JP7389685B2 - Communication equipment, communication system, and communication system control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a communication device, a communication system, and a method of controlling a communication system.

2. Description of the Related Art A communication system that communicates with a center device through a telephone line is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

A conventional communication system includes a center device, a communication device, a base device, a slave device, and a meter. The center device is connected to a communication device, the communication device is connected to a base unit, the base unit is connected to a slave unit, and the slave unit is connected to a meter. The center device collects the measured values of the meters via the communication device, the master device, and the slave device.

In conventional communication systems, when the telephone number of a communication device is changed, the ID of the communication device is changed. At this time, it was necessary to change the ID of the base unit in conjunction with the change of the telephone number of the communication device. An operator changes the ID of the base device by connecting a setting device to the base device and inputting the changed telephone number of the communication device from the setting device.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-189024

However, when an operator changes the ID of the base unit, he or she must manually input the changed telephone number of the communication device into the base unit from the setting device, which is cumbersome. Additionally, some workers sometimes entered the wrong phone number. In this case, the operator must re-enter the phone number from the setting device into the base unit to change the ID (identification information) of the base unit (secondary communication device), which is cumbersome. there were.

An object of the present invention is to provide a communication device, a communication system, and a method of controlling a communication system that can easily change identification information of a second communication device.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a communication system includes a center device, a first communication device, and a second communication device. The first communication device is capable of communicating with the center device. A second communication device is capable of communicating with the first communication device. The center device communicates with the first communication device using first identification information that is identification information of the first communication device. The center device communicates with the second communication device using second identification information that is identification information of the second communication device. The first communication device performs a change process of changing the second identification information by changing the first identification information.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a communication device includes a center device, a first communication device capable of communicating with the center device, and a second communication device capable of communicating with the first communication device. The first communication device is the first communication device. The communication device includes a control section. The center device communicates with the communication device using first identification information that is identification information of the communication device. The center device communicates with the second communication device using second identification information that is identification information of the second communication device. The control unit of the communication device performs a change process of changing the second identification information by changing the first identification information.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling a communication system is a method for controlling a communication system. The communication system includes a center device, a first communication device, and a second communication device. The first communication device is capable of communicating with the center device. A second communication device is capable of communicating with the first communication device. The center device communicates with the first communication device using first identification information that is identification information of the first communication device. The center device communicates with the second communication device using second identification information that is identification information of the second communication device. The communication system control method includes a step in which the first identification information is changed. The method for controlling the communication system includes a step of performing a change process in which the first communication device changes the second identification information in response to the first identification information being changed.

According to the present invention, the identification information of the second communication device can be easily changed.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a server. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a center side network control device. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication device. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a parent device. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a slave device. It is a figure which shows 1st identification information. It is a figure which shows 2nd identification information. FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing the procedure of change processing. It is a figure which shows 1st identification information. It is a figure which shows 2nd identification information.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding parts, and the description will not be repeated.

With reference to FIG. 1, a communication system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 100 collects measurement values (meter reading values) measured at a plurality of measurement locations by communicating between a plurality of communication devices. The communication system 100 of this embodiment functions as a telemeter.

The communication system 100 includes a center device 10 and a plurality of communication equipment groups 20. The center device 10 communicates with each of the plurality of communication device groups 20 and collects measured values from each of the plurality of communication device groups 20. Note that the communication device group 20 may be singular.

The center device 10 includes a server 11 and a center side network control device 12.

The communication device group 20 includes a communication device 21 , a base device 22 , a plurality of slave devices 23 , and a plurality of meters 24 . Note that the slave device 23 and the meter 24 may be singular.

The server 11 collects measured values measured by the plurality of meters 24 via the communication device 21 , the master device 22 , and the plurality of slave devices 23 .

The center side network control device 12 is connected to a wide area wireless network N1 such as a PHS network, a FOMA network, and an LTE network. The center side network control device 12 performs wireless communication with the communication device 21 via the wide area wireless network N1.

When data is transmitted from the server 11 to the center side network control device 12, the center side network control device 12 transmits the data to the communication equipment group 20 using a communication method compliant with the communication standard of the wide area wireless network N1. do. When the center-side network control device 12 receives data transmitted from the communication equipment group 20, it transmits the received data to the server 11.

The communication device 21 has a function of an NCU (Network Control Unit) to enable connection to the wide area wireless network N1, and performs wireless communication with the center device 10 via the wide area wireless network N1.

Base device 22 is connected to communication device 21 by wire. For example, the base unit 22 forms a mesh-type narrow area wireless network together with a plurality of slave units 23.

A meter 24 is connected to the slave device 23 . The meter 24 is installed at each customer such as a private residence, a company, and various facilities, for example. The meter 24 is, for example, a measuring device that measures the amount of gas, water, or electricity used and outputs a measured value (meter reading value). The meter 24 outputs a measured value to the slave device 23 to which it is connected.

Next, the server 11 will be explained with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the server 11.

As shown in FIG. 2, the server 11 includes a storage section 111, a control section 112, and a communication section 113.

The storage unit 111 includes a main storage device (for example, a semiconductor memory) such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and may further include an auxiliary storage device (for example, a hard disk drive). The storage unit 111 stores various computer programs executed by the control unit 112.

The control unit 112 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 112 controls each element of the server 11 by executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 111.

The communication unit 113 is connected to the center side network control device 12 and communicates with the center side network control device 12 . The communication unit 113 is, for example, a device including a communication module.

Next, the center side network control device 12 will be explained with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the center side network control device 12. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the center side network control device 12 includes a storage section 121, a control section 122, and a communication section 123.

The storage unit 121 includes a main storage device, and may further include an auxiliary storage device. The storage unit 121 stores various computer programs executed by the control unit 122.

Control unit 122 includes a processor. The control unit 122 controls each element of the center side network control device 12 by executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 121.

The communication unit 123 is connected to the server 11 and communicates with the server 11. The communication unit 123 is connected to the wide area wireless network N1 and communicates with the communication device 21 via the wide area wireless network N1. The communication unit 123 is, for example, a device including a communication module.

The communication device 21 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4 and 7. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the communication device 21. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the communication device 21 includes a wide area wireless communication section 210, a connection port 211, a mounting section 212, an operation section 213, and a storage section 214.

The wide area wireless communication unit 210 communicates with the center side network control device 12 by transmitting or receiving radio waves. For example, when the communication device 21 receives meter reading data, the wide area wireless communication unit 210 sends the meter reading data to the center device 10 by transmitting radio waves in a manner compliant with the communication standards of the wide area wireless network N1. Send.

A master device 22 is connected to the connection port 211 via a communication cable. A SIM card is attached to the attachment section 212. Information indicating the telephone number of the communication device 21 is stored in the SIM card. The operation unit 213 includes various switches such as dip switches and buttons. The operation unit 213 accepts instructions from the outside.

The storage unit 214 includes a main storage device and may further include an auxiliary storage device. The storage unit 214 stores various computer programs executed by the control unit 215. The storage unit 214 stores first identification information X1 that is identification information (ID) of the communication device 21. The identification information of the communication device 21 is set to include the current telephone number of the communication device 21.

The first identification information X1 stored in the storage unit 214 is set as the identification information of the communication device 21. Thereby, the communication device 21 recognizes the first identification information X1 as its own current identification information.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the first identification information X1. As shown in FIG. 7, the first identification information X1 includes the telephone number "0123456789" of the communication device 21 and predetermined first information (in this embodiment, an arbitrary four-digit number "1234"). Ru.

The center device 10 (server 11) uses the first identification information X1 when communicating with the communication device 21 (for example, when specifying the communication device 21 as a data destination).

As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 215 includes a processor. The control unit 215 controls each element of the communication device 21 by executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 214.

The communication device 21 is an example of a first communication device of the present invention.

The base unit 22 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5 and 8. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the base unit 22. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the base device 22 includes a short range wireless communication section 220, a connection port 221, a display section 222, an operation section 223, a storage section 224, and a control section 225.

The short range wireless communication unit 220 communicates with the handset 23 using a predetermined wireless communication method by transmitting and receiving radio waves. A specified low power wireless system is adopted as the wireless communication system. In the specified low power wireless system, in addition to the 426 MHz band, the 920 MHz band, which has a faster communication speed, is used. The short range wireless communication unit 220 is, for example, a communication module using an RF-LSI for 920 MHz band communication.

The communication device 21 is connected to the connection port 221 via a communication cable.

The display section 222 includes an LED lamp (LED: Light Emitting Diode) and a liquid crystal display panel. The display unit 222 displays, for example, information indicating installation work of the base unit 22 and information to be notified to a worker who performs maintenance work on the base unit 22.

The operation unit 223 includes various switches such as dip switches and buttons. The operation unit 223 accepts instructions from the outside. The control unit 225 operates based on instructions received by the operation unit 223.

The storage unit 224 includes a main storage device and may further include an auxiliary storage device. The storage unit 224 stores various computer programs executed by the control unit 225. The storage unit 224 stores second identification information Y1 that is identification information (ID) of the base device 22. The identification information of the base unit 22 is set to include the current telephone number of the communication device 21. Note that if the identification information of the base unit 22 does not include the current telephone number of the communication device 21 but includes, for example, the previous telephone number of the communication device 21, the change process (described later) is performed. (see FIG. 9) is performed.

The second identification information Y1 stored in the storage unit 224 is set as the identification information of the base device 22. Thereby, the master device 22 recognizes the second identification information Y1 as its own current identification information.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the second identification information Y1. As shown in FIG. 8, the second identification information Y1 includes the telephone number "0123456789" of the communication device 21 and predetermined second information (in this embodiment, an arbitrary four-digit number "5678"). Ru.

The center device 10 (server 11) uses the second identification information Y1 when communicating with the base device 22 (for example, when specifying the base device 22 as a data transmission destination).

As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 225 includes a processor. The control unit 225 controls each element of the base device 22 by executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 224.

Base device 22 is an example of the second communication device of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the handset 23 will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the handset 23. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, the handset 23 includes a short range wireless communication section 230, a connection port 231, a display section 232, an operation section 233, a storage section 234, and a control section 235.

The short range wireless communication unit 230 performs wireless communication with the base unit 22 using a predetermined wireless communication method (specific low power wireless method) by transmitting or receiving radio waves.

The meter 24 is connected to the connection port 231 . The control unit 235 of the slave device 23 obtains the meter reading value of the meter 24 through the connection port 231.

The display section 232 includes an LED lamp and a liquid crystal display panel. The display unit 232 displays, for example, information indicating installation work of the handset 23 and information to be notified to a worker who performs maintenance work on the handset 23.

The operation unit 233 includes various switches such as dip switches and buttons. The operation unit 233 accepts instructions from the outside.

The storage unit 234 includes a main storage device and may further include an auxiliary storage device. The storage unit 234 stores various computer programs executed by the control unit 235.

Control unit 235 includes a processor. The control unit 235 controls each element of the slave device 23 by executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 234.

The center device 10 (server 11) communicates with the child device 23 via the parent device 22. At this time, the center device 10 communicates with the slave device 23 based on the second identification information Y1 of the parent device 22.

Next, the change processing will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, and 7 to 11. The change process is a process in which the first identification information X1 of the communication device 21 is changed, thereby changing the second identification information Y1 of the base device 22. In this embodiment, the change process is performed by the communication device 21.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing the procedure of the change process.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing first identification information X2 that is identification information of the communication device 21. As shown in FIG. The first identification information X2 is composed of the telephone number "9876543210" of the communication device 21 and predetermined first information (in this embodiment, an arbitrary four-digit number "01234").

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing second identification information Y2 that is identification information of the base device 22. As shown in FIG. The second identification information Y2 includes the telephone number "9876543210" of the communication device 21 and predetermined second information (in this embodiment, an arbitrary four-digit number "5678").

At the start of the flow shown in FIG. 9, the telephone number of the communication device 21 has been changed from "0123456789" to "9876543210." Along with this, the identification information of the communication device 21 has been changed from the first identification information X1 (see FIG. 7) to the first identification information X2 (see FIG. 10), and the changed telephone number of the communication device 21 is " 9876543210". On the other hand, the identification information of the base unit 22 remains the second identification information Y1 (see FIG. 8) and includes the telephone number "0123456789" of the communication device 21 before the change. Therefore, in the flow shown in FIG. 9, a change process is performed to change the second identification information Y1 of the base device 22 to the second identification information Y2 (see FIG. 11) that includes the changed telephone number "9876543210" of the communication device 21. It will be done.

In this embodiment, the telephone number of the communication device 21 is changed by changing the wide area wireless network N1 between the communication device 21 and the center device 10 from the FOMA network to the LTE network.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 9, in step S1, the communication device 21 is activated.

In step S2, the control unit 215 of the communication device 21 reads the current telephone number (changed telephone number) “9876543210” of the communication device 21 from the SIM card.

In step S3, the operation unit 213 of the communication device 21 accepts a predetermined operation. The predetermined operation is an operation that instructs the communication device 21 to start a change process.

In step S4, an activation signal is transmitted from the communication device 21 to the base unit 22. The activation signal is a signal that serves as a trigger for the communication device 21 to start the change process.

In step S5, upon receiving the activation signal, base device 22 transmits a first response signal to the activation signal to communication device 21. At this time, the communication device 21 also transmits the second identification information Y1 stored in the storage unit 224. As a result, the communication device 21 acquires the second identification information Y1.

The control unit 215 of the communication device 21 compares the telephone number “0123456789” of the communication device 21 included in the second identification information Y1 with the current telephone number “9876543210” of the communication device 21 read in step S2. In this embodiment, the telephone number of the communication device 21 included in the second identification information Y1 is the telephone number of the communication device 21 before the change, and is different from the current telephone number of the communication device 21. Therefore, the control unit 215 decides to perform a change process of changing the second identification information Y1 based on the current telephone number of the communication device 21 (the changed telephone number of the communication device 21).

Note that if the telephone number of the communication device 21 included in the second identification information Y1 is the same as the current telephone number of the communication device 21, the change process (the process shown in steps S6 to S10) is not performed, and the process ends. Note that even when the telephone number of the communication device 21 included in the second identification information Y1 is the same as the current telephone number of the communication device 21, the processes shown in steps S6 to S10 may be performed.

In step S6, the control unit 215 of the communication device 21 performs a change process so that the second identification information Y2 (see FIG. 11) includes the changed telephone number (current telephone number) “9876543210” of the communication device 21. generate.

In step S7, a setting signal is transmitted from the communication device 21 to the base unit 22. The setting signal is a signal instructing to set the identification information of the base device 22 to the identification information (second identification information Y2) generated by the change processing of the communication device 21.

In step S8, upon receiving the setting signal, the control unit 225 of the base device 22 updates the second identification information Y1 stored in the storage unit 224 to the second identification information Y2. As a result, the identification information of the base device 22 is set as the second identification information Y2.

The second identification information Y1 is an example of setting identification information of the present invention. The second identification information Y2 is an example of changed identification information of the present invention.

In step S9, a second response signal is transmitted from the base device 22 to the communication device 21, indicating that the process of setting the identification information of the base device 22 has been completed.

In step S10, a termination signal indicating that the change process has been completed is transmitted from the communication device 21 to the master device 22^. As a result, the process ends.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11, the communication device 21 performs a change process of changing the identification information of the base device 22 by changing the identification information of the communication device 21. In this embodiment, by changing the identification information of the communication device 21 from the first identification information X1 to the first identification information The information Y1 is changed to the second identification information Y2. In other words, when the telephone number of the communication device 21 is changed, the communication device 21 performs the change process. This eliminates the need for the operator to use a setting device to input the changed telephone number of the communication device 21 into the base unit 22, and allows the communication device 21 to perform the corresponding task. As a result, the identification information of the base unit 22 can be easily changed.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 11). However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit thereof (for example, (1)). Moreover, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining the plurality of components disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiments. For ease of understanding, the drawings mainly schematically show each component, and the number of each component shown in the drawings may differ from the actual number due to drawing preparation. Moreover, each component shown in the above embodiment is an example, and is not particularly limited, and various changes can be made without substantially departing from the effects of the present invention.

(1) In the present embodiment, when the operation unit 213 of the communication device 21 receives a predetermined operation, an activation signal is transmitted from the communication device 21 to the base unit 22, and the change process is started (step S3 in FIG. 9). , and step S4). However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

The configuration is such that when the communication device 21 is turned on (the communication device 21 is activated), the change process is started (a startup signal is sent from the communication device 21 to the base unit 22). You can.

In addition, when the base unit 22 is replaced and the communication device 21 detects that the base unit 22 has been replaced (for example, in response to an inquiry from the communication device 21, the base unit 22 responds to the communication device 21 It may be configured such that the change process is started when the user receives a different response from the user.

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

10 Center device 21 Communication device (first communication device)
22 Base unit (second communication device)
100 Communication system X1 First identification information X2 First identification information Y1 Second identification information Y2 Second identification information

Claims (8)

a center device;
a first communication device capable of communicating with the center device and having first identification information stored in a storage unit ;
a second communication device capable of communicating with the first communication device and the center device , and having second identification information stored in a storage unit ;
The center device includes:
communicating with the first communication device using the first identification information;
communicating with the second communication device using the second identification information;
The first communication device is a communication system, wherein the first communication device performs a change process of changing the second identification information on the storage unit of the second communication device by changing the first identification information. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the first communication device includes an operation unit that accepts a predetermined operation that instructs the first communication device to start the change process. When the operation unit of the first communication device receives the predetermined operation, the first communication device transmits an activation signal to the second communication device,
When the second communication device receives the activation signal, the second communication device transmits setting identification information that is the second identification information being set in the second communication device to the first communication device,
The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the first communication device performs the change process by receiving the setting identification information. 4. The first communication device generates changed identification information that is the changed second identification information by performing the change process, and transmits the changed identification information to the second communication device. Communication system as described. The communication device according to claim 4, wherein upon receiving the changed identification information, the second communication device changes the second identification information set in the second communication device from the setting identification information to the changed identification information. system. The first communication device includes:
performing the change processing by changing the telephone number of the first communication device;
Any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when performing the change process, the second identification information of the second communication device is generated based on the changed telephone number of the first communication device. Communication system as described. A first communication device capable of communicating with the center device and having first identification information stored in a storage unit , a first communication device capable of communicating with the first communication device and the center device , and having second identification information The first communication device of a communication system comprising a second communication device stored in a storage unit ,
The communication device that is the first communication device includes a control unit,
The center device includes:
communicating with the communication device using the first identification information;
communicating with the second communication device using the second identification information;
The control unit of the communication device is a communication device, wherein the control unit of the communication device performs a change process of changing the second identification information on the storage unit of the second communication device when the first identification information is changed. a center device;
a first communication device capable of communicating with the center device and having first identification information stored in a storage unit ;
a second communication device capable of communicating with the first communication device and having second identification information stored in a storage unit ;
The center device is
communicating with the first communication device using the first identification information;
A method of controlling a communication system that communicates with the second communication device using the second identification information,
a step of changing the first identification information;
and a step of causing the first communication device to perform a change process on the storage unit of the second communication device to change the second identification information when the first identification information is changed. Control method.

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