WO2006067908A1

WO2006067908A1 - Network configuration managing method and communication terminal

Info

Publication number: WO2006067908A1
Application number: PCT/JP2005/019365
Authority: WO
Inventors: Toshimitsu Sato; Sadayuki Inoue; Tetsuro Shida; Tsuyoshi Kasaura
Original assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
Priority date: 2004-12-22
Filing date: 2005-10-21
Publication date: 2006-06-29
Also published as: JP3756173B1; JP2006180183A

Abstract

A network configuration managing method comprises a step (S303) at which when a communication terminal participating a network is excluded from the network, the excluded communication terminal receives participation terminal information sent from a managing terminal, a step (S307) at which the excluded communication terminal checks on the basis of the received participation terminal information if it can receive communication state check data sent from a communication terminal participating the network, and a step (S308) at which when it is confirmed that communication state check data from all the communication terminals participating the network can be received, the excluded communication terminal sends a re-participation request for permission of re-participation in the network to the managing terminal.

Description

Specification

Network configuration management method and communication terminal

Technical field

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a method for managing the configuration of a network constructed so that a plurality of communication terminals can directly communicate with each other, and a communication terminal that configures this network. It relates to the re-entry method for the terminal to rejoin the network.

Background art

[0002] In recent years, wireless networks have become popular in companies and homes because of the advantages of removing the troublesomeness of wiring in wired networks and flexibly changing the layout of terminals. There are two methods for building a wireless network: one that uses an access point and performs all communication between terminals via the access point, and the other that communicates directly between terminals without using an access point. .

[0003] In a method using an access point, communication between terminals is always performed via the access point. Therefore, if communication between each terminal and the access point is possible, all other terminals Communication with is possible. However, when building a wireless network using a method that uses access points, an access point is always required, and communication between terminals cannot be performed without an access point.

[0004] On the other hand, in a method in which direct communication is performed between terminals without using an access point, a special device called an access point is not required, and a wireless network can be constructed using only the terminal. However, in the method using an access point, communication between all terminals is possible as long as communication between each terminal and the access point is possible, whereas in the method using direct communication between terminals, each terminal can communicate with each terminal. If direct communication is not possible, communication within the network is not guaranteed.

[0005] In Patent Document 1, in a wireless network using a method in which direct communication is performed between terminals without using an access point, a terminal newly joining the network and all other terminals in the wireless network are described. Wireless communication system and wireless communication terminal guaranteeing the communication reachability And how to participate in a wireless communication system.

[0006] Further, in a wireless network, communication may be disconnected due to a change in communication status. However, when communication is disconnected, communication must be reconnected to perform communication again.

[0007] In Patent Document 2, when communication is disconnected due to deterioration of the wireless environment, communication is automatically resumed when the wireless environment recovers, rather than the user performing reconnection processing. Devices that allow continuation have been proposed.

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-318917

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-243053

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0009] However, in a wireless network, the wireless environment changes over time, so communication between terminals is guaranteed at one point! But at another point! Communication between the two may become impossible.

[0010] The invention described in Patent Document 1 is intended to ensure communication reachability with all terminals participating in the wireless network when the terminal newly joins the wireless network. It is not guaranteed that a terminal participating in this wireless network can always communicate with all other terminals participating in this wireless network.

[0011] The invention described in Patent Document 2 sets a communication reconnection time when communication is disconnected due to deterioration of the wireless environment, and automatically resumes communication when the wireless environment is restored. However, regardless of whether or not the wireless environment is likely to recover, data for reconnection is transmitted, and wireless communication bandwidth may be wasted.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and when a communication terminal whose network power has been eliminated re-enters the network, the communication bandwidth of this network is reduced. The network configuration ensures efficient communication, automatically re-enters the network, and guarantees communication reachability between each terminal participating in this network. It is an object of the present invention to provide a management method and a communication terminal constituting a network. Means for solving the problem

[0013] The network configuration management method of the present invention comprises a plurality of communication terminals having unique terminal identifiers, one of the communication terminals serving as a management terminal, and the communication terminal directly communicating with another communication terminal. The communication status confirmation result that confirms whether or not the communication is possible is transmitted from each communication terminal to the management terminal, and the participating terminal information based on the communication status confirmation result is also periodically transmitted to each communication terminal. In the network to be managed, the network configuration is managed by the management terminal so that all communication terminals participating in the network can directly communicate with each other. Based on the result of the status confirmation, permission of each communication terminal to participate in the network or exclusion from the network is decided, and the communication terminal participating in the network is determined. When the excluded communication terminal receives the participating terminal information transmitted from the management terminal, and the excluded communication terminal receives the received participating terminal. Based on the information, the step of confirming whether the communication terminal confirmation data transmitted to the network can be received or not can be received, and all of the communication terminals participating in the network can be received. When it is confirmed that the communication status confirmation data from the other communication terminal can be received, the excluded communication terminal issues a re-entry request to the management terminal for permission to participate in the network. And a transmitting step.

