 23 connected to each of them or when an event to be notified to the center side occurs. Can be sent to.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, one wireless master unit 21 and seven wireless slave units 22A to 22G are installed in the narrow area wireless network N2, but are installed in the narrow area wireless network N2. The number of radios and the connection relationship of each radio are not limited to the example shown in FIG. It can be changed as appropriate within the range of the maximum number of installations and the maximum number of connections per wireless device specified by the communication specifications of the narrow-area wireless network N2.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the wireless master unit 21. 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 by the electric power supplied from the battery 219 or an external power source (not shown).

The control unit 210 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. The CPU in the control unit 210 controls the operation of each of the above-mentioned hardware units by executing a control program stored in advance in the ROM, and causes the entire device to function as one of the wireless communication devices of the present invention. Further, the control unit 210 may have functions such as a clock for outputting date and time information, 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 EEPROM (Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), setting information regarding the operation of the wireless master unit 21, and NCU-ID which is a unique identifier of the wireless master unit 21. A hop number table or the like for storing the radio number or the like assigned to each radio in the narrow area radio network N2 and storing the number of hops up to each radio slave unit 22 is provided. Here, the radio device number is an identifier for identifying each radio device in the narrow area radio network N2.

The hop number table stores one or more radio numbers including the radio number of the radio master unit 21 in association with the number of hops up to the radio identified by the radio number. In the initial state, the hop number table included in the wireless master unit 21 stores the radio number of the wireless master unit 21 in association with the number of hops (= 0) of the own unit. After the installation of the wireless slave unit 22, the wireless master unit 21 appropriately exchanges the hop number table with the adjacent wireless device (the wireless slave unit 22 capable of directly communicating), so that the wireless slave unit has one or more hops. Information including the radio number of 22 and the number of hops reaching each radio slave unit 22 is acquired, and the hop number table is updated based on the acquired information.

The wide area wireless communication unit 212 communicates with the center side network control device 12 by transmitting or receiving radio waves through the antenna 212a. For example, when the meter reading value data transmitted from the wireless slave unit 22 is received, the wide area wireless communication unit 212 drives the antenna 212a to transmit radio waves, thereby conforming to the communication standard of the wide area wireless network N1. To send the data to the center side.

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 data in a predetermined format by decoding the received radio wave. The wide area wireless communication unit 212 outputs the data obtained by decoding the received radio wave to the control unit 210. When the control unit 210 acquires the data output from the wide area wireless communication unit 212, the control unit 210 performs various controls based on the data.

The narrow-range wireless communication unit 213 transmits or receives radio waves through the antenna 213a to perform wireless communication with the wireless slave unit 22 by a predetermined wireless communication method. As the wireless communication method, for example, 920 MHz band wireless communication, specific low power wireless, or the like is adopted. When the narrow area wireless communication unit 213 of the wireless master unit 21 has data to be transmitted, it continuously transmits an activation signal with a designated destination. When a response signal (Ack) to the start signal is returned from the wireless slave unit 22 designated as the destination, the wireless master unit 21 establishes a communication connection with the destination wireless slave unit 22 and connects with the wireless slave unit 22. Data communication is performed between them. Further, when the narrow area wireless communication unit 213 does not have the data to be transmitted, the narrow area wireless communication unit 213 performs an intermittent reception operation or the like for intermittently receiving an activation signal transmitted from another radio.

The display unit 214 is composed of an LED lamp (LED: Light Emitting Diode), a liquid crystal display panel, and the like, and performs installation work and maintenance work of the wireless master unit 21 based on the control signal output from the control unit 210. Display information to be notified to workers, etc.

The operation unit 215 is composed of various switches such as DIP switches and buttons, and receives various setting operations by workers and the like. The control unit 210 performs appropriate control based on the setting contents input from the operation unit 215, and stores the setting contents in the storage unit 211 as necessary.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the wireless slave unit 22. The wireless slave unit 22 includes a control unit 220, a storage unit 221, a narrow area wireless communication unit 222, a connection port 223, a display unit 224, an operation unit 225, and the like. Each part of the hardware included in the wireless slave unit 22 is configured to operate by the electric power supplied from the battery 229.

The control unit 220 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, and the like. The CPU in the control unit 220 controls the operation of each of the above-mentioned hardware units by executing a control program stored in advance in the ROM, and causes the entire device to 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 22, but also reads a wireless telemeter system including the wireless slave unit 22 and the wireless master unit 21, a program that executes characteristic processing of the wireless slave unit 22, and the program. It can be realized by a recording medium (storage unit 221) that can record. The control unit 220 may be provided with functions such as a clock for outputting date and time information, 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 EEPROM, and stores setting information related to various operations, a radio number assigned to the own unit, a meter ID of the meter 23 connected to the connection port 223, and the like. To do. Further, the storage unit 221 stores one or a plurality of radio equipment numbers including the radio equipment number assigned to the own unit in association with the number of hops up to the radio equipment identified by the radio equipment number. It has several tables.

