JP7461625B2 - Control device - Google Patents

Description

This specification discloses a technique for performing data communication with a terminal device.

Patent Document 1 discloses a communication system that includes a terminal device such as a vending machine, a communication module such as a transaction device provided in the terminal device, and a server that manages data for the terminal device. The communication module is a device for relaying data communication between the server and the terminal device (e.g., communication of sales data in a vending machine, etc.). In this communication system, a wireless communication link is established between the communication module and the server, making it possible to execute data communication between the terminal device and the server via the wireless communication link.

JP 2011-525265 A

Conventionally, in such communication systems, the 3G (3rd Generation) standard has been adopted as the standard for wireless communication between the communication module and the server. In the case of the 3G standard, the wireless communication link between the communication module and the server is established when a connection request command (e.g., a RING result code) is sent from one side to the other side to request the establishment of a wireless communication link in a situation where data communication should be started. Therefore, the communication link between the communication module and the terminal device is also established when the communication module receives (or sends) a connection request command. In other words, communication between the communication module and the terminal device is executed when triggered by the connection request command.

In recent years, next-generation standards such as 4G (4th Generation) (i.e., LTE (Long Term Evolution)) and 5G (5th Generation) have become widespread as wireless communication standards to replace the 3G standard. It is known that in such next-generation standards, a constant communication link that allows constant communication is established between a communication module and a server. It is known that in such constant communication, a connection request command is not sent from one side to the other side when data communication should be started. If the next-generation standard is adopted in the above communication system, the processing performed between the communication module and the server will be different from the processing performed in the case of the conventional 3G standard.

In addition, the specifications of terminal devices such as vending machines are determined according to the standards of the association to which the manufacturer of the terminal device belongs. Therefore, the above specification, in which the communication link between the communication module and the terminal device is established using a connection request command as a trigger, will not change unless the association's standards are changed. For this reason, there is a demand for technology in the 3G standard and next-generation standards (e.g., 4G standard) that allows for the appropriate establishment of a communication link between the communication module and the terminal device without changing the specifications of the terminal device.

This specification provides technology that enables proper data communication with terminal devices in both conventional 3G and next-generation standards.

The control device disclosed in this specification includes a first establishment unit that establishes a first TCP communication link in accordance with TCP (abbreviation of Transmission Control Protocol) with a terminal device via a communication module configured to be able to communicate with a server without receiving a connection request from the server, the communication module being a module for relaying data communication between the server and the terminal device, and a data communication execution unit that, when the first TCP communication link is established, executes data communication with the terminal device using the first TCP communication link.

The "control device" may be configured integrally with a general (i.e., product) communication module (which may be called a communication terminal device), or may be configured separately. The "connection request" includes a command for requesting the establishment of a wireless communication link. The "communication with the server" may be communication according to the 3G standard, or communication according to the next-generation standard (e.g., the LTE standard).

According to the above configuration, the control device can execute data communication with the terminal device under the initiative of the control device, without receiving a connection request from the server via the communication module. Because the control device is in charge, data communication with the terminal device can be executed appropriately in both the conventional 3G standard in which a connection request is sent from the server, and the next-generation standard in which a connection request is not sent from the server. For example, the control device can receive terminal device data from the terminal device using the first TCP communication link, without receiving a connection request from the server, and can transmit the terminal device data to the server at an appropriate timing using the communication module.

The communication module may be a module that establishes a constant communication link that enables constant communication with the server.

As mentioned above, in the next-generation standard, a constant communication link is established, so there is a high possibility that a connection request cannot be received from the server. With this configuration, even when a constant communication link that allows constant communication is established between the communication module and the server (i.e., when the next-generation standard is adopted), data communication with the terminal device can be properly performed.

The constant communication link may be a communication link conforming to the LTE (Long Term Evolution) standard.

With this configuration, even if a communication link conforming to the LTE standard is established between the communication module and the server, the control device can properly execute data communication with the terminal device.

The control device may further include a disconnection unit that disconnects the first TCP communication link after data communication with the terminal device is performed, and the first establishment unit may repeatedly establish the first TCP communication link with the terminal device.

