JP7117210B2 - clocks and information transmission systems - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to watches and information transmission systems.

In recent years, a system has been devised in which a master clock and a slave clock each having a communication function are installed, the master clock and the slave clock communicate with each other, and the time of the slave clock matches the time of the master clock.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that even if the first wireless device can only output weak radio waves, the second wireless device can be freely arranged, and it is possible to check whether time information is received. Disclosed is a wireless time information transmission system that is simple and power efficient for a large number of second wireless devices. Specifically, in Patent Document 1, "A wireless parent-child clock system 1 includes a master clock 2 as an example of a first wireless device and a plurality of slave clocks 3A, 3B, and 3C as examples of a second wireless device. and repeaters 41 and 42 disposed between the child clocks.Based on the information from the decoder 32, the rank control means 37A transmits data indicating that the time information to be transmitted is the first reference time information. It is sent to the encoder 36. The encoder 36 combines the first reference time information from the clock means 34 with data indicating that it is the first reference time information from the rank control means 37A and the identification from the individual identification number control means 37. data indicating the child clock of the clock, and is sent to the transmitter 38.” (See the abstract of Patent Document 1).

Further, for example, Patent Literature 2 discloses a wireless communication device or the like capable of achieving time synchronization even when a plurality of wireless communication devices are time-synchronized. Specifically, in Patent Document 2, "Peripherals 201 and 202 transmit timing information indicating timings for acquiring time information to central 100. Central 100 receives timing information received from peripherals 202. , change the timing of the received timing information so as not to overlap the timing indicated by the already received timing information of another peripheral 201. The central 100 transmits the timing information to the peripheral 202 based on the changed timing information. change the settings.” (see the abstract of Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent No. 4664018 Japanese Patent No. 6131987

In the above-described conventional technology, one-to-one communication is performed between the master clock and a plurality of slave clocks to notify the slave clock of the time information of the master clock, or communication between the master clock and the multiple slave clocks is performed. , the time information of the master clock is distributed to all the slave clocks by performing relay communication.

However, in the prior art, the specifications of the master clock and the slave clock are different, and it is necessary to install a dedicated master clock (master radio device) and a slave clock (slave radio device) that operates accordingly. Therefore, the master timepiece and the slave timepiece must be designed and manufactured separately, which complicates product management and increases costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a clock and an information transmission system using the same that allows a user to decide whether the clock should function as a master clock or a slave clock when the user installs the clock. I will provide a.

(i) In order to solve the above problems, the present embodiment provides a timepiece having a communication function, comprising a storage unit that stores various programs and a protocol for realizing the communication function, and a processor that controls the operation of the timepiece. The storage unit includes a first protocol for enabling one-to-one communication with the mobile terminal and functioning as a master clock, and a second protocol for enabling communication with the master clock and functioning as a slave clock. A protocol is stored, and a switch is used to switch between a first protocol and a second protocol, and a clock is configured to be able to select whether to function as a master clock or as a slave clock.

(ii) In the present embodiment, the first protocol further comprises a protocol that enables regular reception of the standard radio wave, and transmission and reception of the first information to and from a plurality of sub-clocks through one-to-many communication. and a protocol that allows for The second protocol receives information transmitted by one-to-many communication from the master clock, and enables relay communication between the protocol that transmits the second information to the master clock and other slave clocks. protocol and;

(iii) In the present embodiment, the first information transmitted from the master clock to the plurality of child clocks by one-to-many communication includes time information, and is transmitted from the plurality of child clocks to the master clock by one-to-many communication. The second information transmitted by includes battery level information for each of the plurality of sub-clocks and temperature/humidity information acquired by the plurality of sub-clocks.

