JP7351059B2 - Communication system, communication device, communication control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

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

BACKGROUND ART A water management system is known that manages water supply and drainage in a rice field by controlling the opening and closing of water taps and drain valves in the rice field using a computer (for example, see Patent Document 1).
In an environment where the water supply and drainage of agricultural fields such as rice fields are managed as described above, the faucet equipment installed in the field and the host device that manages the water supply and drainage are communicably connected, and the water supply and drainage control of the faucet equipment by the host equipment is It is done through communication.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-161192

For a communication system including a faucet device used in a field, it is preferable that communication is performed that is compatible with the environment in which the faucet device is used in the field.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a communication system that includes a water faucet device used in a field, so that communication is performed that is suitable for the environment in which the faucet device is used in the field. The purpose is to

One aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems includes a communication device and a plurality of faucet devices used for water supply and drainage in a field, and the communication device has a communication device within a communication distance. The faucet device includes a first communication control unit that controls communication to be performed sequentially in each circulation unit period without passing through other faucet devices with each of the plurality of faucet devices located therein. , a communication system including a second communication control unit that controls the communication device so that communication is performed without going through another faucet device.

In addition, one aspect of the present invention provides a system for connecting each of a plurality of faucet devices located within a communication distance and used for water supply and drainage in a field without going through other faucet devices. The communication device includes a communication control unit that performs communication sequentially in each unit period.

Further, one aspect of the present invention is a communication control method in a communication system including a communication device and a plurality of faucet devices used for water supply and drainage in a field, wherein the communication device has a communication distance range. a first communication control step for controlling communication to be performed sequentially with each of the plurality of faucet devices located in the interior of the water faucet device in each cycle unit period without passing through other faucet devices; and the faucet device; This is a communication control method comprising a second communication control step of controlling the communication device so that communication is performed without going through another faucet device.

In addition, one aspect of the present invention provides a system for connecting each of a plurality of faucet devices located within a communication distance and used for water supply and drainage in a field without going through other faucet devices. This is a communication control method including a communication control step of sequentially performing communication in each unit period.

Further, one aspect of the present invention provides a computer as a communication device that is located within a communication range, and that connects each of a plurality of faucet devices used for water supply and drainage in a field and other faucet devices. This is a program for functioning as a communication control unit that performs communication sequentially in each cycle unit period without going through the .

According to the present invention, as a communication system including a faucet device used in a field, it is possible to perform communication that is suitable for the environment in which the faucet device is used in the field.

It is a diagram showing an example of a field management system including a water faucet device of the present embodiment and a topology that can be constructed in the field management system. It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a field management system in this embodiment. It is a figure showing the example of composition of the water supply faucet in this embodiment. It is a figure showing the example of composition of the water supply faucet in this embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of a communication procedure in a field management system of this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication procedure when an immediate opening/closing command is sent in the field management system of the present embodiment. It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a gateway according to the present embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by the gateway in this embodiment in connection with interrupt communication. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by the gateway in this embodiment in connection with skipping communication due to polling. It is a figure which shows the modification of the topology structure of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the modification of the topology structure of this embodiment.

Hereinafter, a field management system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[An example of topology in a field management system]
FIG. 1 shows an example of a field management system including a faucet device of this embodiment and a topology (network topology) that can be constructed in the field management system. The field management system manages water supply and drainage in the field.
In the present embodiment, "water supply and drainage" refers to at least one of water supply by a faucet device as a water supply faucet and drainage by a faucet device as a drain faucet.

The figure shows an example in which the farm management system manages one farm FM. The field FM in this embodiment is, for example, a paddy field, and water is supplied (irrigated) and drained to an appropriate water level depending on the rice cultivation season.
Note that the field FM may be, for example, a field other than a paddy field. Further, the farm field management system may manage a plurality of farm fields. Hereinafter, a case will be explained in which the field management system manages one field FM as an example.

In the farm field FM shown in the figure, a plurality of faucet devices 100 (100-P (100-P1 to 100-Pn, 100-C)) are installed at predetermined positions. Among the plurality of faucet devices 100, For example, water taps and drain plugs may be mixed together.
The water tap is a facility that supplies water sent from, for example, a farm pond to the field FM. The water faucet can adjust the amount of water supplied to the field FM by being equipped with a stopper (valve) that opens and closes in the flow path (water flow path) until the water sent from the farm pond is discharged to the field FM. It is like that.
The drain plug is a facility for draining water accumulated in the field FM. The drain plug is equipped with a stopper (valve) that opens and closes in a flow path for discharging water pulled up from the field FM into, for example, a pipeline, so that the amount of water drained can be adjusted.
Note that the number of faucet devices 100 installed in the field FM and the breakdown of the water faucets and drain faucets in the plurality of faucet devices 100 are not particularly limited. All of the plurality of faucet devices 100 may be water supply faucets, or all of the plurality of faucet devices 100 may be drain faucets.

In the figure, first, the gateway 200 and one faucet device 100-P1 are directly connected. Then, the faucet devices 100-P2, . . . , 100-Pn are connected in series in hop order, starting with the faucet device 100-P1. That is, in this modification, a plurality of faucet devices 100-P are connected to the gateway 200 via multi-hop.