Generally, communication using a constant communication link established between a communication module and a server may be conducted via an external carrier, etc., and therefore a pay-per-use system may be adopted. On the other hand, communication using a first TCP communication link established between a terminal device and a control device is usually communication between the terminal device and a communication module (specifically, internal communication) in many cases, and therefore does not require a fee according to the amount of communication. In such cases, with the above configuration, even if the first TCP communication link is repeatedly established and communication is performed frequently between the terminal device and the control device, the cost burden on the installer of the control device can be reduced.

The control device may further include a second establishment unit that establishes a second TCP communication link conforming to the TCP with the server via the communication module without receiving the connection request from the server, and a relay unit that relays data communication between the terminal device and the server via the communication module using the first TCP communication link and the second TCP communication link.

With the above configuration, even if a constant communication link that allows constant communication is established between the communication module and the server (e.g., when a next-generation standard is adopted), data communication can be properly performed between the terminal device and the server without receiving a connection request from the server.

The data communication with the terminal device includes the control device receiving target data from the terminal device, and the relay unit may relay data communication between the terminal device and the server by storing the target data in a memory when the target data is received from the terminal device using the first TCP communication link, and transmitting the target data in the memory to the server via the communication module using the second TCP communication link when a predetermined condition is satisfied after the target data is stored in the memory.

The "memory" may be a memory included in the control device, or an external memory communicatively connected to the control device. The "predetermined condition" is, for example, the operating state of the terminal device changing to a predetermined state (for example, if the terminal device is a vending machine, the inventory in the vending machine is less than a predetermined inventory amount), or the operating state of the control device changing to a predetermined state (for example, the number of target data in the memory is equal to or greater than a predetermined number).

For example, a comparative example is assumed in which, when target data is received from a terminal device, the received target data is immediately transmitted to a server. In this comparative example, when multiple pieces of target data are transmitted to a server, one piece of target data is repeatedly transmitted to the server. This increases the number of data communications with the server. In contrast, with the above configuration, the control device can accumulate target data in memory and transmit the target data in the memory collectively to the server. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the number of data communications with the server.

The terminal device may be a vending machine.

With this configuration, the control device can properly communicate data with the vending machine even when a constant communication link that allows constant communication is established between the communication module and the server.

The control method, computer program, and computer-readable recording medium for storing the computer program for implementing the above control device are also novel and useful. Also, a communication system including the above control device and other devices (e.g., a server, a terminal device) is novel and useful.

2 shows the configuration of a communication system 2. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram of a specific data communication. A continuation of FIG.

(Configuration of communication system 2; FIG. 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 2 of the present embodiment includes a terminal device 10, a relay device 20, a carrier network 50, and a server 60. In the state of FIG. 1, the relay device 20 is installed by being assembled to the terminal device 10. The carrier network 50 includes a specific base station designated as a communication destination of the relay device 20 among a plurality of base stations installed by a communication operator (a so-called communication carrier operator) that is a provider of wireless communication (which may also be called mobile communication), and a core network (a so-called backbone) capable of communicating with the specific base station. The relay device 20 and the carrier network 50 can communicate with each other at all times via an LTE communication link 4, which is a communication link conforming to the LTE (Long Term Evolution) standard. The carrier network 50 and the server 60 can communicate with each other via a network 6.

(Terminal device 10)
In this embodiment, the terminal device 10 is a vending machine for beverages or the like. The terminal device 10 includes a terminal control unit 12. The terminal control unit 12 is a control unit (i.e., a control unit) that controls the operation of the terminal device 10. The terminal control unit 12 also operates as a control unit that executes data communication (e.g., communication of sales data of the terminal device 10 (vending machine)) with the server 60 regarding the operating state of the terminal device 10. In this specification, "data communication" refers to communication of data packets, for example, communication of TCP packets. The terminal control unit 12 is connected to the relay device 20 via a connection port not shown. In the following, the terminal control unit 12 executing a process to cause the terminal device 10 to execute an operation may be described as the operation of the terminal device 10.

(Relay device 20)
The relay device 20 is installed in the terminal device 10. The relay device 20 in this embodiment is a so-called modem router. The relay device 20 is a device for relaying data communication between the terminal device 10 and the server 60. The relay device 20 includes a control device 30, a first communication module 40, and a second communication module 42.

