JPH10112887A - Radio data collecting system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio data collecting system which does not need a particular repeater between a main device and a terminal device. SOLUTION: Each repeater functioned terminal device 4a and 4b is provided with a radio communication means 41 which communicates with a main device 1 and repeater functioned terminal devices except itself by radio, a storage means 42 which stores an identification code that preliminarily defines relations among devices, an identification code deciding means 43 that decides which it is between receiving and relay based on an identification code that is included in a receiving telegraphic message that is received from the main device or a repeater functioned terminal device and a relay controlling means 47 which controls relay when it is decided as a relay. For instance, when a telegraphic message from the device 4b includes the 3rd identification code, the device 4a receives the telegraphic message, and when it further includes the 1st identification code, it needs relay and the device 4a adds the 2nd identification code to the receiving telegraphic message and sends it to the device 1. The device 1 recognizes that the telegraphic message is from the device 4b because the receiving telegraphic message includes the 1st identification code.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wireless data collection system for collecting and controlling data for terminal equipment, and particularly easily and reliably for terminal equipment installed in various environments. The present invention relates to a wireless data collection system for collecting and controlling data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a wireless data collection system of this type has generally been disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-114321.

Hereinafter, a conventional wireless data collection system will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional wireless data collection system and respective radio wave reach ranges. In the figure, 1 is a main device connected to a telephone round, 2 is a terminal device connected to the main device 1 via a wireless line, and 3 is a relay device for relaying wireless communication between the main device 1 and the terminal device 2. is there. The radio wave range of the main device 1 includes the relay device 3 but does not reach the terminal device 2, and the radio wave range of the terminal device 2 includes the relay device 3 but does not reach the main device 1. In order for the main device 1 and the terminal device 2 to communicate wirelessly, the relay device 3 is required.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the relay device 3. In the figure, 31 is a wireless communication means for communicating with the main apparatus 1 and the terminal apparatus 2 by radio, 32 is a control means for controlling the operation of the whole apparatus, 33 is a first identification code used in the main apparatus 1 and the terminal apparatus 2 A second identification code used in the main device 1 and the relay device 3;
Storage means for storing a third identification code used in
Reference numeral 4 denotes an identification code determination unit that determines the identification code stored in the storage unit 33 under the control of the control unit 32. The main device 1 stores a first identification code and a second identification code, and the terminal device 2 stores a first identification code and a third identification code.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. First, when a communication request is issued to the terminal device 2, the terminal device 2 transmits a message to the relay device 3. This message contains the first
The relay device 3 that has received the message transmits the message to the control unit 32, and receives the third message received by the identification code determination unit 34 under the control of the control unit 32. The identification code is compared with the third identification code stored in the storage unit 33. As a result of the comparison, if the two match, the control unit 32 transmits a response message to the terminal device 2 using the wireless communication unit 31, and then transmits the above-described message to the main device 1. The message includes the first identification code and the second identification code, and the main device 1 that has received the message transmits the first identification code and the second identification code included in the message to the main device 1 itself. A comparison is made between the stored first identification code and the second identification code.
Transmits a response message to the relay device 3, and then the terminal device 2 communicates with the main device 1 via the relay device 3.

When radio waves can directly reach between the main device 1 and the terminal device 2, communication can be performed without passing through the relay device 3.

[0007]

In such a conventional wireless data collection system, it is necessary to provide the relay device 3 every time the radio wave does not reach between the main device 1 and the terminal device 2 and communication is not possible. In addition, since the relay device 3 has a different circuit configuration from the main device 1 and the terminal device 2, there is a problem that the production costs are high. Further, since the terminal device 2 and the relay device 3 are wirelessly connected, the terminal device 2 may be placed in a place where the radio wave environment is poor, for example, in a place blocked by a metal case, in the vicinity of a device that frequently transmits radio waves, or in the presence of noise. However, there is a problem that it cannot be installed in the vicinity of a device that emits light, or in the vicinity of a device (precision device, medical device, or the like) where radio waves have an adverse effect. Furthermore, since the main device 1 and the terminal device 2 are constituted by one wireless line via the relay device 3, when the communication state of the wireless line is extremely poor, for example, the electric field strength of the received message becomes lower. However, there is a problem that communication must be performed even when the threshold value is close to the threshold value, and the communication may be interrupted on the way.

Further, since the main apparatus 1 and the terminal apparatus 2 are wirelessly connected via the relay apparatus 3, data transmitted from the terminal apparatus 2 to the main apparatus 1 may cause an error on the way. However, there is a problem that the main device 1 receives the erroneous data. Further, the relay device 3 merely relays a message from the terminal device 2 or the main device 1,
There was a problem that there was no other function.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and includes a terminal device with a relay function that can wirelessly communicate with a main device without providing a dedicated relay device and that can relay communication of another terminal device. It is an object to provide a wireless data collection system.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a terminal device with a relay function communicates wirelessly with another terminal device with a relay function, and judges based on an identification code included in a received message. And a wireless data collection system that relays data when the identification code requests relaying.

Thus, the communication between the terminal device having the relay function which requires the relay and the main device can be relayed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a terminal device with a relay function communicates with another terminal device with a relay function by wire, and judges based on an identification code included in a received message.
This is a wireless data collection system that relays when the identification code requests relaying.

Thus, the communication between the terminal device having the relay function which needs the relay and the main device can be relayed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless communication system in which a main unit and a terminal device having a relay function perform intermittent transmission / reception by radio, and a response from the terminal device having a relay function to a synchronization signal transmitted from the main device for synchronization. This wireless data collection system is configured to determine whether to perform direct wireless communication or to communicate via a relay of another terminal device with a relay function based on the presence or absence of a message.

[0015] Thereby, the communication can be performed reliably. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless data collection system configured to check presence or absence of a response message with respect to a plurality of terminal devices with a relay function, determine a plurality of communication paths, and perform communication.

[0016] Thereby, it is possible to set a number of communication paths and to perform more reliable communication. The present invention according to claim 5 is a wireless data collection system in which a main device and a terminal device with a relay function measure an electric field strength of a response message from a partner device and determine a communication path in accordance with the electric field intensity. is there.

Thus, communication can be performed by determining a communication path according to the arrival state of the radio wave.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless data collection system configured to compare messages transmitted through different communication paths and determine whether or not the message is incorrect.

As a result, error-free data can be collected. The present invention according to claim 7 is a wireless data collection system in which one terminal device with a relay function collectively communicates data of terminal devices acquired by a plurality of terminal devices with a relay function to a main device.

Thus, traffic between the main device and the terminal device with a relay function can be reduced.

The present invention according to claim 8 is a wireless data collection system in which a plurality of terminal devices with a relay function are connected to each other by wired communication that can be disconnected or connectable.

