JP7199255B2 - Telemetry system, information terminal, and communication control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a telemeter system, an information terminal, and a communication control method.

A telemetry system that collects measured values measured at a plurality of measurement locations is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

A telemetry system described in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of terminals. Each of the plurality of terminals has a receiver and a transmitter. The receiving unit intermittently receives an activation signal with a designated destination. When the receiver receives the activation signal addressed to the device itself, the transmitter returns a response signal to establish a communication connection with the terminal that transmitted the activation signal. If the activation signal received by the receiver is not addressed to the device itself, the transmitter transmits an identifier notification signal containing the identifier of the device itself.

If the activation signal is not addressed to the device itself and the device can communicate with the terminal that is the destination of the activation signal, the receiving unit of the device receives data to be transmitted to the destination terminal from the terminal that transmitted the activation signal. receive. Then, the transmission unit of the device establishes a communication connection with the destination terminal by transmitting the activation signal, and transmits the communication data to the destination terminal. That is, the communication data is transmitted from the source terminal to the destination terminal by bypassing the own device.

JP 2018-207250 A

However, when communication processing is performed in which communication data is transmitted through a plurality of terminals in sequence, if a relay terminal (second terminal) out of the plurality of terminals becomes unable to communicate, the communication data may be lost. The transmission process stops at the relay terminal. In this case, the communication data transmission path is detoured from the plurality of terminals so that the communication data is transmitted to the relay terminal (second terminal) via a terminal (fourth terminal) other than the plurality of terminals. However, since the relay terminal cannot communicate, the relay terminal cannot receive the communication data. As a result, according to the telemetry system described in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that the communication process will be interrupted even if the process of bypassing the transmission path of the communication data is performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a telemeter system, an information terminal, and a communication control method capable of suppressing interruption of communication processing.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a telemetry system comprises a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal and a fourth terminal. When the first terminal performs communication processing for transmitting communication data to the third terminal via the second terminal, the first terminal cannot communicate with the second terminal, If the fourth terminal can be communicated with and the fourth terminal can communicate with the third terminal, an alternative process is performed instead of the communication process. The alternative process is a process in which the first terminal transmits the communication data to the third terminal via the fourth terminal.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the information terminal is one of a plurality of terminals provided in the telemetry system. The plurality of terminals includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, and a fourth terminal, which are the information terminals. When the first terminal performs communication processing for transmitting communication data to the third terminal via the second terminal, the first terminal cannot communicate with the second terminal, When the fourth terminal can be communicated with and the fourth terminal can communicate with the third terminal, a first alternative process is performed instead of the communication process. The first alternative process is a process in which the first terminal transmits the communication data to the third terminal via the fourth terminal.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a communication control method is a method of controlling a telemetry system comprising a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, and a fourth terminal. The communication control method comprises the step of determining whether or not the first terminal can communicate with the second terminal. The communication control method comprises the step of determining whether or not the first terminal can communicate with the fourth terminal. The communication control method comprises the step of determining whether or not the fourth terminal can communicate with the third terminal. In the communication control method, when the first terminal performs communication processing for transmitting communication data to the third terminal via the second terminal, the first terminal and performing a first alternative process instead of the communication process when the fourth terminal can be communicated with and the fourth terminal can communicate with the third terminal. The first alternative process is a process in which the first terminal transmits the communication data to the third terminal via the fourth terminal.

According to the present invention, interruption of communication processing can be suppressed.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a telemetry system according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a parent device; FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a child device. FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing communication processing; FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing first alternative processing; FIG. 11 is a first flow diagram showing a second alternative process; FIG. 2 is a second flow diagram showing a second alternative process; FIG. 11 is a first flow diagram showing a third alternative process; Fig. 2 is a second flow chart showing a third alternative process;

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

A telemetry system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a telemetry system 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. Telemetry system 100 is a system that collects measurements taken at multiple measurement locations.

The telemeter system 100 includes a host computer 11 , a center-side network control device 12 , multiple terminals, and multiple meters 23 .

A plurality of terminals are composed of a parent device 21 and a plurality of child devices 22 . The plurality of child devices 22 includes child device 22A to child device 22F.

Hereinafter, the host computer 11 and the center side network control device 12 may be referred to as the center side. Also, the parent device 21, the plurality of child devices 22, and the plurality of meters 23 may be referred to as the terminal side.

The meter 23 is installed, for example, for each customer such as a private residence, company, and various facilities. The meter 23 is, for example, a measuring instrument that measures the amount of gas, water, or electricity used and outputs a measured value (meter reading value).

A plurality of meters 23 correspond to a plurality of child devices 22, respectively. The meter 23 outputs a measured value (meter reading value) to the corresponding slave device 22 .

The host computer 11 controls a parent device 21 and a plurality of child devices 22 . The host computer 11 collects measurement values measured by the plurality of meters 23 via the parent device 21 and the plurality of child devices 22 .

The center-side network controller 12 is connected to a wide area wireless network N1 such as a PHS network and a FOMA network. The center-side network control device 12 performs wireless communication with the base unit 21 via the wide area wireless network N1. Note that the center-side network control device 12 and the parent device 21 may be connected by a wired communication network.

The center side network control device 12 transmits and receives data to and from the terminal side via the wide area wireless network N1. The center side network control device 12 has a function of controlling communication with the terminal side via the wide area wireless network N1.