[0014] The communication terminal of the present invention includes one or more communication terminals having unique terminal identifiers, one of the communication terminals serving as a management terminal, and the communication terminal directly communicating with another communication terminal. The communication status confirmation result confirming whether or not the power is possible is transmitted to each communication terminal power to the management terminal, and participation terminal information based on the communication status confirmation result is periodically transmitted from the management terminal to each communication terminal. Based on the result of the communication status confirmation by the management terminal so that all communication terminals participating in the network can directly communicate with each other. In the communication terminal constituting the network in which permission or exclusion from the network of each communication terminal is permitted, the communication terminal participating in the network Network And when the excluded communication terminal receives the participation terminal information transmitted from the management terminal, the excluded communication terminal receives the received participation terminal information. Based on the above, it is confirmed whether or not the communication status confirmation data transmitted to the network can be received and sent from all communication terminals participating in the network. Control means for transmitting, when it is confirmed that the communication status confirmation data is receivable, the excluded communication terminal transmits a re-entry request for permission to participate in the network to the management terminal; It is what has.

The invention's effect

[0015] According to the present invention, even if the communication terminal is removed from the network due to a temporary change in the communication status or the like, if the communication status is restored after that, the excluded communication terminal is removed. Has the effect of automatically re-entering this network.

[0016] In addition, when a communication terminal whose network power has been removed due to a temporary change in the communication status re-enters this network, it was confirmed that communication with all communication terminals in the network is possible. Later, because a re-entry request is transmitted, it is possible to reduce the amount of transmission data as much as possible without transmitting unnecessary packets in the network, and it is possible to re-enter using the communication bandwidth effectively. effective.

[0017] Further, the number of times that the re-entry operation is performed is stored, and when the re-entry operation is performed a predetermined number of times, the re-entry operation is terminated, so that the user can communicate when it is unlikely Measures such as moving the terminal installation location can be taken.

[0018] Furthermore, when the possibility of re-entry is low, it is possible to suppress the confirmation operation of the communication status with other communication terminals by taking measures such as moving the installation location of the communication terminal by the user. It becomes possible to reduce power consumption.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a wireless network to which a configuration management method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a management terminal in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing participating terminal information held by the management terminal in the first embodiment FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a communication terminal other than the management terminal in the first embodiment.

[5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a communication availability determination result held by a communication terminal other than the management terminal in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a case where communication failure occurs in the wireless network of FIG. 1.

[7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a communication feasibility determination result held by a communication terminal other than the management terminal in the case of FIG.

[8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a communication feasibility determination result held by a communication terminal other than the management terminal in the case of FIG.

[9] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a communication feasibility determination result held by a communication terminal other than the management terminal in the case of FIG.

[10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing participation terminal information held by the management terminal in the case of FIG. [11] FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing a state in which one of the communication terminals is excluded from the wireless network of FIG.

圆 12] is an explanatory diagram showing participation terminal information held by the management terminal in the case of FIG. 11 圆 13] is an explanatory diagram showing a communication feasibility determination result held by a communication terminal other than the management terminal in the case of FIG. .

[14] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a communication feasibility determination result held by a communication terminal other than the management terminal in the case of FIG.

[FIG. 15] (a) is a flowchart showing the participation terminal information transmission operation of the management terminal in the first embodiment, and (b) shows the communication availability determination result reception operation of the management terminal in the first embodiment. It is a flowchart to show.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of a communication terminal other than the management terminal in the first embodiment.

17] A configuration diagram showing a wireless network in which one communication terminal is excluded from the network in Embodiments 1 to 4. FIG. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the re-entry operation of the communication terminal excluded in the first embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the re-entry operation of the communication terminal excluded in the second embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the re-entry operation of the communication terminal excluded in the third embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the re-entry operation of the communication terminal excluded in the fourth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

[0020] 10, 10a wireless network, 100 communication terminal (management terminal), 200, 300 communication terminal (communication terminal other than the management terminal), 400 communication terminal (communication terminal to re-enter), 101, 201 communication unit, 102, 202 control unit, 103, 203 storage unit, 104, 204 display unit BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0021] Embodiment 1.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a radio network 10 to which the configuration management method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied.

As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless network 10 in the first embodiment is also configured with communication terminals 100, 200, 300, and 400 power. The communication terminals 100, 200, 300, 400 include, for example, a plurality of mobile phone devices, a plurality of personal computers (PCs), a combination of a PC and its peripheral devices, or a plurality of video devices (broadcast receivers, A plurality of communication devices having a wireless communication function, such as a video recording device and a video display device. Communication terminals 100, 200, 300, and 400 are configured to be able to directly communicate with each other without using an access point. In Fig. 1, the double-directional arrow drawn with a solid line indicates that communication reachability is guaranteed between communication terminals. Although FIG. 1 shows the case where the wireless network 10 is also configured with four communication terminals, the number of communication terminals constituting the wireless network 10 is not limited to four. Among the communication terminals 100, 200, 300, and 400, a management terminal device having a function for managing the configuration of the wireless network 10 is also included. For example, there is one device (hereinafter also referred to as “management terminal”). Here, a case where communication terminal 100 is a management terminal will be described. Further, since the communication terminals 100, 200, 300, and 400 are communication terminals participating in the wireless network 10 (that is, communication terminals that allow the management terminal to participate in the wireless network), Also called a participating terminal.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the management terminal 100. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the management terminal 100 includes a communication unit 101 that performs wireless communication with other communication terminals, a control unit 102 that can execute an operation based on software for wireless network management, And a storage unit 103 such as a semiconductor memory. In addition, the management terminal 100, as necessary, operates an operation unit (not shown) as a user interface, a display unit 104 such as a liquid crystal screen, an audio output unit (not shown) such as a speaker, and an audio input such as a microphone. Various components such as a power supply unit (not shown) and a power supply unit (not shown). Note that the control unit 102 is configured by a circuit (hardware).