In the initial state, the hop number table included in the wireless slave unit 22 stores the radio number assigned to the wireless slave unit 22 itself and the hop number (= 0) of the wireless slave unit 22 in association with each other. After installing another wireless slave unit 22 in the narrow area wireless network N2, the wireless slave unit 22 has a hop number table with an adjacent wireless device (a wireless master unit 21 or another wireless slave unit 22 that can directly communicate). By appropriately exchanging the above, information including the radio number of the radio having one or more hops and the number of hops from the own machine to each radio is acquired, and the number of hops of the own machine is obtained based on the acquired information. Update the table.

The narrow-range wireless communication unit 222 transmits or receives radio waves through the antenna 222a to perform wireless communication with the wireless master unit 21 and another wireless slave unit 22 by a predetermined wireless communication method. As the wireless communication method, for example, 920 MHz band wireless communication, specific low power wireless, or the like is adopted. When the narrow-area wireless communication unit 222 of the wireless slave unit 22 has data to be transmitted, the narrow-range wireless communication unit 222 continuously transmits an activation signal with a designated destination. When a response signal (Ack) to the start signal is returned from the wireless master unit 21 or another wireless slave unit 22 designated as the destination, the wireless slave unit 22 is the destination wireless master unit 21 or another wireless slave unit. A communication connection is established with 22 and data communication is performed with the wireless master unit 21 or another wireless slave unit 22. Further, when the narrow area wireless communication unit 222 does not have the data to be transmitted, the narrow area wireless communication unit 222 performs an intermittent reception operation or the like to intermittently receive an activation signal transmitted from another radio.

The connection port 223 connects a meter 23 for measuring the amount of gas, water, electricity, etc. used. The control unit 220 of the wireless slave unit 22 acquires the meter reading value from the meter 23 through the connection port 223.

The display unit 224 is composed of an LED lamp, a liquid crystal display panel, etc., and should notify a worker or the like who performs installation work and maintenance work of the wireless slave unit 22 based on a control signal output from the control unit 220. Display information.

The operation unit 225 is composed of various switches such as DIP switches and buttons, and receives various setting operations by workers and the like. The control unit 220 performs appropriate control based on the setting contents input from the operation unit 225, and stores the setting contents in the storage unit 221 as needed.

Hereinafter, the communication procedure in the narrow area wireless network N2 will be described.
4 and 5 are flowcharts for explaining the communication procedure in the narrow area wireless network N2. As an example of the communication procedure, a communication procedure for transmitting data from the wireless slave unit 22C to the center side will be described. FIG. 4 shows a procedure for transmitting data by a normal route, and FIG. 5 shows a procedure for transmitting data by a detour route.

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, when the wireless handset 22C has data to be transmitted to the center side (for example, meter reading value), the wireless handset 22C sends an activation signal destined for the wireless handset 22B associated with the own unit to a narrow range radio. A start request is made to the wireless slave unit 22B by continuously transmitting the data from the communication unit 213 (step S11). The radio on the receiving side is configured to listen for the start signal by the intermittent reception operation. The activation signal transmitted from the wireless slave unit 22C can be received by the wireless slave unit 22B coupled to the wireless slave unit 22C. Further, the activation signal transmitted from the wireless slave unit 22C can be received by a wireless device (for example, the wireless slave unit 22E) installed around the wireless slave unit 22C.

When the control unit 220 of the wireless slave unit 22B receives the activation signal in the narrow area wireless communication unit 222, the control unit 220 refers to the destination included in the activation signal and transmits the activation signal addressed to its own unit (wireless slave unit 22B). Determine if it has been received. When the control unit 220 determines that the start signal addressed to the own machine has been received, the control unit 220 returns an Ac as a response to the start signal (step S12).

When the wireless slave unit 22C receives the Ac returned from the destination wireless slave unit 22B, the wireless slave unit 22C establishes a communication connection with the wireless slave unit 22B and starts data communication. In this data communication, the wireless slave unit 22C transmits data to be transmitted to the wireless slave unit 22B. The same applies to the procedure for transmitting data from the wireless slave unit 22B to the wireless slave unit 22A and the procedure for transmitting data from the wireless slave unit 22A to the wireless master unit 21. The wireless master unit 21 transmits data from the wireless slave unit 22C received via the wireless slave units 22B and 22A from the wide area wireless communication unit 212 to the host computer 11.

Similarly, when the control unit 220 of the wireless slave unit 22E receives the activation signal in the narrow area wireless communication unit 222, the control unit 220 refers to the destination included in the activation signal, and the received activation signal is the own unit (radio slave). It is determined whether or not the start signal is addressed to the machine 22E). When the control unit 220 determines that the received activation signal is not the activation signal addressed to the own unit, the control unit 220 transmits a beacon (identifier notification signal) including the identifier of the own unit from the narrow area wireless communication unit 222 (step S13).

When the control unit 220 of the wireless slave unit 22C receives the beacon transmitted from the wireless slave unit 22E by the narrow area wireless communication unit 222, the control unit 220 performs information collection processing for grasping the network structure of the narrow area wireless network N2. (Step S14). In this information collection process, the control unit 220 of the wireless slave unit 22C can grasp that the wireless slave unit 22E is installed around the own unit. Further, in the information collection process, by acquiring the hop number table from the wireless slave unit 22E, the information of the other wireless device with which the wireless slave unit 22E can communicate may be grasped.