(iv) This embodiment discloses an information transmission system. The information transmission system includes a mobile terminal, a master clock, and a plurality of slave clocks. The master clock is a clock set to function as a master clock after switching to the first protocol, and each of the plurality of slave clocks is set to function as a slave clock after switching to the second protocol. It is a watch that has been When the master clock is powered on, one-to-one communication is enabled between the master clock and the mobile terminal, and when at least one of the plurality of slave clocks is powered on, the mobile terminal At least one slave clock transitions to pairing mode. In the pair setting mode, the mobile terminal acquires the unique identification information of at least one child watch, transmits the unique identification information of at least one child watch to the master watch, and instructs it to register as an information transmission destination. The at least one child watch is configured to be capable of one-to-one communication with the mobile terminal only in the pair setting mode.

(v) In this embodiment, after pairing is completed, the master clock performs Mesh communication at a predetermined timing, and transmits time information to the slave clocks within the Mesh communication range. As a result, the time is synchronized between the master clock and the slave clock.

(vi) In this embodiment, a sub-timepiece within the Mesh communication range performs relay communication with a sub-timepiece outside the Mesh communication range, and transmits time information. As a result, the time is synchronized between the master clock and all the installed slave clocks.

(vii) Each of the master clock and the plurality of slave clocks includes a battery level detection section that detects the battery level and a temperature/humidity sensor section that measures temperature and humidity. When the master clock performs Mesh communication, the slave clock transmits battery level information and temperature/humidity information to the master clock at a predetermined timing. Then, the master clock transmits the remaining battery level information and temperature/humidity information of the master clock and the slave clock to the portable terminal. As a result, the portable terminal can display the remaining battery level information and the temperature/humidity information of the master clock and the slave clock on the display unit.

Further features related to the present disclosure will become apparent from the description of the specification and the accompanying drawings. In addition, the aspects of the present disclosure will be achieved and attained by means of the elements and combinations of various elements and aspects of the detailed description that follows and the claims that follow.
It should be understood that the description herein is merely exemplary and is not intended to limit the scope or application of this disclosure in any way.

According to the present disclosure, when a user installs a clock, he/she can arbitrarily decide whether to function as a master clock or as a slave clock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows the example of a schematic structure of the information transmission system 1 by this embodiment. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic internal configuration of a parent device 20 and child devices 30_1 to 30_9 (hereinafter referred to as child device 30 for convenience) according to the present embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining operation contents of a pair setting mode according to the embodiment; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how time synchronization processing is performed between the parent device 20 and the child devices 30_1 to 30_9 . . . It is a flow chart for explaining the time synchronous processing (time information transmission processing) concerned. 3 is a diagram showing an example of communication information when each clock (master device/slave device) is registered in the mobile terminal 10. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of communication information in a case where master device 20 and slave devices 30_1 to 30_9 . . . have been registered in mobile terminal 10. FIG.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, functionally identical elements may be labeled with the same numbers. Although the attached drawings show specific embodiments and examples of implementation in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, they are for the purpose of understanding the present disclosure, and are by no means intended to limit the interpretation of the present disclosure. not used.

Although the present embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present disclosure, other implementations and configurations are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. It is necessary to understand that it is possible to change the composition/structure and replace various elements. Therefore, the following description should not be construed as being limited to this.

(1) First embodiment <Configuration example of information transmission system>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of an information transmission system 1 according to this embodiment. The information transmission system 1 includes a portable terminal (portable terminal) 10 owned by a user, a master device (master clock with communication function) 20, and a plurality of child devices (child clocks with communication function) 30_1 to 30_9. I have.

The mobile terminal 10 is a terminal having at least a short-range communication function such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), and corresponds to, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smart phone.

The parent device (master watch) 20 is a watch that has a radio communication function and a short-range communication function. Master device 20 is configured to be able to communicate with mobile terminal 10 on a one-to-one basis using a short-range communication function. In addition, the parent device 20 uses Mesh communication to obtain predetermined information (for example, time information) can be sent.