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing participating terminal information stored in the storage unit 103 of the management terminal 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the participating terminal information is information regarding participating car terminals participating in the wireless network 10. Participating terminal information includes information that identifies the participating terminals participating in the wireless network 10 by a unique terminal identifier and the ability to communicate between participating terminals (indicated as “Yes” in FIG. 3). Or communication enable / disable determination result information indicating whether communication is not possible between the participating terminals (that is, the communication enable / disable determination result of the entire wireless network 10). In the following description, the terminal identifiers of communication terminals 100, 200, 300, and 400 are assumed to be “100,”, “200,”, “300, and“ 400 ”, respectively.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of communication terminals 200, 300, 400. As shown in FIG. 4, each of the communication terminals 200, 300, and 400 can execute an operation based on the communication unit 201 that performs wireless communication with other communication terminals and the wireless network participation software. It has a control unit 202 and a storage unit 203 such as a semiconductor memory. In addition, the communication terminals 200, 300, and 400 each have an operation unit (not shown) as a user interface, a display unit 204 such as a liquid crystal screen, an audio output unit (not shown) such as a speaker, as necessary. Various components such as a voice input unit (not shown) such as a microphone and a power supply unit (not shown) are provided. . Note that the control unit 202 can also be configured by a circuit (nodeware).

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing participating terminal information stored in the storage unit 203 of the communication terminal 200. As shown in FIG. 5, participating terminal information includes information that identifies a participating car terminal participating in the wireless network 10 by a unique terminal identifier (information received from the management terminal 100), self, and other participating terminals. It indicates whether it is in a communicable state where it can communicate (indicated in the figure by “Yes”) or in an incommunicable state in which it cannot communicate with other participating terminals (indicated in the figure by “impossible”). Communication enable / disable determination result information. Note that the participating terminal information stored in the storage unit of the communication terminal 300 or 400 has the same content as that shown in the explanatory diagram of FIG.

Next, an outline of network configuration management will be described. In the wireless network 10, the configuration of the wireless network is managed as follows.

[0028] In Step A, first, the management terminal 100 transmits the participating terminal information held by itself. The participating terminal information transmitted here is the participating terminal information updated based on the communication status confirmation result that the management terminal 100 receives from the communication terminals 200, 300, and 400 in Step D described later. However, at the stage before the management terminal 100 receives the participation terminal information (such as the initial stage of construction of the wireless network 10), the participation terminal information may be initially set by a user operation or the like.

In step B, communication terminals 200, 300, 400 receive participating terminal information transmitted from management terminal 100.

[0030] Next, in Step C, communication terminals 200, 300, and 400 are used for communication confirmation transmitted from communication terminals other than themselves participating in wireless network 10 based on the received participation terminal information. By receiving data (that is, for communication status confirmation), it is determined whether or not communication with a communication terminal other than itself is possible. When configuring a network capable of direct communication between all communication terminals in the network at a predetermined transmission rate or higher, when transmitting / receiving communication confirmation data by each communication terminal in the network, It suffices to operate to confirm the communication status by transmitting and receiving at a predetermined transmission rate or higher.

[0031] Next, in step D, the communication terminals 200, 300, 400 determine whether communication is possible. The communication availability determination result (that is, the communication status confirmation result) obtained by the setting is transmitted to the management terminal 100.

In step E, the management terminal 100 determines participating terminals to be excluded from the wireless network 10 based on the received communication availability determination result. For example, when it is determined that the communication should be excluded when the communication is continuously impossible a predetermined number of times, it should be excluded when there are more than a predetermined number of communication disabled within a predetermined period. When it is determined that there is a case, it may be determined that a participating terminal having a lower priority order among participating terminals having a communication impossible relationship by setting a priority order for each participating terminal should be excluded. The participating terminal information held by the management terminal 100 is updated by deleting the participating terminal information ability of the participating terminal to be excluded from the wireless network 10. Then, when there is a participating terminal that should be excluded from the wireless network 10, the management terminal 100 transmits an exclusion notification that informs the participating terminal that should be excluded from the wireless network 10 that it is excluded from the wireless network 10. .

[0033] Further, in step F, in the wireless network 10, the above steps A to E are repeated, for example, periodically.

