JPH08213993A - Mobile communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enable a movable body to move among plural networks and to efficiently perform communication processing in the networks then. CONSTITUTION: A movable body 1 is provided with a first report means, which reports it to a network management means 21 that the movable body 1 gets away from a network A, and a second report means which reports it to a network management means 31 that the moving body gets into a network B. Network management means 21, 31, and 41 are provided with address management means 22, 32, and 42, which store and manage the address information of movable bodies belonging to networks managed by means themselves, and update means 21, 31, and 41 which perform the update processing of address information of movable bodies 1 stored and managed by address management means 22, 32, and 42 at the time of receiving the report of getting-away from the first report means of the movable body or the report of getting-into from the second report means.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mobile communication system for controlling a mobile such as a trolley in an automatic warehouse or an automatic transfer facility via a communication cable.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional mobile communication system of this type, a plurality of mobile devices each equipped with a communication device move within a network consisting of power cables under the control of a network management computer. The communication devices provided in these mobile units are for transmitting and receiving by modulating communication data on a power cable of the mobile communication system. In a network management computer and a network for communicating with a mobile device equipped with these communication devices, an address for identifying the communication device of the mobile device is programmed in advance in the network management computer as data in a program.

In the case of the above system, the management computer of each network cannot directly transmit / receive data between different networks. For this reason, in the conventional system, a network management computer is separately connected by a dedicated network, and communication with a mobile unit connected to another network is realized via this management computer.

[0004]

In such a conventional mobile communication system, when a mobile existing in one network moves to another network, there is no communication target in the separated network. Communication with the detached mobile unit becomes abnormal. In addition, in the destination network, the address of the moving communication device of the moving body cannot be recognized, and in some cases, the address overlaps with the existing communication device, and communication error or a command from the network management computer cannot be received. Such a problem occurs.

In order to improve the above-mentioned problems, there is a system in which all the addresses of all the networks that make up the system and the communication devices connected thereto are stored in each network management computer. However, in this case, one network management computer carries out a polling operation to confirm the presence / absence of a communication request even for a mobile that does not exist in the network managed by itself, so that the actual communication speed is extremely reduced and there is a problem or failure. The problem arises that it cannot be distinguished from the case.

In consideration of such circumstances, in order to reduce the dead time of the polling operation, the number of mobile units is limited due to the system structure, or a special address is allocated to the mobile units that can move between networks. In some cases, polling is performed separately for moving only within the same network and for moving across multiple networks. However, in such correspondence, there are large restrictions on the system configuration, and it is necessary to change the communication program such as polling operation, communication procedure, and abnormality determination each time the number of mobile units or the network configuration changes. A great deal of effort was spent on that task.

An object of the present invention is to enable a mobile unit to move smoothly between a plurality of networks, and at that time, communication in the network can be efficiently performed without generating unnecessary time for searching the mobile unit. It is to provide a mobile communication system capable of performing processing.

[0008]

In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the mobile communication system of the present invention is configured as follows. The mobile communication system of the present invention is
A plurality of mobile bodies that can move between a plurality of networks; and a plurality of network management means that manage the plurality of mobile bodies for each network to which they belong, all managed by the plurality of network management means A mobile communication system for setting a unique address for a mobile, wherein the mobile is configured to notify a first network management means that manages the first network to leave the first network in which the mobile exists. A first notifying means for notifying and a second notifying means for notifying the second network managing means for managing the second network that the second network is to be joined, the network managing means comprising: Address management means for storing and managing address information of a mobile unit belonging to a network managed by itself, and the first notification of the mobile unit When receiving the notification of the departure by the dan or the notification of the joining by the second notifying means, an updating means for updating the address information of the mobile body stored and managed by the address managing means. I have it.