Furthermore, each of the faucet devices 100-P1 to 100-Pn connected to the gateway 200 by multi-hop as described above may have one or more faucet devices 100 connected under itself. In the figure, an example is shown in which three faucet devices 100-C are connected to each of faucet devices 100-P1 to 100-Pn.
In the topology of the figure, one faucet device 100-P and a faucet device 100-C connected under the faucet device 100-P are installed in the same field FM. In the example shown in the figure, all of the faucet devices 100-P1 to 100-Pn and the faucet device 100-C connected under each of these faucet devices 100-P are installed in the same field FM. An example is shown. Since the instructions (commands) received by faucet devices 100 placed in the same field FM are the same, by connecting the faucet devices 100 in the same field FM in this way, instructions can be received directly from the gateway 200. Only one faucet device 100-P is required.
Additionally, with the limit on the polling cycle length, there is also a limit on the number of nodes directly connected to the gateway 200. However, by creating a topology configuration in which one or more faucet devices 100-C are connected under the faucet device 100-P in the hierarchy immediately below the gateway 200 as shown in the figure, the restriction on the polling cycle length can be avoided. Accordingly, a large number of faucet devices 100 can be appropriately managed.

Note that among the faucet devices 100-P1 to 100-Pn, there may be one to which the faucet device 100-C is not connected. Further, faucet devices may be connected in a hierarchy further below the faucet device 100-C.

Under such a topology with multi-hop connections, the faucet device 100-P1 is set as the connection destination node in the gateway 200. Further, in each of the faucet devices 100, connection destination nodes in the upstream direction and the downstream direction are set.
For example, for the faucet device 100-P1, the gateway 200 is set as the upstream connection destination node, and the downstream connection destination nodes are the faucet device 100-P2 and the faucets under its own control. The device 100-C is set. In addition, in the case of the faucet device 100-P2, the faucet device 100-P1 is set as the upstream connection destination node, and the faucet device 100-P3 and the own own faucet device 100-P3 are set as the downstream connection destination nodes. A subordinate faucet device 100-C is set.
Further, under such a topology with multi-hop connections, the faucet devices 100 that are connected to each other can be arranged so that the distance between them is within a certain range. Therefore, in the multi-hop connection between the gateway 200 and the faucet device 100, short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used.

The gateway 200 has a function of connecting a plurality of faucet devices 100 that are multi-hop connected to itself as described above and the network NT.
A gateway 200, a farm management server 300, and a farm management terminal 400 are connected to the network NT.

Under such a topology, for example, when the field management server 300 sends a command to one faucet device 100-C connected under the faucet device 100-Pn as the destination (destination), The command is transmitted as follows.
The command sent by the field management server 300 is first received by the gateway 200 via the network NT. Gateway 200 transmits the received command to faucet device 100-P1. The faucet device 100-P1 refers to its own routing table, for example, and transfers the command to the faucet device 100-P2. Thereafter, commands are sequentially transferred from faucet device 100-P3 to faucet device 100-Pn in accordance with the hop order. The faucet device 100-Pn transmits the water supply and drainage command to the faucet device 100-C designated as the destination among the faucet devices 100-C under its control.

In the field FM, for example, work such as moving the faucet device 100 once installed and relocating it to a different location may be performed. In such a case, in the case of the multi-hop connection topology shown in the figure, each faucet device 100 needs to be arranged so that other nodes set as connection destinations are within communication distance.
However, as described above, it is a burden for the operator to rearrange the plurality of faucet devices 100 so that they are within communication distance from each other in consideration of the settings of the connection destinations. Additionally, there is a possibility that the operator may place the hops incorrectly, and in this case, data may not be transferred in the hop order according to the connection destination settings. In this case, the operator must either rearrange the faucet device 100 so that data can be transferred in the hop order according to the connection destination settings, or perform an operation to change the connection destination settings of the faucet device 100. This is a burden on the workers.

[Configuration example of the field management system of this embodiment]
Therefore, in this embodiment, in consideration of the above problems, a topology is constructed as follows regarding the gateway 200 (an example of a communication device) and the plurality of faucet devices 100.
FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the field management system in this embodiment. In the figure, the same parts as in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals.

The figure shows an example in which a faucet device 100 is arranged for each of a plurality of farm fields FM. Here, an example will be exemplified in which the plurality of farm fields FM shown in the figure are managed by one and the same farm manager (field owner).
Although the number of faucet devices 100 arranged in each field FM may be one or more, the figure shows an example in which a plurality of faucet devices 100 are arranged in each field FM. In each of the farm fields FM, each of the plurality of faucet devices 100 is arranged at a predetermined location. Also in the case of the figure, the plurality of faucet devices 100 may include, for example, a water faucet and a drain faucet.
The faucet devices 100 of each field FM shown in the figure can each communicate with the same gateway 200. In other words, in this case, the farmland management system of this embodiment uses a star topology in which a plurality of faucet devices 100 existing in a plurality of farmland FMs are connected as nodes to the gateway 200 as a hub. Configure.

For communication between the faucet device 100 and the gateway 200, a wireless communication method compatible with LPWA (Low Power, Wide Area), for example, may be adopted. LPWA is a wireless communication method that allows relatively long-distance communication while consuming low power. Therefore, it is also possible to directly connect the gateway 200 and the faucet device 100 in a relatively wide area such as a farm field FM. As an example, LoRa, which is one type of LPWA, may be adopted for communication between the faucet device 100 and the gateway 200.

Gateway 200 has a function of connecting faucet device 100 and network NT. The gateway 200 of this embodiment is installed so as to be able to communicate with all the faucet devices 100 installed in the field FM.
Also in the figure, a gateway 200, a farm management server 300, and a farm management terminal 400 are connected to the network NT.

Although not shown in the figure, a sensor such as a water level sensor or a temperature sensor may be connected to at least a portion of the faucet device 100. The faucet device 100 and the sensor may be connected, for example, by predetermined short-range wireless communication.
The sensor is provided to detect the water level, water temperature, etc. in the field FM. The sensor can transmit detection information to the faucet device 100, and the faucet device 100 can transmit the detection information received from the corresponding sensor to the field management server 300 via the gateway 200. The farm field management server 300 can manage the farm field FM, such as controlling the water supply and drainage operation of the faucet device 100 based on the received detection information.