Next, a procedure for transmitting data by a detour route will be described. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, when the wireless slave unit 22C has data to be transmitted to the center side (for example, meter reading value), the wireless slave unit 22B is set to the wireless slave unit 22B, which is associated with the own unit, as a destination. A start request is made to the wireless slave unit 22B by continuously transmitting the data from the communication unit 213 (step S21). The radio on the receiving side is configured to listen for the start signal by the intermittent reception operation. The activation signal transmitted from the wireless slave unit 22C can be received by the wireless slave unit 22B coupled to the wireless slave unit 22C. Further, the activation signal transmitted from the wireless slave unit 22C can be received by a wireless device (for example, the wireless slave unit 22E) installed around the wireless slave unit 22C.

When the control unit 220 of the wireless slave unit 22E receives the activation signal in the narrow area wireless communication unit 222, the control unit 220 refers to the destination included in the activation signal, and the received activation signal is the own unit (wireless slave unit 22E). Judge whether it is the activation signal addressed to. When the control unit 220 determines that the received activation signal is not the activation signal addressed to the own unit, the control unit 220 transmits a beacon (identifier notification signal) including the identifier of the own unit from the narrow area wireless communication unit 222 (as described above). Step S22).

After transmitting the activation signal to the wireless slave unit 22B, the wireless slave unit 22C waits for the Ac to be returned from the destination wireless slave unit 22B, and also listens to the wireless device installed in the vicinity (for example, the wireless slave unit 22E). Wait for the beacon sent from. However, the wireless slave unit 22C may not be able to receive the Ac returned from the wireless slave unit 22B depending on the radio wave environment between the wireless slave unit 22B and the wireless slave unit 22C, the operating status of the wireless slave unit 22B, and the like. The control unit 220 of the wireless slave unit 22C transmits a start signal addressed to the wireless slave unit 22B, and then the beacon transmitted from the wireless slave unit 22E without receiving a response (Ack) from the wireless slave unit 22B. Is received, an activation signal destined for the wireless slave unit 22E is transmitted from the narrow-range wireless communication unit 213 (step S23).

When the control unit 220 of the wireless slave unit 22E receives the activation signal in the narrow area wireless communication unit 222, the control unit 220 refers to the destination included in the activation signal and transmits the activation signal addressed to the own unit (wireless slave unit 22E). Determine if it has been received. When the control unit 220 determines that the start signal addressed to the own machine has been received, the control unit 220 returns an Ac as a response to the start signal (step S24).

When the wireless slave unit 22C receives the Ac returned from the destination wireless slave unit 22E, the wireless slave unit 22C establishes a communication connection with the wireless slave unit 22E and starts data communication. In this data communication, the wireless slave unit 22C can transmit data to be transmitted to the host computer 11 to the wireless slave unit 22E on the upstream side.

When the wireless slave unit 22E receives the data transmitted from the wireless slave unit 22C, the wireless slave unit 22E performs data communication with the wireless slave unit 22D in the same procedure, and transfers the data received from the wireless slave unit 22E to the wireless slave unit 22D. Forward. When the wireless slave unit 22D receives the data transmitted from the wireless slave unit 22E, the wireless slave unit 22D performs data communication with the wireless master unit 21 in the same procedure, and receives the data from the wireless slave unit 22D as the wireless master unit. Transfer to 21. Further, the wireless master unit 21 communicates with the center side according to the communication procedure conforming to the communication standard of the wide area wireless network N1, and the data from the wireless slave unit 22C transferred via the wireless slave units 22E and 22D. To the host computer 11.

When the wireless slave unit 22E receives the data from the wireless slave unit 22C, the wireless slave unit 22E is configured to make a communication connection to the framed wireless slave unit 22D and transfer the data to the wireless slave unit 22D. A configuration may be configured in which a communication connection is made with the wireless slave unit 22A, which is the above wireless device, and data is transferred to the wireless slave unit 22A.

As described above, each radio in the narrow area radio network N2 can transmit and receive data by using the communication path (normal path) determined by the adoption. In addition, when the communication route determined by the adoption cannot be used due to the radio wave environment, the operating status of the radio, etc., data can be transmitted / received using the detour route.

In the examples of FIGS. 4 and 5, the procedure for transmitting data from the wireless slave unit 22C to the upstream side (center side) has been described, but the procedure for transmitting data from the other wireless slave unit 22 to the upstream side is also described. The same is true. The same applies to the procedure for transmitting data to the downstream side (wireless slave unit 22 side) through the wireless master unit 21.

Further, in the example of FIG. 4, when the wireless slave unit 22E receives the activation signal addressed to the wireless slave unit 22B transmitted from the wireless slave unit 22C, it is configured to transmit a beacon, but the wireless slave unit 22B is configured at that timing. Since there is a possibility that the wireless slave unit 22C and the wireless slave unit 22C are performing data communication, the beacon may be transmitted after a lapse of a set time (for example, 1 minute) after receiving the activation signal. Further, the wireless slave unit 22E may be configured to continuously transmit the beacon from the reception of the activation signal addressed to the wireless slave unit 22B until the set time (for example, 2 minutes) elapses.