Thus, the wireless data collection system can be constructed freely according to the installation environment.

[0023]

In the present invention according to claim 1, the wireless communication means in each of the main device and the terminal device with a relay function means means for wirelessly communicating the main device and the terminal device with a relay function. Wireless communication means.
Further, the identification code determining means means a means for determining whether or not to relay based on the identification code included in the message. If the identification code determined in advance according to the relationship between the devices includes its own identification code, If the received message is received as a message addressed to itself and further includes an identification code of another main device or a terminal device with a relay function, it is determined that the received message is relayed. These processes can be executed by microcomputer program processing or the like. The predetermined relationship between the identification codes may be stored in the storage unit.

In the present invention according to claim 2, the wireless communication means in each of the main device and the terminal device with a relay function means means for wirelessly communicating between the main device and the terminal device with a relay function. Means for communicating with the terminal device having a relay function by wire, and these can be realized by means of ordinary wireless communication and wire communication. Further, the identification code determination means means for determining whether or not to relay based on the identification code included in the message. As described above, if the message is addressed to itself, it is received. If it is a message addressed to the attached terminal device, it is determined to relay the received message. These processes can be executed by microcomputer program processing or the like.

In the present invention according to claim 3, the synchronization control means in the main device means a means for transmitting a synchronization signal for giving a timing for intermittently performing wireless communication with the terminal device having a relay function. The control means means a means for receiving a response message from the terminal device with a relay function in response to the transmission of the synchronization signal, and the communication failure detecting means communicates when there is no response message from the terminal device with the relay function for the transmitted synchronization signal. The relay detecting means means a means for detecting the impossibility, and the relay judging means means means for judging that communication is performed via the terminal device with the relay function in response to the communication impossibility. Further, the synchronization control means in the terminal device with a relay function means means for setting synchronization timing and the like corresponding to the received synchronization signal, and the synchronization response control means sends a response message when the synchronization signal is received. Means means for determining that relaying of another terminal device with a relay function is required due to communication failure, and relay control means means for controlling relaying with another terminal device with a relay function. means. These processes can be executed by microcomputer program processing or the like.

In the present invention according to claim 4, the communication path determining means in the main device and the terminal device with the relay function means means for determining a communication path based on a response result of the response control means, and whether or not there is a response with the communication partner. To determine and set the communication path. This process can be executed by microcomputer program processing or the like.

In the present invention according to claim 5, the electric field intensity measuring means in each of the main device and the terminal device with a relay function means means for measuring the electric field intensity of a response message received by wireless communication, and The information is provided to each communication path determination unit as data for determining the communication path. This electric field strength measuring means can be realized by measuring the output level of the wireless communication means.

In the present invention according to claim 6, the message comparison means in the main device compares received messages from the terminal device with the relay function via different communication paths, and determines whether or not there is an error in the message by the comparison. Means means can be realized by comparing bit strings of electronic messages by a microcomputer.

[0029] In the present invention according to claim 7, the data collection control means in the terminal device with a relay function causes the other plurality of terminal devices with a relay function connected by wire to acquire data of each terminal device. Means to collectively send the data to the main device, acquire the data of its own terminal device, and send a message to the effect that the data will be acquired to another terminal device with a relay function via wired communication and send the data. After obtaining and transferring them, temporarily storing them, and then transmitting them collectively to the main device. These processes can be realized by storage means and program processing of a microcomputer.

[0030] In the present invention according to claim 8, the wired communication means means means for connecting or disconnecting the connection with the terminal device with a relay function to each other by means of a connector or the like.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described. (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, an embodiment of a wireless data collection system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment relates to claim 1.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are block diagrams showing the configuration of this embodiment. In the figure, 1 is a main device, 4a is connected to the main device 1 by wireless communication, transmits and receives messages to and from the main device 1, and relays a terminal device with a relay function that relays wireless communication of the terminal device with a relay function 4b. The terminal device with relay function 5a and 5b connected by wireless communication with the terminal device with relay function 4a are terminal devices connected to the terminal device with relay function 4a and the terminal device with relay function 4b, respectively,
An example is a gas flow meter. Reference numeral 6 denotes an external device connected to the main device 1, such as a storage unit for storing collected data. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the radio wave range of the main device 1 includes the terminal device with relay function 4a, but the terminal device with relay function 4b
Does not reach, the radio wave reach of the terminal device with relay function 4b includes the terminal device with relay function 4a, but does not reach the main device 1,
Therefore, in order for the main device 1 and the terminal device with relay function 4b to communicate wirelessly, the relay of the terminal device with relay function 4a is necessary.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main device 1 and the terminal devices with relay functions 4a and 4b in this embodiment. In the main device 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the terminal device with relay function 4a. Reference numeral 12 denotes a first identification code used by the main device 1 and the terminal device with relay function 4b. A storage means for storing a second identification code used with the terminal device 4a; 13, an identification code determination means for comparing and determining a received message using the identification code stored in the storage means 12; And 15 are data detecting means and 16 is an interface means.

In the terminal devices with relay function 4a, 4b, reference numeral 41 denotes a wireless communication means for communicating with the main device 1 by radio;
Reference numeral 42 denotes the first identification code, the second identification code, and a third code used in the terminal device with relay function 4a and the terminal device with relay function 4b.
Storage means for storing the identification code or the first identification code and the third identification code; 43, an identification code determining means for comparing and determining received messages using the identification code stored in the storage means 42; Control means for controlling the means 41 and the identification code determination means 43; 45, data detection means; 46, interface means; 47, relay control means for controlling the relay to the wireless communication means 41 based on the determination by the identification code determination means 43 It is.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. First, the case where the main apparatus 1 communicates with the terminal device with relay function 4a will be described. When the terminal device with relay function 4a receives a message, the control unit 44 sets the identification code determination unit 43a.
Is used to compare and determine the second identification code stored in the storage unit 42 and the identification code included in the received message received by the wireless communication unit 41, and when they match, the message is received.
If no identification code is included, no relay is performed, and if they do not match, no reception is performed. When the terminal device with relay function 4 a transmits a message to the main device 1, the control unit 44 includes the second identification code stored in the storage unit 42 in the message and uses the wireless communication unit 41 to transmit the main device 1. Send to

Next, a case will be described in which the terminal device with relay function 4b that requires relaying communicates with the main device 1 via the terminal device with relay function 4a. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation. When communication with the main device 1 occurs in the terminal device 5b in step S03, the control unit 4 of the terminal device with relay function 4b in step S04.
4 obtains the first identification code and the third identification code from the storage means 42 and includes them in the message to be transmitted, and transmits them to the terminal device with relay function 4a using the wireless communication means 41 in step S05. The terminal device with relay function 4a executes step S0.
In step S07, the identification code is compared and determined by the identification code determination means 43.
In step S08, it is checked whether or not relaying is required. If the first identification code is included, it is determined that relaying is necessary, and the flow advances to step S09 to include the second identification code in the message, and step S10 Then, a message is transmitted to the main device 1 under the control of the relay control means 47.