The farmland management server 300 performs farmland management. The field management performed by the field management server 300 includes control regarding water supply and drainage (water supply and drainage control) performed by the faucet device 100.
In water supply and drainage management, the farmland management server 300 controls the opening and closing of the faucets in each faucet device 100 by communicating with the faucet device 100 in the farm field FM from the network NT via the gateway 200. Thereby, the field management server 300 can individually control water supply and drainage for each field FM.

The field management terminal 400 is a network terminal device used by a field manager (user) of a field FM at, for example, an office or home. Note that the field manager herein refers to a person who operates the field management terminal 400 in accordance with the management of the field FM.
The field management terminal 400 logs in to the website of the field management service (field management site) provided by the field management server 300 using the user account of the field manager. By logging in, the field management terminal 400 can access the field management site. The farm manager can access the farm management terminal 400 to a farm management site that provides desired services and perform various operations on the farm management site. This allows the field manager to use the field management service provided by the field management server 300.

Note that the sensor may be connected to the gateway 200 without going through the faucet device 100. In this case, the sensor can transmit detection information to the field management server 300 on the network NT via the gateway 200 without going through the faucet device 100.

In addition, if a water supply/drainage abnormality occurs due to the faucet of the faucet device 100 not closing or opening as controlled, the water level may continue to increase beyond expectations, or the water level may continue to increase over time. The situation is such that it does not decrease. Therefore, it may be configured such that a water level sensor or a flow rate sensor detects the water level or flow rate depending on the occurrence of such a water supply/drainage abnormality, and transmits the detected information to the farm field management server 300 or the farm field management terminal 400.
In this case, for example, if a water supply/drainage abnormality occurs in the faucet device 100 and then a failure such as a communication failure or a power failure occurs, communication becomes impossible, and a notification of the occurrence of the abnormality cannot be sent from the faucet device 100 itself. It disappears. However, since various sensors are connected to the gateway 200 without going through the faucet device 100 as described above, the sensors can notify the farm management server 300 or the farm management terminal 400 of abnormalities in water supply and drainage of the faucet device 100. You can be notified of the occurrence. In addition, if the faucet device 100 does not have a function to send a notification of the occurrence of a failure, or if it is configured to automatically supply water and drain water using water pressure without using electricity. Also, it becomes possible to notify an abnormality in the water supply and drainage of the faucet device 100 using the sensor.

Note that the topology may be such that the gateway 200 and the sensor are connected, and then the faucet device 100 is connected to the sensor. In this case, the faucet device 100 is connected to the network NT via the sensor and the gateway 200, and communicates with the field management server 300 and the like.

Note that, in addition to each of the sensors being connected to the gateway 200 and being able to communicate with the farmland management server 300 as described above, the configuration may also be such that communication between the sensors is also possible. Communication between the sensors may be performed by directly connecting the sensors to each other, or may be performed via the gateway 200 or a repeater such as a wireless communication compatible router or hub.

Note that a control spot may be provided that communicates with nearby sensors and faucet apparatus 100 existing within the communication range by short-range wireless communication, and also communicates with gateway 200 . In this case, the control spot can control the sensor and faucet device 100 within the communication range. In addition, the control spot receives commands sent from the field management server 300 etc. via the gateway 200, and transfers information sent from sensors, faucet devices 100, etc. to the field management server 300 etc. be able to.

Note that the water faucet device 100 stores the detection information obtained by the sensor, such as water level and water temperature, and then controls the water faucet based on the control information included in the control command sent from the farm management server 300. The water supply and drainage operation may be performed according to the results determined by the device 100 itself. In this case, by including control conditions according to the water level and water temperature in the control command, the faucet device 100 can appropriately determine the water supply and drainage operation.

[Example of configuration of faucet device]
A configuration example of the faucet device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. Here, a configuration example of a water faucet device 100 as a water faucet will be described as an example. In each figure, the structure of the faucet device 100 is shown by a sectional view of the faucet device 100 viewed from the side.
In the faucet device 100, the water supply pipe 101 is a pipe to which water is supplied from, for example, a pipeline. The lower end side of the water supply pipe 101 is connected to the end of a pipeline, as shown. Thereby, as shown by the arrow α in FIG. 3, the water sent from the pipeline is supplied to the hollow portion 101a of the water supply pipe 101.

A discharge pipe 102 is attached to the upper end of the water supply pipe 101 . A hollow portion 102a of the discharge pipe 102 is communicated with a hollow portion 101a of the water supply pipe 101. In addition, at the connecting portion between the water supply pipe 101 and the discharge pipe 102, the diameter of the hollow part 101a of the water supply pipe 101 is larger than the stop valve ball 104, and the diameter of the hollow part 102a of the discharge pipe 102 is set to stop water. It is smaller than the stopper ball 104. Further, since the opening on the hollow part 101a side of the hollow part 102a of the discharge pipe 102 is tapered as shown in the figure, when the stop valve ball 104 floats up to the opening of the hollow part 102a, In this way, the water stop valve ball 104 is placed in a position where the hollow portion 102a can be closed.
In this embodiment, a stopcock portion is formed by the stopcock ball 104 and the lower opening of the hollow portion 102a. The stopper portion may include a rubber-like packing.

Further, a cup 103 is provided to cover the upper side of the discharge pipe 102. A hollow portion 103a is formed between the inside of the cup 103 and the discharge pipe 102. The hollow part 103a becomes a path for the water discharged from the hollow part 102a of the discharge pipe 102 to be discharged to the outside.