Hereinafter, the power saving control executed by the wireless slave unit 22 will be described.
FIG. 6 is a graph showing the time change of the battery voltage in the wireless slave unit 22. FIG. 6A shows the time change of the battery voltage when communication is performed using only the normal route without using the detour route. The vertical axis of the graph shown in FIG. 6A shows the battery voltage, and the horizontal axis shows the elapsed time from the start of operation.

After the wireless slave unit 22 is newly installed in the narrow area wireless network N2, the wireless slave unit 22 can communicate with the host computer 11 via the other wireless device by being associated with the other installed wireless device. The operation of the wireless slave unit 22 is started when the wireless slave unit 22 can communicate with the host computer 11. After the start of operation, the wireless slave unit 22 acquires meter reading value data from the meter 23 at a regular timing (for example, once a month), and transmits the acquired data to the host computer 11 by a normal route.

An operation guarantee period T1 is set for each wireless slave unit 22. The operation guarantee period T1 is, for example, 10 years. The operation frequency, battery capacity, etc. of the wireless slave unit 22 are designed in consideration of the operation guarantee period T1, and when wireless communication is performed using only the normal route, the battery is replaced within the operation guarantee period T1. It is configured so that wireless communication can be performed without any problems.

After the start of operation, the battery voltage of the wireless slave unit 22 gradually decreases with the passage of time from the value of the initial voltage to reach the operation stop voltage. Here, the operation stop voltage is the minimum value of the battery voltage at which the wireless slave unit 22 can operate. Further, in the present embodiment, a threshold value (determination voltage) is provided for the battery voltage in order to notify the battery replacement time before reaching the operation stop voltage. The graph of FIG. 6A shows that the battery voltage of the wireless slave unit 22 reached the determination voltage at the elapsed time T11. If the battery voltage becomes equal to or lower than the determination voltage while the operation guarantee period T1 has elapsed, the wireless slave unit 22 issues a warning to notify the operation manager or the like that it is time to replace the battery 229. Further, the graph of FIG. 6A shows that the battery voltage of the wireless slave unit 22 reached the operation stop voltage at the elapsed time T12 (> T1). When communication is performed using only the normal route without using the detour route, the battery voltage of the wireless slave unit 22 reaches the operation stop voltage after the operation guarantee period T1 has elapsed.

FIG. 6B shows the time change of the battery voltage of the wireless slave unit 22 set as a detour route after the start of operation. The horizontal axis of the graph shown in FIG. 6B shows the battery voltage, and the horizontal axis shows the elapsed time from the start of operation.

In the present embodiment in which a detour route can be set, the wireless slave unit 22 is not only the data from the original communication partner (wireless master unit 21 or wireless slave unit 22) that is framed, but also other data installed in the vicinity. There is a possibility of relaying data from wireless slave units 22, 22, ..., 22. In this case, the power consumption of the wireless slave unit 22 increases, and there is a possibility that the operation stop voltage will be reached before the operation guarantee period T1 elapses.

The graph of FIG. 6B shows that the power consumption is increased by performing wireless communication using only the normal route until the elapsed time T21 elapses and setting it as a detour route at the elapsed time T21. In this case, since the determination voltage is reached at the elapsed time T22, the wireless handset 22 can notify the operation manager or the like that it is time to replace the battery 229 by issuing a warning. However, if the operation is continued without replacing the battery, the operation stop voltage may be reached before the operation guarantee period T1 elapses. The graph of FIG. 6B shows that the battery voltage of the wireless slave unit 22 reaches the operation stop voltage at the elapsed time T23 (<T1).

The wireless slave unit 22 according to the present embodiment executes power saving control in order to prevent the battery voltage from becoming the operation stop voltage or less before the operation guarantee period T1 elapses. Specifically, when the battery voltage becomes equal to or lower than the threshold value (determination voltage) before the set period T2 elapses, the wireless slave unit 22 executes power saving control by stopping the transmission of the beacon. Here, the setting period T2 is a period set as an elapsed time from the start of operation, and is arbitrarily set by the operation manager or the like as a period shorter than the operation guarantee period T1. When the operation guarantee period T1 is 10 years, the set period T2 is set to, for example, 8 years. The radio slave unit 22 can save power by stopping the transmission of the beacon and preventing the own unit from becoming one of the radios constituting the detour route. Further, the wireless slave unit 22 may stop the transmission of the beacon and may transmit a notification signal indicating that the transmission of the beacon has been stopped to the host computer 11.

FIG. 6C shows the time change of the battery voltage when the power saving control is executed. The horizontal axis of the graph shown in FIG. 6C shows the battery voltage, and the vertical axis shows the elapsed time from the start of operation.