When data is input from the host computer 11 to the center side network control device 12, the center side network control device 12 transmits the data to the terminal side using a communication method conforming to the communication standard of the wide area wireless network N1. . When the center side network control device 12 receives the data transmitted from the terminal side, it transmits the received data to the host computer 11 .

The base unit 21 has the function of an NCU (Network Control Unit) to enable connection to the wide area wireless network N1, and performs wireless communication with the center side via the wide area wireless network N1. Note that the communication between the parent device 21 and the center side is not limited to wireless communication, and may be wired communication. In this case, the base unit 21 and the center side network control device 12 are connected by a wired communication network.

In this embodiment, the master device 21 forms a mesh-type narrow-area wireless network N2 together with the plurality of slave devices 22 . In FIG. 1, the communication paths through which direct communication is possible between the parent device 21 and the plurality of child devices 22 are indicated by dashed lines. Being able to directly communicate means that direct communication is possible without passing through a terminal other than the communication target terminal.

In this embodiment, the parent device 21 can directly communicate with each of the child device 22A and the child device 22C. Communication paths between other slave units 22 are also shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, the parent device 21 and the plurality of child devices 22 may also be collectively referred to as wireless devices.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, one master unit 21 and six slave units 22 are installed in the narrow-area wireless network N2, but the number of wireless units installed in the narrow-area wireless network N2 And the connection relationship of each wireless device is not limited to the example shown in FIG. For example, the number of radios and the connection relationship of each radio can be changed as appropriate within the range of the maximum number of installations and/or the maximum number of connections per radio stipulated by the communication specifications of the short-range radio network N2. can be

The parent device 21 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the parent device 21. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the base unit 21 includes a wide area wireless communication unit 210, an antenna 210a, a narrow area wireless communication unit 211, an antenna 211a, a display unit 212, an operation unit 213, a storage unit 214, and a control unit 215 .

The wide area wireless communication unit 210 communicates with the center side network control device 12 by transmitting or receiving radio waves through the antenna 210a. For example, when the narrow-range wireless communication unit 211 receives meter reading data from the slave unit 22, the wide-area wireless communication unit 210 transmits radio waves from the antenna 210a, thereby conforming to the communication standard of the wide-area wireless network N1. to send meter reading data to the center.

When the wide area wireless communication unit 210 receives a radio wave through the antenna 210a, it decodes the received radio wave to acquire data in a predetermined format. Wide area wireless communication unit 210 outputs data obtained by decoding the received radio wave to control unit 215 . When acquiring the data output from the wide area wireless communication unit 210, the control unit 215 performs various controls based on the acquired data.

The short-range wireless communication unit 211 performs wireless communication with the child device 22 by a predetermined wireless communication method by transmitting or receiving radio waves through the antenna 211a. As a wireless communication method, for example, wireless communication in the 920 MHz band is adopted. When base unit 21 has data to be transmitted, short-range wireless communication unit 211 of base unit 21 transmits an activation signal designating a destination. When an Ack signal corresponding to the activation signal is returned from the slave device 22 designated as the destination, the master device 21 establishes a communication connection with the slave device 22 as the destination. As a result, the parent device 21 performs data communication with the child device 22 . A beacon is transmitted from the child device 22 that is not specified as a destination.

The short-range wireless communication unit 211 is a first example of the transmitting unit and receiving unit of the present invention.

The display unit 212 has an LED lamp (LED: Light Emitting Diode) and a liquid crystal display panel. The display unit 212 displays, for example, information indicating installation work of the master device 21 and information to be notified to the worker performing maintenance work on the master device 21 .

The operation unit 213 includes various switches such as DIP switches and buttons. An operation unit 213 receives instructions from the outside. Control unit 215 operates based on instructions received by operation unit 213 .

The storage unit 214 includes a main storage device (eg, semiconductor memory) such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory), and may further include an auxiliary storage device (eg, hard disk drive). Storage unit 214 stores various computer programs executed by control unit 215 . The storage unit 214 stores a hop count table 214a.

The hop count table 214a is a table that associates the identifier of each child device 22 with the number of hops from the parent device 30 to each child device 22 . The identifier is information that is assigned in advance to each of the plurality of terminals (master device 21 and the plurality of child devices 22) and that identifies the plurality of terminals from each other. Identifiers include, for example, numbers, symbols, and/or letters. The number of hops of the child device 22 that can directly communicate with the parent device 30 is one, and the number of hops of the child device 22 that can indirectly communicate with the parent device 30 is greater than one. In this embodiment, the child devices 22 that can directly communicate with the parent device 21 are the child device 22A and the child device 22C. In this embodiment, the child devices 22 that can indirectly communicate with the parent device 21 are the child device 22B, the child device 22D, the child device 22E, and the child device 22F.

The control unit 215 of the parent device 21 can communicate directly with the parent device 21 by properly communicating with the child device 22 that can directly communicate with the parent device 21 among the plurality of child devices 22 through the short-range wireless communication unit 211. The hop count table 224a (see FIG. 3) of the child device 22 is received. As a result, the control unit 215 of the parent device 21 acquires the identifier of the child device 22 that can directly or indirectly communicate with the parent device 21, and acquires information indicating the number of hops to the child device 22 whose identifier has been acquired. . Then, the control unit 215 of the master device 21 updates the hop count table 214a of its own device based on the acquired information.