[0034] As an example, as shown in FIG. 1, the wireless network 10 has changed the power communication status configured from four communication terminals 100, 200, 300, and 400, and an X in FIG. A case will be described in which communication between the communication terminal 200 and the communication terminal 300 and between the communication terminal 300 and the communication terminal 400 is disabled as indicated by a double-headed arrow (broken line). In this case, in Step C, the communication terminals 200, 300, and 400 determine whether or not communication with a communication terminal other than itself participating in the wireless network 10 is possible. In step D, the communication availability determination result obtained by this determination is transmitted to the management terminal 100. Communication availability determination result information held by the communication terminals 200, 300, and 400 at the time of transmission is shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, respectively, between the communication terminal 200 and the communication terminal 300, and the communication terminal. Communication between the terminal 300 and the communication terminal 400 is impossible (indicated as “impossible” in the figure). In step E, the management terminal 100 determines a participating terminal to be excluded from the wireless network 10 based on the received communication availability determination result, and deletes the participating terminal information power of the participating terminal to be excluded from the wireless network 10. Management terminal 100 holds Update the participating terminal information. As shown in FIG. 10, the management terminal 100 holds the communication terminal 200 between the communication terminal 200 and the communication terminal 300 immediately after receiving the communication feasibility determination result. The communication terminal 300 and the communication terminal 400 are incapable of communication (indicated by “impossible” in the figure).

Next, a case where the management terminal 100 excludes the communication terminal 300 from the wireless network 10 in Step E will be described. In this case, the configuration of the wireless network 10 is switched from the configuration shown in FIG. 6 to the configuration shown in FIG. As a result, the participation terminal information held by the management terminal 100 is configured to have information power regarding the communication terminals 100, 200, and 400 as shown in FIG. In addition, the communication terminal information held by the participating terminals 200 and 400 is updated by step A executed again in the above step F, and the communication terminal information held by the participating terminals 200 and 400 is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, respectively. As shown.

[0036] As described above, by managing the configuration of the wireless network 10, it is possible to continue to guarantee communication reachability among all communication terminals participating in the wireless network.

Next, a configuration management method for the wireless network 10 will be described in detail. FIGS. 15A and 15B are flowcharts showing the operation of the management terminal 100. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the communication terminals 200, 300, and 400. As already described, the management terminal 100 has participation terminal information that also configures the terminal information power of the communication terminals participating in the wireless network 10. Based on this participating terminal information, the management terminal 100 and the communication terminals 200, 300, 400 can grasp the communication terminals that are participating in the wireless network 10.

First, based on FIG. 15 (a), the participation terminal information transmission operation of the management terminal 100 will be described. The management terminal 100 transmits participating terminal information at a predetermined cycle. The management terminal 100 first sets a participation terminal information transmission timer (step S1), and determines whether the participation terminal information transmission timer has expired (step S2). If the participation terminal information transmission timer has expired in step S2, the process returns to the beginning of step S2 again, and the management terminal 100 enters a state of waiting for participation terminal information transmission. If the participation terminal information transmission timer has expired in step S2, the management terminal 100 broadcasts the participation terminal information held by itself to the communication terminals constituting the wireless network 10. Transmit to 200, 300, 400 (step S3), and reset the participating terminal information transmission timer (step S4). Thereafter, management terminal 100 periodically repeats transmission of participating terminal information (steps S2 to S4).

Next, based on FIG. 15 (b), the communication terminal determination result reception operation of the management terminal 100 will be described. The management terminal 100 receives the communication availability determination result from the communication terminals 200, 300, and 400 (step S11). The communication feasibility determination result confirms whether each communication terminal 200, 300, 400 can communicate directly with all other communication terminals participating in the wireless network 10 and confirms whether it can communicate with its own communication terminal. Communication terminals that can communicate with each other and communication terminals that cannot communicate. The management terminal 100 determines which communication terminal can continue to participate in the wireless network 10 using the received communication availability determination result (step S12), and whether there is a communication terminal to be excluded from the wireless network 10. Is determined (step S13). There are various methods for determining which communication terminal is excluded from the wireless network 10 using the communication availability determination result. For example, priorities are assigned to each communication terminal in advance, and if there is a communication terminal that is unable to communicate based on the determination result of communication availability, the communication terminals are excluded in the order of lower priority. By doing so, it is possible to decide which communication terminals to exclude. There is also a method of determining the communication terminals to be excluded so that the maximum number of communication terminals can continue to participate in the wireless network using one or more communication availability determination results received within a certain time.

[0040] When there is no communication terminal to be excluded from the wireless network 10, the management terminal 100 is in a state of receiving the communication availability determination result again. When there is a communication terminal to be excluded from the wireless network 10, the management terminal 100 updates the participation terminal information by deleting the terminal information of the communication terminal to be excluded from the participation terminal information held by itself (step S14). An exclusion notification is sent to the communication terminal excluded from the wireless network 10 (step S15). Then, the management terminal 100 is in a state of receiving the communication availability determination result again (step S11).

[0041] As described above, when the management terminal 100 updates the participation terminal information, the updated participation terminal information is periodically transmitted from the management terminal 100 to each communication terminal 200, 300, 400. Therefore, each communication terminal 200, 300, 400 receives the updated participation terminal information and confirms the updated participation terminal information, so that the wireless network 10 is reconstructed. You can know. In addition, even when communication with the management terminal 100 becomes impossible and the communication determination result from the communication terminal cannot be received, the management terminal 100 deletes the terminal information of the communication terminal and deletes the participation terminal information power. By updating the information, it can be excluded from the wireless network 10. When the communication terminal is excluded from the wireless network, the management terminal 100 indicates which communication terminal is excluded, for example, a liquid crystal display unit.

The user is notified using means such as displaying the terminal identifier of the excluded communication terminal on (LCD). Then, the user can know which communication terminal has been removed and the configuration of the wireless network has changed, and can take appropriate measures such as installing the removed communication terminal in a place where communication is possible. it can.

Next, the operation of communication terminals 200, 300, and 400 configuring the wireless network of Embodiment 1 will be described using FIG. First, the communication terminals 200, 300, and 400 set the participation terminal information reception timer to determine whether or not the participation terminal information periodically transmitted by the management terminal 100 power broadcast is receivable (step). After that, it is confirmed whether the participation terminal information reception timer has expired (step S22). If the timer has expired in step S22, the communication terminals 200, 300, and 400 determine that communication with the management terminal 100 has become impossible, and determine that the wireless network 10 has become unable to participate. If the timer has not expired in step S22, the communication terminals 200, 300, 400 confirm whether or not the participation terminal information transmitted from the management terminal 100 has been received (step S23), and the participation terminal information is If not received, the participation terminal information reception timer expires again. When the participation terminal information is received in step S23, the communication terminals 200, 300, and 400 reset the participation terminal information reception timer (step S24), and use the terminal information of the participation terminal information and use the terminal information of the participation terminal information. It is confirmed whether or not communication with a communication terminal participating in the wireless network is possible, and it is determined whether or not communication with each communication terminal is possible (step S25). As a method of determining whether or not communication with each communication terminal is possible, for example, communication between each communication terminal is performed! If communication is performed normally, communication between the communication terminals is possible. It can be determined in the form of being. The communication terminals 200, 300, and 400 determine whether communication with each communication terminal participating in the wireless network 10 is possible, and then can communicate with any communication terminal based on the determination result. Whether communication is possible The determination result is transmitted to the management terminal 100 (step S26).

[0043] In addition, after transmitting the communication determination result to the management terminal 100, the communication terminals 200, 300, and 400 confirm whether or not the exclusion notification is received from the management terminal 100, and the communication terminal It is determined whether it is possible to continue to join the wireless network (step S27). If the communication terminal 200, 300, 400 determines that its own communication terminal is excluded from the wireless network 10, it indicates that its own communication terminal has been excluded from the wireless network 10, for example, a red LED The user is notified using means such as blinking. Then, the user can know that the communication terminal has been excluded, and the user can take appropriate measures such as moving the installation location with respect to the excluded communication terminal. If the communication terminal 200, 300, 400 does not receive the rejection notification from the management terminal 100 and determines that its communication terminal can continue to participate in the wireless network 10, the participation terminal information reception timer again. Waiting for expiration (step S22).

[0044] As described above, the communication terminals constituting the wireless network can be managed according to the first embodiment, and even when the communication status between the communication terminals changes and communication becomes impossible, By eliminating, it is possible to construct a wireless network that can directly communicate with all the communication terminals participating in this wireless network. In addition, each communication terminal can immediately know a participating terminal excluded from the network by transmitting an exclusion notification informing the participating terminal to be excluded from the network that it is excluded from the network. Furthermore, by periodically repeating the determination in step C, the participating terminal information can always be updated. Furthermore, when a participating terminal that has been excluded from the network performs a display to inform the user that its own communication terminal has been excluded from the network power, the user must take measures against the network power being excluded. (For example, moving the device) can be taken immediately.

Next, a network configuration management method according to the first embodiment, particularly a network re-entry method, will be described. FIG. 17 shows that the communication terminal 400 in the network 10 of FIG. 1 is excluded from the network 10 due to, for example, temporary power interruption or deterioration of the communication status, and is composed of three communication terminals 100, 200, 300. It is a figure which shows that the network 10a was comprised. FIG. 18 shows the network configuration management method according to the first embodiment, particularly the network capability. 6 is a flowchart showing a re-entry operation to the network by the communication terminal 400 excluded from the above. Note that the processing shown in FIG. 18 is performed when the communication terminal is removed from the network due to temporary power interruption or deterioration of communication status. It can also be applied when the communication terminal is excluded from the network for reasons other than deterioration, and can also be applied whenever the communication terminal is excluded from the network.

As shown in FIG. 18, when the communication terminal 400 is removed from the network, the communication terminal 400 determines whether or not the participation terminal information transmitted from the management terminal 100 at a certain period can be received. In order to determine, the participation terminal information reception timer is set (step S30 Do. In the first embodiment, the participation terminal information reception timer is set to a predetermined time (the management terminal transmits the participation terminal information). The excluded communication terminal 400 refers to the communication terminals participating in the network 10a by, for example, periodically referring to the participating terminal information transmitted from the management terminal 100. The terminal can be grasped.

[0047] Next, the excluded communication terminal 400 checks whether the participation terminal information reception timer has expired (step S302). The excluded communication terminal 400 determines that communication with the management terminal 100 of the network 10a is impossible when the participation terminal information reception timer expires, and again sets the participation terminal information reception timer (step S301). Return to. If the participation terminal information reception timer has not expired, the excluded communication terminal 400 checks whether it has received the participation terminal information to which the management terminal 100 is also transmitted (step S303). If no information has been received, the process returns again to the expiration confirmation state of the participating terminal information reception timer (step S302).