The graph of FIG. 6C shows that the power consumption is increased by performing wireless communication using only the normal route up to the elapsed time T31 and setting it as a detour route at the elapsed time T31. Since the determination voltage has been reached at the elapsed time T32, the wireless handset 22 can issue a warning and notify the operation manager or the like that it is time to replace the battery 229. If the battery is not replaced as it is and the power saving control is not executed, the operation stop voltage may be reached at the elapsed time T33 before the operation guarantee period T1 elapses. However, the wireless slave unit 22 according to the present embodiment performs power saving control by stopping the transmission of the beacon when the battery voltage becomes equal to or lower than the determination voltage before the set period T2 elapses, so that the power consumption is consumed. It is possible to prevent the battery voltage from reaching the operation stop voltage before the operation guarantee period T1 elapses.

Hereinafter, the operation of the wireless slave unit 22 will be described.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by the wireless slave unit 22 according to the first embodiment. The wireless slave unit 22 executes the following processing at an appropriate timing (for example, periodic timing) during operation. The control unit 220 of the wireless slave unit 22 determines whether or not the battery voltage of the battery 229 is equal to or lower than the determination voltage (step S101). When it is determined that the voltage is not equal to or lower than the determination voltage (S101: NO), the control unit 220 ends the process according to this flowchart.

When it is determined that the battery voltage is equal to or less than the determination voltage (S101: YES), the control unit 220 determines whether or not the battery voltage of the battery 229 is equal to or less than the operation stop voltage (step S102). When it is determined that the voltage is equal to or lower than the operation stop voltage (S102: YES), the control unit 220 outputs a warning (step S103) and stops all operations of each hardware unit (step S104). The control unit 220 outputs a warning by transmitting a message from the narrow-range wireless communication unit 222 to the host computer 11 indicating that the battery voltage has become equal to or lower than the operation stop voltage.

When it is determined in step S102 that the operation stop voltage is not equal to or lower (S102: NO), that is, when it is determined that the battery voltage of the battery 229 is larger than the operation stop voltage and equal to or lower than the determination voltage, the control unit 220 refers to the built-in clock. Then, it is determined whether or not the set period T2 has elapsed since the operation was started (step S105).

When it is determined that the set period T2 has not elapsed (S105: NO), the control unit 220 outputs a warning (step S106) and executes power saving control (step S107). The control unit 220 outputs a warning by transmitting a message from the narrow-range wireless communication unit 222 to the host computer 11 that the battery voltage has become equal to or lower than the determination voltage or that the beacon is stopped. Further, the control unit 220 controls to stop the transmission of the beacon to prevent the own machine from becoming one of the radios constituting the detour route, thereby saving power.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S105 that the set period T2 has elapsed (S105: YES), the control unit 220 outputs a warning (step S108), and ends according to this flowchart. The control unit 220 outputs a warning by transmitting a telegram indicating that the battery voltage is equal to or lower than the determination voltage from the narrow-range wireless communication unit 222 to the host computer 11. If the battery voltage falls below the determination voltage after the set period T2 has elapsed, it is unlikely that the voltage will drop below the operation stop voltage within the operation guarantee period T1, so the control unit 220 does not perform power saving control. , Continue normal operation.

As described above, the wireless slave unit 22 according to the present embodiment controls to stop the transmission of the beacon when the battery voltage becomes equal to or lower than the determination voltage before the set period T2 elapses, and the own unit bypasses. Power saving can be achieved by avoiding becoming one of the radios constituting the route. Even if the wireless slave unit 22 stops transmitting the beacon, the wireless slave unit 22 can perform wireless communication on the normal route triggered by the transmission / reception of the activation signal, so that the data such as the meter reading value acquired by the wireless slave unit 22 is sent to the host computer 11. It is possible to transmit, and it is possible to receive various data transmitted from the host computer 11 to the own machine.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, the power saving control is executed only when the battery voltage of the wireless slave unit 22 becomes equal to or lower than the determination voltage before the set period T2 elapses, but after the set period T2 elapses. In addition, the configuration may be such that power saving control is executed.
In the second embodiment, a configuration in which power saving control is executed according to the remaining time until the end of the operation guarantee period T1 is reached will be described. Since the overall configuration of the wireless telemeter system and the internal configurations of the wireless master unit 21 and the wireless slave unit 22 are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by the wireless slave unit 22 according to the second embodiment. When the battery voltage becomes equal to or lower than the determination voltage (however, larger than the operation stop voltage) after the elapse of the set period T2, the control unit 220 of the wireless slave unit 22 executes the following processing.

When the battery voltage becomes equal to or lower than the determination voltage after the lapse of the set period T2, the control unit 220 calculates the remaining time until the end of the operation guarantee period T1 is reached with reference to the built-in clock or the like (step S201). ..

Next, the control unit 220 compares the calculated remaining time with the preset threshold time, and determines whether or not the remaining time is equal to or longer than the threshold time (step S202). The threshold time is, for example, (T1-T2) / 2, but is not limited to this.

When it is determined that the remaining time is equal to or longer than the threshold time (S202: YES), the remaining time for securing the battery voltage is relatively long. , Stopping the new adoption operation (step S203). Here, stopping the operation of the display unit 224 includes controlling the LED lamp to be turned off when the display unit 224 includes an LED lamp. Further, the stop of the new marriage operation includes stopping the communication operation for framing the newly installed radio in the narrow area radio network N2.

When it is determined that the remaining time is equal to or less than the threshold time (S202: NO), the control unit 220 has a relatively short remaining time for securing the battery voltage. Therefore, the control unit 220 can be used as a power saving control, for example, a display unit. Only the operation stop of 224 is executed (step S204).

As described above, in the second embodiment, the power saving control can be executed according to the remaining time until the end of the operation guarantee period T1 is reached.
The power saving control executed by the control unit 220 is not limited to the operation stop control of the display unit 224 and the stop control of the new adoption operation, and the control of the display time in the display unit 224, the start signal, and the beacon. It may include control of the number of transmissions and the like. Further, in the present embodiment, one threshold time is used to divide the remaining time into two, and power saving control is executed in each of the remaining times. However, a plurality of threshold times are set and the remaining time is set to three. It may be divided into the above and the power saving control may be executed in each of them.

(Embodiment 3)
In the third embodiment, a configuration for controlling a communication path from the host computer 11 will be described. Since the overall configuration of the wireless telemeter system and the internal configurations of the wireless master unit 21 and the wireless slave unit 22 are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the host computer 11. The host computer 11 is, for example, a server device, and includes a control unit 110, a storage unit 111, a communication unit 112, a display unit 113, an operation unit 114, and the like.

The control unit 110 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The CPU included in the control unit 110 controls the operation of each of the above-mentioned hardware units by expanding and executing the control program stored in advance in the ROM on the RAM, and causes the entire device to function as the server device of the present invention. .. Further, the control unit 110 may have functions such as a clock for outputting date and time information, 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 111 includes a storage device such as an EEPROM or an HDD. The storage unit 111 stores setting information regarding the operation of the own device, information regarding the wireless master unit 21 and wireless slave units 22, 22, ..., 22 installed in the narrow area wireless network N2, and the like.

The communication unit 112 includes a communication interface for communicating with the wireless master unit 21 and the wireless slave units 22, 22, ..., 22 in the narrow area wireless network N2 via the center side network control device 12.

The display unit 113 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL display device, and displays information to be notified to an operation manager or the like. The operation unit 114 is an input interface for a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, etc., and receives input of necessary information. The display unit 113 and the operation unit 114 do not have to be provided in the host computer 11, and may be external devices connected to the host computer 11.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by the host computer 11. The control unit 110 of the host computer 11 executes the following processing at a periodic timing, for example.

The control unit 110 of the host computer 11 determines whether or not it is necessary to transmit data to the wireless slave unit 22 connected in the narrow area wireless network N2 (step S301). For example, when requesting data such as a meter reading value from the host computer 11 to the wireless slave unit 22, or when replying to a request transmitted from the wireless slave unit 22, it is necessary to transmit the data to the wireless slave unit 22. Judge that there is.

When it is determined that it is not necessary to transmit data to the wireless slave unit 22 (S301: NO), the control unit 110 ends the process according to this flowchart.

When determining that it is necessary to transmit data to the wireless slave unit 22 (S301: YES), the control unit 110 determines whether or not a detour route is used between the data transmission destination and the host computer 11. (Step S302). The control unit 110 can determine whether or not the detour route is used based on the data from the transmission destination received in the past.

When it is determined that the detour route is used (S302: YES), the control unit 110 specifies the detour route and transmits data (step S303). Since the wireless master unit 21 and the wireless slave units 22, 22, ..., 22 on the detour route can start wireless communication triggered by transmission / reception of the activation signal, it is not necessary to transmit a beacon in addition to the activation signal. , Power saving can be achieved. If it is determined that the detour route is not used (S302: NO), the control unit 110 specifies a normal route and transmits data (step S304).

As described above, in the third embodiment, by controlling the communication path from the host computer 11, the chances of transmitting and receiving the beacon can be reduced, and the power saving can be achieved accordingly.

(Embodiment 4)
In the fourth embodiment, a configuration for visualizing the status of the communication path by the terminal device will be described. Since the overall configuration of the wireless telemeter system and the internal configurations of the wireless master unit 21 and the wireless slave unit 22 are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the terminal device 30. The terminal device 30 is a mobile phone possessed by a worker who performs installation work and maintenance work of the wireless master unit 21 and the wireless slave units 22, 22, ..., 22, and is a control unit 300, a storage unit 301, and a communication unit 302. , Display unit 303, operation unit 304, and the like.

The control unit 300 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The CPU included in the control unit 300 controls the operation of each of the above-mentioned hardware units by expanding and executing the control program stored in advance in the ROM on the RAM, and causes the entire device to function as the terminal device of the present invention. .. Further, the control unit 300 may have functions such as a clock for outputting date and time information, 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 301 includes a memory such as an EEPROM. The storage unit 301 stores setting information regarding the operation of the own device, information regarding the wireless master unit 21 and wireless slave units 22, 22, ..., 22 installed in the narrow area wireless network N2, and the like.