Of the child devices 30_1 to 30_9, the child device 30_m (for example, any one of the child devices 30_1 to 30_3) included in the mesh communication range of the parent device 20 acquires the predetermined information transmitted from the parent device 20. and, in response to an instruction from the parent device 20, the short-range communication is used for the child device 30_n (for example, any one of the child devices 30_4 to 30_6) outside the mesh communication range of the parent device 20. The above information is transmitted by relay communication. The child device 30_n that has received the information through relay communication further transmits the predetermined information to the child device 30_k (for example, one of the child devices 30_7 to 30_9) located further away from the parent device 20 through relay communication. Send information.

As will be described later, the parent device 20 and the child device 30 have the same configuration. It is possible to select whether to function as the child device 30 or to function as the child device 30 .

<Example of internal configuration of master unit (master clock) and slave unit (slave clock)>
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic internal configuration example of the parent device 20 and the child devices 30_1 to 30_9 (hereinafter referred to as the child device 30 for convenience) according to this embodiment.

Parent device 20 and child device 30 include a processor (CPU (Central Processor Unit), MPU (Microprocessor Unit), etc.) 101, timer unit 102, temperature sensor 103, humidity sensor 104, communication unit 105, and storage unit. 106 , an input unit 107 and an output unit 108 .

Processor 101 controls the overall operation within the device. The processor (control unit) 101 reads various programs (including programs corresponding to the flowchart of FIG. 4) from the storage unit 106 or another memory (not shown), and develops various programs in an internal memory (not shown). and run. For example, when the communication unit 105 receives time information, the processor 101 instructs the clock unit 102 to adjust the time.

The timer unit 102 has a function of counting the number of pulses of the clock signal, and measures time based on the counted number of pulses. The processor 101 executes various controls at timing based on the number of pulses counted by the timer 102 . In the case of master device 20 , the clocked time of clock unit 102 is periodically corrected by synchronizing with the time of the received standard radio wave or by synchronizing with the time obtained from portable terminal 10 .

A temperature sensor 103 measures the ambient temperature (environmental temperature). Measured temperature information is acquired by the processor 101 periodically or as needed. Humidity sensor 104 measures ambient humidity (environmental humidity). Measured humidity information is acquired by the processor 101 periodically or from time to time. In this embodiment, only the temperature sensor 103 and the humidity sensor 104 are shown as the types of sensors mounted on the parent device 20 and the child device 30. However, the sensor is not limited to these, and another sensor (for example, A light/dark sensor, sound sensor, etc.) and a remaining battery level detection unit that monitors and measures the remaining battery level may be provided.

The communication unit 105 communicates with other devices via Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication, a local network (LAN: Local Area Network), or the Internet (WAN: Wide Area Network), and transmits and receives predetermined information. In the case of the base unit 20, it communicates with the portable terminal 10 by short-range communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or receives radio wave time by radio wave communication. In the case of the slave device 30, it receives predetermined information such as time information from the master device 20, and relays predetermined information acquired by the other slave devices 30 (information acquired from the master device 20 and other slave devices 30). Send by communication. In addition, if there is an air conditioner near the installation location of the parent device 20 or the child device 30 (range in which short-range communication is possible), predetermined information (in this case, the operation of the air conditioner is controlled by changing the set temperature, etc.) Upon receiving the air conditioning control information), the master device 20 and the slave device 30 control the operation of the air conditioner. In addition to time information and air conditioning control information, for example, weather forecast for the surrounding area, caution warnings such as photochemical smog, traffic information such as train delays, evacuation warnings due to earthquakes, tsunamis, and missiles, , and may be displayed as characters on the display unit of each child device 30, may be notified by voice from a speaker, or may be updated for a specific child device 30 that requires program correction.

The storage unit 106 stores various programs and various parameters. Also, for example, the storage unit 106 stores a first protocol for operating as the parent device 20 and a second protocol for operating as the child device 30 . The first protocol is a protocol compatible with short-range communication (for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) one-to-one communication) for one-to-one communication with the mobile terminal 10, and a plurality of slave units included in the communicable range. 30_m (for example, the child devices 30_1 to 30_3), a protocol compatible with short-range communication (for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) one-to-many communication) for transmitting information by Mesh communication, and functions as a radio clock including a protocol for The second protocol includes a protocol for receiving predetermined information from master device 20, a protocol for transmitting predetermined information received to another slave device through relay communication, and a protocol for transmitting predetermined information received to another slave device through relay communication. and a protocol that allows communication of If the user has set the watch to function as master device 20 (switched by a switch), the watch uses only the first protocol. On the other hand, when the user sets the watch to function as the slave device 30 (switched by a switch), the watch uses only the second protocol.