[0009]

As a result of taking the above-mentioned means, the following effects occur. In the mobile communication system of the present invention, which network the mobile belongs to is managed by the network management means for each network, and the notification means of the mobile notifies the corresponding network management means of the network leaving / joining. Therefore, even when a mobile unit moves between a plurality of networks, the network management means waits for searching for a mobile unit that has left, that is, a movement that does not exist in its own network in the polling process for confirming the presence or absence of transmission and reception. It is possible to communicate efficiently without wasting time due to inquiries to the body.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a carriage transport system according to an embodiment based on the mobile communication system of the present invention. The system shown in FIG. 1 has three networks A,
B and C are provided, and each of the networks A, B, and C is linked with a plurality of trucks as moving bodies (other than the truck 1 is not shown). Network A as shown in FIG.
The trolley 1 linked to is equipped with a control device 11 and a communication device 12 inside. The control device 11 controls the operation of the trolley 1, and is connected to the communication device 12. Further, the communication device 12 is linked to the network A and performs communication between the control device 11 and the network A.

The communication device 20 for computers is connected to the network A.
Is connected. Similarly, the computer communication device 30 is connected to the network B, and the computer communication device 40 is connected to the network C. These computer communication devices 20,
30 and 40 are networks A to which each is connected,
The operation command is given to each dolly linked to B and C.

The computer communication devices 20, 30, 40 are connected to the management computers 21, 31, 41, respectively,
The management computers 21, 31, 41 are connected to the inter-management computer communication network N. Management computer 21, 31, 4
Reference numeral 1 is for managing and controlling the networks A, B, and C via the computer communication devices 20, 30, and 40, respectively, in consideration of the limit of the communication speed and the limit of mechanical structure.
The management computers 21, 31, 41 perform management required for system operation, such as collision prevention of vehicles and route instruction, for all the vehicles in the network managed by itself.

Computer communication devices 20, 30, 40
Are connected to the storage devices 22, 32 and 42, respectively. The storage devices 22, 32 and 42 store address management tables for the networks A, B and C, respectively. These address management tables are for storing and managing the address of each communication device existing in the corresponding network.

As shown in FIG. 1, the networks A and B are connected by a moving path 4 and the networks B and C are connected by a moving path 5. As a result, each dolly can move between networks A and B and between networks B and C.

Next, the operation of the carriage transport system constructed as described above will be described based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS. In this embodiment, the network A
It is assumed that the trolley 1 linked to is going to receive the parcel under the control of the network C to the storage location C0, loads it on itself, and then conveys it to the network A. Therefore, the trolley 1 moves from the current location shown in FIG. 1 to the storage location C.
It will move to network A → network B → network C until 0.

First, in step S1, the control device 11 of the trolley 1 issues a command from the management computer 21 for the network A to carry a package under the control of the network C, the communication device 20 for the computer, the network A, It is assumed that the trolley 1 is received via the communication device 12 of the trolley 1. Then, the control device 11 controls the operation of the carriage 1, whereby the carriage 1 starts moving in the direction of the broken line arrow a along the network A and reaches the moving passage 4.

In step S2, the control device 11 of the trolley 1 notifies the management computer 21 via the communication device 12, the network A, and the computer communication device 20 that the control computer 11 has left the network A when it reaches the moving passage 4. To do. The management computer 21 that has received this leaving notification sets the data of the trolley 1 in the address management table of the storage device 22 via the computer communication device 20 to the disconnection mode. Management computer 21
Knows in advance that the trolley 1 will leave the network A, and therefore is preparing to delete the portion of the mobile unit 1 in the address management table of the storage device 22. Upon receipt, confirmation of departure and address deletion will be performed. The management computer 21 does not perform the polling process such as the position inspection and the movement instruction of the truck 1 until the truck 1 joins the network A again. At the same time, the management computer 21 notifies the management computer 31 of the network B via the network N in advance that the trolley 1 will join the network B in advance. This is the dolly 1
To smoothly join the network B. The management computer 31 prepares to add the trolley 1 to the address management table of the storage device 32 via the computer communication device 30 by receiving the subscription notification of the trolley 1 from the management computer 21.

