WO2015137117A1

WO2015137117A1 - Transmission module, information transmission network system, information transmission method, and information transmission program

Info

Publication number: WO2015137117A1
Application number: PCT/JP2015/055361
Authority: WO
Inventors: 亮太山田; 祐輔山地; 優樹井上; 創梅木
Original assignee: オムロン株式会社
Priority date: 2014-03-13
Filing date: 2015-02-25
Publication date: 2015-09-17
Also published as: JP2015177266A

Abstract

This invention relates to a module for transmitting, along a predetermined transmission path including an information processing device, given transport information to be processed by the information processing device. The module determines whether to directly transport, from the local transmission module, the given transport information to a connection-scheduled module that is placed on the predetermined transmission path for relaying the given transport information from the local transmission module and that intervenes between a transport target module and the information processing device. Then, in a case of occurrence of a transport failure that no completion of transporting the given transport information to the transport target module can be recognized, if the local transmission module determines that it is possible to directly transport to the connection-scheduled module, the local transmission module changes the connection destination of the local transmission module from the transport target module to the connection-scheduled module. In this way, when communication paths are changed, among transmission modules belonging to a network used for information transmission, so as to eliminate a communication trouble having occurred, communication loads are prevented from converging on a particular transmission module.

Description

Transmission module, information transmission network system, information transmission method, information transmission program

The present invention relates to a transmission module that transmits information related to an information processing apparatus along a predetermined transmission path including the information processing apparatus, and a network system including the transmission module and the information processing apparatus.

Conventionally, by using a sensor module that measures environmental parameters such as temperature and humidity, and transmitting the measured information to an information processing device via a network, a large amount of measurement data can be easily collected. Technologies that enable it are being developed. In this case, the wireless function for transmitting the measured information is formed by providing the sensor module with a wireless function. Here, as a technique for recognizing a communication failure that has occurred in a wireless network, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for detecting a communication failure related to a self-node using a message received from another node belonging to the network. ing. In addition, transmission path switching performed in response to the communication failure that has occurred is also performed in accordance with an instruction from another node.

JP-A-4-318721

In a network that transmits information to be transmitted to a destination via a plurality of transmission modules, from the viewpoint of information collection, if a communication failure occurs between transmission modules included in the network, the failure section is determined until then. Since the information collected via the route will not reach the destination, prompt recovery from communication failures is required. Here, when a communication failure occurs in a specific section of the network, information transmission may be continued by forming a new communication path so as to avoid the failure section. However, when the communication path is changed, the information flow up to that time is changed, and in some cases, the communication load is concentrated on a specific transmission module, which may cause information congestion.

Also, as in the prior art, when the communication path of the self-transmission module is changed according to a command from another transmission module belonging to the network, the information obtained by the self-transmission module via the communication path that has been formed so far It cannot be fully utilized for eliminating the communication failure, and may cause a secondary failure in the network after the communication path is changed.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and in a transmission module belonging to a network for information transmission, when a transmission path is changed in order to eliminate a communication failure that has occurred, The object is to avoid as much as possible the concentration of communication load on the transmission module.

In the present invention, in order to solve the above-described problem, in a transmission module that transmits information processed by an information processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “predetermined transmission information”) along a predetermined transmission path, the information is directly downstream. Adopts a configuration that changes the connection destination from the transmission target module to another transmission module that belongs to the predetermined transmission path that was used before the transmission failure occurred when a transmission failure to the located transmission target module occurs did. As a result, even after a transmission failure occurs, the transmission path itself uses the substantially same path as the transmission path before transmission. Therefore, even if the connection destination of the self-transmission module is changed, a specific transmission module is used. It is possible to suppress the concentration of communication load on the network. In the present application, “self-transmission module” is an expression used to specify a transmission module included in a network. That is, when a transmission module belonging to a network is specified as a reference, the transmission module is expressed as “self transmission module”. In addition, a transmission module connected to transmit predetermined transmission information from the self-transmission module, in other words, a transmission module positioned immediately downstream in the information flow on the network with reference to the self-transmission module is referred to as “transmission target”. Module ". Therefore, expressions such as “self-transmission module” and “transmission target module” are based on the relative relationship between the transmission modules, and if the standard transmission module is different, it is naturally specified as the self-transmission module or transmission target module. The transmission module used is also different. In addition, since the “scheduled connection module” is also defined as a transmission module positioned between the transmission target module and the information processing apparatus, the expression “scheduled connection module” is also in a relative relationship between the transmission modules. Is based. In the present application, “connection” is a term indicating a state in which a transmission path is established between two modules so that information transmission can be performed between the transmission modules. Therefore, the connection scheduled module is a module for which a transmission path for information transmission has not been established with the self transmission module at this time, but a transmission path will be established with the self transmission module later. Refers to the transmission module to be used.

Specifically, the present invention is a module for transmitting predetermined transmission information to be processed by the information processing apparatus along a predetermined transmission path including the information processing apparatus. The transmission module transmits the predetermined transmission information from the self-transmission module to a transmission target module located immediately downstream of the self-transmission module in the predetermined transmission path, and the predetermined transmission information includes the transmission Confirmation means for confirming the transmission completion state received by the target module, and a module arranged to relay the predetermined transmission information from the self-transmission module in the predetermined transmission path, A determination unit that performs a determination process as to whether or not the predetermined transmission information can be directly transmitted from a self-transmission module to a connection-scheduled module interposed between the information processing device and the confirmation unit; When a transmission failure occurs in which the transmission completion state of the predetermined transmission information cannot be confirmed, If the determination means determines that the predetermined transmission information can be directly transmitted from the self-transmission module to the connection scheduled module, the connection destination from the self-transmission module is changed from the transmission target module to the connection planned module. Connection destination changing means for changing.

In the transmission module according to the present invention, information is transmitted from the self-transmission module to the transmission target module by the transmission means. This information transmission is performed along a predetermined transmission path, so that the predetermined transmission information from the self-transmission module is finally transmitted to the information processing apparatus. The predetermined transmission path is formed by the starting point and the end point, and a transmission module located between the two points. However, in the present invention, the predetermined transmission path is limited to a specific path. There is no intention. That is, the predetermined transmission path may be a predetermined transmission path or a changing transmission path. In addition, the predetermined transmission information transmitted by the transmission module is information to be processed by the information processing device included in the predetermined transmission path. In the present invention, the processing form of the predetermined transmission information in the information processing device is a specific type. The form is not limited.

Here, in the transmission module according to the present invention, the confirmation means confirms the transmission completion state indicating that the predetermined transmission information transmitted from the self-transmission module to the transmission target module by the transmission means has reached the transmission target module. . For example, the transmission completion state for the transmission target module can be confirmed using a confirmation signal (acknowledge signal) sent from the transmission target module that has received the predetermined transmission information to the self-transmission module. If the self-transmission module cannot confirm the transmission completion state of the predetermined transmission information by the confirmation means, it means that the purpose of information transmission has not been achieved despite the transmission of the predetermined transmission information by the transmission means. A transmission failure occurred for the reason.

The transmission module according to the present invention relates to a connection scheduled module that has relayed predetermined transmission information from the self-transmission module in a predetermined transmission path by a determination unit, to a transmission target module that is a current connection destination. Instead, a determination process is performed as to whether or not it is possible to directly connect the predetermined transmission information from the self-transmission module to the connection scheduled module. That is, the determination process is a process for determining whether or not the self-transmission module can skip the transmission target module and connect to a connection-scheduled module positioned ahead in a predetermined transmission path. The connection-scheduled module may be a transmission module that is interposed between the transmission target module and the information processing apparatus in a predetermined transmission path, and may be, for example, a transmission module immediately downstream of the transmission target module, and further on the downstream side. It may be a transmission module located.

When the transmission failure occurs, processing by the connection destination changing unit is performed in order to continue transmission of the predetermined transmission information to the information processing apparatus. That is, when a transmission failure occurs, the self-transmission module becomes a transmission failure by the connection destination changing unit if it is determined by the determination process of the determination unit that it can be transmitted directly from the self-transmission module to the connection scheduled module. The connection with the transmission target module is canceled, and the connection destination is changed to the connection planned module. Thereby, transmission of the predetermined transmission information from the subsequent self-transmission module is performed to the connection scheduled module. At this time, since the connection scheduled module was in a position to relay the predetermined transmission information from the self-transmission module even before the occurrence of the transmission failure, the connection destination changing unit directly receives the predetermined transmission information from the self-transmission module. Even in such a case, it is unlikely that the communication load of the connection-scheduled module will greatly increase from the viewpoint of relay processing of the predetermined transmission information. Therefore, the transmission module according to the present invention can avoid load concentration in a specific transmission module, that is, a connection-scheduled module that has become a new connection destination in eliminating a transmission failure.