The input unit 106 is configured by any one or a combination of input means such as various switches and buttons, a keyboard (simple keyboard), a touch panel, and a microphone. The output unit 108 is configured by a speaker that outputs audio, a display unit, and the like.

<Pair setting mode>
In order for the portable terminal 10 and a plurality of watches (equipment corresponding to the master device 20 and the slave devices 30) to function as the information transmission system 1 according to the present embodiment, the master device 20 and the slave devices 30_1 to 30_9 must be registered. A mode in which the parent device 20 and the child devices 30_1 to 30_9 are registered in the mobile terminal 10 is called a pair setting mode.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation contents of the pair setting mode according to this embodiment. As a precondition for operating the pair setting mode, the user must set each watch to operate as master device 20 or slave device 30 . As mentioned above, the setting is determined by a switch provided on each watch. For example, by switching between the parent device and the child device with a mechanical switch provided on each watch, or by selecting the parent device or the child device from the GUI menu displayed on the display unit (input unit 107) of the watch. , the setting is implemented. When set in master device 20, the corresponding watch uses the first protocol as described above. When set to slave device 30, the corresponding watch uses the second protocol as described above.

(i) Step 301
When the parent device 20 or the child device 30 is powered on, the parent device 20 or the child device 30 shifts to the pair setting mode. The period during which the pair setting mode is valid can be within a certain period after the power is turned on.

(ii) step 302
When master device 20 enters the pair setting mode, mobile terminal 10 can communicate with master device 20 . Also, each child device 30 can communicate with the mobile terminal 10 on a one-to-one basis only during the pair setting mode.

(iii) Step 303
The mobile terminal 10 acquires unique identification information (ID number) of the child device 30 in the pair setting mode, and registers it as the child device 30 in a memory (not shown). Regarding the acquisition of the unique identification information by the mobile terminal 10, for example, the user operates the mobile terminal 10 to input the unique identification information of each of the child devices 30_1 to 30_9 . 10 can communicate with each slave device 30_1 to 30_9 . In the latter case, each child device 30 is configured so that one-to-one communication with the mobile terminal 10 becomes impossible when the pair setting is completed (such a protocol is used for the child device). .

(iv) Step 304
The mobile terminal 10 performs one-on-one short-range communication (Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication) with the parent device 20, and transmits the unique identification information of the registered child devices 30_1 to 30_9 to the parent device 20. . Moreover, the mobile terminal 10 can transmit the time information to the master device 20 even at this timing (in the pair setting mode), and synchronize the time between the mobile terminal 10 and the master device 20 .

(v) Step 305
The parent device 20 receives the unique identification information of the child devices 30_1 to 30_9 .
At the same time, the parent device 20 transmits the time information to the child device 30 through Mesh communication. As for the child device 30 outside the Mesh communicable range, the time information from the parent device 20 is transmitted from the child device 30 within the Mesh communicable range by relay communication. As a result, the times of the portable terminal 10, master device 20, and slave devices 30_1 to 30_9, . . . are synchronized.

(vi) step 306
After a certain period of time has passed since the power was turned on, the pair setting mode ends in the parent device 20 and the child devices 30_1 to 30_9 . . .

<Time information transmission processing (time synchronization processing)>
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing how time synchronization processing is performed between the parent device 20 and the child devices 30_1 to 30_9 . . . FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the time synchronization processing (time information transmission processing).