In step S3, the control device 11 for the trolley 1
Confirms that the trolley 1 itself has moved along the moving passage 4 in the direction of the dashed arrow and reached the network B, and then the management computer 3
Apply for network B subscription to 1.

In step S4, the trolley 1 is managed by the management computer 3.
The communication request from 1 is awaited. The management computer 31 that has received the application adds the address of the trolley 1 to the address management table of the storage device 32 and sets the connection mode in which the trolley 1 is subjected to trolley management such as position detection and movement instruction.

If there is a communication request in this state, step S
In 5, the control device 11 of the trolley 1 notifies the management computer 31 of the movement route request indicating that the movement to the network C is instructed. As a result, in step S9, the trolley 1 enters a waiting state for receiving a movement route instruction from the management computer 31. The management computer 31 having received the notification of the movement route request from the trolley 1 transmits a route instruction for moving in the network B to the trolley 1. In this state, when the trolley 1 receives the movement route instruction, the trolley 1 moves under the control of the control device 11 along the network B in the direction of the broken arrow b, then leaves the network B, and reaches the moving passage 5.

In step S10, when the vehicle reaches the moving passage 5, the control device 11 of the truck 1 controls the management computer 31.
Notify that the network B has been left. The management computer 31 that has received this departure notification sets the data of the trolley 1 in the address management table of the storage device 32 to the disconnection mode. It should be noted that the position inspection and movement instruction regarding the truck 1 are not performed until the truck 1 joins the network B again. At the same time, the management computer 31 notifies the management computer 41 of the network C via the network N in advance that the cart 1 is to join the network C. The management computer 41 prepares to add the trolley 1 to the address management table of the storage device 42 by receiving the joining notification of the trolley 1 from the management computer 31.

In step S11, the control unit 11 of the trolley 1
When confirming that it has reached the network C by moving along the moving passage 5 in the direction of the broken line arrow, the trolley 1 waits for a communication request from the management computer 41 in step S12.
If there is a communication request in this state, in step S13, the trolley 1
The control device 11 notifies the management computer 41 of a movement route request to the luggage storage location C0 indicating that the movement to the network C is instructed. As a result, step S17
Then, the trolley 1 is in a waiting state for receiving the movement route instruction from the management computer 41. When the trolley 1 receives the movement route instruction in this state, the trolley 1 moves in the direction of the broken line arrow c along the network C in step S18 under the control of the control device 11, and eventually reaches the luggage storage location C0 (see FIG. 1). (Shown with 1 ') Pick up your luggage there. After that, the trolley 1 loaded with the above-mentioned luggage returns to the network A by the procedure reverse to the above.

When there is no communication request in the state of the above step S4 (S12), the control device 11 of the trolley 1 starts measuring the waiting time of the communication request in step S6 (S14), and sets a predetermined time limit. Step S above until over
4 (S12), the communication request waiting state is entered. When it is detected that the time limit has been exceeded, step S7
In (S15), the control device 11 transmits a request for joining the network B (C) to the management computer 31 (41). Then, in step S8 (S16), the cart 1 is moved to the management computer 31.
The process waits for the communication request from (41), and if there is a communication request in this state, the process of step S5 (S13) is performed. If there is no communication request in the state of step S8 (S16), it is treated as a communication abnormality.

The effects of the above-described embodiment will be described. In the conventional system, since it is impossible for a dolly to move between networks, luggage has to be delivered between networks. However, in this case, it is necessary to deliver the luggage at a specific place, which is inefficient. Further, when the load in a certain network becomes high, that becomes a bottleneck, and there arises a problem that the processing speed of the entire system decreases. In this embodiment, since the trolley 1 can move between networks, it is possible to allocate the trolley 1 in a network with a low load to a network with a high load. Further, by issuing an instruction to carry the luggage to one management computer, the cart 1 can move between networks to carry the luggage.