(Control device 30)
The control device 30 is a device for enabling data communication between the terminal device 10 and the server 60 by establishing a communication link with the first communication module 40 and with the terminal control unit 12. Hereinafter, the establishment of a communication link with the terminal control unit 12 may be expressed as "establishing a communication link with the terminal device 10". The control device 30 includes a memory 32 for storing a program. The control device 30 executes various processes according to the program in the memory 32. The memory 32 is capable of storing target data (e.g., sales data, etc.) received from the terminal device 10. The memory 32 also stores the IP address of the server 60 in advance.

(First Communication Module 40)
The first communication module 40 is a module that establishes an LTE communication link 4 with the carrier network 50 and creates a state in which continuous communication with the carrier network 50 can be performed. The first communication module 40 can relay data communication between the server 60 and the terminal device 10 via the carrier network 50. The first communication module 40 also stores a program and executes various processes according to the program.

(Second Communication Module 42)
The second communication module 42 is a module for performing short-distance wireless communication with the mobile terminal 100. Here, the "mobile terminal" refers to a portable terminal device carried by a user, such as a mobile phone (e.g., a smartphone), a PDA, a tablet terminal, a device worn on the arm (so-called a smart watch), or a device worn on the head (so-called a head-mounted display). The "short-distance wireless communication" refers to wireless communication according to a communication protocol different from LTE, such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC (Near Field Communication), or Wi-Fi. In a modified example, the relay device 20 may not include the second communication module 42.

For example, the control device 30 transmits the target data in the memory 32 to the mobile terminal 100 via the second communication module 42. As a result, the mobile terminal 100 displays the operating status of the terminal device 10 represented by the target data. For example, an administrator who manages the terminal device 10 can use the mobile terminal 100 to know the operating status of the terminal device 10. Also, for example, the control device 30 uses the target data in the memory 32 to generate promotional information (e.g., advertising for products with a large inventory) according to the operating status of the terminal device 10. Then, the control device 30 broadcasts promotional data indicating the generated promotional information to the outside via the second communication module 42. As a result, when a user carrying the mobile terminal 100 is near the terminal device 10, the promotional data is received by the mobile terminal 100 and the promotional information is displayed on the mobile terminal 100. The promotional information can be notified to users who are near the terminal device 10.

(Carrier network 50)
As described above, the carrier network 50 includes a specific base station designated as a communication destination of the first communication module 40 and a core network. The carrier network 50 establishes the LTE communication link 4 with the first communication module 40 and is connected to the network 6.

(Server 60)
The server 60 is a server for managing data of the terminal device 10 (for example, sales data of the terminal device 10 (vending machine) and the like). The server 60 is connected to the network 6.

(Specific examples of operations for performing data communication; Figs. 2 and 3)
Next, referring to Figures 2 and 3, a specific example of the operation of each device when data communication (i.e., communication of TCP packets) is performed between the terminal device 10 and the server 60 via the relay device 20 in the communication system 2 of this embodiment will be described.

In S2, the relay device 20 (i.e., the control device 30 and the first communication module 40) is powered on by a user operation.

When the relay device 20 is powered on, in the next step S4, a predetermined LTE communication link establishment process is performed between the first communication module 40 and the carrier network 50, and an LTE communication link 4 (see FIG. 1) is established between the first communication module 40 and the carrier network 50. This makes it possible to perform continuous communication between the first communication module 40 and the carrier network 50 using the LTE communication link 4.

When the LTE communication link 4 is established between the first communication module 40 and the carrier network 50 in S4, the control device 30 transmits a RING result code to the terminal device 10 in S12. Here, the "RING result code" is a command for requesting the establishment of a communication link (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "PPP communication link") according to PPP (Point to Point Protocol) with the destination (in this case, the terminal device 10). Note that the "RING result code" is originally a connection request command (in this case, a result code) triggered by the sender (in this case, the control device 30) receiving a TCP packet to be sent from another device (for example, the first communication module 40). In this embodiment, the control device 30 spontaneously transmits the RING result code to the terminal device 10 without receiving a TCP packet to be sent from the first communication module 40.

In the next step S14, the control device 30 sends a CONNECT result code to the terminal device 10. Here, the "CONNECT result code" is a code for initiating the establishment of a PPP connection with the other device. As a result, in S18, a first PPP communication link is established between the control device 30 and the terminal device 10. This enables communication between the control device 30 and the terminal device 10 using the first PPP communication link.