As shown in FIG. 4, when executing the time synchronization process, the parent device 20 turns on Mesh communication, and sends its own time information (standard time information obtained via radio waves or time information received from the mobile terminal 10). Since other child devices 30_4 to 30_9 are installed outside the mesh communication range, the master device 20 cannot directly transmit time information to them. Therefore, for example, the slave device 30_1 that has received the time information transmits the time information to the slave device 30_4, and the slave device 30_4 transmits the time information to the slave device 30_7 by relay communication. Further, for example, the child device 30_2 that has received the time information transmits the time information to the child device 30_5, and the child device 30_5 transmits the time information to the child device 30_8 by relay communication. Further, for example, the child device 30_3 that has received the time information transmits the time information to the child device 30_6, and the child device 30_6 transmits the time information to the child device 30_9 by relay communication. In this way, Mesh communication between the parent device 20 and some of the child devices 30_1 to 30_3, and relay communication between the child devices 30_1 to 30_3 and the other child devices 30_4 to 30_9 . The clock can be synchronized with the time of master device 20 . The time synchronization processing will be described below based on the flowchart of FIG.

(i) Step 501
Until the timing for the master device 20 to transmit information comes, the master device 20 and the child devices 30_1 to 30_9 . there is

When the time synchronization timing preset (registered) in the master device 20 has come (for example, the timing when time information is received by radio wave communication), or when the user operates the mobile terminal 10 to transmit a time communication start request. , is received by the master device 20, the master device 20 changes from the power saving mode to the normal mode. Then, the time information kept by the master device 20 is rewritten to the time information acquired by radio wave communication or the time information acquired from the mobile terminal 10 . Further, slave devices 30_1 to 30_9 also change from the power saving mode to the normal mode at preset time synchronization timing. On the other hand, when master device 20 receives the time communication start request from portable terminal 10, slave devices 30_1 to 30_9 remain in the power saving mode. Therefore, in this case, the parent device 20 instructs the child devices 30_1 to 30_3 within the mesh communication range to change from the power saving mode to the normal mode by Mesh communication (for example, the parent device 20 by transmitting a time communication start request to 30_1 to 30_3). Note that the master device 20 does not have to recognize that the slave devices 30_1 to 30_3 are within the mesh communication range, and as a result, the instruction is transmitted to the slave devices 30_1 to 30_3. Then, the child devices 30_1 to 30_3 within the Mesh communicable range instruct the child devices 30_4 to 30_9 .
By the above operation, the parent device 20 and the child devices 30_1 to 30_9 can enter the normal mode from the power saving mode.

(ii) step 502
The parent device 20 executes Mesh communication, and transmits time information to the child devices 30_1 to 30_3 within the Mesh communicable range. Upon receiving the time information, the child devices 30_1 to 30_3 match the time held (measured) by themselves with the received time information (time correction/adjustment processing).
Then, the child devices 30_1 to 30_3 that have updated the time information notify the parent device 20 that the time information has been received (for example, return an Ack).

(iii) Step 503
Base device 20 can transmit the time information to all registered child devices based on the registration information of the child devices held in storage unit 106 and the unique identification information of child devices 30_1 to 30_3 to which Ack has been returned. determine whether or not If the time information has been transmitted to all slave devices (Yes in step 503), the process proceeds to step 505. If the time information has not been transmitted to all slave devices (No in step 503), the process proceeds to step 504.

(iv) Step 504
The master device 20 relays the slave devices 30_1 to 30_3 capable of mesh communication to the slave devices that have received an Ack reply (some slave devices may not have an Ack reply). It instructs other child devices 30_4 to 30_9 registered as devices to transmit time information. For example, when there is no Ack reply from the slave device 30_3 (including the case where the master device 20 does not recognize whether or not the slave device 30_3 is within the mesh communication range), It instructs the devices 30_1 and 30_2 to transmit the time information to the other slave devices 30_3 to 30_9 . . . by relay communication. Each child device 30_3 to 30_9, . . Thereby, the parent device 20 can confirm that all the child devices 30_1 to 30_9 have acquired the time information.