The main device 1 receives the message from the terminal device with relay function 4a in step S11, and receives the message from the terminal device with relay function 4b because the message contains the first identification code in step S12. It is determined that there is, and a message is transmitted to the external device 6 as needed under the control of the control means 14 in step S13.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when the terminal device with relay function 4a receives a message, the first identification code indicating the relationship between the terminal device with relay function 4b and the main device 1 is included in the message. When it is included, by relaying to the main device 1, it is possible to wirelessly communicate with the main device 1 to transmit and receive a message, and to relay the message of another terminal device 4b with a relay function. By having the functions together, it is not necessary to provide a special relay device, and all the terminal devices with a relay function need to have the same circuit configuration. Therefore, wireless data collection using the same terminal device with a relay function regardless of the necessity of relaying The system can be configured.

In this embodiment, the case has been described in which the terminal device with relay function 4b communicates with the main device 1 via the terminal device with relay function 4a, but the main device 1 communicates with the terminal device with relay function 4a via the terminal device with relay function 4a. The same applies to communication with the terminal device with relay function 4b. Also, when there are three or more terminal devices with a relay function, communication can be similarly performed.

(Embodiment 2) Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the wireless data collection system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment relates to claim 2.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that the terminal device 4a has a relay function.
And the terminal device with relay function 4b are connected by communication through a wire.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main device 1 and the terminal devices with relay functions 4a and 4b in this embodiment. The same components as those in FIGS. 2 and 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted. In FIG. 6, 4
Reference numeral 8 denotes a wired communication unit that transmits / receives a message to / from the terminal device with relay function 4a or the terminal device with relay function 4b through wired communication under the control of the relay control unit 47. The data collection control unit 55 will be described in a fourth embodiment.
Further, the rules regarding the identification code between the devices are the same as in the first embodiment.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. First, a case where the main device 1 and the terminal device with relay function 4a communicate will be described. When the terminal device with relay function 4 a receives the message, the control unit 44 uses the identification code determination unit 43 to include the second identification code stored in the storage unit 42 in the message received by the wireless communication unit 41. The message is received by comparison with the identification code. If the message matches, the message is received. If the first identification code is not included, the message is not relayed to the terminal device with relay function 4b. If they do not match, they are not received. When transmitting the message, the control unit 44 includes the second identification code stored in the storage unit 42 in the message and transmits the message to the main device 1 using the wireless communication unit 41.

Next, a case will be described in which the terminal device with relay function 4b that requires relaying communicates with the main device 1 via the terminal device with relay function 4a. Terminal device 4 with relay function
b, when a change occurs in the terminal device 5b, the data detecting means 45 detects a change in the operating state of the terminal device 5b via the interface means 46, and sends the main device 1
And a signal to start communication. The control unit 44 of the terminal device with a relay function 4b determines that a wired connection is established, and the control unit 44 receives this signal and starts wired communication using the wired communication unit 48. That is, the control unit 44 acquires the first identification code and the third identification code from the storage unit 42, and transmits a message including these identification codes to the terminal device with relay function 4a using the wired communication unit 48.
Send to

On the other hand, in the terminal device with relay function 4a,
The relay control means 47 receives the message from the terminal device with relay function 4 b by the wired communication means 48 and
3 is used to determine the identification code. Identification code determining means 43
Is compared with the third identification code included in the storage means 42,
If they match, the message is received, and if the first identification code is included, the relay control means 47 relays the message to the main device 1 by wireless using the wireless communication means 41.
The main device 1 receives the message using the wireless communication unit 11 by the control unit 14, compares it with the second identification code stored in the storage unit 12 by the identification code determination unit 13,
If they match, the message is received, and if the first identification code is included, it is determined that the message is from the terminal device with relay function 4b. Further, a message is transmitted to the external device 6 via the interface means 16 as necessary.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the terminal device with relay function 4a and the terminal device with relay function 4b are connected by wire communication, and the terminal device with relay function 4a receives the message by wire communication. When the message includes the first identification code indicating the relationship between the terminal device with relay function 4b and the main device 1, the message is relayed to the main device 1, so that the same as in the first embodiment. In addition, the terminal device with relay function 4a can relay the communication of the terminal device with another relay function 4b to the main device 1 without providing a special relay device, and a plurality of terminal devices with relay functions can be wired to each other. Because it connects by communication,
A terminal with a relay function for places where obstacles that block wireless communication exist, places where wireless communication affects other devices, and places where high voltage etc. constantly generates noise and interferes with wireless communication. The device can be easily installed.

In this embodiment, the terminal device with relay function 4
b, communication with the main device 1 via the terminal device with relay function 4a has been described, but communication from the main device 1 to the terminal device with relay function 4b via the terminal device with relay function 4a is performed in the same manner, In the case where there are three or more terminal devices with a relay function, communication can be performed similarly.

(Embodiment 3) Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the wireless data collection system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment relates to claim 3.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are block diagrams showing the configuration of the present embodiment. The same components as those in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the radio wave reach of the main device 1 is determined by the terminal device with relay function 4a and the terminal device with relay function 4a.
b), but one of the relay function-equipped terminal devices is relayed according to the response status from the relay function-equipped terminal devices 4a and 4b.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main device 1 and the terminal devices with relay functions 4a and 4b in this embodiment. In the main device 1, 17 is a synchronization control means for periodically transmitting a synchronization signal for synchronization to the terminal devices with relay function 4a, 4b, and 18 is a terminal with a relay function for transmitting the synchronization signal. Response control means for controlling reception of response messages returned from the devices 4a and 4b, 19
Is a communication failure detecting means for detecting the synchronization failure from the response control means 18; a communication failure detecting means 19 determines that relaying is necessary; and sends a signal to the control means 14 to the effect that relaying is necessary. It is a relay determining means to transmit.