The determination process by the determination means described above is performed as long as it can be determined whether or not the predetermined transmission information can be directly transmitted from the own transmission module to the connection scheduled module. May be at any time. One preferred form is immediately before the connection destination of the self-transmission module is changed by the connection destination changing means, but this does not prevent the determination process from being executed at other times. Absent.

Here, the transmission module may further include determination parameter collection means for collecting predetermined determination parameters used for the determination processing by the determination means from the transmission target module and the connection scheduled module. By collecting the predetermined determination parameters in this way and performing determination processing based on the parameters, it is possible to make a more appropriate determination. The predetermined determination parameter may be a predetermined parameter or a parameter according to a request from the self-transmission module, and the transmission target module and the connection scheduled module may send the self-transmission module. In this case, each module may determine the transmission timing of the predetermined determination parameter by its own determination, or may determine the transmission timing in response to the request. When the transmission target module receives some information from the self-transmission module, a predetermined determination parameter may be sent to the self-transmission module together with an acknowledge signal for notifying the reception.

Here, reference is made to the execution timing of the judgment process in the transmission module. As an example, the determination unit may perform the determination process after the transmission failure occurs based on the predetermined determination parameter collected by the determination parameter collection unit before the transmission failure occurs. In this way, the determination process can be performed based on fresher information. As a result of the connection destination changing unit changing the connection destination according to the determination result, the connection with the self-transmission module is scheduled. The possibility of successful information transmission with the module increases.

As another example, every time the predetermined judgment parameter is collected by the judgment parameter collecting means, or after the predetermined judgment parameter is collected by the judgment parameter collecting means regardless of occurrence of the transmission failure, The determination unit may perform the determination process based on the predetermined determination parameter. In this way, when a transmission failure occurs, a determination result has already been obtained by the determination process, so that the connection destination to the connection scheduled module can be immediately changed.

In the transmission module up to the above, when the connection scheduled module is located immediately downstream of the transmission target module, the determination parameter collection means transmits the transmission power information at the time of transmission to the connection planned module in the transmission target module. In addition, received signal strength information at the time of reception from the transmission target module in the connection scheduled module may be collected as the predetermined determination parameter. In this case, the determination means includes, in addition to the transmission power information in the transmission target module and the received signal strength information in the connection scheduled module, maximum transmission power information in the own transmission module, and a minimum reception in the connection scheduled module. The determination process may be performed using signal strength information. Note that the maximum transmission power information is a transmission power value for maximizing the transmission area in the self-transmission module attempting to change the connection destination, and the self-transmission module is in a position where it can be known as its own information. The minimum received signal strength information is the minimum received signal strength that the connection scheduled module can receive from the outside. As a specification value or setting value, the self-transmission module can also know in advance, or from the connection scheduled module You can know by notification. As described above, the determination process can be executed by using the parameters of the self-transmission module, the transmission target module, and the connection scheduled module.

Further, the determination parameter collection means further collects received signal strength information at the time of reception from the self-transmission module in the transmission target module as the predetermined determination parameter, and the determination means further includes the transmission target The determination process may be performed using the received signal strength information in the module. In this way, more appropriate determination processing can be executed by using further predetermined determination parameters.

Here, in the transmission module up to the above, the transmission means transmits the predetermined transmission information from the self-transmission module to the transmission target module according to a predetermined transmission parameter set for transmitting the predetermined transmission information from the self-transmission module to the transmission target module. The predetermined transmission information may be transmitted. In this case, if it is determined by the determination means that the predetermined transmission information can be directly transmitted from the self-transmission module to the connection scheduled module, the connection destination changing means is configured to cause the transmission failure. Among the predetermined transmission parameters used for transmission of transmission information, by changing at least a node parameter related to the connection destination of the self-transmission module, the predetermined transmission information that has caused the transmission failure is transmitted to the connection scheduled module. Send.

The information transmission according to a predetermined transmission parameter is performed by the transmission means configured as described above. That is, transmission of the predetermined transmission information from the self-transmission module to the transmission target module in the transmission module belonging to the predetermined transmission path follows a predetermined transmission parameter that determines the transmission condition. Each of the transmission modules that transmit the predetermined transmission information has this predetermined transmission parameter. As the predetermined transmission path, each transmission module transmits the predetermined transmission information according to the predetermined transmission parameter. By doing so, the predetermined transmission information is collected from each transmission module to the information processing apparatus that is the destination. When a transmission failure occurs in the self-transmission module, the self-transmission module causes the connection destination changing unit to at least autonomously set a node parameter that is one of the predetermined transmission parameters based on the determination result of the determination unit. Change the connection destination to change the connection destination. That is, such a connection destination change mode enables the transmission failure to be resolved without being affected by the transmission failure occurring in transmission / reception with the outside. Note that transmission parameters other than node parameters may be changed in changing the connection destination.

Here, the transmission module up to the above may further include a sensor for detecting an environmental parameter around the self-transmission module or inside the self-transmission module. An environmental parameter is transmitted as the predetermined transmission information. Note that this configuration does not prevent the transmission module from transmitting information other than the environmental parameters as the predetermined transmission information to the information processing apparatus along a predetermined transmission path.

Further, the present invention is an aspect of a network system configured to transmit predetermined transmission information to be processed by an information processing apparatus via a plurality of transmission modules along a predetermined transmission path including the information processing apparatus. It can also be captured. In this case, at least one transmission module of the plurality of transmission modules transmits the predetermined transmission information from the self-transmission module to a transmission target module located immediately downstream of the self-transmission module in the predetermined transmission path. And the predetermined transmission information is arranged so as to relay the predetermined transmission information from the self-transmission module in the predetermined transmission path, and confirmation means for confirming a transmission completion state received by the transmission target module Judgment as to whether or not the predetermined transmission information can be directly transmitted from a self-transmission module to a connection scheduled module interposed between the transmission target module and the information processing apparatus. The transmission of the predetermined transmission information by the determination means for performing processing and the confirmation means If a transmission failure that cannot be confirmed is detected, if the determination means determines that the predetermined transmission information can be directly transmitted from the self-transmission module to the connection-scheduled module, the connection from the self-transmission module Connection destination changing means for changing the destination from the transmission target module to the connection scheduled module. It should be noted that the technical idea disclosed regarding the invention of the transmission module can be applied to the invention of the information transmission network system as long as there is no technical flaw.

Also, the present invention provides an information transmission method for transmitting the predetermined transmission information along a predetermined transmission path including the information processing apparatus via a transmission module for transmitting the predetermined transmission information to be processed by the information processing apparatus. You may catch from the side. In this case, the method includes a transmission step of transmitting the predetermined transmission information from the self-transmission module to a transmission target module located immediately downstream of the self-transmission module in the predetermined transmission path, and the predetermined transmission information includes the transmission A confirmation step for confirming a transmission completion state received by the target module; and a module arranged to relay the predetermined transmission information from the self-transmission module in the predetermined transmission path, A determination step for determining whether or not the predetermined transmission information can be directly transmitted from a self-transmission module to a connection-scheduled module interposed with the information processing apparatus; and the confirmation step When a transmission failure occurs in which the transmission completion status of the predetermined transmission information cannot be confirmed If it is determined in the determining step that the predetermined transmission information can be directly transmitted from the self-transmission module to the connection scheduled module, the connection destination from the self-transmission module is changed from the transmission target module to the connection planned module. A connection destination changing step to be changed. It should be noted that the technical idea disclosed regarding the invention of the transmission module can be applied to the invention of the information transmission method as long as there is no technical flaw.

Also, the present invention can be understood from the aspect of an information transmission program that causes a transmission module that transmits predetermined transmission information to be processed by an information processing apparatus to execute processing including the following steps. In this case, the information transmission program transmits the predetermined transmission information from the self-transmission module to a transmission target module located immediately downstream of the self-transmission module in the predetermined transmission path, and the predetermined transmission information includes: A confirmation step of confirming a transmission completion state received by the transmission target module; and a module arranged to relay the predetermined transmission information from a self-transmission module in the predetermined transmission path, the transmission target A determination step for determining whether or not the predetermined transmission information can be directly transmitted from a self-transmission module to a connection-scheduled module interposed between the module and the information processing apparatus; In the confirmation step, it is not possible to confirm the transmission completion state of the predetermined transmission information. If it is determined in the determination step that the predetermined transmission information can be directly transmitted from the self transmission module to the connection scheduled module, the connection destination from the self transmission module is determined from the transmission target module. A connection destination changing step of changing to the connection scheduled module. It should be noted that the technical idea disclosed regarding the invention of the transmission module can be applied to the invention of the information transmission program as long as there is no technical flaw.

In a transmission module belonging to a network for information transmission, when a transmission path is changed in order to eliminate a communication failure that has occurred, the concentration of communication load on a specific transmission module should be avoided as much as possible. Is possible.

1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a network system according to the present invention. It is a functional block diagram of the transmission module contained in the network system shown in FIG. It is a functional block diagram of the server contained in the network system shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of the transmission process of the transmission information performed with a transmission module. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a data structure of transmission information to be transmitted in the transmission process shown in FIG. 4. In the 2nd network system concerning the present invention, it is a figure showing roughly the state where transmission failure occurred between transmission modules. FIG. 6B is a diagram schematically illustrating a state where a transmission parameter of the transmission module related to the transmission failure is changed and a new transmission path is formed after the transmission failure illustrated in FIG. 6A occurs. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which a transmission failure has occurred between transmission modules in the network system shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a connection destination change process for changing a connection destination and eliminating a transmission failure in the transmission process shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram of information exchange performed between modules belonging to a predetermined transmission path in order to collect determination parameters used in the connection destination change process shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing a state where a transmission parameter of a transmission module related to a transmission failure is changed and a new transmission path is formed after the transmission failure shown in FIG. 7 occurs.

Referring to the drawings, a network system 10 (hereinafter also simply referred to as “network”) 10 according to the present invention and a transmission module 2 included in the network will be described. The configuration of the following embodiment is an exemplification, and the present invention is not limited to the configuration of this embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the network 10. The network 10 includes a transmission module in which sensors for measuring various external environment parameters (such as temperature) are mounted or a transmission module having only a relay function in which the sensors are not mounted. The network is formed so that each transmission module functions so as to collect information in the information processing apparatus 1. In the network 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, two transmission paths L <b> 1 and L <b> 2 are formed between each of the transmission modules and the information processing apparatus 1. When a plurality of transmission modules are distinguished from each other, letters (“A”, “B”, etc.) for identifying the individual are attached after the reference number 2 of the transmission module.

Specifically, in the network 10, a transmission path L1 including three

transmission modules

2A, 2B, and 2C and a transmission path L2 including three

transmission modules

2D, 2E, and 2C are formed. In the present application, the transmission path is a path for serial information transmission from the most upstream transmission module to the information processing apparatus 1. Accordingly, in the network 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, the transmission path L1 and the transmission path L2 overlap in the section between the transmission module 2C and the information processing apparatus 1. The transmission path L1 includes a transmission module 2A on which the sensor is mounted and transmission modules 2B and 2C that are not mounted on the sensor and have only a relay function. The transmission path L2 includes the sensor. A transmission module 2D and transmission modules 2E and 2C having only a relay function without a sensor are included. In the network 10 shown in FIG. 1, communication between transmission modules is performed in a wireless format, and the relay order of the transmission modules in each transmission path is determined according to transmission parameters set for information transmission in each transmission module. ing. Note that the transmission parameters include not only the relay order but also a plurality of parameters for determining various transmission conditions regarding information transmission, and details thereof will be described later. In the network 10, transmission information is transmitted in the order of the

transmission modules

2A, 2B, and 2C on the transmission path L1, and transmission information is transmitted in the order of the

transmission modules

2D, 2E, and 2C on the transmission path L2, and finally transmitted. It is to be transmitted from the module 2C to the information processing apparatus 1 that is the destination of the route.

Here, the information processing apparatus 1 includes a transmission / reception apparatus 1a and a server 1b. The transmission / reception device 1a receives information transmitted from the transmission module 2C located closest to the information processing device 1 in each transmission path, and sends a predetermined operation command and notification to the transmission module located in each transmission path. It is a device for transmitting to the transmission module 2C for delivery. The transmission / reception device 1a is electrically connected to the server 1b. The server 1b collects information measured by sensors mounted on the

transmission modules

2A and 2D, for example, and performs predetermined information processing.

The measurement by the sensors mounted on the

transmission modules

2A and 2D and the transmission of the measurement data to the information processing apparatus 1 are performed after the power is turned on in each transmission module in order to realize continuous information collection. Are repeatedly executed at predetermined intervals (for example, at regular intervals). In addition, for the transmission module 2A and the like on which the sensor is mounted, a sensor function for measuring the measurement target, a function for recording and processing the measured information, a wireless function to the outside of the transmission module, a power supply function, and the like are implemented. The transmission module 2B or the like that is configured as a small device and is not mounted with a sensor is configured as a small device on which a wireless function to the outside of the transmission module, a power supply function, and the like are mounted.

Examples of sensors mounted on such a transmission module 2A include physical sensors such as a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an acceleration sensor, an illuminance sensor, a flow sensor, a pressure sensor, a ground temperature sensor, and a particle sensor, a CO2 sensor, There are chemical sensors such as pH sensors, EC sensors, and soil moisture sensors. In the present embodiment, in order to simplify the explanation, it is assumed that the transmission module 2A and the like are equipped with temperature sensors for measuring the external temperature at the positions where they are arranged. The measured temperature data is provided for predetermined information processing in the server 1b.

Here, in the network 10, when measurement is performed by the sensor, the measurement data is finally transmitted to the information processing apparatus 1 through transmission processing by a plurality of transmission modules as transmission information. However, since transmission information is transmitted via radio in the network 10, the transmission environment is not suitable (for example, receiving radio wave interference from other radio devices outside the transmission path or between transmission modules). For example, when there is an obstacle temporarily, a transmission failure may occur in which the transmission completion state of the transmission information between the transmission modules cannot be confirmed from the transmission source. If this transmission failure continues, collection of transmission information to the information processing apparatus 1 does not proceed smoothly, and it is required to quickly eliminate the transmission failure. In general, a central device (such as a base station) that manages the entire network may adjust the communication conditions between the transmission modules in consideration of the communication status of the network. However, since a transmission failure has occurred between the transmission modules, there is a possibility that such adjustment instructions from the central device may not reach the transmission module located at the end, and in this case, it is difficult to quickly eliminate the transmission failure. I must say.

In addition, the transmission module is equipped with a memory that temporarily stores measurement data acquired by the sensor, information received from the upstream transmission module, and the like for transmission to the downstream side. And, there is a case where the reset process of the transmission module itself is performed as a means to eliminate the transmission failure, but generally the information in the memory is lost because the transmission module is initialized when the reset process is performed, During the time required for initialization, the transmission module may be in a non-functional state, so that information collection to the information processing measure 1 is also hindered.

Therefore, in the network 10 according to the present invention, when a transmission failure occurs, the transmission module that grasps the transmission failure autonomously resolves the state and retransmits information that could not be transmitted (hereinafter referred to as “transmission failure”). , “Transmission processing”). Thereby, collection of transmission information to the information processing apparatus 1 can be realized smoothly and promptly.

In addition, in transmission processing, when the transmission module itself attempts to autonomously change its connection destination and change its transmission path in order to resolve a transmission failure, depending on the transmission module of the change destination, information on the network 10 There is a possibility that the communication load in the transmission module will increase due to the change of the flow of. Therefore, when performing the above autonomous transmission processing, the transmission module also performs processing (hereinafter referred to as “connection destination change processing”) to prevent communication load from being concentrated on a specific transmission module by changing the transmission path. And

Based on the above, specific processing by the transmission module 2 and the information processing apparatus 1 in the network 10 will be described. The transmission module 2 includes an arithmetic device, a memory, and the like inside, and various functions are exhibited when a predetermined control program is executed by the arithmetic device. Therefore, FIG. 2 shows functional blocks in which some of the various functions exhibited by the transmission module 2 belonging to the network 10 are imaged. Note that FIG. 2 representatively shows functional blocks for the transmission module 2A on which the sensor is mounted, but the transmission module 2D on which the sensor is mounted also has a similar functional unit. In addition, for the

transmission modules

2A and 2D in which the sensors are mounted, the temperature data measured by the mounted temperature sensor is stored in the memory, and the measured data is transmitted to the downstream transmission module by the communication unit 21 described later. Configured to do.