The communication unit 302 includes a communication interface for communicating with the wireless master unit 21 and the wireless slave units 22, 22, ..., 22 in the narrow area wireless network N2.

The display unit 303 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL display device, and displays information to be notified to workers and the like. The operation unit 304 is an input interface for a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, etc., and receives input of necessary information.

12 and 13 are schematic views illustrating a display example in the terminal device 30. 12 and 13 show simplified communication path conditions in the narrow-area wireless network N2 including one wireless master unit 21 and seven wireless slave units 22A to 22G. In the examples of FIGS. 12 and 13, the wireless master unit 21 is indicated by a reference numeral “Z”, and the wireless slave units 22A to 22G are indicated by the reference numerals “A” to “G”, respectively.

The control unit 300 of the terminal device 30 can acquire information related to the communication path by communicating with the wireless master unit 21 and the wireless slave units 22A to 22G through the communication unit 302. The control unit 300 generates an image showing the communication path status based on the acquired information related to the communication path, and displays the generated image on the display unit 303.

FIG. 12 shows a communication route situation in which only a normal route is used. In FIG. 12, the connection relationship between the framed radios is shown by solid arrows. For example, the wireless slave unit 22C represented by the reference numeral "C" is associated with the wireless slave unit 22B indicated by the reference numeral "B", and usually passes through the wireless slave unit 22B, the wireless slave unit 22A, and the wireless master unit 21. It indicates that wireless communication is performed by the route. The same applies to the other wireless slave unit 22 and the wireless master unit 21.

FIG. 13 shows the communication route status in which the detour route is set. In FIG. 13, between radios in which a communication failure has occurred for some reason is indicated by an “x” mark, and between radios for which a detour route has been set is indicated by a broken line arrow. For example, if a communication failure occurs between the wireless slave units 22B and 22C and a detour route is set between the wireless slave units 22C and 22E, an "x" mark is displayed between the wireless slave units 22B and 22C. Then, a broken line arrow is displayed on the detour route between the newly set wireless slave units 22C and 22E.

As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the status of the communication path can be visualized, so that the worker can grasp the connection status (adoption status) between the radios and the occurrence status of the communication failure in real time. Is possible.

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.

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

The wireless communication device according to one aspect is a wireless communication unit (222) that transmits an identifier notification signal including an identifier of its own device and performs wireless communication with another wireless communication device that has received the identifier notification signal. In a wireless communication device (22) in a wireless telemeter system including a battery (229) for supplying power to the wireless communication unit (222), the battery is used between the start of use of the own device and the elapse of a set period. The control unit (220) is provided to stop the transmission of the identifier notification signal when the remaining amount of the above is equal to or less than the threshold value.

In the above aspect, if the remaining battery level falls below the threshold value before the set period elapses, the transmission of the identifier notification signal is stopped, so that power saving can be achieved before the operation stop voltage falls below the threshold value. Can be planned.

In the wireless communication device according to one aspect, when the remaining amount of the battery (229) becomes equal to or less than the threshold value, the control unit (220) sends a notification signal notifying that the remaining amount is equal to or less than the threshold value. (222) transmits to a predetermined destination device.

In the above aspect, when the remaining amount of the battery becomes equal to or less than the threshold value, preparations for battery replacement or the like can be carried out in order to notify the predetermined destination device to that effect.

In the wireless communication device according to one aspect, when the remaining amount of the battery (229) becomes equal to or less than the threshold value after the lapse of the set period, the control unit (220) stops the transmission of the identifier notification signal. A notification signal notifying that the threshold value has been reached or less is transmitted from the wireless communication unit (222) to a predetermined destination device (11).

In the above aspect, if the remaining battery level falls below the threshold value after the set period elapses, it is unlikely that the remaining battery level will be exhausted before the expiration date of the own device is reached. Therefore, the identifier communication signal Continue wireless communication without stopping the transmission of.

In the wireless communication device according to one aspect, the control unit (220) performs power saving control according to a period from when the remaining amount of the battery (229) becomes equal to or less than the threshold value until the expiration date of the own device is reached. Execute.

In the above aspect, since the power saving control is executed according to the period until the expiration date of the own device is reached, the possibility that the remaining battery level is exhausted by the time when the expiration date is reached can be reduced.

In the wireless communication device according to one aspect, when the remaining amount of the battery (229) becomes equal to or less than the operation stop voltage, the control unit (220) specifies a notification signal notifying that the operation stop voltage is equal to or less. Is transmitted to the destination device (11) of the above, and the operation of the own device is stopped.

In the above aspect, when the remaining battery level becomes equal to or lower than the operation stop voltage, the operation is stopped after notifying that fact, so that the worker or the like who has received the notification can replace the battery. ..

In the wireless communication device according to one aspect, when the wireless communication unit (222) receives an activation signal addressed to its own device, it returns a response signal to the activation signal and transmits the activation signal that has received the response signal. When the first communication procedure for wireless communication with the original or the activation signal not addressed to the own device is received, the identifier notification signal is transmitted and the other wireless communication device that has received the identifier notification signal is transmitted. Wireless communication is performed by one of the second communication procedures.