The stop valve ball 104 is a spherical member that has buoyancy. The stop valve ball 104 is provided within the hollow portion 101a, as shown.
Further, the shaft portion 105 is provided so as to pass through the cup 103 and the hollow portion 102a of the discharge pipe 102. The shaft portion 105 is movable in the vertical direction within a fixed movable range as shown by the arrow A in FIG. 3 by the stopper driving portion 111.

The shaft portion 105 shown in FIG. 3 is, for example, in the uppermost position in the movable range. In this state, the pressure of the water supplied from the pipeline to the water supply pipe 101 causes the water stop ball 104, which is a buoyant body, to float up to the state shown in the figure, so that the opening of the hollow portion 102a is 104 (closed state). By being in the closed state in this manner, the water supplied from the pipeline to the water supply pipe 101 is not discharged to the outside of the faucet device 100.

On the other hand, the shaft portion 105 shown in FIG. 4 is moved downward from the state shown in FIG. 3 as shown by arrow B in FIG. 4, and is at the lowest position in the movable range. In this state, the stopcock ball 104 is pushed down by the shaft portion 105 as shown in the figure. Therefore, the stop valve ball 104 is located in the hollow part 101a below the hollow part 102a (open state).
By being in the open state in this way, the water supplied from the pipeline to the water supply pipe 101 flows through the water path through the hollow portion 101a, the hollow portion 102a, and the hollow portion 103a, as shown by the broken arrow β in the figure. and is discharged to the outside of the faucet device 100. In this way, water is supplied from the faucet device 100 to the field FM. At this time, since the cup 103 is provided above the discharge pipe 102, even if the pressure of the water discharged from the hollow part 102a is high, the water does not blow out upward, and the water is passed through the hollow part 103a and directed downward. can be passed to.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a case 110 is provided, for example, on the cup 103. The case 110 includes a stopper drive section 111, a sensor communication section 113, a gateway communication section 114, a power supply section 115, a control section 120, a storage section 130, and an operation panel section 140.

The stopper drive unit 111 drives the stopper to open and close. That is, by moving the shaft portion 105 in the vertical direction, the faucet driving unit 111 can change the closed state where the water stop valve ball 104 closes the opening of the hollow portion 102a and the closed state where the water stop valve ball 104 closes the opening of the hollow portion 102a. The state also changes between the open state and the lower position.
In addition, the faucet driving part 111 can adjust the gap between the opening of the hollow part 102a and the stop valve ball 104 by changing the vertical position of the shaft part 105 in the open state. Thereby, the amount (flow rate) of water discharged from the faucet device 100 can be adjusted.

The stopper drive unit 111 is configured to include, for example, a motor 111a and a mechanism unit that moves the shaft portion 105 in the vertical direction according to the rotation of the motor 111a. For example, the mechanism unit that moves the shaft portion 105 in the vertical direction is configured such that the shaft portion 105 is screwed into a predetermined position in the faucet device 100 so that it can be moved vertically by rotation. It can be configured to have a structure that rotates in accordance with the rotation of the motor 111a. Note that other structures may be adopted as the mechanism for moving the shaft portion 105 in the vertical direction, and the structure is not limited to the above example.

The control unit 120 controls the operation of the faucet device 100. Control of the operation of the faucet device 100 includes control of the faucet drive unit 111. In order to control the stopper drive unit 111, the control unit 120 outputs a motor control signal to the stopper drive unit 111, for example, for rotating the motor 111a of the stopper drive unit 111.
Further, the control unit 120 can send and receive information to and from sensors such as a water level sensor and a temperature sensor via the sensor-compatible communication unit 113. Further, the control unit 120 transmits and receives information to and from the farm management server 300 via the network NT via the gateway compatible communication unit 114.

The control unit 120 includes a communication control unit 121 (an example of a second communication control unit). The communication control unit 121 controls so that communication is performed without going through the gateway 200 and other faucet devices 100 according to the star topology.
The functions of the control unit 120 are realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) included in the faucet device 100 executing a program.

The storage unit 130 stores various types of information used by the control unit 120.

The sensor-compatible communication unit 113 communicates with a water sensor or the like located within the communication range by short-range wireless communication.
The gateway compatible communication unit 114 communicates with the farm management server 300 via the network NT.

The power supply section 115 supplies power to the stopper drive section 111 , the sensor communication section 113 , the gateway communication section 114 , the control section 120 , the storage section 130 , and the operation panel section 140 .
The power supply unit 115 includes, for example, a solar cell and a storage battery. Although not shown, the solar cell is provided, for example, on the upper surface of the case 110 so as to be exposed to the outside. The power supply unit 115 stores power generated by the solar cell during the day in a storage battery. The power supply unit 115 is configured to supply power stored in the storage battery as a power source.
Alternatively, the power supply unit 115 is configured to supply power from a battery of a predetermined standard, such as a secondary battery or a primary battery, and to replace the battery when the remaining capacity of the battery becomes low. It may be the configuration used.

The operation panel section 140 is a panel section on which various settings related to the faucet device 100 and operations for opening and closing the faucet section are performed. Case 110 has a structure that can be opened and closed. The operation panel section 140 is housed within the case 110 when the case 110 is closed, and is provided so that it can be operated when the case 110 is opened.
That is, the faucet device 100 of the present embodiment is capable of operating in response to the control of the farm field management server 300, for example, and can also operate in response to an operation performed on the operation panel section 140. It is considered possible. As described above, since the faucet device 100 is configured to be able to operate according to the operation on the operation panel section 140, the user can go to the field FM and actually check the operation of the faucet device 100. While doing so, you can make various settings and open/close the stopper. With this, for example, when the user wants to directly operate the faucet device 100 because the control from the field management server 300 is malfunctioning, or when the user wants to check the operation of the faucet device 100 while actually operating it by himself/herself. It can also be used in such cases.