The control unit 215 includes processors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). Control unit 215 controls each element of master device 21 by executing a computer program stored in storage unit 214 .

The slave device 22 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the child device 22. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the handset 22 includes a short-range wireless communication unit 220, an antenna 220a, a connection port 221, a display unit 222, an operation unit 223, a storage unit 224, and a control unit 225. .

The short-range wireless communication unit 220 performs wireless communication with the parent device 21 and other child devices 22 by a predetermined wireless communication method by transmitting or receiving radio waves through the antenna 220a. As a wireless communication method, for example, wireless communication in the 920 MHz band is adopted. In this embodiment, when the slave device 22 has data to be transmitted, the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave device 22 continuously transmits an activation signal designating a destination. When an Ack signal corresponding to the activation signal is returned from the master device 21 or other slave device 22 designated as the destination, the slave device 22 establishes a communication connection with the master device 21 or the other slave device 22 as the destination. Establish. As a result, the child device 22 performs data communication with the parent device 21 or another child device 22 . A beacon is transmitted from the parent device 21 or other child devices 22 that are not designated as destinations.

The short range wireless communication unit 220 is a second example of the transmitting unit and receiving unit of the present invention.

A meter 23 is connected to the connection port 221 . The controller 225 of the slave device 22 acquires the meter reading of the meter 23 through the connection port 221 .

The display unit 222 has an LED lamp and a liquid crystal display panel. The display unit 222 displays, for example, information indicating installation work of the child device 22 and information to be notified to the worker performing maintenance work on the child device 22 .

The operation unit 223 includes various switches such as DIP switches and buttons. The operation unit 223 receives instructions from the outside. Control unit 225 operates based on instructions received by operation unit 223 .

The storage unit 224 includes main storage devices such as ROM and RAM, and may further include auxiliary storage devices. Storage unit 224 stores various computer programs executed by control unit 225 . The storage unit 214 stores a hop count table 224a.

The hop count table 224a is a table that associates the identifier of each communication terminal with the number of hops from its own device to each communication terminal. A communication terminal is a terminal that can directly or indirectly communicate with itself among a plurality of terminals (master device 21 and a plurality of slave devices 22).

The control unit 225 of the slave unit 22 appropriately communicates with a terminal capable of directly communicating with the own unit among a plurality of terminals using the short-range wireless communication unit 220, and creates a hop count table of the terminal capable of directly communicating with the own unit. 214a, 224a. As a result, the control unit 225 of the child device 22 acquires the identifier of the terminal that can directly or indirectly communicate with itself and the information indicating the number of hops to the terminal that acquired the identifier. Then, the control unit 225 of the slave device 22 updates the hop count table 224a of its own device based on the acquired information.

The control unit 225 includes processors such as CPU and MPU. Control unit 225 controls each element of child device 22 by executing a computer program stored in storage unit 224 .

The control unit 225 of the handset 22 determines the communication data transmission route within the short-range wireless network N2 based on the hop count table 224a and a predetermined rule. The predetermined rule is, for example, a rule that preferentially selects a route with the smallest number of hops to the destination as the communication data transmission route. However, the predetermined rule is, for example, a rule for appropriately changing the transmission route of communication data from the preferentially selected transmission route according to the operation status, radio wave status, and/or communication status of each child device 22. may contain. Note that the control unit 215 of the base unit 21, like the control unit 225 of the child unit 22, also determines the communication data transmission route within the short-range wireless network N2 based on the hop count table 214a and a predetermined rule. do.

[First example]
Next, communication processing, which is a first example of the operation of the telemetry system 100, will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing communication processing. In the communication process, communication data is transmitted in the order of the parent device 21, the child device 22A, and the child device 22B.

In the communication process, the host computer 11 instructs the parent device 21 to transmit communication data to the child device 22B. Then, based on the hop count table 214a and a predetermined rule, the control unit 215 of the parent device 21 determines the communication data transmission route in the order of the parent device 21, the child device 22A, and the child device 22B. Then, the control unit 215 of the parent device 21 performs communication processing for transmitting communication data to the parent device 21, the child device 22A, and the child device 22B in this order. In the communication process, communication data may be transmitted between the plurality of child devices 22 without going through the parent device 21 . Further, in the present embodiment, the communication data transmission path in communication processing ends at the child device 22B. However, the invention is not so limited. The transmission path of communication data in communication processing may continue from child device 22B to another child device 22 (for example, child device 22F) without ending at child device 22B.

The content of communication data transmitted in communication processing is not particularly limited. The communication data may be, for example, a control command instructing the slave device 22B to transmit the measured value of the meter 23 connected to the slave device 22B to the host computer 11 via the master device 21 .

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, in step S210, the control unit 215 of the base unit 21 causes the short-range wireless communication unit 211 to transmit an activation signal addressed to the slave unit 22A. As a result, an activation request is issued to the child device 22A.

In step S220, when the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the child device 22A receives the activation signal from the master device 21, the control unit 225 of the child device 22A confirms the destination included in the activation signal, and receives the received activation signal. is an activation signal addressed to the own device (child device 22A). The short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the handset 22A intermittently receives the activation signal.