In the terminal devices with relay function 4a, 4b, 49 is a synchronous control means for controlling the timing of intermittent synchronous communication with the wireless communication means 41, and 50 is a synchronous control means for receiving the synchronization signal received by the wireless communication means 41. A synchronous response control means for controlling transmission of the response message; 51, a communication failure detecting means for detecting a synchronization failure from the synchronous response control means 50;
Reference numeral 52 denotes a relay determination unit that determines that relay is necessary from the communication failure detection unit 51 and transmits a signal to the relay control unit 47 that relay is required.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. The main device 1 and the terminal devices with relay function 4a, 4b communicate wirelessly via the wireless communication means 11 and the wireless communication means 41, respectively. At this time, synchronous communication is performed intermittently at a cycle t to save power and prevent collision. The main apparatus 1 generates a synchronous communication timing t by the synchronization control unit 17 and sets a cycle T (T = Nt: n is an integer) using the wireless communication means 11 for each of the terminal devices 4a, 4
b, a synchronization signal is transmitted by broadcast. On the other hand, the terminal devices with relay functions 4a and 4b generate the synchronous communication timing t by the synchronous control means 49, and wait for a message from the main device 1 and transmit the data detected by the data detecting means 45. When a synchronization signal is received from the main device 1 to correct the deviation of the synchronization signal or to change the synchronization communication timing t, the synchronization communication timing t is reset with the content of the received synchronization signal. 50 transmits a response message to the main device 1 using the wireless communication means 41. The main device 1 receives the response message via the wireless communication unit 11 by the response control unit 18. As described above, the main device 1 and the terminal devices with relay functions 4a and 4b perform intermittent reception at the synchronous communication timing t.

First, from the main unit 1 to the terminal unit 4 with the relay function
The case of communicating with b will be described. If the synchronization is established, a message including the first identification code is transmitted to the terminal device with relay function 4b at the synchronous communication timing t for communication. At this time, if the synchronization is lost, that is, if the response message from the terminal device with relay function 4b is not received in response to the synchronization signal transmitted from the main device 1 to the terminal device with relay function 4b, the communication failure is detected. The means 19 detects the loss of synchronization with the terminal device with relay function 4b from the response control means 18, and the relay determination means 20 detects the loss of synchronization with the terminal device with relay function 4a.
It is determined that the message should be transmitted to the relay function-equipped terminal device 4b via the relay, and a signal to that effect is transmitted to the control means 14. The control means 14 obtains the first identification code and the second identification code from the storage means 12 by receiving the signal, and transmits a message including these identification codes using the wireless communication means 11 to the terminal device with a relay function. 4a.

In the terminal device with relay function 4 a, the control means 44 compares the data with the second identification code stored in the storage means 42 by the identification code determination means 43 to judge the match. Receiving, and first
If the identification code is included, the identification code determination means 43
Sends a signal to the relay control means 47 to relay to the terminal device with relay function 4b, and upon receiving the signal, the relay control means 47 determines that the portion of the bit synchronization area in the message to be transmitted is a synchronous communication timing. converted to overlap t,
For example, the data is converted by extending the bit synchronization area or repeating a message, and transmitted to the terminal device with relay function 4b using the wireless communication unit 41.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the above communication operation. By the steps S14 and S15, the main apparatus 1 transmits the synchronization signal to the relay function-equipped terminal apparatuses 4a and 4b by the synchronization control means 17 at every time interval T, and performs the intermittent communication at the synchronous communication timing t. It is carried out. In step S16, the external device 6
When the communication occurs in step S17, the control unit 14 checks in step S17 whether a loss of synchronization with the terminal device with relay function 4b is detected based on a signal from the relay determination unit 20, and if the loss of synchronization is detected, Step S1
The process proceeds to step S8, where the first identification code and the second identification code are included in the message, and transmitted to the terminal device with relay function 4a in step S19.

In step S20, the terminal device with relay function 4a receives the message, determines the identification code in step S07, and checks whether or not relaying is necessary in step S08. If relaying is necessary, the process proceeds to step S21, where the message is converted by the relay control means 47, and the process proceeds to step S22, where the message transmitted from the main device 1 to the terminal device with relay function 4b is transmitted. Relay. In step S11, the terminal device with relay function 4b receives the message, and in step S07, the identification code determination unit 43 determines that the message is addressed to itself. If it is determined in step S17 that synchronization has not been lost, the process proceeds to step S23, where the first identification code is included in the message, and the message is transmitted to the terminal device with relay function 4b at the synchronous communication timing t. .

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the main device 1
When the terminal and the terminal device with the relay function are intermittently communicating wirelessly, the main device 1 broadcasts a synchronization signal to the terminal device with the relay function 4a and the terminal device with the relay function 4b by broadcasting, and the terminal device with the relay function. 4b, it is determined that relaying is necessary for the terminal device with relay function 4b, and communication with the terminal device with relay function 4b is performed via the terminal device with relay function 4a. Yes, the out-of-synchronization relay function-equipped terminal device only needs to communicate with the relay function-equipped terminal device that is in charge of relaying in a wired and asynchronous manner, thereby reducing radio wave traffic. The configuration of the attached terminal device can be simplified, and the reliability of the device can be improved.

In this embodiment, a case has been described in which a synchronization error has occurred between the main device 1 and the terminal device with relay function 4b. However, a synchronization error has occurred between the main device 1 and the terminal device with relay function 4a. The same applies to the case. Also,
The same applies to communication from the terminal device with relay function 4b to the main device 1 via the terminal device with relay function 4a. Also, communication can be performed in a similar manner when there are three or more terminal devices with a relay function.

(Embodiment 4) Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the wireless data collection system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment relates to claim 4.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are block diagrams showing the configuration of this embodiment. Note that the same components as those in FIGS. 7 to 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted. In this embodiment, the terminal device with relay function 4a and the terminal device with relay function 4b are connected by wire. FIG.
As shown in, the radio wave coverage of the main device 1 includes both the terminal device with relay function 4a and the terminal device with relay function 4b, but the distance between the main device 1 and the terminal device with relay function 4b is reached. It is near the limit of the range. In this embodiment, an appropriate communication path to the terminal device with a relay function is determined according to the response status from the communication partner.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main device 1 and the terminal devices with relay functions 4a and 4b in this embodiment. In the main apparatus 1, reference numeral 21 denotes a communication path determining means for determining a communication path of a message from the response control means 18, reference numeral 22 denotes an electric field strength measuring means, and reference numeral 23 denotes a message comparing means. Also,
In the relay function-equipped terminal devices 4a and 4b, 53 is a response control means for controlling reception of a response message returned in response to transmission of the message, and 54 is a communication path for determining a communication path for transmitting the message by the response control means 53. Judgment means, 55 is data collection control means, and 56 is electric field strength measurement means. In addition,
The electric field strength measuring means 56 will be described in a fifth embodiment.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. The main device 1 and the terminal devices with relay functions 4a and 4b communicate wirelessly via wireless communication means 11 and 41, respectively. First,
Communication from the main device 1 to the terminal device with relay function 4b via the terminal device with relay function 4a will be described. When communicating from the main device 1 to the terminal device with relay function 4b,
The control means 14 stores the terminal device with relay function 4 from the storage means 12.
A group identification code including “b” is obtained, and a message including the group identification code is transmitted by broadcast using the wireless communication unit 11. Here, the group identification code is an identification code for designating both of the terminal devices with relay functions 4a and 4b. In the terminal devices with relay functions 4a and 4b, the control unit 44 is included in the storage unit 42 by the identification code determination unit 43. The wireless communication unit 41 receives the response message, and the response control unit 53 transmits a response message to the main device 1 at a predetermined timing using the wireless communication unit 41.