[Example of communication procedure in field management system]
FIG. 5 shows an example of a communication procedure in the field management system when a star topology is constructed between the gateway 200 and the faucet device 100 as shown in FIG.
Under the star topology, the gateway 200 is configured to sequentially connect and communicate with a plurality of faucet devices 100 for each fixed time period (visit unit period). That is, the gateway 200 communicates with the plurality of faucet devices 100 by polling (an example of sequential communication).

The timing chart in FIG. 5 shows an example of a communication procedure in the field management system of this embodiment. The figure shows communication between the field management server 300 and the gateway 200, and communication between the gateway 200 and the faucet device 100. Here, an example is shown in which the gateway 200 communicates with four faucet devices 100 (faucet devices #1 to #4).

The farm management server 300 and the gateway 200, for example, perform one cycle per cycle corresponding to the time length of the tour unit period Tb (Tb-1, Tb-2, Tb-3, Tb-4, Tb-5...). It is possible to communicate once. Here, we will take as an example a case where one cycle unit period Tb is 15 minutes.
Note that the timing at which the field management server 300 and the gateway 200 communicate is not particularly limited, and may be performed multiple times in a period corresponding to the length of time as the tour unit period Tb, for example. However, if the communication frequency is approximately once per cycle corresponding to the patrol unit period Tb as shown in the figure, it is possible to suppress the amount of data in the communication log between the field management server 300 and the gateway 200. For example, communication logs are stored in the farm field management server 300, and by suppressing the data amount of the communication logs, the storage capacity of the farm field management server 300 can be used effectively.

In the figure, the gateway 200 first communicates with the faucet devices #1 to #4 in order by making inquiries in the order of faucet devices #1 to #4 in the cycle unit period Tb-1. . When the communication with the faucet device #N is completed within the cycle unit period Tb-1, the gateway 200 waits until the next cycle unit period Tb-2. Then, when the start timing of the circuit unit period Tb-2 arrives, the gateway 200 communicates with the faucet devices #1 to #N in the order as in the previous circuit unit period Tb-1. Thereafter, in the same way, the gateway 200 performs faucet devices #1 to #1 for each consecutive unit period Tb in the unit period Tb-3, Tb-4, Tb-5, and after the unit period Tb-5. Communicate with #4 in order.

Note that the polling time interval in the cycle unit period Tb may be arbitrarily set, for example, within the limits of the corresponding communication method. Furthermore, the order in which the gateway 200 connects to the plurality of faucet devices in the unit visit period Tb may not be the same for each unit visit period Tb. However, in the following description, for the sake of easy understanding, it is assumed that the order in which the gateway 200 connects to a plurality of faucet devices is the same for each cycle unit period Tb.

Under such a basic communication procedure of the present embodiment, one faucet device 100 communicates with the gateway 200 once every time interval corresponding to the circulation unit period Tb.

As can be understood from the above description, in the field management system of this embodiment, the gateway 200 and the plurality of faucet devices 100 have a star topology in which the gateway 200 is a hub and the faucet device 100 is a node. is building. In addition, by sequentially polling the plurality of faucet devices 100, the gateway 200 is able to communicate with each of the faucet devices 100 while avoiding collisions.
In the case of such a configuration, any of the faucet devices 100 can communicate directly with the gateway 200 without going through other faucet devices 100. Thereby, in this embodiment, there is no need to set up and down direction connection destinations for each of the faucet devices 100.
Therefore, in this embodiment, when relocating the faucet device 100 in a field FM, for example, it becomes possible to arrange the faucet device 100 without considering the setting of the connection destination. Work load is reduced.

[Interrupt communication in response to reception of immediate open/close command]
During normal operation, the farmland management server 300 of this embodiment performs regular communication with the gateway 200 once every cycle corresponding to the tour unit period Tb, as illustrated in FIG. However, for example, if a situation arises in which the faucet of the faucet device 100 must be opened or closed immediately, the field manager operates the farm management terminal 400 to immediately open or close the faucet of the faucet device 100. It is possible to give an instruction to fully open or close the door (immediate opening/closing instruction). Such an immediate opening/closing instruction is transmitted to the farm field management server 300.
When the farm management server 300 receives the immediate opening/closing instruction, in addition to the above-mentioned periodic communication, it performs interrupt communication during the current tour unit period Tb, and immediately requests the gateway 200 to perform the immediate opening/closing corresponding to the immediate opening/closing instruction. Sends a command (an example of a specific command).

FIG. 6 shows an example of the case where the farm field management server 300 sends an immediate opening/closing command to the gateway 200 as described above.
In the example shown in the figure, the field management server 300 sends the gateway 200 to the faucet device #3 at a timing after regular communication by polling with the faucet device #3 is performed in the patrol unit period Tb-2. An immediate open/close command CMD with 2 as the destination was sent. Therefore, in response to receiving the instant opening/closing command CMD, the gateway 200 immediately transmitted (transferred) the instant opening/closing command CMD to the faucet device #2 by interrupt communication different from the regular polling communication.

In this manner, in this embodiment, the instant opening/closing command CMD is immediately transmitted to the faucet device 100 by interruption. Thereby, the faucet of the faucet device 100 can be fully opened or fully closed to start or stop water supply and drainage in accordance with the intention of the field manager.
For example, in the case of a multi-hop connection topology such as that illustrated in FIG. If the number of hop connections is quite large, it will take a considerable amount of time for the immediate open/close command to reach the destination faucet device 100. In this case, even though an immediate opening/closing command is transmitted, the time required for the faucet device 100 to actually fully open or close the faucet to be fully closed will be delayed considerably.
On the other hand, in the case of this embodiment, the gateway 200 transmits an immediate open/close command to the faucet device 100 that is the control target (destination) without passing it through other faucet devices 100. can do. As a result, the faucet device 100 to be controlled can respond to an immediate open/close command with a time lag that can be considered to be sufficiently real time after a field manager operates the field management terminal 400, for example. You can start the operation of opening and closing.