[0048] When the excluded communication terminal 400 receives the participation terminal information transmitted from the management terminal 100 in the confirmation process of whether or not the participation terminal information has been received (step S303), the communication terminal 400 participates in the network 10a. A communication status confirmation timer is set in order to determine whether or not it is possible to receive data from the communication terminal (step S304). In the first embodiment, the communication status confirmation timer transmits a communication confirmation data including its own terminal identifier to a communication terminal other than the communication terminal participating in the network 10 for a predetermined time. Period T2 or more Time).

[0049] Next, the excluded communication terminal 400 confirms whether the communication status confirmation timer has expired (step S305). When the communication status confirmation timer expires, the excluded communication terminal 400 has one communication terminal that cannot communicate with the communication terminal 400 among the communication terminals 100, 200, and 300 participating in the network 10a. It is determined that there are more devices, and the process returns to the participation terminal information reception timer setting process (step S301), and the re-entry operation is performed again.

[0050] In the case of the communication terminal 400 that has been excluded, the communication status confirmation timer has expired! /, NA! /, Can data be received from the communication terminals 100, 200, 300 participating in the network 10a? Confirm the communication status and confirm the communication status (step S306). The communication terminals 100, 200, and 300 participating in the network 10a check their mutual communication status and form their own terminal identifiers at regular intervals to form a network that allows direct communication between all communication terminals. Sending data for communication confirmation including. The excluded communication terminal 400 can confirm the communication status (that is, determine whether communication is possible) by receiving the communication confirmation data.

[0051] Next, whether the excluded communication terminal 400 can communicate with all the communication terminals 100, 200, 300 participating in the network 10a based on the participation terminal information received in step S303. If it is possible to communicate with all the communication terminals 10 0, 200, 300 participating in the network 10a, a request to re-enter the network is sent to the management terminal 100. (Step S308). Then, the management terminal 100 that has received the re-entry request updates the participation terminal information and distributes the participation terminal information to each communication terminal to reconfigure the network (configuration shown in FIG. 1).

[0052] In step S307, the excluded communication terminal 400 determines that one or more of the communication terminals 100, 200, and 300 participating in the network 10a cannot communicate with the communication terminal 400. In this case, the communication status confirmation timer again waits for expiration (step S305).

[0053] If it is determined in step S302 or S305 that the participation terminal information reception timer has expired or the communication status confirmation timer has expired and re-entry into the network has failed, the removed communication terminal 400 For example, means such as blinking the red LED lamp (example For example, it can be configured to notify the user using the display unit 204) of FIG. In this case, the user of the communication terminal 400 can know that the communication terminal has failed to re-enter the network 10a, and accordingly, take appropriate measures such as moving the communication terminal installation location. Can take.

[0054] As described above, according to the configuration management method for a network according to Embodiment 1, the communication terminal is excluded from the network due to a temporary power interruption of the communication terminal, a bad communication condition, or the like. In this case, the removed communication terminals can automatically re-enter the network, and a network that can communicate with all the communication terminals participating in the network can be reconfigured. In addition, the excluded communication terminal checks the communication status with each communication terminal in the network, and transmits a re-entry request when communication with all communication terminals is possible. It can be reduced as much as possible, and re-entry can be performed using the communication band effectively.

[0055] Embodiment 2.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing a network configuration management method according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in particular, a re-entry operation to the network by the communication terminal 400 from which the network is removed. In FIG. 19, steps identical or corresponding to those shown in FIG. 18 are given the same reference numerals.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 19, steps S301 to S305 of the re-entry operation when the communication terminal 400 is also removed from the network due to power failure or deterioration of the communication status are the case of the first embodiment. Works as well.

In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, in the communication status confirmation operation in step S311, each communication terminal 100, 200, 300 participating in the network 10a is directly connected to all communication terminals. In order to configure a network capable of communication and to determine whether communication is possible at a predetermined transmission rate or higher, communication confirmation data including its own terminal identifier is previously acquired at a certain cycle. Transmit at a specified transmission rate or higher. The excluded communication terminal 400 confirms the communication status depending on whether or not data transmitted at a predetermined transmission rate or higher can be received from each communication terminal 100, 200, 300 participating in the network 10a ( Step S311), based on the participating terminal information received in Step S303 Then, it is determined whether or not the communication capability with all communication terminals participating in the network 10a is higher than a predetermined transmission rate (step S312). In step S312, if it is determined that the excluded communication terminal 400 can communicate with all the communication terminals participating in the network 10a at a predetermined transmission rate or higher, the management terminal 100 In response to this, a request to re-enter the network is transmitted (step S308). Then, the management terminal 100 that has received the re-entry request updates the participation terminal information and distributes the participation terminal information to each communication terminal to reconfigure the network (configuration shown in FIG. 1).

[0058] In step S312, the excluded communication terminal 400 determines that one or more of the communication terminals 100, 200, and 300 participating in the network 10a cannot communicate with the communication terminal 400. In this case, the communication status confirmation timer again waits for expiration (step S305).