(v) Step 505
When the time synchronization is completed, the parent device 20 and the child devices 30_1 to 30_9 . . . enter the power saving mode again.
Note that the master device 20 can time-synchronize with the mobile terminal 10 even during the power saving mode. Further, in the above description, it is assumed that the time synchronization processing is executed between the parent device 20 and each of the child devices 30_1 to 30_9 . . . However, the time between each child device 30_1 to 30_9 . . . Synchronous processing may be executed.

(2) Second Embodiment A second embodiment discloses communication using the portable terminal connection encryption information. In the first embodiment, the communication information during the pair setting mode and the communication information after the pair setting are not specified. ing. The differences are shown below.

(i) In pair setting mode FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of communication information when each clock (master device/slave device) is registered in the mobile terminal 10. As shown in FIG. As described above, each clock, in accordance with the switch settings of the master/slave unit, sets the master/slave unit setting identifier, the unique identification information (ID number) of each clock, the time, etc. (which may include information) is transmitted to the mobile terminal (for example, smartphone) 10 . At this time, the mobile terminal connection code is not used, and any mobile terminal 10 can discover the parent device 20 .

When each clock is registered in the mobile terminal 10, the mobile terminal 10 stores the master/slave device information of the set identifier and the unique identification information (ID number) as one set, and registers it as a communication destination from the next time onwards. . At the same time, master device 20 also acquires the unique identification information of slave devices 30_1 to 30_9 from mobile terminal 10 and registers it in storage unit 106 . This processing operation is the same as in the first embodiment.

Further, the mobile terminal 10 transmits the connection encryption data to the clock to be registered (the clock that should be the master device 20), and the mobile terminal connection encryption data is entered into the group of the target mobile terminal 10 in the subsequent communication. It can be used as a criterion for determining whether or not

(ii) After pair setting FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of communication information when the parent device 20 and the child devices 30_1 to 30_9 .

The watches (master device 20 and slave devices 30_1 to 30_9 . That is, master device 20 can communicate with portable terminal 10 and slave device 30 having the same encryption information. On the other hand, the slave device 30 can communicate with the master device 20 and other slave devices 30 having the same encryption information. Also, the mobile terminal 10 can communicate only with the parent device 20 having the same encryption information.

According to the second embodiment, by using the mobile terminal connection encryption, the mobile terminal (for example, smart phone) 10 that is paired first and another mobile terminal (another smart phone) 10 are not connected. can be In addition, it becomes possible to process the received information according to the data content identifier and reflect it on any display. For example, on the display of the mobile terminal 10, it is possible to display the temperature and humidity information acquired by each clock (master device 20 and each slave device 30_1 to 30_9 . It becomes possible. Then, as described above, the clocks (master device 20 and slave devices 30_1 to 30_9 . . . ) can move their hands according to the synchronized time information.

(3) Summary (i) In the information transmission system 1 according to the present disclosure, one-to-one short-range communication (for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication) is used between the parent device 20 and the mobile terminal 10, Mesh communication using short-range communication (for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication) is performed between the device 20 and at least some of the child devices 30 (for example, the child devices 30_1 to 30_3). By using both one-to-one communication and mesh communication in this way, it is possible to suppress current consumption. In addition, when performing Mesh communication, the parent device 20 transmits time information to the child devices 30_1 to 30_3 within the Mesh communication range, and from them, the remaining battery level and the measured temperature of each child device 30_1 to 30_9 . Acquire humidity information, etc. As described above, from the child devices 30_4 to 30_9 outside the mesh communication range, relay communication (one-to-one communication) is performed to the child devices 30_1 to 30_3 within the mesh communication range. will be sent. Accordingly, the child devices 30_1 to 30_3 within the mesh communication range function as relay devices between the parent device 20 and the parent device 20. FIG. Then, master device 20 transmits information such as the remaining battery level and temperature/humidity information of child devices 30_1 to 30_9 . can be confirmed. Therefore, an instruction to adjust the air conditioning of a room (for example, a specific room such as a hotel or an event hall, or a specific meeting room in a company) in which a specific child device 30 is installed is sent from the mobile terminal 10 to the main device 20. It is possible to transmit via (by Mesh communication and relay communication).