[Skip communication by polling according to interrupt communication]
Furthermore, under the communication between the gateway 200 and the faucet device 100 using the star topology, the gateway 200 is allowed to communicate with one faucet device 100 per unit time (period specified for the number of communications). An upper limit on the number of times (maximum number of communications) may be specified. In other words, the number of times of communication between the gateway 200 and one faucet device 100 is required not to exceed the maximum number of times of communication in a unit time as the specified period of number of communications.
In the figure, an example is given in which the number of communications specified period is one hour, and the maximum number of communications during the specified number of communications period is set to be four times. As mentioned above, the cycle unit period Tb is 15 minutes. In this case, one hour as the communication frequency regulation period includes four consecutive circulation unit periods Tb. Therefore, in the figure, an example is shown in which the gateway 200 and one faucet device 100 communicate by polling four times, which is the maximum number of communications, during the communication frequency regulation period.

Here, for example, if the communication frequency regulation period Ta is started from the cycle unit period Tb-2 during which the communication for sending and receiving the immediate opening/closing command was performed, the communication frequency regulation period Ta includes four cycle unit periods. Includes Tb-2, Tb-3, Tb-4, and Tb-5. When the gateway 200 performs steady communication with the faucet device #2 by polling in each of these four cycle unit periods Tb, the following problem occurs.
That is, the communication with the faucet device #2 during the communication frequency regulation period Ta includes four polling communications and one communication for transmitting and receiving an immediate opening/closing command. In this case, the number of communications between the gateway 200 and the faucet device #2 during the specified number of communications period Ta ends up being five, which exceeds the maximum number of communications of four.

Therefore, when the gateway 200 of this embodiment communicates with one faucet device 100 by interrupt, the gateway 200 controls the communication as follows. In other words, the gateway 200 prevents regular communication by polling with the faucet device 100, which was the communication destination by interrupt, in one cycle unit period Tb after the cycle unit period Tb in which communication was performed by interrupt. do.
As a specific example, in FIG. 6, in the cycle unit period Tb-3 that follows the cycle unit period Tb-2 in which communication by interruption was performed with respect to faucet device #2, as shown by the broken line arrow, , regular communication by polling with faucet device #2 is skipped.
In addition, when the communication by polling with faucet apparatus #2 is skipped in this way, the timing of communication with subsequent faucet apparatuses #3 and #4 in the circulation unit period Tb-3 may be moved forward.
By performing such communication control, it becomes possible to prevent communication between the gateway 200 and the faucet device 100 from exceeding the maximum number of communications per unit time corresponding to the communication frequency regulation period.

[Gateway configuration example]
A configuration example of the gateway 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The gateway 200 in the figure includes a network compatible communication section 201, a faucet device compatible communication section 202, a control section 203, and a storage section 204.
The network compatible communication unit 201 executes communication via the network NT.
The faucet device compatible communication unit 202 communicates with the faucet device 100 .
The control unit 203 executes various controls in the gateway 200. The function of the control unit 203 is realized by the CPU included in the gateway 200 executing a program.
The control unit 203 includes a communication control unit 231 (an example of a first communication control unit). The communication control unit 231 executes control regarding communication with the faucet device 100. In other words, the communication control unit 231 allows communication to be performed sequentially with each of the plurality of faucet devices 100 in each cycle unit period Tb without going through other faucet devices 100 according to the star topology. to control.
The storage unit 204 stores various information corresponding to the gateway 200.

[Processing procedure example]
An example of a processing procedure executed by the gateway 200 in connection with interrupt communication will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 8 . The process in the figure is executed in a state where the gateway 200 is constantly communicating with the faucet device 100 by polling.
Step S<b>101 : In the gateway 200 , the communication control unit 231 waits for a command transmitted from the farmland management server 300 to control the faucet device 100 to be received.

Step S102: If it is determined in step S101 that a command has been received, the communication control unit 231 further determines whether the received command is an immediate opening/closing command. Specifically, the communication control unit 231 determines that the command identifier indicated by the received command indicates either a command to immediately fully open the stopper or a command to immediately fully close the stopper. If there is, it may be determined that it is an immediate open/close command.

Step S103: If it is determined in step S102 that it is an immediate opening/closing command, the communication control unit 231 transmits the received immediate opening/closing command to the destination faucet device 100 by interrupt communication.

Step S104: On the other hand, if it is determined in step S102 that the command is not an immediate opening/closing command, the communication control unit 231 stores the received command in the storage unit 204. The stored command is transmitted to the destination faucet device 100 during subsequent polling communication.

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9, an example of a processing procedure executed by the gateway 200 in connection with skipping communication by polling in response to interrupt communication will be described.
Step S201: In the gateway 200, the communication control unit 231 waits for the start timing of the circulation unit period Tb.
Step S202: When the start timing of the circulation unit period Tb arrives, the communication control unit 231 assigns an initial value of 1 to the variable n corresponding to the order of communication with the faucet device 100 by polling.

Step S203: The communication control unit 231 determines whether or not an immediate opening/closing command was transmitted by interrupt communication to the faucet device 100 with the n-th communication order in the previous (immediate) cycle unit period Tb. do.

Step S204: If it is determined in step S203 that interrupt communication has not been performed, the communication control unit 231 performs control so that communication by polling is performed with the faucet device 100 having the n-th communication order. Execute.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S203 that interrupt communication has been performed, the communication control unit 231 skips the process of step S204. As a result, for the faucet device 100 with which interrupt communication was performed in the previous cycle unit period Tb, communication by polling is not performed in the current cycle unit period Tb.