When the control unit 225 of the child device 22A determines that the received activation signal is the activation signal addressed to itself, the short-range wireless communication unit 220 transmits the activation signal to the master device 21, which is the transmission source of the activation signal. Send an Ack signal containing the identifier.

When the Ack signal from the slave device 22A is received by the short-range wireless communication unit 211, the controller 215 of the master device 21 establishes a communication connection with the slave device 22A. By establishing a communication connection between the parent device 21 and the child device 22A, data communication between the parent device 21 and the child device 22A becomes possible. Then, the controller 215 of the master device 21 transmits the communication data to the slave device 22A through the short-range wireless communication unit 211. FIG. As a result, the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the handset 22A receives the communication data.

Further, when transmitting communication data, the short-range wireless communication unit 211 of the master device 21 transmits transfer destination designation data to the slave device 22A. The transfer destination designation data is data indicating the transfer destination of the communication data. In this embodiment, the transfer destination designation data designates the handset 22B as the transfer destination of the communication data. The transfer destination designation data is, in other words, data indicating the transmission route of the communication data.

The controller 225 of the slave device 22A receives the forwarding destination designation data transmitted from the master device 21 by the short-range wireless communication unit 220 . Then, the control unit 225 of the child device 22A recognizes that the transfer destination of the communication data is the child device 22B based on the transfer destination designation data.

In step S230, the control unit 225 of the child device 22A transmits an activation signal addressed to the child device 22B through the short-range wireless communication unit 220. FIG. As a result, an activation request is issued to the child device 22B.

In step S240, when short-range wireless communication unit 220 of child device 22B receives the activation signal from child device 22A, control unit 225 of child device 22B confirms the destination included in the activation signal, and receives the received activation signal. is an activation signal addressed to the own device (child device 22B). When the controller 225 of the slave device 22B determines that the received activation signal is the activation signal addressed to itself, the controller 225 transmits an Ack signal from the short-range wireless communication unit 220 to the slave device 22A, which is the source of the activation signal. Send.

When the Ack signal from the child device 22B is received by the short-range wireless communication unit 220, the control unit 225 of the child device 22A establishes a communication connection with the child device 22B. Then, the control unit 225 of the child device 22B transmits communication data to the child device 22B through the short-range wireless communication unit 220. FIG. As a result, the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the handset 22B receives the communication data.

When the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the handset 22B receives the communication data, the communication process ends.

[Second example]
Next, a first alternative process, which is a second example of the operation of the telemetry system 100, will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5. FIG. FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing the first alternative process. The first alternative process is a process in which parent device 21 transmits communication data to child device 22B via child device 22C.

In the second example, a first alternative process is performed instead of the communication process of the first example.

The second example differs from the first example in that the child device 22A cannot communicate with each of the parent device 21 and the child device 22C. For example, when the child device 22A is stopped for maintenance, or when communication failure occurs in the child device 22A due to an obstacle existing around the child device 22A, the child device 22A cannot communicate. become a state. Differences from the first example will be mainly described below.

In the second example, master device 21 is an example of the first terminal of the present invention. Child device 22A is an example of a second terminal of the present invention. Child device 22B is an example of a third terminal of the present invention. Child device 22C is an example of a fourth terminal of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5, in step S210, the control unit 215 of the base unit 21 causes the short-range wireless communication unit 211 to transmit an activation signal addressed to the slave unit 22A.

The activation signal transmitted from master device 21 in step S210 is an example of the first activation signal of the present invention.

In step S<b>211 , the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the child device 22</b>C receives the activation signal from the master device 21 . When the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the slave device 22C receives the activation signal from the master device 21, the control unit 225 of the slave device 22C confirms the destination included in the activation signal, and the received activation signal reaches the own device ( It is determined whether or not the start signal is addressed to the handset 22C).

In the second example, the destination included in the activation signal is the handset 22A. Therefore, the controller 225 of the child device 22C determines that the received activation signal is not addressed to itself.

When the controller 225 of the slave device 22C determines that the received activation signal is not addressed to the slave device itself, the short-range wireless communication unit 220 sends the controller 225 of the slave device 22C to the master device 21, which is the source of the activation signal. Send a beacon containing an identifier. As a result, the short-range wireless communication unit 211 of the parent device 21 receives the beacon from the child device 22C.

When short-range wireless communication unit 211 of base device 21 receives the beacon from child device 22C, control unit 215 of base device 21 recognizes that communication with child device 22C is possible.

When transmitting a beacon, the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the child device 22C transmits the hop count table 224a stored in the storage unit 224 of the child device 22C. As a result, the short-range wireless communication unit 211 of the base device 21 receives the hop count table 224a of the handset 22C. Based on the hop count table 224a received from the child device 22C, the controller 215 of the parent device 21 recognizes that the child device 22C can communicate with the child device 22B.

In step S231, if the short-range wireless communication unit 211 of the master device 21 does not receive the Ack signal from the slave device 22A within the first predetermined period after transmitting the activation signal addressed to the slave device 22A, the master device 21 is controlled. The unit 215 determines that communication with the child device 22A is disabled.

Control unit 215 of parent device 21 determines in step S231 that communication with child device 22A is disabled, and in step S211, child device 22C determines that child device 22C is a child device based on hop count table 224a received from child device 22C. If it recognizes that it can communicate with 22B, it changes the communication data transmission path from the master device 21 via the slave device 22A to the slave device 22B to the slave device 22B via the master device 21 via the slave device 22C. Change the route to send to Then, control unit 215 of master device 21 starts processing for transmitting communication data to slave device 22C.