[0059] As described above, according to the configuration management method for a network according to the second embodiment, the communication terminal is excluded from the network due to a temporary power interruption of the communication terminal, a bad communication condition, or the like. Even in such a case, the excluded communication terminals can automatically re-enter the network, and a network that can communicate with all communication terminals participating in the network at a predetermined transmission rate or higher can be reconfigured. The excluded communication terminal confirms the communication status with each communication terminal in the network, and transmits a re-entry request when communication with all communication terminals is possible at a predetermined transmission rate or higher. Therefore, the transmission data from itself can be reduced as much as possible, and re-entry can be performed by effectively using the communication band.

[0060] In Embodiment 2, points other than the above are the same as in Embodiment 1 above.

[0061] Embodiment 3.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing a network configuration management method according to the third embodiment of the present invention, in particular, a re-entry operation to the network by the communication terminal 400 from which the network is removed. In FIG. 20, the same or corresponding steps as those shown in FIG. 18 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 20, the communication terminal 400 is connected to the network due to power interruption or deterioration of communication conditions. If the communication terminal 400 is excluded from the network, the communication terminal 400 first sets a re-entry counter for storing the number of times of re-entry after being excluded from the network to zero. Steps S301, S303, S304, and S306 to S308 in FIG. 20 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0063] If the participation terminal information reception timer expires in step S324, or if the communication status confirmation timer expires in step S325, the communication terminal 400 failed to re-enter the network. And the value of the re-entry counter is incremented by 1 (step S322). Then, the communication terminal 400 confirms the value of the re-entry counter, and when the re-entry counter value is less than a predetermined threshold value, the re-entry operation is performed again from step S301. Communication terminal 400 terminates the re-entry operation when the value of the re-entry counter is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. When the re-entry operation is completed without performing the re-entry request operation, the communication terminal 400 determines that the re-entry into the network has failed, and uses a means such as blinking the red LED lamp to prompt the user. Notice. In this case, since the user can know that the communication terminal has failed to re-enter the network, the user can take appropriate measures such as moving the installation location of the communication terminal.

[0064] As described above, according to the network configuration management method according to the third embodiment, the communication terminal is excluded from the network due to a temporary power interruption of the communication terminal, a bad communication condition, or the like. In this case, the removed communication terminals can automatically re-enter the network, and a network that can communicate with all the communication terminals participating in the network can be reconfigured. In addition, the excluded communication terminal checks the communication status with each communication terminal in the network, and transmits a re-entry request when communication with all communication terminals is possible. It can be reduced as much as possible, and re-entry can be performed using the communication band effectively. In addition, the number of re-entry operations performed by the re-entry counter is memorized, and when the number of times more than a certain number of times is performed, the re-entry operation is terminated, and the user is notified that the re-entry has failed. When the possibility of re-entry is low, the user can take measures such as moving the installation location, and the operation to check the communication status with other communication terminals can be suppressed, reducing power consumption. It becomes possible to suppress.

[0065] In Embodiment 3, points other than the above are the same as in Embodiment 1 above. is there.

[0066] Embodiment 4.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a network configuration management method according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, in particular, a re-entry operation to the network by the communication terminal 400 from which the network is removed. In FIG. 21, steps that are the same as or correspond to the steps shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 21, the network configuration management method according to the fourth embodiment employs steps S311 and S312 instead of steps S306 and S307 in FIG. 20 (third embodiment). This is different from the network configuration management method according to the third embodiment.

[0067] In the fourth embodiment, as shown in Fig. 21, in the communication status confirmation operation in step S311, each communication terminal 100, 200, 300 participating in the network 10a is directly connected between all communication terminals. In order to configure a network capable of communication and to determine whether communication is possible at a predetermined transmission rate or higher, communication confirmation data including its own terminal identifier is previously acquired at a certain cycle. Transmit at a specified transmission rate or higher. The excluded communication terminal 400 confirms the communication status depending on whether or not data transmitted at a predetermined transmission rate or higher can be received from each communication terminal 100, 200, 300 participating in the network 10a ( Based on the participation terminal information received in step S311) and step S303, it is determined whether or not the communication capability with all communication terminals participating in the network 10a exceeds a predetermined transmission rate (step S312). In step S312, if it is determined that the excluded communication terminal 400 can communicate with all the communication terminals participating in the network 10a at a predetermined transmission rate or higher, the management terminal 100 In response to this, a request to re-enter the network is transmitted (step S308). Then, the management terminal 100 that has received the re-entry request updates the participation terminal information and distributes the participation terminal information to each communication terminal to reconfigure the network (configuration shown in FIG. 1).

[0068] In step S312, the excluded communication terminal 400 determines that one or more of the communication terminals 100, 200, 300 participating in the network 10a cannot communicate with the communication terminal 400. In this case, the communication status confirmation timer again waits for expiration (step S305). [0069] As described above, according to the network configuration management method according to the fourth embodiment, the communication terminal is excluded from the network due to a temporary power interruption of the communication terminal, a bad communication condition, or the like. Even in such a case, the excluded communication terminals can automatically re-enter the network, and a network that can communicate with all communication terminals participating in the network at a predetermined transmission rate or higher can be reconfigured. The excluded communication terminal confirms the communication status with each communication terminal in the network, and transmits a re-entry request when communication with all communication terminals is possible at a predetermined transmission rate or higher. Therefore, the transmission data from itself can be reduced as much as possible, and re-entry can be performed by effectively using the communication band. In addition, the number of re-entry operations performed by the re-entry counter is stored, and when the number of re-entry operations exceeds a certain number, the re-entry operation is terminated and the user is notified that the re-entry operation has failed. If the possibility of entering is low, the user can take measures such as moving the installation location, and the operation to check the communication status with other communication terminals can be suppressed, reducing power consumption. It becomes possible.