Step S205: After the processing in step S204 or when it is determined in step S203 that interrupt communication has been performed, the communication control unit 231 determines whether the variable n has become equal to or greater than the maximum value corresponding to the last communication order. It is determined whether or not.
Step S206: If it is determined in step S205 that the variable n is less than the maximum value, the communication control unit 231 increments the variable n and returns the process to step S203. As a result, it is determined whether or not communication is possible through polling, targeting the faucet device 100 in the next communication order.
If it is determined in step S205 that the variable n has exceeded the maximum value, the process returns to step S201 for the process corresponding to the next cyclic unit period Tb.

Note that the specific command that the gateway 200 should transmit via interrupt communication is not limited to the immediate opening/closing command. For example, the specific command may be a command that instructs the faucet device 100 to set a predetermined parameter, a command that instructs the faucet device 100 to clear a predetermined parameter, or the like.

[Modified example of topology configuration]
FIG. 10 shows a modified example of the topology configuration in the farm field management system of this embodiment. In the same figure, those corresponding to the gateway 200, gateway communication range AR, farm field FM, and water faucet device 100 in FIG. The device is referred to as device 100-1.

In the figure, in addition to gateway 200-1, another gateway 200-2 is provided. The gateway 200-2 is determined to be connected to a plurality of faucet devices 100-2 installed in the field FM-2 within the gateway communication range AR-2.
That is, in the figure, there are two different topologies: one with the gateway 200-1 and the faucet device 100-1 under it, and the other with the gateway 200-2 and the faucet device 100-2 under it. It is set.

In explaining the figure, the gateways 200-1 and 200-2 will be referred to as gateway 200 unless they are particularly distinguished. Furthermore, if there is no particular distinction between gateway communication ranges AR-1 and AR-2, they will be referred to as gateway communication range AR. In addition, if there is no particular distinction between field FM-1 and FM-2, they will be referred to as field FM. In addition, if there is no particular distinction between the faucet devices 100-1 and 100-2, they will be referred to as a faucet device 100.

Here, due to the positional relationship between the gateway 200-1 and the gateway 200-2, the gateway communication range AR-1 of the gateway 200-1 and the gateway communication range AR-2 of the gateway 200-2 partially overlap. in a state. In the range where the gateway communication range AR-1 and the gateway communication range AR-2 overlap (overlapping range), one field FM-1 where the faucet device 100-1 under the gateway 200-1 is placed is exist.
In such a case, the faucet device 100-1 existing in the overlapping range is in an environment where it can communicate not only with the gateway 200-1 but also with the gateway 200-2. However, since the gateway 200-2 and the faucet device 100-1 existing in the overlapping range have different topologies, it is required to prevent communication between them.

For this purpose, for example, a communication destination table is provided for each gateway 200 in which faucet devices 100 set as communication destinations are associated with each other. The communication destination table may have a structure in which a gateway ID indicating the gateway 200 is associated with a faucet device ID indicating the faucet device 100 as the communication destination. The gateway 200 and the faucet device 100 each store a corresponding communication destination table.
Gateway 200 includes its own gateway ID in the information it transmits. Faucet device 100 discards the transmitted information if the gateway ID included in the information transmitted from gateway 200 is not associated with its own faucet device ID in the communication destination table.
Further, the faucet device 100 includes its own faucet device ID in the information to be transmitted. If the faucet device ID included in the information transmitted from the faucet device 100 is not associated with its own gateway ID in the communication destination table, the gateway 200 discards the transmitted information.
Thereby, it is possible to prevent communication between the gateway 200 and the faucet device 100 that belong to mutually different topologies.

Alternatively, the command ID may be defined to have a unique value for each topology. Then, if the command ID included in the received information does not have a unique value corresponding to the command ID, the gateway 200 and the faucet device 100 discard the received information.
Thereby, it is possible to prevent communication between the gateway 200 and the faucet device 100 that belong to mutually different topologies.

Alternatively, after determining a field ID indicating a field FM, the gateway 200 is made to store the field IDs of all the field FMs in which the subordinate faucet device 100 is installed, and the faucet device 100 is installed. The field ID of the field FM may be stored.
When transmitting information, gateway 200 includes the stored field ID in the transmitted information. The faucet device 100 includes the field ID corresponding to itself in the information to be transmitted. Gateway 200 discards the received information when the field ID included in the received information does not match the field ID stored in itself. Moreover, faucet device 100 discards the received information when there is no farm ID that matches itself among the farm IDs included in the received information.
Thereby, it is possible to prevent communication between the gateway 200 and the faucet device 100 that belong to mutually different topologies.

FIG. 11 shows another modification of the topology configuration in the field management system of this embodiment.
In the figure, three farm management terminals 400, 400-A, 400-B, and 400-C, are connected to the network NT. In other words, in the example shown in the figure, there are three field managers A, B, and C corresponding to each of the field management terminals 400-A, 400-B, and 400-C. .
Further, the gateway communication range AR of one gateway 200 includes three farm fields FM-A, FM-B, and FM-C, which have different farm managers. Fields FM-A, FM-B, and FM-C are managed by field managers A, B, and C, respectively.
In this case, the gateway 200 includes a plurality of faucet devices 100-A installed in a field FM-A, a plurality of faucet devices 100-B installed in a field FM-B, and a plurality of faucet devices 100-B installed in a field FM-C. Communication is performed with the faucet device 100-C as its subordinate. In the description of the figure, faucet devices 100-A, 100-B, and 100-C will be referred to as faucet device 100 unless they are particularly distinguished.
In such a configuration, the gateway 200 may be shared by, for example, field managers A, B, and C, or may be owned by an organization such as a land improvement district.