In the above aspect, since wireless communication is performed by either the communication procedure triggered by the transmission / reception of the activation signal or the communication procedure triggered by the transmission / reception of the identifier notification signal, the wireless communication is performed before the set period elapses. Even if the battery voltage becomes equal to or lower than the threshold value and the transmission of the identifier notification signal is stopped, the wireless communication can be continued by the communication procedure triggered by the transmission / reception of the activation signal.

The server device according to one aspect is the wireless based on the communication unit (112) that communicates with the wireless communication device (22) and the information acquired from the wireless communication device (22) through the communication unit (112). It includes a control unit (110) that controls the communication path of the communication device (22).

In the above aspect, power saving can be achieved by controlling the communication path based on the information collected from the wireless communication device.

The terminal device according to one aspect is the wireless based on a communication unit (302) that communicates with the wireless communication device (22) and information acquired from the wireless communication device (22) through the communication unit (302). It is provided with a display unit (303) that displays information on a communication path including the communication device (22).

In the above aspect, it is possible to identify the location where the communication failure has occurred by displaying the information of the communication path based on the information collected from the wireless communication device. Further, by replacing the battery of the corresponding wireless communication device or the like, unnecessary communication generated due to a communication failure can be suppressed, so that unnecessary power consumption can be suppressed.

The communication method of the wireless communication device according to one aspect is set from the start of use of the own device by transmitting the identifier notification signal of the own device and performing wireless communication with another wireless communication device that has received the identifier notification signal. If the remaining amount of the battery (229) becomes equal to or less than the threshold value before the period elapses, the transmission of the identifier notification signal is stopped.

In the above aspect, if the remaining battery level falls below the threshold value before the set period elapses, the transmission of the identifier notification signal is stopped, so that power saving can be achieved before the operation stop voltage falls below the threshold value. Can be planned.

The computer program according to one aspect transmits an identifier notification signal of its own device to the computer, performs wireless communication with another wireless communication device that has received the identifier notification signal, and sets a period from the start of use of the own device. This is a computer program for executing a process of stopping the transmission of the identifier notification signal when the remaining amount of the battery (229) becomes equal to or less than the threshold value before the lapse of time.

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

The recording medium according to one aspect transmits an identifier notification signal of its own device to a computer, performs wireless communication with another wireless communication device that has received the identifier notification signal, and sets a period from the start of use of the own device. A computer program for executing a process of stopping the transmission of the identifier notification signal when the remaining amount of the battery (229) becomes equal to or less than the threshold value is recorded.

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

11 Host computer 12 Center side network control device 21 Wireless master unit 22A to 22G Wireless slave unit 23 meters 30 Terminal device 110, 210, 220, 300 Control unit 111,21,221,301 Storage unit 212 Wide area wireless communication unit 213,222 Narrow range wireless communication unit 113,214,224,303 Display unit 114,215,225,304 Operation unit 219,229 Battery 223 Connection port 112,302 Communication unit N1 Wide area wireless network N2 Narrow range wireless network

Claims (5)

A wireless communication unit that transmits an identifier notification signal including an identifier of its own device and wirelessly communicates with another wireless communication device that has received the identifier notification signal, and a battery that supplies power to the wireless communication unit. In a wireless communication device in a wireless telemeter system including
It is equipped with a control unit that stops the transmission of the identifier notification signal when the remaining battery level falls below the threshold value between the start of use of the own device and the elapse of the set period .
When the remaining amount of the battery becomes equal to or less than the threshold value after the lapse of the set period, the control unit sends a notification signal notifying that the remaining amount is equal to or less than the threshold value without stopping the transmission of the identifier notification signal. wireless communication device Ru is transmitted from the wireless communication unit to a predetermined destination device. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit executes power saving control according to a period from when the remaining amount of the battery becomes equal to or lower than the threshold value until the expiration date of the own device is reached. When the remaining amount of the battery becomes equal to or lower than the operation stop voltage, the control unit transmits a notification signal notifying that the remaining voltage is equal to or lower than the operation stop voltage to a predetermined destination device, and stops the operation of the own device. The wireless communication device according to claim 1 or 2. The wireless communication unit
When a start-up signal addressed to the own device is received, a response signal to the start-up signal is returned, and wireless communication is performed with the source of the start-up signal that has received the response signal, or the first communication procedure addressed to the own device. When a start signal other than the above is received, wireless communication is performed by one of the second communication procedures of transmitting the identifier notification signal and performing wireless communication with another wireless communication device that has received the identifier notification signal. The wireless communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The identifier notification signal of the own device is transmitted, and wireless communication is performed with another wireless communication device that has received the identifier notification signal.
If the remaining battery level falls below the threshold value between the start of use of the own device and the elapse of the set period, the transmission of the identifier notification signal is stopped .
When the remaining amount of the battery becomes equal to or less than the threshold value after the lapse of the set period, the notification signal notifying that the remaining amount is equal to or less than the threshold value is transmitted to a predetermined destination device without stopping the transmission of the identifier notification signal. communication method of a wireless communication apparatus Ru is.

Images