In the main unit 1, the communication path determining means 21
Determines the response using the response control means 18, and if a response message is returned only from the terminal device with relay function 4 b, the control means 14 acquires the first identification code from the storage means 12 and The message including the first identification code is transmitted to the terminal device with relay function 4b. When a response message is transmitted from both of the terminal devices with relay function 4a and 4b, the control unit 14 determines whether the first identification code and the second identification code stored in the storage unit 12 or one of them is a predetermined one. The message is selected according to a procedure (for example, selected by the value of the identification code), and a message including the identification code is transmitted to the wireless communication unit 1.
1 to the terminal device with relay function 4a or the terminal device with relay function 4b. When a response message is returned only from the terminal device with relay function 4a, the control unit 1
4 obtains the first identification code and the second identification code from the storage means 12 and transmits a message including the identification codes from the wireless communication means 11 to the terminal device with relay function 4a.

On the other hand, in the terminal device with relay function 4a,
The control means 44 makes a match determination by the identification code determination means 43. If the second identification code is included, the control means 44 receives the message using the wireless communication means 41, and further includes the first identification code. Transmits the message to the terminal device with relay function 4b by wire using the wire communication means 48 by the relay control means 47. The terminal device with relay function 4b receives the message via the wired communication means 48.

Next, communication from the terminal device with relay function 4b to the main device 1 will be described. When a change occurs in the terminal device 5, the terminal device with a relay function 4 b is transmitted to the terminal device 5 by the data detection unit 45 via the interface unit 46.
The change in the operating state of b is detected, and a signal to start communication with the main device 1 is transmitted to the control means 44. The control unit 44 receives the signal, acquires the first identification code from the storage unit 42, transmits a message to the main device 1 using the wireless communication unit 41, and responds to the response message from the main device 1. Through the wireless communication means 41 to the response control means 5
3 to receive. If the response message cannot be received, the communication path is changed by the communication path determination means 54 to the wired communication by the relay control means 47, and the message including the third identification code and the first identification code is transmitted to the wired communication means 48. And transmits it to the main device 1 via the terminal device with relay function 4a.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the communication operation of the main unit 1 from the main unit 1 to the terminal device with relay function 4b. If communication has occurred from the external device 6 in step S16, a synchronization signal is transmitted to the terminal devices with relay function 4a, 4b, and steps S26 to S28 are performed.
Then, a response message corresponding thereto is received. Next, the subsequent communication is performed by determining the identification code in step S07 and determining the communication path in step S29.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the main unit 1
To the terminal device with relay function 4b, if the response message is received only from the terminal device with relay function 4b, the response message is transmitted to the terminal device with relay function 4b.
When the response message is received only from the terminal device a, the terminal device with the relay function 4a is relayed and transmitted to the terminal device with the relay function 4b,
When the response message is received from both, the communication path for transmitting the message is determined so that the message is transmitted to one or both according to a predetermined promise, so that the message is reliably transmitted according to the response situation. Since the terminal devices with the relay function can be connected to each other by wire, the terminal device with the relay function can be installed at any place without being affected by the radio wave environment. Since the number of attached terminal devices can be reduced to one, a highly reliable wireless data collection system can be constructed by selecting and setting a place having a good radio wave environment while reducing wireless communication traffic. .

In this embodiment, communication from the main unit 1 to the terminal unit with relay function 4b via the terminal unit with relay function 4a and from the terminal unit with relay function 4b to the main unit 1 via the terminal unit with relay function 4a Has been described, communication from the main device 1 to the terminal device with relay function 4a via the terminal device with relay function 4b and communication from the terminal device with relay function 4a to the main device 1 via the terminal device with relay function 4b Is performed similarly. Also, when there are three or more terminal devices with a relay function, communication is performed similarly.

(Embodiment 5) Hereinafter, a fifth embodiment of the wireless data collection system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment relates to claim 5.

The structure of this embodiment is similar to that of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG.
13 is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. In this embodiment,
In particular, it relates to the electric field intensity measuring means 22 and 56.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of this embodiment. The main device 1 and the terminal devices with relay functions 4a and 4b communicate wirelessly via wireless communication means 11 and 41, respectively. When communicating from the main device 1 to the terminal device with relay function 4b,
In the main unit 1, the control unit 14 acquires the group identification code of the group including the terminal device with relay function 4b from the storage unit 12, and transmits a message including the identification code to the wireless communication unit 1.
1 and transmitted by broadcast. Here, the group identification code is an identification code for designating both of the terminal devices with relay function 4a, 4b. In the terminal devices with relay function 4a, 4b, the control means 44 makes a coincidence determination by the identification code determination means 43, and stores them. If it matches the group identification code included in the means 42, the message is received by the wireless communication means 41, and the response message is transmitted to the main device 1 by the response control means 53 at a predetermined timing using the wireless communication means 41. .

In main unit 1, communication path determining means 21
Uses the response control means 18 to determine a response. If a response message is returned only from the terminal device with relay function 4b, the control means 14 obtains the first identification code from the storage means 12 and Transmits a message including the identification code to the terminal device with relay function 4b. When a response message is returned only from the terminal device with relay function 4a,
The control unit 14 acquires the first identification code and the second identification code from the storage unit 12, and transmits a message including the identification codes to the terminal device with relay function 4a from the wireless communication unit 11. The control means 4 in the terminal device with relay function 4a
4 receives this message using the wireless communication means 41 when the second identification code matches with the identification code determination means 43;
Further, when the first identification code is included, the relay control unit 47 transmits the first identification code to the terminal device with relay function 4 b using the wired communication unit 48. The terminal device with relay function 4b receives the message via the wired communication means 48. The above operation is the same as in the fourth embodiment.

When a response message is returned from both of the terminal devices 4a and 4b with the relay function, the control means 14 measures the electric field strength of each response message using the electric field strength measuring means 22 and outputs the response message. If the electric field strength of the response message from the terminal device 4a is larger than the electric field strength of the response message from the terminal device with relay function 4b, the message including the first identification code and the second identification code is transmitted to the terminal device with the relay function. 4a,
Otherwise, a message including the first identification code is transmitted to the terminal device with relay function 4b.