In the following steps S20 to S24, the control device 30 uses the first PPP communication link to execute establishment communication with the terminal device 10 to establish a TCP communication link. The establishment communication is a so-called three-way handshake. Specifically, in S20, the control device 30 transmits a TCP packet including SYN as a header to the terminal device 10, and in S22, receives a TCP packet including SYN and ACK as a header from the terminal device 10. The control device 30 then transmits a TCP packet including ACK as a header to the terminal device 10. As a result, in S26, a first TCP communication link is established between the control device 30 and the terminal device 10. This enables communication between the control device 30 and the terminal device 10 using the first TCP communication link.

In the next step S30, the control device 30 uses the first TCP communication link (S26) to transmit a TCP packet including a request for transmission of target data (e.g., sales data) as the data portion to the terminal device 10.

When the terminal device 10 receives a TCP packet including a request from the control device 30 in S30, it transmits a TCP packet including the target data as the data portion to the control device 30 in S32.

When the control device 30 receives a TCP packet including target data from the terminal device 10 in S32, it stores the target data in the received TCP packet in memory 32 in S34.

In the next step S40, the control device 30 executes disconnection communication with the terminal device 10 to disconnect the TCP communication link. The control device 30 transmits a TCP packet including ACK and FIN as the header portion to the terminal device 10. In S42, the control device 30 receives a TCP packet including ACK as the header portion from the terminal device 10. Similar communication is then further executed with the terminal device 10 as the main device. As a result, the first TCP communication link (S26) is disconnected, and further the first PPP communication link (S18) is disconnected. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the first TCP communication link from being unnecessarily maintained in an established state.

The control device 30 repeatedly executes the processes of S12 to S42 at a predetermined cycle (e.g., one minute). This causes the control device 30 to repeatedly receive the target data from the terminal device 10. As a result, the target data is accumulated in the memory 32 of the control device 30 (i.e., multiple pieces of target data are stored).

Figure 3 is a continuation of Figure 2. In S50, the control device 30 determines whether a predetermined condition is satisfied. The predetermined condition is, for example, a condition in which a numerical value (e.g., a numerical value relating to sales, such as the number of items in stock, the number of change, etc.) represented by the latest target data among the target data in memory 32 is less than a predetermined value. The predetermined condition is, for example, a condition in which a change amount calculated by the target data in memory 32 (e.g., a change amount in a numerical value relating to sales, such as the change amount in stock, the change amount in change, etc.) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The predetermined condition is, for example, a condition in which the number of target data items stored in memory 32 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. The predetermined condition may also be a combination of various conditions including these conditions.

If the control device 30 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied (YES in S50), it proceeds to S52, and if it determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied (NO in S50), it returns to the process in FIG. 2.

In S52, the control device 30 transmits an ATD command to the first communication module 40. Here, the "ATD command" is a connection request command that is spontaneously transmitted by the sender (in this case, the control device 30) and is a command for requesting the establishment of a PPP communication link with the destination (in this case, the first communication module 40).

When the first communication module 40 receives the ATD command in S52, it transmits a CONNECT result code to the control device 30 in S54. As a result, in S56, a second PPP communication link is established between the control device 30 and the first communication module 40. This enables communication between the control device 30 and the first communication module 40 using the second PPP communication link. Note that the communication link between the control device 30 and the first communication module 40 is not limited to the second PPP communication link. For example, it may be a communication link conforming to SLIP (Serial Line Internet Protocol), NDIS (Network Driver Interface Specification), Remote NDIS, ECM (Ethernet Control Model), EEM (Ethernet Emulation Model), NCM (Network Control Model), etc.

2, except that the establishment communication is performed via the network 6 using the second PPP communication link (S56) and the LTE communication link 4. As a result, in S66, a second TCP communication link is established between the control device 30 and the server 60. This enables communication between the control device 30 and the server 60 using the second TCP communication link.

In the next step S70, the control device 30 uses the second TCP communication link (S66) and the LTE communication link 4 to transmit a TCP packet including the target data stored in the memory 32 as a data portion, via the network 6, addressed to the IP address of the server 60. As a result, the server 60 receives the target data from the control device 30 and stores the target data in its own database (not shown).

The next step S80 is similar to S40 in FIG. 2, except that disconnection communication is performed via the network 6 using the second TCP communication link (S66) and the LTE communication link 4. As a result, the second TCP communication link (S66) is disconnected, and further, the second PPP communication link (S56) is disconnected.

The above describes the operation of each device in this embodiment. Next, in order to more clearly explain the effects of this embodiment, we will refer to a conventional example in which data communication is performed under the initiative of server 60 in a conventional communication system.

(Conventional example of data communication being initiated by server 60)
The conventional example differs from the present embodiment in that the standard for wireless communication between the carrier network 50 and the first communication module 40 is the 3G (3rd Generation) standard. As is generally known, in the case of the 3G standard, the wireless communication link between the first communication module 40 and the carrier network 50 is established by being triggered by a connection request command (e.g., a RING result code) being transmitted from one side to the other side in a situation where data communication should be started (i.e., a situation where a TCP packet should be transmitted or received).

Therefore, in the conventional example, when the carrier network 50 receives a TCP packet including a request from the server 60, it first transmits a RING result code to the first communication module 40, and establishes a PPP communication link and a TCP communication link with the first communication module 40 using the RING result code as a trigger. Next, the first communication module 40 transmits a RING result code to the control device 30, and establishes a PPP communication link and a TCP communication link with the control device 30 using the RING result code as a trigger. Next, the control device 30 transmits a RING result code to the terminal device 10, and establishes a PPP communication link and a TCP communication link with the terminal device 10 using the RING result code as a trigger. As a result, a state in which data communication can be performed using each TCP communication link between the terminal device 10 and the carrier network 50 is established. After that, the carrier network 50 transmits the TCP packet received from the server 60 to the terminal device 10 via each TCP communication link. In response, the terminal device 10 transmits a TCP packet containing the target data to the server 60 via each TCP communication link and the network 6.

(Effects of this embodiment)
In contrast, in the communication system 2 of the present embodiment, an LTE communication link 4 capable of performing constant communication is established between the carrier network 50 and the first communication module 40 (S4 in FIG. 2). In such constant communication, it is known that a connection request command is not transmitted from one side to the other side in a situation where data communication should be started. Therefore, in this embodiment, when data communication is performed under the initiative of the server 60, the process performed between the first communication module 40 and the carrier network 50 is different from that of the conventional example (when using the 3G standard).

In this regard, according to the present embodiment, the control device 30 establishes a first TCP communication link with the terminal device 10 (S26 in FIG. 2) without receiving a connection request command from the server 60 via the first communication module 40, and receives a TCP packet including the target data from the terminal device 10 (S32). Therefore, even if an LTE communication link capable of performing constant communication is established between the first communication module 40 and the server 60, data communication with the terminal device 10 (i.e., receiving the target data from the terminal device 10) can be appropriately performed without receiving a connection request command from the server 60.

Since communication using the LTE communication link 4 is performed via the carrier network 50, a pay-per-use system may be adopted. On the other hand, communication using the first TCP communication link established between the terminal device 10 and the control device 30 is internal communication, and in many cases does not require a fee according to the amount of communication. In such a case, with the above configuration, even if the first TCP communication link is repeatedly established and communication is performed frequently between the terminal device 10 and the control device 30, the cost burden on the installer of the control device 30 is low.

The control device 30 also establishes a second TCP communication link with the server 60 (S66 in FIG. 3) without receiving a connection request command from the server 60, and transmits a TCP packet including the target data in the memory 32 (i.e., the target data received from the terminal device 10 using the first TCP communication link) to the server 60. That is, the control device 30 relays data communication between the terminal device 10 and the server 60 via the first communication module 40 using the first TCP communication link and the second TCP communication link. Therefore, even if an LTE communication link capable of performing constant communication is established between the first communication module 40 and the server 60, data communication can be appropriately performed between the terminal device 10 and the server 60 without receiving a connection request command from the server 60.

Also, for example, a comparative example is assumed in which, when target data is received from the terminal device 10, the received target data is immediately transmitted to the server 60. In this comparative example, when multiple pieces of target data are transmitted to the server 60, one piece of target data is repeatedly transmitted to the server 60. This increases the number of data communications with the server 60. As described above, communication using the LTE communication link 4 is via the carrier network 50. This may result in a communication fee being charged on a pay-per-use basis. If the number of data communications with the server 60 increases, a communication fee is required for each communication. In contrast, with the above configuration, the control device 30 can accumulate the target data in the memory 32 and transmit the target data in the memory 32 to the server 60 in a lump. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the number of data communications with the server 60. This makes it possible to suppress communication fees compared to the configuration of the comparative example.