[0070] In Embodiment 4, the points other than the above are the same as those in Embodiments 1 to 3.

[0071] It should be noted that in Embodiments 1 to 4, the power described in the case of using a wireless network (IEEE802.11, IEEE802.11a, IEEE802.11b, IEEE802.11lg, UWB, etc.) as the network is described. Not limited to this, a high-speed PLC (network using power lines) and RF lines are used, which disables communication with communication terminals in the network due to changes in the communication status between each communication terminal, as in wireless networks. Even if it is applied to existing networks, Ethernet, etc., it becomes a plurality of communication terminals with unique terminal identifiers, one of the communication terminals becomes a management terminal, and all participating communication terminals communicate directly with each other. It can be applied to a network that can do this, and the same effect can be achieved.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] Communication composed of a plurality of communication terminals having unique terminal identifiers, one of the communication terminals being a management terminal, and checking whether the communication terminal can directly communicate with another communication terminal. In a network in which status confirmation results are transmitted from each communication terminal to the management terminal, and participating terminal information based on the communication status confirmation results is periodically transmitted from the management terminal to each communication terminal, the configuration of the network is managed. The management terminal allows each communication terminal to participate in the network based on the communication status confirmation result so that all communication terminals participating in the network can directly communicate with each other. Permission or exclusion from the network is determined, and when a communication terminal participating in the network is excluded from the network power, The excluded communication terminal receiving the participating terminal information transmitted from the management terminal;

Whether the excluded communication terminal can receive the communication status confirmation data transmitted from the communication terminal participating in the network based on the received participation terminal information. Steps to check,

When it is confirmed that the communication status confirmation data from all the communication terminals participating in the network can be received, the excluded communication terminal transmits the participation to the network to the management terminal. Transmitting a re-entry request for permission, and a network configuration management method.

[2] The step of confirming whether or not the data can be received includes the communication terminal power that has been excluded and communication terminal power that is participating in the network. The network configuration management method according to claim 1, further comprising a process of confirming whether or not reception is possible.

[3] When there are one or more communication terminals that cannot communicate with the excluded communication terminal among the communication terminals participating in the network, the excluded communication terminal is connected to the network. The network configuration management method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of notifying the user that the re-entry of the network is impossible.

[4] In the step of transmitting the re-entry request, the communication status confirmation data is received. Communication is possible within a communication terminal participating in the network within a time that is an integral multiple of a predetermined period based on information on stepping force to check whether or not it is possible. 2. The network configuration management method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of terminating the re-entry operation by the excluded communication terminal when there are one or more non-communication terminals.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of notifying the user that the re-entry operation to the network is stopped by the excluded communication terminal when terminating the re-entry operation. Network configuration management method.

[6] Check if one or more communication terminals with unique terminal identifiers, one of the communication terminals is a management terminal, and the communication terminal is capable of direct communication with other communication terminals A communication status confirmation result is transmitted from each communication terminal to the management terminal, and participating terminal information based on the communication status confirmation result is periodically transmitted to each communication terminal of the management terminal. The management terminal permits the communication terminals to participate in the network based on the communication status confirmation result or the network so that all the communication terminals participating in the communication can directly communicate with each other. In the communication terminal constituting the network to be excluded from the network, the communication terminal participating in the network is also excluded from the network power. The receiving means communication terminals which are pre-Symbol eliminated, for receiving the participation terminal information transmitted the management terminal force,

Whether the excluded communication terminal can receive the communication status confirmation data transmitted from the communication terminal participating in the network based on the received participation terminal information. And when it is confirmed that data for confirming the communication status of all communication terminals participating in the network can be received, the excluded communication terminal sends the network to the management terminal. Control means to send a re-entry request for permission to participate in

A communication terminal comprising:

[7] The confirmation as to whether or not the communication status confirmation data can be received is made by confirming the communication status transmitted from the communication terminal participating in the network at a predetermined transmission rate or higher. 7. The communication terminal according to claim 6, wherein the communication terminal is performed by confirming whether the authorization data can be received.

[8] A notification means for notifying the user that re-entry into the network is impossible when the communication terminals that are participating in the network have more than one communication terminal that cannot communicate. The communication terminal according to claim 6, further comprising:

[9] Based on the confirmation result of whether or not the communication status confirmation data can be received by the control means that transmits a re-entry request for permission to participate in the network to the management terminal. The re-entry operation is terminated when there is a communication terminal power that cannot be communicated among communication terminals participating in the network within a time that is an integral multiple of a predetermined period. The communication terminal according to claim 6.

10. The communication terminal according to claim 9, further comprising other notification means for notifying a user that the re-entry operation to the network is stopped when the re-entry operation is terminated.