Next, communication from the terminal device with relay function 4b to the main device 1 will be described. When a change occurs in the terminal device 5b, the terminal device with relay function 4b detects a change in the operation state of the terminal device 5b by the data detection unit 45 via the interface unit 46 and communicates with the control unit 44 with the main device 1. Is transmitted. The control unit 44 obtains the first identification code from the storage unit 42, transmits a message to the main device 1 using the wireless communication unit 41, receives a response message corresponding thereto by the response control unit 53, and measures the electric field strength. Means 56 measures the electric field strength of the response message. Further, the control unit 44 acquires the third identification code from the storage unit 42, and transmits a message to the effect that the electric field strength for the main device 1 is measured to the terminal device with relay function 4 a using the wireless communication unit 41. Terminal device 4a with relay function
Receives the message, transmits the message to the main device 1, receives the response message returned thereto, measures the electric field strength using the electric field strength measuring means 56, and relays the result. The data is transmitted to the terminal device with function 4b using the wired communication unit 48. Terminal device 4b with relay function
The communication path determination means 54 compares the result with the previous result, selects a communication path having a large electric field strength, and communicates with the main device 1.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a communication operation from the main device 1 to the terminal device with relay function 4b. If communication has occurred from the external device 6 in step S16, a synchronization signal is transmitted to the terminal devices with relay function 4a, 4b, and a response message corresponding thereto is received in step S25. Here, when the response message is received from both of the terminal devices with relay functions 4a and 4b in step S28, the process proceeds to step S07 to determine the identification code, and the process proceeds to step S07.
In step S35, the electric field intensity of the response message is measured by the electric field intensity measuring means 22, and the electric field intensity is compared in step S35. Next, in step S29, the subsequent communication is performed by determining the communication path from the comparison result.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the electric field strength of the response message is measured, and the communication path is set in accordance with the result. Communication can be selectively performed, and the reliability of the wireless data collection system can be improved.

In this embodiment, the communication from the main unit 1 to the terminal unit with relay function 4b via the terminal unit with relay function 4a and the terminal unit with relay function 4b from the main unit via the terminal unit with relay function 4a 1 has been described, communication from the main device 1 to the terminal device with relay function 4a via the terminal device with relay function 4b, and communication from the terminal device with relay function 4a to the main device 1 via the terminal device with relay function 4b Communication is performed similarly. Also, when there are three or more terminal devices with a relay function, communication is performed similarly.

Embodiment 6 Hereinafter, an eighth embodiment of the wireless data collection system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment relates to claim 6.

The configuration of this embodiment is similar to that of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG.
13 is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. In this embodiment,
In particular, it relates to the message comparison means 23.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of this embodiment. The main device 1 and the terminal devices with relay functions 4a and 4b communicate wirelessly via wireless communication means 11 and 41, respectively. First,
A case where the main device 1 collects data from the terminal device 5 connected to the terminal device with relay function 4b will be described. In the main device 1, the interface device 1
When the control unit 14 receives a signal to collect data from the terminal device 5b connected to the terminal device with relay function 4b via the data unit 6 and the data detection unit 15, the control unit 14 obtains the first identification code from the storage unit 12. Then, the message including the identification code is transmitted to the terminal device with relay function 4b using the wireless communication means 11.

In the terminal device with relay function 4 b, the control means 44 receives the message using the wireless communication means 41,
Data is obtained from the terminal device 5b via the interface means 46 and the data detection means 45, and the information and the first identification code stored in the storage means 42 are included in the message, and the main data is obtained via the wireless communication means 41. Transmit to the device 1. Further, the control unit 44 includes the information and the first identification code and the second identification code stored in the storage unit 42 in the message, and uses the wired communication unit 48 to transmit the terminal device 4 with the relay function.
a is relayed and transmitted to the main device 1. The main device 1 receives these two types of messages using the wireless communication unit 11, and the control unit 14 compares and determines the received messages using the message comparison unit 23. 16 to the external device 6. If they do not match, the control unit 44 performs a predetermined retransmission process.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the above operation. In the main device 1, when a communication request is issued from the external device 6 to the terminal device with relay function 4b in step S36, the process proceeds to step S22 to collect data from the terminal device 5b to the terminal device with relay function 4b. Send a message. In step S20, the terminal device with relay function 4
b receives the message, and in step S43, the control unit 44 sends the terminal device 5 via the interface unit 46.
The data collected from b is transmitted to the main device 1, and then the data is transmitted by wire communication to the terminal device with relay function 4a in step S37.

The terminal device with relay function 4a executes step S38.
Then, the data is received by wire communication, and the data is transmitted to the main device 1 using the wireless communication means 41 in step S10. The main device 1 receives the message from the terminal device with relay function 4a in step S11, and proceeds to step S39.
Then, the received message received from the terminal device with relay function 4b and the received message received from the terminal device with relay function 4a are compared by the message comparing means 23, and it is checked in step S40 if they match. If they match, the process proceeds to step S42 to transmit a message to the external device 6 as necessary. If they do not match, the process proceeds to step S42 to perform a predetermined retransmission process.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the main unit 1
When data of the terminal device 5b is collected from the terminal device with relay function 4b when the radio wave coverage of the terminal device includes both the terminal device with relay function 4a and the terminal device with relay function 4b, Is compared with the received message relayed through the terminal device with relay function 4a, data can be collected more accurately.

In this embodiment, the communication from the main device 1 to the terminal device with relay function 4b has been described. However, the communication from the main device 1 to the terminal device with relay function 4a is performed in the same manner. Also, when there are three or more terminal devices with a relay function, communication is performed similarly.

(Embodiment 7) Hereinafter, a wireless data collection system according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment relates to claim 7.

FIGS. 5, 11 and 12 are block diagrams showing the configuration of the present embodiment. In FIG. 13,
Reference numeral 55 denotes data collection control means for collecting data using the wired communication means 48. The present embodiment particularly relates to the data collection control means 55.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. In the terminal device with relay function 4a, when a change occurs in the terminal device 5a, a change in the operating state of the terminal device 5a is detected by the data detection means 45 via the interface means 46.
The data collection control unit 55 stores the detected data in the storage unit 42. Next, at a predetermined time, a message requesting data of the terminal device 5b is transmitted to the terminal device with relay function 4b using the wired communication unit 48 and the identification code stored in the storage unit 42. The received data is stored in the storage unit 42 of the own device. By the communication from the main device 1 to the terminal device with relay function 4a or from the terminal device with relay function 4a to the main device 1, the control means 44 of the terminal device with relay function 4a stores the terminal equipment 5a stored in the storage means 42. And the terminal device 5b are collectively transmitted. The same operation can be performed for the terminal device with relay function 4b.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the data collection control means 55 collects the data of the terminal device connected to the own device, and collects the data of the terminal device connected to another terminal device with a relay function. Is collected via wired communication, and both are collectively transmitted to the main device 1, so that the main device 1 does not need to collect data for each terminal device with a relay function, thereby increasing traffic. Data can be collected quickly and efficiently. Further, since the terminal devices with the relay function are connected to each other by wired communication, data can be collected accurately without being affected by the surrounding radio wave environment and without affecting the surroundings.