In addition, when a predetermined condition is satisfied (YES in S50 in FIG. 3), the control device 30 transmits the target data stored in the memory 32 to the server 60 (S70). For example, a comparative example is assumed in which the target data stored in the memory 32 is transmitted to the server 60 at a timing unrelated to the predetermined condition. The predetermined condition is, for example, a condition in which the inventory amount represented by the target data is less than a predetermined value. The satisfaction of the predetermined condition can also be said to be a situation in which the administrator of the terminal device 10 wants to know the data of the terminal device 10. In the above comparative example, the target data stored in the memory 32 can be transmitted to the server 60 even in a situation in which the data of the terminal device 10 is unnecessary. In contrast, according to the configuration of the embodiment, the target data is transmitted to the server 60 in a situation in which the data of the terminal device 10 is necessary, so that it is possible to suppress the execution of unnecessary communication compared to the comparative example. Therefore, it is possible to suppress communication charges compared to the comparative example.

Furthermore, in the conventional example where target data is sent to the server 60 using a connection request command from the server 60 as a trigger, a situation may arise where the server 60 does not send a connection request command even though it is time for the administrator of the terminal device 10 to know the data of the terminal device 10. In contrast, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the target data is sent to the server 60 (S70) when the administrator of the terminal device 10 should know the data of the terminal device 10, that is, when a predetermined condition is satisfied (YES in S50 in FIG. 3). Therefore, the administrator can access the server 60 to know the latest data of the terminal device 10 that the administrator should know.

Furthermore, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the control device 30 receives the target data from the terminal device 10 under the initiative of the control device 30, without receiving a connection request command from the server 60 (S32 in FIG. 2). Because it is led by the control device 30, the configuration of this embodiment can be adopted not only when the next-generation standard is used, but also when the conventional 3G standard in which the connection request command is sent from the server 60 is used. In other words, the technology of this embodiment can appropriately execute data communication with the terminal device 10 under the conventional 3G standard and the next-generation standard. The technology of this embodiment is novel and useful even in a situation in which the conventional 3G standard is used.

(Correspondence)
The terminal device 10 is an example of a "terminal device". The control device 30, the memory 32, and the first communication module 40 are examples of a "control device", a "memory", and a "communication module", respectively. The server 60 is an example of a "server". The connection request command described in the conventional example is an example of a "connection request". The LTE communication link 4 is an example of a "constant communication link". The first TCP communication link at S26 in FIG. 2 and the second TCP communication link at S66 in FIG. 3 are examples of a "first TCP communication link" and a "second TCP communication link", respectively.

Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples given above. For example, the following modifications are included:

(Variation 1) In each of the above embodiments, an example has been described in which an LTE communication link 4 capable of performing constant communication is established between the first communication module 40 and the carrier network 50. This is not limiting, and a communication link capable of performing constant communication according to another standard may be established between the first communication module 40 and the carrier network 50. For example, a communication link according to the 5G (5th Generation) standard may be established between the first communication module 40 and the carrier network 50. These communication links are also examples of "constant communication links."

(Variation 2) In each of the above embodiments, an example was described in which the terminal device 10 was a vending machine. However, the terminal device 10 is not limited to a vending machine, and may be other devices (e.g., a work machine, a transport device, a vehicle, etc.).

(Variation 3) In each of the above embodiments, the control device 30 repeatedly establishes the first TCP communication link at a predetermined period (FIG. 2). Alternatively, the control device 30 may repeatedly establish the first TCP communication link at random timing.

(Variation 4) In each of the above embodiments, the control device 30 disconnects the first TCP communication link and repeatedly establishes the first TCP communication link (FIG. 2). Alternatively, the control device 30 may maintain the first TCP communication link while the relay device 20 is powered on. In this variation, the "disconnection unit" can be omitted.

(Variation 5) In each of the above embodiments, the control device 30 establishes a second TCP communication link with the server 60 without receiving a connection request command from the server 60 (FIG. 3). Alternatively, the control device 30 may establish a second TCP communication link with the server 60 when it receives any command from the server 60. In this variation, the "second establishment unit" can be omitted.