Under such a configuration, information transmitted and received between the faucet device 100 and the farmland management server 300 via the gateway 200 and the network NT is encrypted. This prevents the content of information transmitted and received between the faucet device 100 and the farm field management server 300 from being intercepted by any of the farm field management terminals 400 connected to the gateway 200, for example.

Note that a program for realizing the functions of the faucet device 100, gateway 200, field management server 300, field management terminal 400, etc. described above is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on this recording medium By loading and executing into a computer system, processing corresponding to the above-mentioned faucet device 100, gateway 200, farmland management server 300, farmland management terminal 400, etc. may be performed. Here, "reading a program recorded on a recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program on the computer system. The "computer system" here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Further, a "computer system" may include a plurality of computer devices connected via a network including the Internet, a WAN, a LAN, a communication line such as a dedicated line, etc. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems. In this way, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The recording medium also includes a recording medium provided internally or externally that can be accessed from the distribution server to distribute the program. The code of the program stored in the recording medium of the distribution server may be different from the code of the program in a format executable by the terminal device. That is, as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in an executable form on the terminal device, the format in which it is stored on the distribution server does not matter. Note that the program may be divided into a plurality of parts, downloaded at different timings, and then combined on a terminal device, or the distribution servers that deliver each of the divided programs may be different. Furthermore, a ``computer-readable recording medium'' refers to a storage medium that retains a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that serves as a server or client when a program is transmitted via a network. This shall also include things. Moreover, the above-mentioned program may be for realizing a part of the above-mentioned functions. Furthermore, it may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

Reference Signs List 100 faucet device, 101 water supply pipe, 111 faucet driving unit, 113 sensor compatible communication unit, 114 gateway compatible communication unit, 115 power supply unit, 120 control unit, 121 communication control unit, 130 storage unit, 140 operation panel unit, 200 gateway , 201 network compatible communication unit, 202 faucet device compatible communication unit, 203 control unit, 204 storage unit, 231 communication control unit, 300 field management server, 400 field management terminal

Claims (6)

Equipped with a communication device and multiple faucet devices used for water supply and drainage in the field,
The communication device includes:
A first communication control unit that controls communication with each of the plurality of faucet devices located within a communication distance so that communication is performed sequentially in each circulation unit period without passing through other faucet devices. ,
The faucet device includes:
comprising a second communication control unit that controls communication to be performed without going through the communication device and another faucet device ,
The first communication control unit includes:
Among the commands to be sent to the faucet device, specific commands are sent to the destination faucet device by interrupting the sequential communication in the current cycle unit period,
In the communication count specified period including the circuit unit period in which the specific command was transmitted, during sequential communication in the circuit unit period after the circuit unit period in which the specific command was transmitted, the faucet device to which the specific command is transmitted. Skip communication with
Communications system. The first communication control unit includes:
Skip communication with the faucet device to which the specific command is sent so that the communication device does not exceed the upper limit of the number of times the communication device is allowed to communicate with one faucet device during a specified communication frequency period.
The communication system according to claim 1. Communication that sequentially communicates with each of multiple faucet devices located within the communication distance and used for water supply and drainage in the field during each patrol unit period without going through other faucet devices. Equipped with a control unit ,
The communication control unit includes:
Among the commands to be sent to the faucet device, specific commands are sent to the destination faucet device by interrupting the sequential communication in the current cycle unit period,
In the communication count specified period including the circuit unit period in which the specific command was transmitted, during sequential communication in the circuit unit period after the circuit unit period in which the specific command was transmitted, the faucet device to which the specific command is transmitted. Skip communication with
Communication device. A communication control method in a communication system comprising a communication device and a plurality of faucet devices used for water supply and drainage in a field, the method comprising:
First communication control such that the communication device performs communication sequentially with each of the plurality of faucet devices located within a communication distance in each cycle unit period without going through other faucet devices. a control step;
a second communication control step for controlling the faucet device to communicate with the communication device without going through another faucet device ;
The first communication control step includes:
Among the commands to be sent to the faucet device, specific commands are sent to the destination faucet device by interrupting the sequential communication in the current cycle unit period,
In the communication count specified period including the circuit unit period in which the specific command was transmitted, during sequential communication in the circuit unit period after the circuit unit period in which the specific command was transmitted, the faucet device to which the specific command is transmitted. Skip communication with
Communication control method. A communication control method in a communication device, the method comprising:
Communication that sequentially communicates with each of multiple faucet devices located within the communication distance and used for water supply and drainage in the field during each patrol unit period without going through other faucet devices. Equipped with a control step ,
The communication control step includes:
Among the commands to be sent to the faucet device, specific commands are sent to the destination faucet device by interrupting the sequential communication in the current cycle unit period,
In the communication count specified period including the circuit unit period in which the specific command was transmitted, during sequential communication in the circuit unit period after the circuit unit period in which the specific command was transmitted, the faucet device to which the specific command is transmitted. Skip communication with
Communication control method. A computer as a communication device,
Communication that sequentially communicates with each of multiple faucet devices located within the communication distance and used for water supply and drainage in the field during each patrol unit period without going through other faucet devices. A program for functioning as a control unit,
The communication control unit includes:
Among the commands to be sent to the faucet device, specific commands are sent to the destination faucet device by interrupting the sequential communication in the current cycle unit period,
In the communication count specified period including the circuit unit period in which the specific command was transmitted, during sequential communication in the circuit unit period after the circuit unit period in which the specific command was transmitted, the faucet device to which the specific command is transmitted. Skip communication with
program.

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