In this embodiment, the data collection control means 55 stores the data in the storage means 42 when the data is detected by the data detection means 45. , The terminal device 5 may be polled, and the data may be stored in the storage means 42.

Embodiment 8 Hereinafter, an eighth embodiment of the wireless data collection system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment relates to claim 8.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the structure of this embodiment. The configuration of the terminal devices with relay function 4c, 4d is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. In the figure,
The wired communication means 48 is connected to a connector or the like so that wired connection or disconnection can be freely performed. The present embodiment relates to a unit that allows terminal devices with a relay function to be freely connected to each other via wired communication.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. First, as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 17A, initially, the main device 1 and the terminal devices with relay function 4a, 4b are communicating wirelessly, but the terminal device with relay function 4c is newly connected. If it is necessary to do so, each of the terminal devices with relay function 4a, 4b and 4c has a connection terminal such as a connector which can be freely connected or separated by wire, so that as shown in the right diagram of FIG. In addition, the terminal device with relay function 4b and the terminal device with relay function 4c can be easily connected by wire, and the terminal device with relay function 4b can be used as a relay device of the terminal device with relay function 4c. Further, it is also possible to connect the terminal device with relay function 4d by wire. In this case, the terminal devices with relay function 4b and 4c relay the terminal device with relay function 4d, and the second embodiment described above is used. , And the operation of the seventh embodiment can be performed.

Next, as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 17 (b), at first, the main device 1 and the terminal devices with relay function 4a, 4b communicated by radio, but as shown in the central diagram, In the case where radio interference occurs due to an obstacle between the main device 1 and the terminal device with relay function 4b, for example, as shown in the right diagram,
The terminal device with relay function 4a and the terminal device with relay function 4b are connected by wire, and the terminal device with relay function 4a is used as a relay device of the terminal device with relay function 4b.
Alternatively, the operation of the seventh embodiment can be performed.

Next, as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 17 (c), at first, the main unit 1 and the terminal units 4a and 4b with the relay function were communicating wirelessly, but the main unit 1 and the terminal unit with the relay function were connected. When the radio wave condition of the terminal devices 4a and 4b deteriorates, the wireless communication becomes unstable and the transmission and reception frequently fail, as shown in the right figure, the terminal device with relay function 4a and the terminal device with relay function 4b
Are connected by wire to secure two communication paths between the main device 1 and the terminal devices with relay function 4a, 4b,
The operations of the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh embodiments can be performed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, a plurality of terminal devices with a relay function can be connected to each other with a connector or the like so that the wired communication can be freely connected to the terminal device with a relay function. It is possible to connect flexibly so as to relay to a terminal device with a function.

[0097]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when a terminal device with a relay function receives a message, the received message includes an identification code indicating the relationship between the terminal device with the relay function and the main device. In this case, by relaying to the main device, it is possible to wirelessly communicate with the main device to transmit and receive a message, and to have a function of relaying a message of another terminal device with a relay function. Since there is no need to provide a special relay device, and all the terminal devices with a relay function may have the same circuit configuration, a wireless data collection system can be configured using the same terminal device with a relay function regardless of whether relaying is necessary or not. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when a terminal device with a relay function is connected to another terminal device with a relay function by wire communication, and when the terminal device with a relay function receives a message by wire communication, the reception of the message is performed. When the message includes an identification code indicating the relationship between the other terminal device with a relay function and the main device, the message is relayed to the main device, as in the present invention according to claim 1, A terminal device with a relay function can relay communication to a main device of another terminal device with a relay function without providing a special relay device, and a plurality of terminal devices with a relay function are connected to each other by wired communication. Therefore, the relay function can be used where there is an obstacle that interrupts wireless communication, where wireless communication affects other devices, or where high voltage constantly generates noise and interferes with wireless communication. Terminal device easily It is possible to location.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the main device and the terminal device with a relay function are intermittently communicating wirelessly, the main device synchronizes the terminal device with a relay function with another terminal device with a relay function. When a signal is transmitted by broadcast and a response message to the transmission of the synchronization signal is not received from the terminal device with a relay function, it is determined that relaying is necessary for the other terminal device with a relay function, and the terminal device with a relay function is The terminal device with the relay function can communicate with the other terminal device with the relay function through the terminal device. In addition, the configuration of the terminal device with a relay function can be simplified by the wired communication means, and the reliability of the device can be improved.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when transmitting a response message from only a terminal device with a relay function to a terminal device with a relay function from a main device, transmitting the response message to the terminal device with a relay function, When a response message is received only from another terminal device with a relay function, the terminal device with the relay function is relayed and transmitted to the terminal device with the relay function. The communication route for transmitting the message is determined so that the message is transmitted to one or both of the terminals according to the above. The terminal device with the relay function can be installed at any place without being affected by the radio wave environment.
Since there can be one terminal device with a relay function that performs wireless communication, while reducing wireless communication traffic,
In addition, by selecting and setting a place with a good radio wave environment, a highly reliable wireless data collection system can be constructed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, by measuring the electric field strength of a response message and setting a communication path in accordance with the result, a communication path considered to be optimum among a plurality of communication paths is selected. Communication can be performed, and the reliability of the wireless data collection system can be improved.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the radio wave range of the main unit includes both the terminal device with the relay function and another terminal device with the relay function, the data of the terminal device is transmitted from the terminal device with the relay function. When collecting, by comparing the received message from the terminal device with the relay function and the received message relayed the terminal device with the other relay function,
Data can be collected more accurately.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the data collection control means collects data of the terminal device connected to the own device, and transmits the data of the terminal device connected to another terminal device with a relay function by wire. By collecting the information via communication and transmitting both to the main device at once, the main device does not need to collect data for each terminal device with a relay function, thereby increasing the efficiency quickly without increasing traffic. Data can be collected. Further, since the terminal devices with the relay function are connected to each other by wired communication, data can be collected accurately without being affected by the surrounding radio wave environment and without affecting the surroundings.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of terminal devices having a relay function can be connected to each other by means of a connector or the like so as to be freely connected to each other, so that the terminal device can be expanded in accordance with an installation environment or provided with another relay function. The connection can be flexibly connected so as to be relayed to a terminal device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless data collection system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main device and a terminal device with a relay function in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless data collection system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main device and a terminal device with a relay function in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless data collection system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main device and a terminal device with a relay function in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a fourth embodiment of the wireless data collection system of the present invention.
Block diagram showing the configuration of the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main device and a terminal device with a relay function in the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a fourth embodiment of the wireless data collection system of the present invention.
Flow chart showing the operation of

FIG. 15 is a fifth embodiment of the wireless data collection system of the present invention.
Flow chart showing the operation of

FIG. 16 is a wireless data collection system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;
Flow chart showing the operation of

17 (a), (b), and (c) are block diagrams showing a configuration of a wireless data collection system according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional wireless data collection system.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a relay device in the conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main device 2 Terminal device 3 Relay device 4a, 4b Terminal device with relay function 5 Terminal device 6 External device 11 Wireless communication means 12 Storage means 13 Identification code judgment means 14 Control means 15 Data detection means 16 Interface means 17 Synchronization control means Reference Signs List 18 Response control means 19 Communication failure detection means 20 Relay judgment means 21 Communication path judgment means 22 Electric field strength measurement means 23 Message comparison means 31 Wireless communication means 32 Control means 33 Storage means 34 Identification code judgment means 41 Wireless communication means 42 Storage means 43 Identification code determination means 44 Control means 45 Data detection means 46 Interface means 47 Relay control means 48 Wire communication means 49 Synchronization control means 50 Synchronization response control means 51 Communication failure detection means 52 Relay determination means 53 Response control means 54 Communication path determination means 55 De Data acquisition control means 56 the electric field strength measuring unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masahiro Yamamoto 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (8)

[Claims] A wireless data collection system comprising a main device, a plurality of terminal devices with a relay function, and terminal devices connected to each of the terminal devices with a relay function, wherein the main device collects data of each of the terminal devices. In the above, the main device wirelessly communicates with the terminal device with a relay function wirelessly, a storage device that stores identification codes of its own device and a terminal device with a relay function of a communication partner, and stored in the storage device Identification means for comparing and judging the identification code of the received message and the identification code of the received message, and control means for controlling the entire main device, wherein the terminal device with a relay function includes the main device and another terminal with a relay function. Wireless communication means for wirelessly communicating with the apparatus, storage means for storing identification codes of the own apparatus and a terminal apparatus with a relay function of a communication partner, identification codes stored in the storage means, and identification codes of received messages Code determining means for comparing and determining, a relay control means for controlling relaying to the main device or another terminal device with a relay function using the wireless communication means by the identification code determining means, and a terminal with a relay function The terminal device with a relay function communicates wirelessly with the main device using the wireless communication device, and determines the main device based on a determination based on an identification code included in a received message. A wireless data collection system that relays communication between the device and another terminal device with a relay function. 2. A wireless data collection system comprising a main device, a plurality of terminal devices with a relay function, and terminal devices connected to each of the terminal devices with a relay function, wherein the main device collects data of the terminal devices. In the above, the main device wirelessly communicates with the terminal device with a relay function wirelessly, a storage device that stores identification codes of its own device and a terminal device with a relay function of a communication partner, and stored in the storage device Identification code determining means for comparing and determining the identification code and the identification code of the received message, and control means for controlling the entire main device,
The terminal device with a relay function is a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the main device, a wired communication unit that communicates with another terminal device with a relay function by wire, and a terminal device with a relay function of its own device and a communication partner. Storage means for storing an identification code, identification code determination means for comparing and determining the identification code stored in the storage means and the identification code of the received message, and the identification code determination means using the wireless communication means Relay control means for controlling relay to the main device or another terminal device with a relay function, and the control means for controlling the entire terminal device with a relay function, wherein the terminal device with a relay function comprises the wireless communication means Wireless data that is used to wirelessly communicate with the main device and relay communication between the main device and another terminal device with a relay function based on a determination based on an identification code included in a received message. Collection system. 3. A main unit comprising: a synchronization control unit for periodically transmitting a synchronization signal to a terminal device with a relay function via a wireless communication unit at a predetermined timing; and the synchronization unit via the wireless communication unit. A response control unit that receives a response message from the terminal device with a relay function to a signal, a communication failure detection unit that detects a communication failure with the terminal device with the relay function by the response control unit, and a communication failure detection unit. A relay determining means for determining that a message is to be transmitted to the relay function-equipped terminal device through another terminal device having a relay function using the wireless communication means when the communication failure is detected; Receiving a synchronization signal of the main unit via wireless communication means, controlling synchronization communication timing in the wireless communication means, and responding to the received synchronization signal. A synchronous response control means for transmitting a response message, a communication failure detection means for detecting the communication failure with the main device by the synchronous response control means, and another relay when the communication failure is detected by the communication failure detection means. Relay relay determining means for determining to transmit a message to the main device via the terminal device with a function, when transmitting a message to another terminal device with a relay function by the relay determining means,
3. The wireless data according to claim 1, wherein the relay control unit controls transmission of a message converted so that the synchronous communication timing and a bit synchronization area in the message overlap. 4. Collection system. 4. The main device comprises a communication path determining means for determining a communication path by a response control means, wherein the control means controls the communication path according to the determination of the communication path determining means, and the terminal device with a relay function is provided for wireless communication. Response control means for controlling transmission of a response message in response to reception of a message by the means, communication path determination means for determining a communication path by the response control means,
Relay control means for controlling a communication path according to the judgment of the communication path judgment means, wherein a plurality of terminal devices with a relay function connected to each other by wire communication are connected to the main unit via a plurality of communication paths under the control of the relay judgment means. Claim 3 which enables communication.
A wireless data collection system as described. 5. The main device and the terminal device with a relay function each include an electric field strength measuring means for measuring the electric field intensity of the response message received by the wireless communication means, and establish a communication path corresponding to the electric field intensity of the response message. Claim 3 to be judged
A wireless data collection system according to claim 4. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said main unit further comprises a message comparing means for comparing and determining the received messages, wherein said message comparing means compares the contents of the received messages via different communication paths and detects an error. A wireless data collection system according to claim 5. 7. The terminal device with a relay function includes data collection control means for collecting data from another terminal device with a relay function in advance and storing the data in a storage means, and the main device includes the relay function. The wireless data collection system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein data is collectively collected from the attached terminal device. 8. A terminal device with a relay function provided with a wired communication means, wherein the wired communication means has a connector that can be freely connected to or disconnected from the wired communication means of another terminal device with a relay function, and the wire is connected. When there is no communication, the communication is performed only with the main device, and when a wired connection is made, wireless communication with the main device and relay of a message from another terminal device with a relay function are performed. The wireless data collection system according to claim 7.