(Variation 6) In each of the above embodiments, when a predetermined condition is met (YES in S50 in FIG. 3), the control device 30 transmits the target data in the memory 32 to the server 60 (S70). Alternatively, when the control device 30 receives the target data from the terminal device 10, the control device 30 may immediately transmit the received target data to the server 60. Immediately transmitting the target data received from the terminal device 10 to the server 60 is an example of "relaying data communication between the terminal device and the server via the communication module using the first TCP communication link and the second TCP communication link." In this variation, the "memory" and "predetermined condition" can be omitted.

(Variation 7) In each of the above embodiments, the control device 30 establishes a second TCP communication link with the server 60 when a predetermined condition is satisfied after the first TCP communication link is established (S66 in FIG. 3). Alternatively, the control device 30 may establish a second TCP communication link with the server 60 before establishing the first TCP communication link in response to the relay device 20 being powered on by a user operation. Generally speaking, the timing for establishing the second TCP communication link may be before establishing the first TCP communication link or after establishing the first TCP communication link.

(Variation 8) In each of the above embodiments, the control device 30 uses the first TCP communication link to transmit a TCP packet including a request to the terminal device 10 (S30 in FIG. 2). Alternatively, the control device 30 may transmit a TCP packet including data to be stored in the terminal device 10 to the terminal device 10. The data indicates, for example, a setting value of the terminal device 10 (e.g., the price of a product, the storage temperature of the product, etc.). The setting of the terminal device 10 is updated by transmitting the data indicating the setting value to the terminal device 10. According to this variation, transmitting the data to be stored in the terminal device 10 to the terminal device 10 is an example of "data communication with a terminal device".

2: Communication system 4: LTE communication link 6: Network 10: Terminal device 12: Terminal control unit 20: Relay device 30: Control device 32: Memory 40: First communication module 42: Second communication module 50: Carrier network 60: Server 100: Mobile terminal

Claims (7)

A control device,
a first establishing unit that establishes a first TCP communication link in accordance with TCP (abbreviation of Transmission Control Protocol) with a terminal device via a communication module configured to be able to communicate with a server without receiving a connection request from the server, the first establishing unit being a module for relaying data communication between the server and the terminal device;
a data communication execution unit that executes data communication with the terminal device by using the first TCP communication link when the first TCP communication link is established;
a disconnection unit that disconnects the first TCP communication link after data communication with the terminal device is executed;
Equipped with
the first establishment unit repeatedly establishes the first TCP communication link with the terminal device;
Control device. The control device further comprises:
a second establishing unit that establishes a second TCP communication link in accordance with the TCP with the server via the communication module without receiving the connection request from the server;
a relay unit that relays data communication between the terminal device and the server via the communication module by using the first TCP communication link and the second TCP communication link;
The control device of claim 1 . The data communication with the terminal device includes the control device receiving target data from the terminal device;
The relay unit includes:
storing the target data in a memory when the target data is received from the terminal device using the first TCP communication link;
3. The control device according to claim 2, further comprising: a control module for relaying data communication between the terminal device and the server by transmitting the target data in the memory to the server via the communication module using the second TCP communication link when a predetermined condition is met after the target data is stored in the memory. A control device,
a first establishing unit that establishes a first TCP communication link in accordance with TCP (abbreviation of Transmission Control Protocol) with a terminal device via a communication module configured to be able to communicate with a server without receiving a connection request from the server, the first establishing unit being a module for relaying data communication between the server and the terminal device;
a data communication execution unit that executes data communication with the terminal device using the first TCP communication link when the first TCP communication link is established, the data communication execution unit including the control device receiving target data from the terminal device;
a second establishing unit that establishes a second TCP communication link in accordance with the TCP with the server via the communication module without receiving the connection request from the server;
a relay unit that relays data communication between the terminal device and the server via the communication module by using the first TCP communication link and the second TCP communication link;
Equipped with
The relay unit includes:
storing the target data in a memory when the target data is received from the terminal device using the first TCP communication link;
After the target data is stored in the memory, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the second TCP communication link is used to transmit the target data in the memory to the server via the communication module, thereby relaying data communication between the terminal device and the server.
Control device. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the communication module is a module that establishes a constant communication link that enables constant communication with the server. The control device according to claim 5, wherein the constant communication link is a communication link conforming to the LTE (Long Term Evolution) standard. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the terminal device is a vending machine.

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