In step S232, the controller 215 of the master device 21 causes the short-range wireless communication unit 211 to transmit an activation signal addressed to the slave device 22C.

The activation signal transmitted from master device 21 in step S232 is an example of the second activation signal of the present invention.

In step S241, when short-range wireless communication unit 220 of child device 22C receives an activation signal from base device 21, control unit 225 of child device 22C instructs base device 21 to An Ack signal containing the machine identifier is transmitted.

The Ack signal transmitted from the handset 22C in step S241 is an example of the first response signal of the present invention.

When the Ack signal from the child device 22C is received by the short-range wireless communication unit 211, the control unit 215 of the base device 21 establishes a communication connection with the child device 22C. Then, control unit 215 of master device 21 transmits communication data to child device 22C through short-range wireless communication unit 211 . As a result, the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the handset 22C receives the communication data.

Further, when transmitting communication data, the short-range wireless communication unit 211 of the master device 21 transmits transfer destination designation data to the slave device 22C.

The controller 225 of the slave device 22C receives the forwarding destination designation data transmitted from the master device 21 by the short-range wireless communication unit 220 . Then, the control unit 225 of the child device 22C transfers from the child device 22C to the child device 22B the communication data transmission route set in the transfer destination designation data so as to be transferred from the child device 22A to the child device 22B. Rewrite to route. Then, child device 22C starts processing to transfer the communication data transmitted from parent device 21 to child device 22B.

Note that the process of rewriting the transfer destination designation data may be performed by the control unit 215 of the parent device 21 .

In step S250, control unit 225 of child device 22C transmits an activation signal addressed to child device 22B through short-range wireless communication unit 220. FIG.

In the second example, the child device 22A cannot receive the activation signal from the child device 22C. Note that when the child device 22A can receive the activation signal from the child device 22C, the child device 22A transmits a beacon.

The activation signal transmitted from the slave device 22C in step S250 is an example of the third activation signal of the present invention.

In step S260, when short-range wireless communication unit 220 of child device 22B receives the activation signal from child device 22C, control unit 225 of child device 22B causes narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 to automatically activate child device 22C. Ack signal containing the identifier of the device (child device 22B) is transmitted.

The Ack signal transmitted from the handset 22B in step S260 is an example of the second response signal of the present invention.

When the Ack signal from the child device 22B is received by the short-range wireless communication unit 220, the control unit 225 of the child device 22C establishes a communication connection with the child device 22B. Then, the control unit 225 of the child device 22C transmits communication data to the child device 22B through the short-range wireless communication unit 220. FIG. As a result, the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the handset 22B receives the communication data.

When the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the handset 22B receives the communication data, the first alternative process ends.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5, when the parent device 21 performs communication processing, the parent device 21 cannot communicate with the child device 22A, but can communicate with the child device 22C. In addition, when the child device 22C can communicate with the child device 22B, which is the terminal one step ahead of the child device 22A, in the communication process, the telemetry system 100 performs the first alternative process instead of the communication process. Therefore, even if the child device 22A cannot communicate, communication processing can be continued by transmitting communication data to the child device 22B via the child device 22C without going through the child device 22A. As a result, interruption of communication processing can be suppressed.

[Third example]
A second alternative process, which is a third example of the operation of the telemetry system 100, will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, 6, and 7. FIG. FIG. 6 is the first diagram of the flow showing the second alternative process. FIG. 7 is a second diagram of the flow showing the second alternative process. The second alternative process is a process in which parent device 21 transmits communication data to child device 22B via child device 22C and child device 22A.

In the third example, a second alternative process is performed instead of the communication process of the first example.

In the third example, although the child device 22A cannot communicate with the parent device 21, it can communicate with the child device 22C, and the child device 22C cannot communicate with the child device 22B. Different from the second example. Differences from the first and second examples will be mainly described below.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6, communication data is transmitted from the parent device 21 to the child device 22C by performing the processing shown in steps S210 to S241.

In step S250, control unit 225 of child device 22C transmits an activation signal addressed to child device 22B through short-range wireless communication unit 220. FIG.

Child device 22B cannot receive the activation signal from child device 22C. As a result, the Ack signal corresponding to the activation signal is not transmitted from the child device 22B to the child device 22C.

In step S270, the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the child device 22A receives the activation signal from the child device 22C. When the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the child device 22A receives the activation signal from the child device 22C, the control unit 225 of the child device 22A confirms the destination included in the activation signal, and the received activation signal reaches the self device ( It is determined whether or not the start signal is addressed to the handset 22A).

In the third example, the destination included in the activation signal is the child device 22B. Therefore, the controller 225 of the child device 22A determines that the received activation signal is not addressed to itself.

When the control unit 225 of the slave device 22A determines that the received activation signal is not directed to the slave device 22A, the short-range wireless communication unit 220 transmits the activation signal to the slave device 22C, which is the source of the activation signal. Send a beacon containing an identifier. As a result, the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the child device 22C receives the beacon from the child device 22A. Note that the control unit 225 of the child device 22A transmits the hop count table 224a of its own device when transmitting a beacon from the short-range wireless communication unit 220. FIG. As a result, the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the child device 22C receives the hop count table 224a of the child device 22A. Then, the control unit 225 of the child device 22C recognizes that the child device 22A can communicate with the child device 22B based on the hop count table 224a received from the child device 22A.

When the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the child device 22C receives the beacon from the child device 22A, the control unit 225 of the child device 22C recognizes that communication with the child device 22A is possible.

The beacon transmitted from the handset 22A in step S270 is an example of the first notification signal of the present invention.

In step S271, if the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the child device 22C does not receive the Ack signal from the child device 22B within the second predetermined period after transmitting the activation signal addressed to the child device 22B, control of the child device 22C is performed. The unit 225 determines that communication with the child device 22B is disabled.

The control unit 225 of the child device 22C determines in step S271 that communication with the child device 22B is disabled, and in step S270, the child device 22A becomes the child device based on the hop count table 224a received from the child device 22A. 22B, the transmission route of the communication data is changed from the transmission route from the slave device 22C to the slave device 22B to the transmission route from the slave device 22C to the slave device 22B via the slave device 22A. . Then, the control unit 225 of the child device 22C starts processing for transmitting communication data to the child device 22A.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 7, in step S272, the controller 225 of the child device 22C causes the short-range wireless communication unit 211 to transmit an activation signal addressed to the child device 22A.

The activation signal transmitted from the slave device 22C in step S272 is an example of the fourth activation signal of the present invention.

In step S273, when short-range wireless communication unit 220 of child device 22A receives the activation signal from child device 22C, control unit 225 of child device 22A causes narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 to automatically activate child device 22C. An Ack signal containing the machine identifier is transmitted.

The Ack signal transmitted from the handset 22A in step S273 is an example of the third response signal of the present invention.

When the Ack signal from the child device 22A is received by the short-range wireless communication unit 220, the control unit 225 of the child device 22C establishes a communication connection with the child device 22A. Then, the control unit 225 of the child device 22C transmits communication data to the child device 22C through the short-range wireless communication unit 220. FIG. As a result, the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the handset 22A receives the communication data.

Further, when transmitting communication data, the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the child device 22C transmits transfer destination designation data to the child device 22A.

The control unit 225 of the child device 22A receives the forwarding destination designation data transmitted from the child device 22C by the short-range wireless communication unit 220. FIG. Then, the control unit 225 of the child device 22A transfers from the child device 22A to the child device 22B the communication data transmission route set in the transfer destination designation data so as to be transferred from the child device 22C to the child device 22B. Rewrite to route. Then, the child device 22A starts the process of transferring the communication data transmitted from the child device 22C to the child device 22B.

Note that the process of rewriting the transfer destination designation data may be performed by the control unit 225 of the child device 22C.

In step S274, the control unit 225 of the child device 22A transmits an activation signal addressed to the child device 22B through the short-range wireless communication unit 220. FIG.

In step S275, when short-range wireless communication unit 220 of child device 22B receives the activation signal from child device 22A, control unit 225 of child device 22B causes narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 to automatically activate child device 22A. Ack signal containing the identifier of the device (child device 22B) is transmitted.

When the Ack signal from the child device 22B is received by the short-range wireless communication unit 220, the control unit 225 of the child device 22A establishes a communication connection with the child device 22B. Then, the controller 225 of the slave device 22A transmits communication data to the slave device 22B through the short-range wireless communication unit 220. FIG. As a result, the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the handset 22B receives the communication data.

When the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the handset 22B receives the communication data, the second alternative process ends.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, 6, and 7, when the parent device 21 performs communication processing, the parent device 21 cannot communicate with the child device 22A, but the child device 22C cannot communicate with the child device 22C. and the child device 22C cannot communicate with the child device 22B but can communicate with the child device 22A, the telemetry system 100 performs the second alternative process instead of the communication process. Therefore, even if the child device 22C cannot establish a communication connection with the child device 22B, the communication process can be continued by establishing a communication connection between the child device 22C and the child device 22A. As a result, interruption of communication processing can be suppressed.

[Fourth example]
Next, a third alternative process, which is a fourth example of the operation of the telemetry system 100, will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, 8, and 9. FIG. FIG. 8 is the first diagram of the flow showing the third alternative process. FIG. 9 is a second flow chart showing the third alternative process. The third alternative process is a process in which parent device 21 transmits communication data to child device 22B via child device 22C and child device 22D.

In the fourth example, a third alternative process is performed instead of the communication process of the first example.

The fourth example differs from the first to third examples in that the child device 22C cannot communicate with each of the child devices 22A and 22B. Differences from the first to third examples will be mainly described below.

In the fourth example, the handset 22D is an example of the fifth terminal of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 8, communication data is transmitted from the parent device 21 to the child device 22C by performing the processing shown in steps S210 to S241.

In step S250, control unit 225 of child device 22C transmits an activation signal addressed to child device 22B through short-range wireless communication unit 220. FIG.

The child device 22A cannot receive the activation signal from the child device 22C. As a result, the beacon corresponding to the activation signal is not transmitted from the child device 22A to the child device 22C. Further, the child device 22B cannot receive the activation signal from the child device 22C. As a result, the Ack signal corresponding to the activation signal is not transmitted from the child device 22B to the child device 22C.