(ii) In the present embodiment, as an example of information fed back from the child device 30, information obtained from various sensors (temperature, humidity, brightness, etc.) and remaining battery power have been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, product lot information and the amount of time correction for each slave device 30 may be fed back to the master device 20 . By feeding this information back to the parent device 20, the child device 30, whose time tends to deviate due to some reason (the time is correct immediately after time synchronization, but the hands are quickly delayed or early) is visualized. It is also possible to know whether the cause is the lot (manufacturing defect) or the usage environment (outside the recommended temperature range for use, a place where it is difficult to receive standard radio waves), etc. Further, it is also possible to transmit the modification program from the parent device 20 and apply it (program rewrite) only to such a specific child device 30 .

1 information transmission system 10 mobile terminal 20 master device (master clock)
30 slave unit (slave clock)
30_1 to 30_9 Child device 101 Processor 102 Clock unit 103 Temperature sensor 104 Humidity sensor 105 Communication unit 106 Storage unit 107 Input unit 108 Output unit

Claims (6)

A timepiece having a communication function,
a storage unit that stores protocols for realizing various programs and communication functions;
a processor that controls the operation of the watch,
The storage unit includes a first protocol for enabling one-to-one communication with a mobile terminal and functioning as a master clock, a second protocol for enabling communication with the master clock and functioning as a slave clock, stores the
a switch is used to switch between the first protocol and the second protocol to select whether to function as the master clock or to function as the slave clock ;
The first protocol further includes a protocol that enables standard radio waves to be received periodically, and a protocol that enables transmission and reception of first information to and from a plurality of sub-clocks through one-to-many communication. , including
The second protocol receives information transmitted by one-to-many communication from the master clock, and performs relay communication between a protocol for transmitting second information to the master clock and other slave clocks. a clock , including an enabling protocol ; In claim 1 ,
the first information transmitted from the master clock to the plurality of slave clocks by one-to-many communication includes time information;
The second information transmitted from the plurality of child clocks to the master clock by one-to-many communication includes remaining battery level information of each of the plurality of child clocks and temperature and humidity obtained by the plurality of child clocks. clock, including information and including a mobile terminal, a master clock, and a plurality of slave clocks,
The master clock is the clock according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the clock is set to function as a master clock by switching to the first protocol,
Each of the plurality of sub-clocks is the clock according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the clock is set to function as a sub-clock by switching to the second protocol,
When the master timepiece is powered on, one-to-one communication becomes possible between the master timepiece and the portable terminal,
When at least one of the plurality of sub-timepieces is powered on, the mobile terminal and the at least one sub-timepiece shift to a pair setting mode, and the mobile terminal switches to the at least one sub-timepiece. acquiring unique identification information, instructing the master clock to transmit the unique identification information of the at least one slave clock and register it as an information transmission destination;
An information transmission system configured to enable one-to-one communication between the at least one slave watch and the portable terminal only in the pair setting mode. In claim 3 ,
After pairing is completed, the master clock performs Mesh communication at a predetermined timing, transmits time information to the slave clocks within the mesh communication range, and exchanges the time between the master clock and the slave clock. Synchronization, information transmission system. In claim 4 ,
The slave clock within the mesh communication range executes relay communication with the slave clock outside the mesh communication range, transmits the time information, and sends the time information to all the slave clocks installed with the master clock. An information transmission system that synchronizes the time with the child clock of In claim 4 or 5 ,
each of the master clock and the plurality of slave clocks includes a remaining battery level detection unit that detects the remaining battery level, and a temperature and humidity sensor that measures temperature and humidity;
at the predetermined timing, the slave clock transmits the remaining battery level information and the temperature and humidity information to the master clock;
the master clock transmits the remaining battery level information and the temperature and humidity information to the portable terminal;
The information transmission system, wherein the portable terminal displays the remaining battery level information and the temperature/humidity information of the master clock and the slave clock on a display unit.

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