Here, the transmission module 2A includes a control unit 20, a communication unit 21, a transmission parameter storage unit 22, a measurement unit 24, and an information storage unit 25 as functional units. Note that the driving power of the transmission module 2A may be supplied from a battery built in the module, or may be supplied from an AC power source or the like outside the module. Below, each function part which 2A of transmission modules have is demonstrated.

The control unit 20 is a functional unit that performs various controls in the transmission module 2. In particular, the transmission control unit 201, the transmission completion confirmation unit 202, the determination unit 203, the transmission parameter change unit 204, the determination parameter collection unit 205, and reset Part 206 is provided. The transmission control unit 201 transmits from the self-transmission module to the transmission target module (in the state shown in FIG. 1, the transmission module 2B) through the communication unit 21 described later according to the transmission parameter held in the transmission parameter storage unit 22 described later. It is a functional unit that transmits transmission information. This transmission parameter includes a plurality of parameters for determining information transmission conditions in the self-transmission module, and details thereof will be described later. Note that, as described above, the transmission control unit 201 itself performs information transmission according to transmission parameters, and functions as a transmission unit according to the present invention.

The transmission completion confirmation unit 202 is a functional unit that confirms that when the transmission control unit 201 performs transmission of transmission information, the transmitted transmission information has reached a transmission target module that is a direct connection destination. Yes, corresponding to the confirmation means according to the present invention. For example, when the transmission module 2B, which is a transmission target module, receives transmission information from the self-transmission module 2A, it is designed to transmit an acknowledge signal (reception notification) corresponding to the reception to the self-transmission module 2A. In this case, the transmission completion confirmation unit 202 confirms the completion of transmission to the connection destination by confirming whether or not the acknowledge signal has been received. If the transmission completion confirmation unit 202 cannot confirm the transmission completion state to the connection destination, it means that a transmission failure has occurred in the self-transmission module 2A.

The transmission parameter changing unit 204 is a functional unit that changes some or all of the transmission parameters held in the transmission parameter storage unit 22 described later based on the transmission completion confirmation result by the transmission completion confirmation unit 202. . If the transmission parameter to be changed at this time is a node parameter for setting the connection destination of the self-transmission module, a determination process by the determination unit 203 is executed. This determination unit 203 is connected to the self-transmission module in the present invention based on the determination parameters collected by the determination parameter collection unit 205 from the transmission module located downstream of the self-transmission module 2A via the communication unit 21. This is a functional unit that performs a determination process as to whether or not the previous change process (the connection destination change process) can be performed. The determination parameters collected by the determination parameter collection unit 205 are stored in the memory by the information storage unit 25 described later. The reset unit 206 is a functional unit that executes initialization related to the control system of the self-transmission module 2A. The initialization by the reset unit 206 causes initialization of transmission parameters stored in the transmission parameter storage unit 22 and loss of various data stored in the information storage unit 25 described later.

Next, the communication unit 21 controls transmission / reception of information to / from the outside through an antenna mounted on the self-transmission module. Specifically, the communication unit 21 transmits information to the transmission target module according to an instruction from the transmission control unit 201. Transmission and reception of transmission information transmitted from the upstream transmission module if present exists. The antenna included in the self-transmission module has a diversity function, and the communication unit 21 adjusts ON / OFF of the diversity function as necessary to adjust the reception capability of the self-transmission module. The communication unit 21 is configured to notify the upstream transmission module of an acknowledgment signal indicating that the transmission information has been received when the transmission information is received from the upstream transmission module. ing.

Next, the transmission parameter storage unit 22 is a functional unit that holds transmission parameters for determining transmission conditions when transmission information is transmitted by the transmission control unit 201 in the memory of the self-transmission module. Since the modes of specific transmission parameters are diverse, the following are representative examples of five transmission parameters.
(1) Parameter for Validating Antenna Diversity This parameter is a parameter for setting ON / OFF of the antenna diversity function of the transmission module, and is hereinafter referred to as “diversity parameter” in the present application. When the antenna diversity function is turned on, the reception capability of the self-transmission module is improved, while the power consumption required for reception slightly increases.
(2) Parameter related to transmission power This parameter is a parameter related to the transmission strength of transmission information from the transmission module, and is hereinafter referred to as “transmission power parameter” in the present application. When the transmission power is increased, the area that can be transmitted from the transmission module is expanded, and it is less susceptible to obstacles located near the transmission module, but the power consumption required for transmission increases. become.
(3) Channel-related parameter This parameter is a parameter related to a transmission channel used when information is transmitted between the transmission modules, and is hereinafter referred to as “channel parameter” in the present application. Generally, common channel parameters are set between transmission modules belonging to the same network.
(4) Network-related parameter This parameter is a parameter for identifying a network in which the self-transmission module transmits transmission information with the information processing apparatus 1 as the highest level as shown in FIG. This is referred to as “network parameter”. In the network 10 shown in FIG. 1, the network parameters in the transmission module 2 are all set to the same value for identifying the network 10.
(5) Parameter relating to node address of transmission module serving as connection destination This parameter is a parameter for identifying a transmission target module that is a transmission module belonging to the same network and that is a connection destination from the own transmission module. In the application, this is hereinafter referred to as “node parameter”. In the network 10 shown in FIG. 1, in the transmission module 2A, the node address of the transmission module 2B is set as a node parameter.
Note that some or all of the transmission parameters (1) to (5) stored in the transmission parameter storage unit 22 can be changed by an instruction from the transmission parameter changing unit 204. When the reset process is performed by the reset unit 206, the transmission parameters (1) to (5) stored in the transmission parameter storage unit 22 are initialized and changed to initial transmission parameters. .

Next, the measurement unit 24 is a functional unit that measures an external environment parameter (for example, an external temperature) through a sensor (for example, a temperature sensor) mounted on the self-transmission module 2A. And the measurement data by the measurement part 24 are memorize | stored in the memory of the self-transmission module 2A by the information storage part 25. FIG. The information storage unit 25 also stores transmission information received from the upstream transmission module via the communication unit 21 when the self-transmission module 2A functions as a repeater. These pieces of information stored in the information storage unit 25 are transmitted to the transmission target module via the communication unit 21 in accordance with instructions from the transmission control unit 201. Further, the information storage unit 25 collects information by the determination parameter collection unit 205 and corresponds to a predetermined determination parameter used in the connection destination changing process described later, for example, transmission power information of a transmission target module and a connection scheduled module. It is also a functional unit that stores RSSI information and the like. Note that when the reset process by the reset unit 206 is performed, the information stored in the information storage unit 25 is lost.

Next, functional units formed in the server 1b will be described with reference to FIG. The server 1b has a communication unit 11, a data recording unit 12, an information processing unit 13, and a reception notification unit 14. The communication unit 11 is a functional unit that performs communication for collecting transmission information from a transmission module that is located closest to the information processing device 1 in the transmission path via the transmission / reception device 1a. Specifically, the communication unit 11 controls transmission / reception between the transmission module 2 </ b> C and the information processing apparatus 1. The data recording unit 12 is a functional unit that records temperature data, which is measurement data, of information included in transmission information transmitted from the transmission module 2 via the communication unit 11. Then, the measurement data recorded here is transferred to the information processing unit 13, and the information processing unit 13 performs predetermined information processing using the collected measurement data (for example, a transmission module based on temperature data). Air conditioning control of the installed space is performed. Next, the reception notifying unit 14 notifies the transmission module that is the transmission source of the transmission information that the server 1b has received the transmission information from the transmission module received via the communication unit 11. It is.

Next, transmission processing in the transmission module will be described based on FIG. In addition, the transmission process 2A shown in FIG. 1 executes the predetermined control program, and specific examples of the transmission process will be described below. However, substantially the same transmission processing can be applied to other transmission modules.

FIG. 5 shows a data structure of transmission information transmitted by the transmission module 2A in the transmission process. The upper part (a) of FIG. 5 schematically shows the data structure of the entire transmission information, and the transmission information is roughly divided into eight areas. In the present embodiment, among the eight regions, five particularly important regions a1 to a5 will be described. The area a1 (Start Symbol) is a specific byte string indicating the start of transmission information. An area a2 (Destination Address) represents an address of a destination (information processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment) to which transmission information is finally transmitted. An area a3 (Source Address) represents an address of a transmission information transmission source (in the case of the present embodiment, the transmission module 2A). The area a4 (Data) stores temperature data measured by a temperature sensor mounted on the transmission module 2A that is a transmission source. Area a5 (Terminator Symbol for Data) is a specific byte string indicating the end of transmission information.

Next, an example of measured temperature data stored in the area a4 is shown in the lower part (b) of FIG. In this embodiment, in the transmission module 2A, the temperature data for two times measured after the transmission of the previous transmission information is stored in the area a4. Specifically, the temperature data T1 acquired at the time t10 and the temperature data T2 acquired at the time t20 are stored in the area a4 in the order of the data acquisition time. This is because the transmission module 2A is designed not to transmit the measurement data to the transmission module 2B every time data measurement is performed by the temperature sensor, but to transmit the measurement data of a plurality of times collectively. Of course, the form of the measurement data to be transmitted is not limited to the form shown in FIG.

<Transmission processing>
Here, returning to FIG. 4, the transmission process executed by the transmission module 2A will be described. First, in S101, the transmission control unit 201 determines whether or not it is a transmission time when transmission information should be transmitted from the self-transmission module 2A to the transmission module 2B corresponding to the transmission target module located immediately downstream thereof. Determined. If an affirmative determination is made in S101, the process proceeds to S102, and if a negative determination is made, the process of S101 is performed again.

Next, in S102, the transmission control unit 201 forms transmission information in a state where the measured temperature data stored in the information storage unit 25 is stored in the transmission information area a4 to be transmitted to the transmission module 2B. Transmission to the transmission module 2B is executed via the unit 21. The transmission is executed according to transmission parameters stored in the transmission parameter storage unit 22, that is, transmission parameters including a diversity parameter, a transmission power parameter, a node parameter, a network parameter, and a channel parameter. When the process of S102 ends, the process proceeds to S103.

In S103, the transmission completion confirmation unit 202 determines whether or not a transmission failure has occurred in which the transmission completion state of the transmission information to the transmission module 2B cannot be confirmed. Specifically, a transmission failure occurred when an acknowledge signal transmitted by the transmission module 2B that transmitted the transmission information and received it cannot be confirmed by the transmission completion confirmation unit 202 within a predetermined time from the transmission. Judged to be. If an affirmative determination is made in S103, the process proceeds to S104, and if a negative determination is made, this transmission process is terminated.

Next, in S104, it is determined whether or not the number of retransmissions of transmission information in the transmission process, that is, the number of retransmissions of transmission information executed in S106 described later has reached a predetermined number. If an affirmative determination is made in S104, the process proceeds to S107, the reset process by the reset unit 206 is executed, and the transmission process is terminated. If a negative determination is made in S104, the process proceeds to S105. In S105, the transmission parameter change unit 204 stores transmission parameters (diversity parameter, transmission power parameter, channel parameter, network parameter, node parameter) stored in the transmission parameter storage unit 22 by the transmission parameter change unit 204 in order to eliminate the transmission failure that has occurred. Etc.), and after that, in S106, according to the changed transmission parameter, the transmission control unit 201 could not confirm transmission information that resulted in transmission failure, that is, completion of transmission to the transmission module 2B. Transmission information is retransmitted. When the process of S106 is completed, the occurrence of a transmission failure related to the retransmitted transmission information is determined again by the process of S103. Note that while the processes of S103 to S106 are performed, the reset process by the reset unit 206 is not performed in the self-transmission module 2A, and thus the information stored in the information storage unit 25 is not lost.

Here, the change of the transmission parameter in S105 will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, the transmission parameter to be changed is exemplified by the five parameters described above, the diversity parameter, the transmission power parameter, the channel parameter, the network parameter, and the node parameter. Hereinafter, the process of S105 corresponding to each parameter will be described.

(1) When changing a diversity parameter When a transmission failure occurs in the state where the antenna diversity function is disabled in the self-transmission module 2A, transmission information is received by the transmission module 2B, and an acknowledge signal is received from the transmission module 2B. It can be considered that the transmission failure occurred due to the fact that the self-transmission module 2A could not properly receive the acknowledge signal despite being transmitted. Thus, it is useful to enable the antenna diversity function and improve the reception capability in the self-transmission module 2A as means for eliminating transmission failure.

Specifically, the self-transmission module 2A performs a process of changing the diversity parameter stored in the transmission parameter storage unit 22 to a value corresponding to the validation as the process of S105. Thereafter, the transmission control unit 201 retransmits the transmission information according to the transmission parameters stored in the transmission parameter storage unit 22 including the changed diversity parameter.

(2) When changing the transmission power parameter If the transmission power is set high in the self-transmission module 2A, it is possible to improve the transmission capability, but the increase in power consumption in the self-transmission module 2A and the surrounding wireless network Therefore, the transmission power of the self-transmission module 2A is normally set to a value that is suppressed to some extent. Therefore, by increasing the transmission power in the self-transmission module 2A, it may be possible to eliminate a transmission failure that may occur due to the presence of an obstacle between the transmission modules.

Specifically, the self-transmission module 2A performs a process of increasing the transmission power parameter stored in the transmission parameter storage unit 22 as a process of S105. Thereafter, the transmission control unit 201 retransmits the transmission information in accordance with the transmission parameters stored in the transmission parameter storage unit 22 including the changed transmission power parameter. As the transmission power parameter increasing process, for example, the transmission power parameter may be changed so that the transmission power gradually increases in order to suppress interference with surrounding networks as much as possible. In order to eliminate a bad transmission failure, the transmission power parameter may be changed so that the maximum transmission power can be set in the self-transmission module 2A.

(3) When changing channel parameters There is a possibility that a transmission failure may occur due to a difference in transmission channel to be used between the transmission module 2B of the connection destination in the self transmission module 2A. To do. In such a case, it is useful to change the transmission channel as a means for eliminating the transmission failure. Therefore, the self-transmission module 2A performs a process of changing the channel parameter stored in the transmission parameter storage unit 22 as a process of S105. Thereafter, the transmission control unit 201 retransmits the transmission information according to the transmission parameters stored in the transmission parameter storage unit 22 including the changed channel parameters.

(4) When changing network parameters The change of network parameters will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B. The networks shown in both figures include a network N2 formed by

transmission modules

2A and 2B and a network N3 formed by

transmission modules

2D and 2E. The information processing device 4 is arranged at the highest level in the network N2, and the information processing device 5 is arranged at the highest level in the network N3. The

information processing devices

4 and 5 have transmission /

reception devices

4a and 5a and

servers

4b and 5b, respectively, like the information processing device 1, so that both information processing devices can exchange information with each other. Are connected to each other to construct a shared database DB.

Here, FIG. 6A shows a state in which a transmission failure has occurred between the

transmission modules

2A and 2B in the network N2 (that is, a state in which an affirmative determination is made in S103). At this time, the self-transmission module 2A searches for a transmission module that can be newly connected as a connection destination by the self-transmission module 2A with respect to a transmission module that exists in a network other than the network to which the self-transmission module belongs. Broadcast. Note that since different communication channels may be used in different networks, the broadcast is performed using each communication channel that can be used by the self-transmission module 2A. The message includes, for example, a transmission module that has received the message, a network name for identifying the network to which the transmission module belongs, a communication channel used in the network, and a reception strength signal RSSI of the message. It includes commands to be sent back.

The self-transmission module 2A receives a reply from the

transmission modules

2D and 2E belonging to the network N3 that has received the message, and selects a transmission module as a new connection destination from the transmission modules that have sent the reply. For example, based on the information of the received strength signal RSSI included in the reply, a transmission module that can receive the transmission information from the self-transmission module 2A most reliably is determined as a new connection destination, and the determination is made to the transmission parameter storage unit 22 Is reflected in the network parameters stored in the network, and the transmission parameters are changed. Thereafter, the transmission control unit 201 retransmits the transmission information according to the transmission parameters stored in the transmission parameter storage unit 22 including the changed network parameters.

In the case of the present embodiment, it is assumed that the

transmission module

2D, 2E belonging to the network N3 is searched as a connectable transmission module as a result of the self-transmission module 2A broadcasting the message. Here, regarding which transmission module to be selected from the searched

transmission modules

2D and 2E, the transmission module 2E having a large value of the received signal strength RSSI is selected. Therefore, in the present embodiment, with respect to the self-transmission module 2A, as shown in FIG. 6B, the network parameters stored in the transmission parameter storage unit 22 are changed so that the network to which the self belongs is changed from N2 to N3. The channel parameter regarding the communication channel for connecting to the network N3 is changed in S105.

(5) When changing the node parameter The change of the node parameter will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 illustrates a state in which a transmission failure has occurred between the

transmission modules

2A and 2B in the network 10 (that is, a state in which an affirmative determination is made in S103). At this time, in the self transmission module 2A, a transmission module to be a new connection destination is determined, and the connection destination changing process shown in FIG. 8 is executed by a predetermined control program in order to change the connection destination to the transmission module. This is realized. As described above, the connection destination changing process has already started from the transmission module 2A before the occurrence of the transmission failure so that the communication load is not concentrated on the specific transmission module when the connection destination for changing the transmission failure is changed. This is a process of skipping the transmission module 2B and directly transmitting it to the connection-scheduled module that relayed the transmission information (transmission module 2C in this embodiment).

<Connection change processing>
When the connection destination changing process shown in FIG. 8 is performed, in the transmission module 2A, the information exchange sequence shown in FIG. 9 is always performed between the transmission modules 2B and 2C. The connection change process is performed based on a predetermined determination parameter acquired by 2A. Therefore, the sequence shown in FIG. 9 will be described prior to the connection destination changing process.

8 is a self-transmission module, the transmission module 2B corresponds to a transmission target module located immediately downstream of the transmission module 2A. In addition, in the transmission path L1 from the transmission module 2A to the information processing apparatus 1, the transmission module 2C is a module that is interposed between the transmission target module and the information processing apparatus 1 and has a relay function. It is in the position of such a connection scheduled module. Therefore, FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram regarding information exchange between the self-transmission module 2A, the transmission target module 2B, and the connection scheduled module 2C.

In the sequence of FIG. 9, transmission information transmission processing is performed in a state in which transmission information transmission processing has been successfully performed between the

transmission modules

2A, 2B, and 2C, that is, in a state in which no transmission failure has occurred. It shows a broken state. In the example shown in FIG. 9, in the transmission module 2A, the formed transmission information is successfully transmitted to the transmission module 2B at the timing T1. Then, the transmission module 2B relays the transmission information to the transmission module 2C at timing T2 and succeeds. That is, in the transmission path L1, a state in which transmission information is successfully relayed from the transmission module 2A to the transmission module 2C is shown. Here, after transmission information is transmitted from the transmission module 2B at the timing T2, the transmission module 2B acquires transmission power information, which is information regarding transmission power at the time of transmission of the transmission information, and stores it in its own memory. To do.

Also, the transmission module 2C that has received the transmission information transmitted from the transmission module 2B acquires RSSI information (received signal strength information) that is information related to the received signal strength (RSSI) at the time of reception, and transmits its own transmission module. To remember. Thereafter, the transmission module 2C adds the stored RSSI information to the acknowledge signal for notifying the transmission module 2B of reception of transmission information, and transmits the acknowledge signal to the transmission module 2B at timing T3. To do. Then, the transmission module 2B that has received the acknowledge signal extracts the RSSI information of the added transmission module 2C from the acknowledge signal and stores it in its own memory. Therefore, at this time, the transmission power information of the transmission module 2B and the RSSI information of the transmission module 2C are stored in the memory of the transmission module 2B.

Then, the next transmission information including the measured temperature data measured in the transmission module 2A is transmitted again from the transmission module 2A to the transmission module 2B at timing T4. At this time, the transmission module 2B that has received the next transmission information forms an acknowledge signal to be transmitted to the transmission module 2A. The acknowledge signal is stored in the memory of the transmission module 2B. The transmission power information of the transmission module 2B and the RSSI information of the transmission module 2C are added. Then, at time T5, the acknowledge signal is transmitted from the transmission module 2B to the transmission module 2A. Then, the transmission module 2A that has received the acknowledge signal extracts the transmission power information of the added transmission module 2B and the RSSI information of the transmission module 2C from the acknowledge signal, and stores them in its own memory. As a result, the self-transmission module 2A has acquired the transmission power information of the transmission target module 2B and the RSSI information of the connection scheduled module 2C. Note that after the transmission module 2B transmits the acknowledge signal at the timing T5, the above-described processing after the timing T2 is repeated.

As described above, when transmission of transmission information from the transmission module 2A to the transmission modules 2B and 2C is successful, a predetermined determination parameter regarding the transmission modules 2B and 2C is used by using a response of the acknowledge signal between the transmission modules. The transmission power information of the transmission target module 2B and the RSSI information of the connection scheduled module 2C are sequentially collected in the transmission module and updated there. The collection of the predetermined determination parameter is performed by the determination parameter collection unit 205 described above. When the transmission failure shown in FIG. 7 occurs in the transmission information transmission process performed in this way (when an affirmative determination is made in the process of S103), the connection destination change process shown in FIG. 8 is performed as the process of S105. It will be. The connection destination changing process corresponds to a process of changing a node parameter among transmission parameters.

Returning to FIG. 8, first, in S201, it is determined whether or not transmission information can be directly transmitted from the transmission module 2A in which a transmission failure has occurred to the transmission module 2C corresponding to the connection scheduled module. Is done. The determination process is executed by the determination unit 203 described above. Specifically, at the time when the connection destination changing process is started, the transmission power information of the transmission target module 2B and the RSSI information of the connection scheduled module 2C acquired most recently in the sequence shown in FIG. The direct transmission margin is calculated according to Equation 1 below.
Direct transmission margin = (maximum transmission power of transmission module 2A−transmission power of transmission target module 2B) − (minimum received signal strength of connection planned module 2C−RSSI of connection planned module 2C) (Equation 1)
Maximum transmission power of the transmission module 2A: Maximum transmission power that can be set in the transmission module 2A, and its unit is dBm.
Transmission power of the transmission target module 2B: Transmission power when actually transmitted from the transmission target module 2B to the connection scheduled module 2C in the sequence shown in FIG. 9, and the unit is dBm.
Minimum received signal strength of the connection scheduled module 2C: the strength of the lowest received signal that the connection scheduled module 2C can receive from the outside, and its unit is dBm.
RSSI of the connection scheduled module 2C: RSSI when the connection planned module 2C is actually received from the transmission target module 2B in the sequence shown in FIG. 9, and the unit is dBm.
Note that the transmission module 2A acquires the maximum transmission power of the transmission module 2A and the minimum received signal strength of the connection scheduled module 2C in advance as specification values of each transmission module.

In the direct transmission margin, the information transmission performed between the transmission module 2A and the transmission target module 2B is skipped by the transmission target module 2B, and the information processing apparatus is more effective than the transmission target module 2B in the transmission module 2A and the transmission path L1. It is defined as a margin when information is directly transmitted to the connection scheduled module 2C arranged close to 1. Here, the direct transmission margin shown in Equation 1 is based on the assumption that the transmission power of the transmission target module 2B that is transmitting information to the connection scheduled module 2C is as close as possible to the position of the transmission module 2A. (= The maximum transmission power of the transmission module 2A−the transmission power of the transmission target module 2B) and the expansion margin of the reception capability of the connection planned module 2C as the direct transmission destination (= − (the minimum received signal of the connection planned module 2C) Strength—RSSI information of the scheduled connection module 2C))). Therefore, when the direct transmission allowance calculated in this way is larger than the reference reference allowance, it can be determined that direct transmission from the transmission module 2A to the connection scheduled module 2C is possible. The reference margin can be set in consideration of various communication environment factors in the network 10, but as an example, a margin (hereinafter, “reception” in which the transmission module can stably receive as a wireless device). The reference margin may be set in consideration of a margin (referred to as “margin”) and a margin for obtaining resistance to noise in the network 10 (hereinafter referred to as “noise margin”).

An example of the determination process in S201 is shown. The numerical value of each parameter for calculating the direct transmission margin is as follows.
Maximum transmission power of the transmission module 2A: 13 dBm
Transmission power of the transmission target module 2B: 8 dBm
Minimum received signal strength of module to be connected 2C: -110 dBm
RSSI information of the connection scheduled module 2C: -60 dBm
The direct transmission margin calculated from these parameters is (13−8) − (− 110 − (− 60)) = 55 dBm. If the reception margin for calculating the reference margin is 20 dBm and the noise margin is 10 dBm, the reference margin is 30 dBm. Therefore, in this case, since the direct transmission margin (55 dBm) is larger than the reference margin (30 dBm), in S201, it is determined that direct transmission is possible (positive determination).

If a positive determination is made in S201, the process proceeds to S202, and if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to S205 described later. Next, in S202, when it is determined that direct transmission is possible in S201, a direct connection from the transmission module 2A to the connection scheduled module 2C is attempted. That is, the connection with the transmission module 2B that has been the transmission target module is stopped, and the connection destination of the transmission module 2A is changed to the transmission module 2C closer to the information processing apparatus 1 in the transmission path L1. In this process, based on the determination result of the determination unit 203, the transmission parameter changing unit 204 changes the node parameter of the transmission module 2A from the node address of the transmission module 2B to the node address of the transmission module 2C. When the process of S202 ends, the process proceeds to S203, where it is determined whether or not the direct transmission attempt of S202 is successful.

If an affirmative determination is made in S203, the transmission path L1 for transmitting information from the transmission module 2A skips the transmission module 2B and is directly connected from the transmission module 2A to the transmission module 2C as shown in FIG. Thus, a new transmission path is determined (processing in S204). At this time, the transmission module 2C belongs to the transmission path L1 even before transmission failure occurs, and was in a position to relay transmission information from the transmission module 2A from the transmission module 2B. Therefore, even if transmission information is received directly from the transmission module 2A as shown in FIG. 10, the communication load of the transmission module 2C does not substantially increase. For example, when considering the case where the connection destination of the transmission module 2A is changed to the transmission module 2E due to the occurrence of transmission failure, the transmission module 2E receives transmission information from both the transmission module 2A and the transmission module 2D as a result of the change. As a result, the communication load increases. However, as described above, according to the connection destination changing process shown in FIG. 8, such an increase in communication load in the specific transmission module can be reliably avoided.

If a negative determination is made in S203, a search for a new connection destination of the transmission module 2A is performed by a process other than the connection destination change process (the process of S205). For example, the transmission module 2A broadcasts a message for searching for a transmission module that can be newly connected as a direct transmission destination to the transmission modules existing around the transmission module 2A. The message includes, for example, a command that causes the transmission module that has received the message to return a node address for identifying the transmission module and the device type of the transmission module. Then, the transmission module 2A receives a reply from the transmission module that has received the message, and selects a transmission module as a new destination from the transmission modules that have sent the reply. For example, based on the device type information included in the reply, a new transmission destination is selected from transmission modules excluding transmission modules (for example, transmission modules that do not have a relay function) that cannot be connected to the transmission module 2A. Determine the transmission module. The search for a new connection destination performed in S205 is a search for giving priority to the connection with the transmission module 2A, and does not realize the direct transmission described above. Note that the processing in S205 is also executed when a negative determination is made in S201 described above.

As described above, according to the connection destination changing process according to the present invention, when a transmission failure occurs between the transmission modules of the network 10, the transmission failure should be solved without concentrating the communication load on the specific transmission module. The node parameter is changed. Further, according to the transmission process and the connection destination change process described above, the determination process of S201 is executed after the transmission failure occurs using the determination parameters collected before the transmission failure occurs. With this configuration, the determination process in S201 is performed based on fresh determination parameters that reflect the communication environment of the network 10, and thus it is possible to determine whether appropriate direct transmission is possible. . As an alternative to the timing of the determination process, in the sequence shown in FIG. 9, the transmission module 2A acquires the transmission power information of the transmission module 2B and the RSSI information of the transmission module 2C by the acknowledge signal transmitted at the timing T5. The determination process may be executed each time. In this case, the determination process is performed regardless of the occurrence of a transmission failure. However, when a transmission failure occurs, the transmission module 2A immediately transmits directly to the transmission module 2C using the determination result already made. It is possible to start, and it is possible to quickly solve the transmission failure.

Here, returning to the transmission processing shown in FIG. 4, in S105, when there are a plurality of transmission parameters to be changed, the transmission parameters may be changed one by one. Alternatively, a plurality of transmission parameters are combined. May be changed. The transmission parameter change in S105 is repeated as long as an affirmative determination is made in S103 and a negative determination is made in S104. However, the transmission parameter change order is not limited to a specific order, and is a predetermined value. It can be set appropriately according to the purpose. Further, according to the transmission process shown in FIG. 4, when a transmission failure occurs when transmission information is transmitted from the transmission module 2A, the processes of S103 to S106 are repeated. At this time, while the information stored in the information storage unit 25 is retained, a part of the transmission parameters stored in the transmission parameter storage unit 22 is autonomously changed, and the retransmission of the transmission information is repeated, thereby eliminating the transmission failure. Will be tried. Then, when the retransmission of the transmission information by changing the transmission parameter is successful, the transmission process is terminated.

<Modification 1>
In the above embodiment, the transmission module 2C is set as the connection scheduled module. For example, when one or more other transmission modules are interposed between the transmission module 2C and the information processing apparatus in the transmission path L1. One of the one or more other transmission modules may be a connection scheduled module. That is, when viewed from the transmission module 2A, even when performing direct transmission to a transmission module arranged in the transmission path L1 across two or more transmission modules including the transmission module 2B that is a transmission target module, Since the transmission path L1 before substantially direct transmission is substantially maintained, concentration of communication load on a specific transmission module can be avoided. In addition, when there are a plurality of connection scheduled modules as described above, it is preferable to attempt direct transmission from a connection scheduled module close to the transmission module 2A in order to facilitate direct transmission.

<Modification 2>
In the above embodiment, the connection destination change process is disclosed as a part of the transmission process shown in FIG. 4, but the connection destination change process does not necessarily have to be based on the transmission process shown in FIG. 4. That is, when a transmission failure occurs in the transmission module 2A, the connection destination changing process is performed in a case where only the node parameter is changed without attempting to change the diversity parameter, the transmission power parameter, or the like. May be performed. Further, the transmission module 2A may attempt to change the connection destination from the previous transmission target module to the connection scheduled module when a transmission failure occurs without performing the determination processing of the determination unit 203.

In the second embodiment, a second form of the direct transmission determination process in S201 of the connection destination change process will be described. In the present embodiment, the RSSI information of the transmission module 2B when the transmission information is transmitted from the transmission module 2A to the transmission module 2B at the timing T4 in the sequence shown in FIG. The transmission power information and the RSSI information of the transmission module 2C are added to the acknowledge signal at timing T5 and transmitted to the transmission module 2A. Therefore, the transmission module 2A acquires the transmission power information and RSSI information of the transmission module 2B and the RSSI information of the transmission module 2C as determination parameters through the sequence of FIG.

In this embodiment, when the connection destination change process is started, the transmission power information and RSSI information of the transmission target module 2B acquired most recently in the sequence shown in FIG. 9 and the RSSI information of the connection scheduled module 2C are used. Then, the direct transmission margin is calculated according to the following equation 2.
Direct transmission margin = (maximum transmission power of transmission module 2A−transmission power of transmission target module 2B) − (minimum received signal strength of connection planned module 2C−RSSI of connection planned module 2C) − (ideal space of transmission target module 2B) RSSI—the actual RSSI of the transmission target module 2B) (Equation 2)
RSSI in the ideal space of the transmission target module 2B: The received signal strength when assuming that the space in which the connection scheduled module 2B is arranged is an ideal space where radio wave attenuation does not occur, and its unit is dBm.
Actual RSSI of the transmission target module 2B: The actual received signal strength of the transmission target module 2B when transmission is performed from the transmission module 2A to the transmission target module 2B in the sequence shown in FIG. dBm.
Note that the maximum transmission power of the transmission module 2A, the transmission power of the transmission target module 2B, the minimum received signal strength of the connection scheduled module 2C, and the RSSI of the connection scheduled module 2C are the same as those in Equation 1. Also, since the RSSI in the ideal space of the transmission target module 2B is a value that can be set in advance for the transmission module 2B, the transmission module 2A acquires the RSSI in the ideal space of the transmission target module 2B in advance.

The direct transmission margin shown in Expression 2 further takes into account the attenuation of radio waves generated in the space in which the transmission module 2B is arranged with respect to the direct transmission margin shown in Expression 1. This is based on the assumption that when the direct transmission is performed, the radio wave from the transmission module 2A reaches the connection scheduled module 2C through the space of the transmission target module 2B, and the radio wave attenuation that may occur in the space at that time Is directly reflected in the transmission margin. As a result, when the

transmission modules

2A, 2B, and 2C are arranged substantially linearly in the network 10, the direct transmission margin can be accurately calculated.

Here, an example of determination processing according to the present embodiment will be described. The numerical value of each parameter for calculating the direct transmission margin is as follows.
Maximum transmission power of the transmission module 2A: 13 dBm
Transmission power of the transmission target module 2B: 8 dBm
Minimum received signal strength of module to be connected 2C: -100 dBm
RSSI information of the connection scheduled module 2C: -60 dBm
RSSI in the ideal space of the transmission target module 2B: −50 dBm
Actual RSSI of the transmission target module 2B: -60 dBm
The direct transmission margin calculated from these parameters is (13-8) − (− 100 − (− 60)) − ((− 50) − (− 60)) = 35 dBm. If the reception margin for calculating the reference margin is 20 dBm and the noise margin is 5 dBm, the reference margin is 25 dBm. Therefore, in this case, since the direct transmission margin (35 dBm) is larger than the reference margin (25 dBm), in S201, it is determined that direct transmission is possible (positive determination).

<Other examples>
As another form of the direct transmission determination process in S201 of the connection destination change process, when each transmission module has a GPS function, the position information of each transmission module obtained by each GPS function is used to directly It may be determined whether transmission is possible. In this case, when the distance between the transmission module 2A and the transmission module 2C is shorter than the maximum transmittable distance determined by the maximum transmission power of the transmission module 2A, direct transmission from the transmission module 2A to the transmission module 2C is not performed. It can be judged that it is possible.

1, 4, 5...

Information processing device

1 b, 4 b, 5 b...

Server

2, 2 A, 2 B, 3, 3 A, 3 B... Transmission module N 2, N 3, 10.

Claims

A transmission module for transmitting predetermined transmission information to be processed by the information processing apparatus along a predetermined transmission path including the information processing apparatus,
Transmitting means for transmitting the predetermined transmission information from the self-transmission module to a transmission target module located immediately downstream of the self-transmission module in the predetermined transmission path;
Confirmation means for confirming the transmission completion state received by the transmission target module, the predetermined transmission information;
A module that is arranged to relay the predetermined transmission information from the self-transmission module in the predetermined transmission path, with respect to a connection scheduled module interposed between the transmission target module and the information processing apparatus Determining means for determining whether or not the predetermined transmission information can be directly transmitted from the self-transmission module;
When a transmission failure occurs in which the transmission completion state of the predetermined transmission information cannot be confirmed by the confirmation means, the predetermined transmission information can be directly transmitted from the own transmission module to the connection scheduled module by the determination means. If determined, connection destination changing means for changing the connection destination from the self-transmission module from the transmission target module to the connection scheduled module;
A transmission module comprising:
The connection scheduled module is a module located immediately downstream of the transmission target module in the predetermined transmission path.
The transmission module according to claim 1.
A judgment parameter collecting means for collecting predetermined judgment parameters used for the judgment processing by the judgment means from the transmission target module and the connection scheduled module;
The transmission module according to claim 2.
The determination unit performs the determination process after the occurrence of the transmission failure based on the predetermined determination parameter collected by the determination parameter collection unit before the transmission failure occurs.
The transmission module according to claim 3.
Each time the predetermined judgment parameter is collected by the judgment parameter collecting means, or after the predetermined judgment parameter is collected by the judgment parameter collecting means regardless of occurrence of the transmission failure, the judgment means performs the predetermined judgment. Performing the determination process based on a parameter;
The transmission module according to claim 3.
The determination parameter collection means includes transmission power information at the time of transmission to the connection scheduled module in the transmission target module, and received signal strength information at the time of reception from the transmission target module at the connection planned module. Collected as the predetermined judgment parameter,
The determination means includes, in addition to the transmission power information in the transmission target module and the received signal strength information in the connection scheduled module, maximum transmission power information in the own transmission module and minimum received signal strength information in the connection scheduled module. The determination process is performed using
The transmission module according to any one of claims 3 to 5.
The determination parameter collection means further collects received signal strength information at the time of reception from the self-transmission module in the transmission target module as the predetermined determination parameter,
The determination means further performs the determination process using the received signal strength information in the transmission target module.
The transmission module according to claim 6.
The transmission means transmits the predetermined transmission information from the self-transmission module to the transmission target module according to a predetermined transmission parameter set for transmitting the predetermined transmission information from the self-transmission module to the transmission target module,
If the determination unit determines that the predetermined transmission information can be directly transmitted from the self-transmission module to the connection scheduled module by the determination unit, the connection destination changing unit Of the predetermined transmission parameters used for transmission, by changing at least a node parameter related to the connection destination of the self-transmission module, the predetermined transmission information that has caused the transmission failure is transmitted to the connection scheduled module.
The transmission module according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
A sensor for detecting environmental parameters around or within the self-transmission module;
The transmission means transmits the detected environmental parameter as the predetermined transmission information.
The transmission module according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
A network system configured to transmit predetermined transmission information to be processed by an information processing device via a plurality of transmission modules along a predetermined transmission path including the information processing device,
At least one transmission module of the plurality of transmission modules is
Transmitting means for transmitting the predetermined transmission information from the self-transmission module to a transmission target module located immediately downstream of the self-transmission module in the predetermined transmission path;
Confirmation means for confirming the transmission completion state received by the transmission target module, the predetermined transmission information;
A module that is arranged to relay the predetermined transmission information from the self-transmission module in the predetermined transmission path, with respect to a connection scheduled module interposed between the transmission target module and the information processing apparatus Determining means for determining whether or not the predetermined transmission information can be directly transmitted from the self-transmission module;
When a transmission failure occurs in which the transmission completion state of the predetermined transmission information cannot be confirmed by the confirmation means, the predetermined transmission information can be directly transmitted from the own transmission module to the connection scheduled module by the determination means. If determined, connection destination changing means for changing the connection destination from the self-transmission module from the transmission target module to the connection scheduled module;
An information transmission network system.
An information transmission method for transmitting the predetermined transmission information along a predetermined transmission path including the information processing apparatus via a transmission module for transmitting the predetermined transmission information to be processed by the information processing apparatus,
A transmission step of transmitting the predetermined transmission information from the self-transmission module to a transmission target module located immediately downstream of the self-transmission module in the predetermined transmission path;
A step of confirming that the predetermined transmission information is a transmission completion state received by the transmission target module;
A module that is arranged to relay the predetermined transmission information from the self-transmission module in the predetermined transmission path, with respect to a connection scheduled module interposed between the transmission target module and the information processing apparatus A determination step for performing a determination process as to whether or not the predetermined transmission information can be directly transmitted from the self-transmission module;
When a transmission failure occurs in which the transmission completion state of the predetermined transmission information cannot be confirmed in the confirmation step, the predetermined transmission information can be directly transmitted from the self-transmission module to the connection scheduled module in the determination step. If determined, a connection destination changing step of changing the connection destination from the self-transmission module from the transmission target module to the connection scheduled module;
Including an information transmission method.
In the transmission module that transmits the predetermined transmission information to be processed by the information processing device,
A transmission step of transmitting the predetermined transmission information from the self-transmission module to a transmission target module located immediately downstream of the self-transmission module in the predetermined transmission path;
A step of confirming that the predetermined transmission information is a transmission completion state received by the transmission target module;
A module that is arranged to relay the predetermined transmission information from the self-transmission module in the predetermined transmission path, with respect to a connection scheduled module interposed between the transmission target module and the information processing apparatus A determination step for performing a determination process as to whether or not the predetermined transmission information can be directly transmitted from the self-transmission module;
When a transmission failure occurs in which the transmission completion state of the predetermined transmission information cannot be confirmed in the confirmation step, the predetermined transmission information can be directly transmitted from the self-transmission module to the connection scheduled module in the determination step. If determined, a connection destination changing step of changing the connection destination from the self-transmission module from the transmission target module to the connection scheduled module;
An information transmission program that executes