In step S280, the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the child device 22D receives the activation signal from the child device 22C. When the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the child device 22D receives the activation signal from the child device 22C, the control unit 225 of the child device 22D confirms the destination included in the activation signal, and the received activation signal reaches the self device ( It is determined whether or not the activation signal is addressed to the child device 22D).

In the fourth example, the destination included in the activation signal is the child device 22B. Therefore, the control unit 225 of the child device 22D determines that the received activation signal is not addressed to itself.

When the control unit 225 of the slave device 22D determines that the received activation signal is not directed to the slave device 22D, the short-range wireless communication unit 220 transmits the activation signal to the slave device 22C, which is the source of the activation signal. Send a beacon containing an identifier. As a result, the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the child device 22C receives the beacon from the child device 22D.

When the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the child device 22C receives the beacon from the child device 22D, the control unit 225 of the child device 22C recognizes that communication with the child device 22D is possible.

When transmitting a beacon, the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the child device 22D transmits the hop count table 224a stored in the storage unit 224 of the child device 22D. As a result, the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the child device 22C receives the hop count table 224a of the child device 22D. Then, based on the hop count table 224a received from the child device 22D, the control unit 225 of the child device 22C recognizes that the child device 22D can communicate with the child device 22B.

The beacon transmitted from the slave device 22D in step S280 is an example of the second notification signal of the present invention.

In step S281, if the control unit 225 of the child device 22C does not receive the Ack signal from the child device 22B within the third predetermined period, it determines that communication with the child device 22B is impossible.

Further, if the control unit 225 of the child device 22C does not receive a beacon from the child device 22A within the third predetermined period, it determines that communication with the child device 22A is impossible.

The control unit 225 of the child device 22C determines in step S281 that communication with each of the child devices 22A and 22B is impossible, and in step S280, based on the hop count table 224a received from the child device 22D. When the slave device 22D recognizes that it can communicate with the slave device 22B, the communication data transmission route is changed from the transmission route from the slave device 22C to the slave device 22B to the slave device 22B via the slave device 22D. Change the route to send. Then, the control unit 225 of the child device 22C starts processing for transmitting communication data to the child device 22D.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 9, in step S282, the control unit 225 of the child device 22C causes the short-range wireless communication unit 211 to transmit an activation signal addressed to the child device 22D.

The activation signal transmitted from the slave device 22C in step S282 is an example of the fifth activation signal of the present invention.

In step S283, when short-range wireless communication unit 220 of child device 22D receives the activation signal from child device 22C, control unit 225 of child device 22D causes narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 to automatically activate child device 22C. An Ack signal containing the machine identifier is transmitted.

The Ack signal transmitted from the handset 22D in step S283 is an example of the fourth response signal of the present invention.

When the Ack signal from the child device 22D is received by the short-range wireless communication unit 220, the control unit 225 of the child device 22C establishes a communication connection with the child device 22D. Then, the control unit 225 of the child device 22C transmits communication data to the child device 22D through the short-range wireless communication unit 220. FIG. As a result, the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the handset 22D receives the communication data.

Further, when transmitting communication data, the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the child device 22C transmits transfer destination designation data to the child device 22D.

Control unit 225 of child device 22D receives transfer destination designation data transmitted from child device 22C by short range wireless communication unit 220. FIG. Then, the control unit 225 of the child device 22D transfers from the child device 22D to the child device 22B the communication data transmission path set in the transfer destination designation data so as to be transferred from the child device 22C to the child device 22B. Rewrite to route. Then, the child device 22D starts the process of transferring the communication data transmitted from the child device 22C to the child device 22B.

Note that the process of rewriting the transfer destination designation data may be performed by the control unit 225 of the child device 22C.

In step S284, control unit 225 of child device 22D transmits an activation signal addressed to child device 22B through short-range wireless communication unit 220. FIG.

In step S285, when short-range wireless communication unit 220 of child device 22B receives the activation signal from child device 22D, control unit 225 of child device 22B causes narrow-range wireless communication unit 220 to automatically activate child device 22D. Ack signal containing the identifier of the device (child device 22B) is transmitted.

When the Ack signal from the child device 22B is received by the short-range wireless communication unit 220, the control unit 225 of the child device 22D establishes a communication connection with the child device 22B. Then, the control unit 225 of the child device 22D transmits communication data to the child device 22B through the short-range wireless communication unit 220. FIG. As a result, the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the handset 22B receives the communication data.

When the short-range wireless communication unit 220 of the handset 22B receives the communication data, the third alternative process ends.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, 8, and 9, when the parent device 21 performs communication processing, the parent device 21 cannot communicate with the child device 22A, but the child device 22C cannot communicate with the child device 22C. and the child device 22C cannot communicate with each of the child device 22A and the child device 22B, but can communicate with the child device 22D and the child device 22D can communicate with the child device 22C. Instead of processing, a third alternative processing is performed. Therefore, even if the child device 22C cannot establish a communication connection with each of the child devices 22A and 22B, communication processing can be continued by establishing a communication connection between the child device 22C and the child device 22D. be able to. As a result, interruption of communication processing can be suppressed.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 9). However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various aspects without departing from the gist of the present invention. Further, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be omitted from all components shown in the embodiments. In order to facilitate understanding, the drawings mainly show each component schematically, and the number of each component shown in the figure may differ from the actual number for convenience of drawing preparation. Also, each component shown in the above embodiment is an example and is not particularly limited, and various modifications are possible within a range that does not substantially deviate from the effects of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used in the fields of telemetry systems, information terminals, and communication control methods.

21 base unit (first terminal)
22A cordless handset (second terminal)
22B cordless handset (third terminal)
22C handset (fourth terminal)
22D handset (fifth terminal)
100 telemetry system

Claims (6)

A first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, and a fourth terminal,
The first terminal transmits an activation request to the second terminal based on a first communication path from the first terminal to the third terminal via the second terminal, determining that communication with the second terminal is impossible when no response signal is received from the second terminal;
When the fourth terminal receives the activation request addressed to the second terminal, the fourth terminal transmits a beacon of the fourth terminal and a hop count table of the fourth terminal to the first terminal. 4 terminal hop count table includes the hop count from the fourth terminal to the third terminal,
The first terminal establishes the first communication route from the first terminal to the third terminal via the fourth terminal based on the hop count table of the fourth terminal. 2 communication path, and transmits an activation request addressed to the fourth terminal based on the second communication path. When the fourth terminal receives an activation request addressed to the fourth terminal, the fourth terminal transmits a response signal to the first terminal ,
When the first terminal receives the response signal from the fourth terminal, the first terminal transmits communication data addressed to the third terminal to the fourth terminal,
When the fourth terminal receives communication data addressed to the third terminal, the fourth terminal transmits an activation request addressed to the third terminal,
When the third terminal receives the activation request addressed to the third terminal, the third terminal transmits a response signal to the fourth terminal ,
2. The telemetry system according to claim 1, wherein said fourth terminal, upon receiving a response signal from said third terminal, transmits communication data addressed to said third terminal to said third terminal. When the fourth terminal receives an activation request addressed to the fourth terminal, the fourth terminal transmits a response signal to the first terminal ,
When the first terminal receives the response signal from the fourth terminal, the first terminal transmits communication data addressed to the third terminal to the fourth terminal,
When the fourth terminal receives communication data addressed to the third terminal, the fourth terminal transmits an activation request addressed to the third terminal. determined to be unable to communicate with the terminal of
When the second terminal receives the activation request addressed to the third terminal, the second terminal transmits a beacon of the second terminal and a hop count table of the second terminal to the fourth terminal, and a number table including the number of hops from the second terminal to the third terminal;
The fourth terminal establishes the second communication route from the fourth terminal to the third terminal via the second terminal based on the hop count table from the second terminal. 2. The telemetry system according to claim 1, wherein the telemetry system changes to a third communication path, and transmits an activation request addressed to the second terminal based on the third communication path. further comprising a fifth terminal;
When the fourth terminal receives an activation request addressed to the fourth terminal, the fourth terminal transmits a response signal to the first terminal ,
When the first terminal receives the response signal from the fourth terminal, the first terminal transmits communication data addressed to the third terminal to the fourth terminal,
When the fourth terminal receives communication data addressed to the third terminal, the fourth terminal transmits an activation request addressed to the third terminal. determined to be unable to communicate with the terminal of
The second terminal does not receive an activation request addressed to the third terminal,
When the fifth terminal receives the activation request addressed to the third terminal, the fifth terminal transmits a beacon of the fifth terminal and a hop count table of the fifth terminal to the fourth terminal, The hop count table includes the hop count from the fifth terminal to the third terminal,
The fourth terminal establishes the second communication route from the fourth terminal to the third terminal via the fifth terminal based on the hop count table of the fifth terminal. 4. The telemetry system according to claim 1, wherein said communication path is changed to 4 communication paths, and an activation request addressed to said fifth terminal is transmitted based on said fourth communication path. An information terminal provided in a telemetry system together with a second terminal, a third terminal and a fourth terminal,
a transmission process of transmitting an activation request addressed to the second terminal based on a first communication path from the information terminal to the third terminal via the second terminal;
a judgment process for judging that communication with the second terminal is impossible when a response signal is not received from the second terminal;
with
When the fourth terminal receives the activation request addressed to the second terminal, the fourth terminal transmits a beacon of the fourth terminal and a hop count table of the fourth terminal to the information terminal. A terminal hop count table includes a hop count from the fourth terminal to the third terminal,
The information terminal is
change processing of changing the first communication route to a second communication route from the information terminal to the third terminal via the fourth terminal based on the hop count table of the fourth terminal; ,
a transmission process for transmitting an activation request addressed to the fourth terminal based on the second communication path;
An information terminal. A communication control method between a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, and a fourth terminal,
a step of the first terminal transmitting an activation request addressed to the second terminal based on a first communication path from the first terminal to the third terminal via the second terminal; ,
determining that communication with the second terminal is impossible when no response signal is received from the second terminal;
a step of transmitting a beacon of the fourth terminal and a hop count table of the fourth terminal to the first terminal when the fourth terminal receives an activation request addressed to the second terminal;
including
The hop count table of the fourth terminal includes the hop count from the fourth terminal to the third terminal,
The communication control method includes:
The first terminal establishes the first communication route from the first terminal to the third terminal via the fourth terminal based on the hop count table of the fourth terminal. a step of changing to two communication paths;
transmitting an activation request addressed to the fourth terminal based on the second communication path;
A communication control method, including

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