Each management computer address used in the above embodiment can be the one used in the network A (provided that the condition that a plurality of management computers does not exist in the same network is satisfied). The management computer 31 that has received the joining request from the mobile unit 1 puts the mobile unit 1 under management in the same manner as the slave stations including other mobile units that are already connected, and receives the movement received from the management computer 21 of the network A. The mobile body 1 is controlled based on the command to the body 1. in this way,
The network management computer is equipped with an address management table that manages the addresses of slave station communication devices that exist in the managed network, and constantly performs polling processing and error checks based on the latest network configuration information, so that there is no cart The communication waiting time and the useless instruction transmission process are eliminated, and the communication process in the network can be efficiently performed. Further, the moving body moving between networks can be moved between a plurality of networks by providing a leaving / joining notification function.

(Summary of Embodiments) The configuration and operational effects shown in the embodiments are summarized as follows. The mobile communication system shown in the embodiment includes a plurality of mobile units (1) that can move between a plurality of networks A, B, and C, and a network A to which the plurality of mobile units (1) belong.
A plurality of network management means 2 for managing each of B and C
A mobile communication system comprising: 1, 31, 41, and setting unique addresses for all mobiles managed by the plurality of network management means 21, 31, 41, wherein the mobile (1) is , A first notifying means (11, 12) for notifying the first network managing means 21 for managing the first network A that the device itself will leave the first network A, and the second network Second notifying means (1) for notifying the second network managing means 31 for managing the second network B that the user joins B.
1, 12) and the network management means 21,
Reference numerals 31 and 41 denote address management means (22, 32, 42) for storing and managing address information of the mobile body (1) belonging to the network managed by itself, and the first notifying means (22) for the mobile body (1). When receiving the notice of leaving by 11 or 12 or the notice of joining by the second notifying means (11, 12), the address managing means (22,
32, 42) update means (21, 31, 4) for updating the address information of the mobile body (1) stored and managed.
1) and are provided.

Therefore, in the above mobile communication system, the network management means 21, 31, for each network, determines which network the mobile body (1) belongs to.
41, the notification means (11, 1) of the mobile unit (1).
2) notifies the corresponding network management means 21, 31, 41 to the network management means 21, 31, 41, even when the mobile body (1) moves among a plurality of networks A, B, C. , 31, 41
Without waiting time for searching for the mobile unit (1) that has left, that is, without wasting time due to an inquiry to the mobile unit (1) that does not exist in the own network in the polling process for confirming the presence or absence of transmission and reception. It becomes possible to communicate efficiently.

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention, a mobile body can smoothly move between a plurality of networks, and at that time, the inside of the network can be efficiently used without generating a wasteful time for searching for the mobile body. It is possible to provide a mobile communication system capable of carrying out the communication processing of.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a carriage transport system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the carriage transportation system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the carriage transportation system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

A ... Network B ... Network C ... Network 1 ... Bogie 11 ... Control device 12 ... Communication device 20 ... Computer communication device 30 ... Computer communication device 40 ... Computer communication device 21 ... Management computer 31 ... Management computer 41 ... Management computer 22 ... Storage device 32 ... Storage device 42 ... Storage device 4 ... Moving passage 5 ... Moving passage N ... Management computer communication network C0 ... Luggage storage location

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of mobile bodies capable of moving between a plurality of networks, and a plurality of network management means for managing the plurality of mobile bodies for each network to which they belong, the plurality of network management means comprising: A mobile communication system for setting unique addresses to all managed mobile objects, wherein the mobile object manages the first network to leave the first network in which the mobile object exists. And a second notifying means for notifying the second network managing means for managing the second network that the second network is to be joined. The network management means includes: address management means for storing and managing address information of mobile bodies belonging to a network managed by the network management means; When the notification of the leaving by the first notifying means or the notification of the joining by the second notifying means is received, the address information of the mobile body stored and managed by the address managing means is updated. A mobile communication system, comprising: