WO2015170563A1 - Communication device, communication system, and control method for communication device - Google Patents

Communication device, communication system, and control method for communication device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015170563A1
WO2015170563A1 PCT/JP2015/061781 JP2015061781W WO2015170563A1 WO 2015170563 A1 WO2015170563 A1 WO 2015170563A1 JP 2015061781 W JP2015061781 W JP 2015061781W WO 2015170563 A1 WO2015170563 A1 WO 2015170563A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
wireless communication
beacon
beacon signal
mode
transfer
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PCT/JP2015/061781
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French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
龍 郡山
貴裕 白川
将寿 田
英治 足立
Original Assignee
アプリックスＩｐホールディングス株式会社
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Publication of WO2015170563A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015170563A1/en

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W76/00—Connection management
    • H04W76/10—Connection setup
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W84/00—Network topologies
    • H04W84/02—Hierarchically pre-organised networks, e.g. paging networks, cellular networks, WLAN [Wireless Local Area Network] or WLL [Wireless Local Loop]
    • H04W84/10—Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02D—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE
    • Y02D30/00—Reducing energy consumption in communication networks
    • Y02D30/70—Reducing energy consumption in communication networks in wireless communication networks

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a communication device, a communication system, and a communication device control method. Specifically, the present invention relates to a communication device that transmits and receives a beacon signal, a communication system, and a control method for the communication device.
  • a communication device that intermittently transmits a beacon signal for the purpose of providing various kinds of information such as presence and position information of the communication system.
  • an access point device for wireless communication transmits its information as a beacon signal in order to wait for a connection request from a communication device that wants to use wireless communication.
  • the communication device can recognize the access point device as a connection destination device by receiving the beacon signal and connect to the communication network via the access point.
  • a communication device that uses data receives a beacon signal from the communication device that owns the data, thereby recognizing the connection-destination communication device and making a connection request.
  • the receiving side scans each channel to check whether there is a receivable signal.
  • a communication device that conforms to the “Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy (BLE)” standard recognizes the presence of another communication device by confirming the transmission of a beacon signal from the other device by scanning. Then, a process for forming a connection can be performed (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).
  • BLE Bluetooth Low Energy
  • a device that needs to communicate with a communication device that emits a beacon signal recognizes the existence of the communication device that is the connection destination by receiving the beacon signal, and issues a connection request. Yes.
  • the device on the data transfer side receives the beacon signal transmitted by the device on the transfer side to form a connection.
  • the side that receives the data transfer may not always know when the data is transferred.
  • a method of constantly scanning during the operation of the communication device is also conceivable.
  • frequent scanning leads to a significant increase in power consumption.
  • the operation time is significantly reduced.
  • the present invention was created in view of such a situation, and is a beacon that enables reliable data transfer at a desired timing, such as when data transfer is necessary, and can suppress power consumption in a device.
  • An object is to provide a communication system.
  • a first aspect of the present invention is a communication device that transmits a beacon signal including identification information to the surroundings. Operates in the first wireless communication mode that broadcasts to the network, and operates in the second wireless communication mode that receives beacon signals from the surroundings, and in the third wireless communication mode that performs unicast communication with other communication devices. In response to a transfer request for requesting transfer of data to a wireless communication unit and a destination communication device, the wireless communication unit is changed from the first wireless communication mode to the second wireless communication mode.
  • the wireless communication unit To transfer the data by unicast communication with a communication device, the wireless communication unit, the communication apparatus comprising a transfer unit to operate in the third mode of wireless communication, and a control method thereof. Accordingly, there is an effect that the wireless communication unit executes the second wireless communication mode in response to the transfer request.
  • the wireless communication unit includes a communication device that is a transmission source of the beacon signal received in the second wireless communication mode and a communication device that is a transfer destination specified by the transfer request. It is determined whether or not they match, and if they match, the data may be transferred. As a result, when the communication device that is the transmission source of the beacon signal received in the second wireless communication mode matches the communication device that is the transfer destination specified by the transfer request, data is transferred. .
  • the processing unit operates the wireless communication unit in the second wireless communication mode for a predetermined time in response to the transfer request, and receives a beacon signal within the predetermined time. If not, the wireless communication unit may be operated in the first wireless communication mode. Thereby, the wireless communication unit operates in the second wireless communication mode for a predetermined time in response to the transfer request, and operates in the first wireless communication mode when the beacon signal is not received within the predetermined time. The effect of doing.
  • the transfer unit may cause the wireless communication unit to operate in the first wireless communication mode when the data transfer is completed while the wireless communication unit is operating in the third wireless communication mode. . Thereby, when data transfer is completed while the wireless communication unit is operating in the third wireless communication mode, the wireless communication unit operates in the first wireless communication mode.
  • the communication device may further include a generation unit that generates the data and a command indicating a transfer request for the data in response to an operation input.
  • a generation unit that generates the data and a command indicating a transfer request for the data in response to an operation input.
  • the wireless communication unit functions as an advertiser in the BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) standard, and transmits a packet that can accept a link setting request from another communication device to the beacon.
  • the wireless communication unit functions as a scanner in the BLE standard, and the transfer unit responds to the received beacon signal with a link setting request packet.
  • a communication link for performing unicast communication with the transmission source communication device may be set.
  • the wireless communication unit functions as an advertiser to transmit a beacon signal, functions as a scanner in the second wireless communication mode, and sets up a communication link for performing unicast communication with the transmission source communication device. It brings about the effect of being.
  • the second aspect of the present invention provides a first communication device that operates in a first wireless communication mode that broadcasts a beacon signal including identification information to the surroundings, and a second communication that can receive the beacon signal.
  • a wireless communication unit operable in a second wireless communication mode for receiving a beacon signal from the surroundings and a third wireless communication mode for performing unicast communication with another communication device;
  • a processing unit for operating the wireless communication unit in the second wireless communication mode in response to a transfer request for requesting transfer of data to the device; and a beacon signal from the surroundings received in the second wireless communication mode
  • the wireless communication unit is configured to transfer the data by unicast communication with the transmission source communication device using the identification information of the transmission source communication device included in the beacon signal.
  • a communication system and a second communication device and a transfer unit to operate in the third mode of wireless communication. Accordingly, there is an effect that the wireless communication unit executes the second wireless communication mode in response to the transfer request.
  • 1 is an example of an overall view of a communication system according to a first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the example of 1 structure of the beacon apparatus in 1st Embodiment. It is an example of the state transition diagram of the beacon apparatus in 1st Embodiment. It is an example of the graph which shows the fluctuation
  • FIG. 1 is an example of an overall view of a communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the communication system includes a plurality of beacon devices 100 such as beacon devices 101 and 102, a communication device 200, an access point 300, and a server 400.
  • the beacon device 100 transmits a radio signal such as a beacon signal.
  • the beacon signal is a signal transmitted to all devices and devices in the communication system for the purpose of notifying the existence of the beacon device 100.
  • This beacon signal includes a beacon ID (IDentification information) for identifying the beacon device 100 and the like.
  • the beacon device 100 receives a firmware update program from the communication device 200 or the like, and transfers the program to another beacon device 100.
  • the beacon device 100 is an example of a communication device described in the claims.
  • the communication device 200 acquires an update program from the server 400 and transmits it to one of the beacon devices 100 according to a user operation.
  • wireless transmission is performed according to the BLE standard.
  • the beacon device 100 and the communication device 200 may perform wireless communication according to another communication standard such as the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard.
  • the server 400 manages the entire communication system. Further, the server 400 transmits an update program to the communication device 200 as necessary.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the beacon device 100 according to the first embodiment.
  • the beacon device 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an input unit 120, a processing unit 130, a memory 140, and a bus 150.
  • the processing unit 130 controls the entire beacon device 100.
  • the processing unit 130 executes the update program and updates the firmware of the beacon device 100.
  • the processing unit 130 is an example of a processing unit and a transfer unit described in the claims.
  • the wireless communication unit 110 transmits and receives beacon signals and update programs wirelessly.
  • the wireless communication unit 110 shifts to the transmission mode when the power is turned on or when a predetermined application is executed.
  • the transmission mode is a state in which the wireless communication unit 110 wirelessly transmits a beacon signal intermittently (for example, at regular intervals of about several hundred milliseconds to several seconds).
  • the advertising state in the BLE standard corresponds to the transmission mode.
  • the processing unit 130 operates the wireless communication unit 110 so as to transmit a beacon signal at regular intervals (hereinafter referred to as “transmission interval”).
  • transmission interval At the time of transmitting the beacon signal, the processing unit 130 operates the wireless communication unit 110 over the transmission time required to transmit the beacon signal. After the transmission is completed, the wireless communication unit 110 continues until the start of the next transmission. Stop the operation.
  • connection mode is a state in which unicast communication is performed with a communication partner, and preferably, reliability for data transfer such as reception confirmation response and packet retransmission control is ensured with the communication partner.
  • This is a state in which communication is performed.
  • the connection state in the BLE standard corresponds to the connection mode.
  • the wireless communication unit 110 receives an update program or the like. When all the transfer of the update program is completed and a disconnection request is received from the communication partner, the wireless communication unit 110 releases the connection with the communication partner and transitions from the connection mode to the transmission mode.
  • the wireless communication unit 110 transitions to the scan mode.
  • This transfer command is a command for requesting transfer of the update program to the transfer destination.
  • the transfer command is transmitted as a command in the update program, for example.
  • the wireless communication unit 110 may transition to the scan mode instead of transition to the transmission mode. Note that the transfer command may be transmitted separately from the program instead of the command in the update program.
  • the scan mode is a state in which a beacon signal is received from another beacon device 100, a beacon ID is acquired, and it is determined whether or not the beacon ID belongs to a transfer destination.
  • a scanning state and an initiating state in the BLE standard correspond to the scan mode.
  • the processing unit 130 operates the wireless communication unit 110 so as to scan and receive a beacon signal at regular intervals (hereinafter referred to as “reception interval”).
  • reception interval a beacon signal at regular intervals
  • the processing unit 130 operates the wireless communication unit 110 for a predetermined reception time, and the wireless communication unit 110 scans the reception channel for a predetermined time and receives the received signal. If it is found, the receiving process is executed.
  • the processing unit 130 operates the wireless communication unit 110 over the reception time required to scan and receive the beacon signal in each channel, and after the reception time is over, the next scan is performed. Until the start of the operation, the operation of the wireless communication unit 110 is stopped.
  • the wireless communication unit 110 Upon acquiring the transfer destination beacon ID in the scan mode, the wireless communication unit 110 transmits a connection request to the beacon device 100 of the beacon ID to establish a connection, and shifts to the connection mode 503.
  • the wireless communication unit 110 transmits an update program to the connected beacon device 100.
  • the beacon device 100 shifts to the transmission mode.
  • the wireless communication unit 110 in the connection mode is an example of a wireless communication unit described in the claims.
  • the reception side operates the wireless communication unit 110 when the transmission side transmits a beacon signal, the reception is performed.
  • the beacon signal can be received on the side.
  • the ratio of the reception time to the reception interval is set higher than the ratio of the transmission time to the transmission interval. Therefore, the power consumption of the wireless communication unit 110 in the scan mode is higher than that in the transmission mode.
  • the input unit 120 generates an operation signal according to a user input operation.
  • the memory 140 holds data such as a beacon ID.
  • the bus 150 is a common path for the wireless communication unit 110, the input unit 120, the processing unit 130, and the memory 140 to exchange data with each other.
  • FIG. 3 is an example of a state transition diagram of the beacon device 100 according to the first embodiment.
  • a in the figure is an example of a state transition diagram of the beacon device 100 on the data transmission side.
  • the state of the beacon device 100 on the transmission side is classified into three states, for example, a transmission mode 501, a scan mode 502, and a connection mode 503.
  • the transmission-side beacon device 100 shifts to the transmission mode 501 when the power is turned on or when a predetermined application is executed. In this transmission mode 501, the beacon device 100 wirelessly transmits a beacon signal intermittently. In the transmission mode 501, the beacon device 100 shifts to the scan mode 502 in response to a data transfer request (transfer command).
  • the beacon device 100 receives a beacon signal from another beacon device 100, and acquires the beacon ID of the transfer destination from the beacon signal.
  • the beacon device 100 establishes a connection by transmitting a connection request to the beacon device 100 indicated by the acquired beacon ID, and shifts to the connection mode 503.
  • the beacon device 100 transmits data such as an update program to the transfer destination beacon device 100.
  • the beacon device 100 transmits a disconnection request and shifts to the transmission mode 501.
  • the state of the beacon device 100 on the reception side is classified into, for example, a transmission mode 501 and a connection mode 503.
  • the beacon device 100 on the receiving side shifts to the transmission mode 501 when the power is turned on or when a predetermined application is executed.
  • the beacon device 100 wirelessly transmits a beacon signal intermittently.
  • the transmission mode 501 when a connection request is received from a transmission-side device, the reception-side beacon device 100 establishes a connection with the transmission side and shifts to the connection mode 503.
  • the beacon device 100 receives data such as an update program from the transmission side. In this connection mode 503, when a disconnection request is received, the beacon device 100 shifts to the transmission mode 501.
  • FIG. 4 is an example of a graph showing fluctuations in power consumption of the wireless communication unit 110 in the first embodiment.
  • the vertical axis indicates power consumption
  • the horizontal axis indicates time.
  • a in the same figure is an example of the graph which shows the fluctuation
  • the beacon device 100 operates the wireless communication unit 110 intermittently at a constant transmission interval.
  • the transmission time is very short. For example, even if the ratio of the transmission time to the transmission interval (that is, the duty ratio) is about 0.1 to 1%, a sufficient beacon signal can be transmitted.
  • the beacon device 100 executes processing for operating the wireless communication unit 110 over the reception time at a constant reception interval.
  • the ratio of the reception time to the reception interval is set higher than the ratio of the transmission time to the transmission interval.
  • the ratio of the reception time to the reception interval is 50 to 100%. Since the duty ratio when actually operating the wireless communication unit 110 for transmitting the beacon signal is very low, the power consumption in the beacon device 100 that transmits the beacon signal intermittently can be kept low. On the other hand, the duty ratio when operating the wireless communication unit 110 in the scan mode in which a beacon signal from another device is received is very large compared to when the beacon signal is transmitted.
  • the wireless communication unit 110 since the wireless communication unit 110 performs scanning only when a transfer request (transfer command) is received, an increase in power consumption can be significantly suppressed.
  • the scanning time is limited to a very short time, there is an advantage that the beacon signal can be reliably received even in a short time by increasing the duty ratio at the time of reception at this time. is there.
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the communication device 200 according to the first embodiment.
  • the communication device 200 includes a wireless communication unit 210, an input unit 220, a processing unit 230, a memory 240, and a bus 250.
  • the wireless communication unit 210 transmits and receives data wirelessly.
  • the wireless communication unit 210 transmits a connection request to the server 400 and shifts to the connection mode.
  • the wireless communication unit 210 receives the update program from the server 400 and stores it in the memory 240.
  • the wireless communication unit 210 transmits a disconnection request to the server 400, shifts to the scan mode, and acquires the beacon ID of the transfer destination from the beacon signal.
  • the wireless communication unit 210 transmits a connection request to the beacon device 100 and shifts to the connection mode. In this connection mode, the wireless communication unit 210 transmits an update program to the beacon device 100. After the transmission is completed, the wireless communication unit 210 transmits a disconnection request to the beacon device 100.
  • the processing unit 230 controls the entire communication device 200.
  • the input unit 220 generates an operation signal in accordance with a user input operation.
  • the memory 240 holds data such as an update program.
  • the bus 250 is a common path for the wireless communication unit 210, the input unit 220, the processing unit 230, and the memory 240 to exchange data with each other.
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the beacon device 100 according to the first embodiment. This operation starts when the beacon device 100 is turned on or when a predetermined application is executed.
  • the beacon device 100 shifts to the transmission mode and intermittently transmits a beacon signal (step S901).
  • the beacon device 100 determines whether a connection request has been received (step S902). If the connection request has not been received (step S902: No), the beacon device 100 returns to step S902.
  • step S902 If the connection request has been received (step S902: Yes), the beacon device 100 shifts to the connection mode and receives the update program (step S903). Further, the beacon device 100 determines whether or not a disconnection request has been received (step S904). If the disconnection request has not been received (step S904: No), the beacon device 100 returns to step S904.
  • step S904 If the connection request has been received (step S904: Yes), the beacon device 100 executes the update program and starts updating (step S905). Also, the beacon device 100 determines whether to connect to another beacon device 100 based on whether a transfer command is received (step S906). If not connected (step S906: No), the beacon device 100 returns to step S901.
  • step S906 If it is connected (step S906: Yes), the beacon device 100 shifts to the scan mode, receives the beacon signal, and acquires the beacon ID of the transfer destination (step S907). And the beacon apparatus 100 transmits a connection request
  • step S905 after the update is started (step S905), the beacon device 100 executes the processing after step S906. However, the update may be started after step S906.
  • FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the communication system according to the first embodiment.
  • the beacon devices 101 and 102 shift to a transmission mode and intermittently transmit beacon signals. (Steps S911, S921). At this time, beacon devices 101 and 102 do not scan for receiving beacon signals, and thus do not receive beacon signals transmitted from each other.
  • the beacon device 101 receives an update program including a transfer command from another device (step S912), and performs an update process (step S913). Then, the beacon device 101 starts scanning according to the transfer command included in the update program (step S914), receives the beacon signal, and acquires the beacon ID of the beacon device 102 (step S95).
  • the beacon device 101 transmits a connection request to the beacon device 102 (step S916), and the beacon device 102 returns an approval response according to the connection request (step S922). As a result, the beacon devices 101 and 102 shift to the connection mode.
  • the beacon device 101 transmits an update program (step S917), and the beacon device 102 receives the program (step S923).
  • the beacon device 102 notifies the beacon device 101 of reception confirmation (step S924).
  • the beacon device 101 that has received the notification of reception confirmation transmits a disconnection request, and the beacon device 102 is disconnected from the beacon devices 101 and 102 in response to the disconnection request.
  • the beacon apparatus 102 performs an update process based on the received program (step S925).
  • the beacon device 102 performs the same process as the beacon device 101 and transmits the update program to the other beacon devices 100.
  • the beacon device 100 may include a plurality of wireless communication units 110 and the beacon signal may not be interrupted. If the beacon device 100 includes a plurality of wireless communication units 110, even if any one of the wireless communication units 110 shifts to the scan mode, the other wireless communication unit 110 shifts to the transmission mode and continues to transmit the beacon signal. can do.
  • the update program is transmitted to one beacon device (101 or the like)
  • the program is sequentially transmitted to all beacon devices 100 in the communication system.
  • the beacon device 100 shifts to the scan mode only for a short time for the purpose of acquiring information of the destination beacon device, so that the power consumption increases. Can be suppressed.
  • the method causes the user to shift to the scan mode for a long time due to the carelessness of the user. There is a fear. For this reason, in the structure which switches a mode manually, it is difficult to suppress the increase in the power consumption of the beacon apparatus 100.
  • the beacon device 100 when the beacon device 100 receives the transfer request, the beacon device 100 shifts to the scan mode and receives the beacon signal, so the duration of the scan mode is minimized. Thus, an increase in power consumption can be suppressed.
  • the beacon device 100 transmits and receives the update program, but the data to be transmitted and received is not limited to the update program.
  • the beacon device 100 may transmit / receive message data indicating a predetermined message.
  • the beacon device 100 according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that message data is transmitted and received.
  • FIG. 8 is an example of an overall view of a communication system according to the second embodiment.
  • the communication system according to the second embodiment includes a plurality of message terminals such as message terminals 501 and 502.
  • the message terminal 501 includes a control device 510 and a beacon device 520
  • the message terminal 502 includes a control device 530 and a beacon device 540.
  • the control device 510 controls the entire message terminal 501.
  • the control device 510 supplies the message to the beacon device 520 together with the transfer command.
  • the message is generated by the control device 510 in accordance with a user operation or the like.
  • the message is supplied from the beacon device 520.
  • the configuration of the control device 530 is the same as that of the control device 510.
  • the beacon device 520 transmits a radio signal such as a beacon signal. Also, the beacon device 520 transfers the message to another message terminal 502 in accordance with the transfer command. Further, when the beacon device 520 receives a message from another message terminal, the beacon device 520 supplies the message to the control device 510.
  • the configuration of the beacon device 540 is the same as that of the beacon device 520.
  • FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the control device 510 according to the second embodiment.
  • the control device 510 includes a processing unit 511, an input unit 512, a memory 513, an interface 514, a display unit 515, and a bus 516.
  • the processing unit 511 controls the entire control device 510.
  • the processing unit 511 generates a message according to the operation signal from the input unit 512 and supplies the message to the beacon device 520 via the interface 514 together with the transfer command.
  • the processing unit 511 when the processing unit 511 receives a message from the beacon device 520 via the interface 514, the processing unit 511 holds the message in the memory 513 and displays the message on the display unit 515. When it is necessary to transfer the received message, the processing unit 511 supplies the message to the beacon device 520 via the interface 514 together with the transfer command.
  • the input unit 512 generates an operation signal in accordance with a user operation.
  • the input unit 512 includes buttons, a touch panel, a keyboard, and the like.
  • the memory 513 holds data such as messages.
  • the interface 514 transmits and receives data to and from the beacon device 520.
  • the interface 514 transmits / receives data in accordance with, for example, a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Receiver Transmitter) communication standard.
  • the display unit 515 displays a message or the like.
  • a bus 516 is a common path for the processing unit 511, the input unit 512, the memory 513, the interface 514, and the display unit 515 to exchange data with each other.
  • FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the beacon device 520 according to the second embodiment.
  • the beacon device 520 includes a processing unit 521, a wireless communication unit 522, a memory 523, an interface 524, and a bus 525.
  • the processing unit 521 controls the beacon device 520 as a whole.
  • the processing unit 521 receives a message and a transfer command from the control device 510 via the interface 524, the processing unit 521 causes the memory 523 to hold the message and transfer the message to the wireless communication unit 522. Further, when the wireless communication unit 522 receives a message, the processing unit 521 supplies the message to the control device 510 via the interface 524.
  • the wireless communication unit 522 transmits a beacon and transmits / receives a message in the same procedure as in the first embodiment.
  • the memory 523 holds a message.
  • the interface 524 transmits / receives data to / from the control device 510 in accordance with the UART standard.
  • the bus 525 is a common path for the processing unit 521, the wireless communication unit 522, the memory 523, and the interface 524 to exchange data with each other.
  • FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the beacon device 520 according to the second embodiment.
  • the operation of the beacon device 100 in the second embodiment is different from that in the first embodiment in that steps S911, S912, and S913 are executed instead of steps S903, S905, and S908.
  • step S902 When the connection request is received (step S902: Yes), the beacon device 520 shifts to the connection mode and receives and holds the message (step S911). In addition, when the disconnection request is received (step S904: Yes), the beacon device 520 displays the retained message (step S912). Moreover, when connecting with another apparatus (step S906: Yes), the beacon apparatus 520 acquires beacon ID (step S907), and transmits a message (step S913). In addition, after the message display (step S905), the beacon device 520 executes the processing after step S906, but the message may be displayed after step S906.
  • FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the communication system according to the second embodiment.
  • the beacon devices 520 and 530 When the beacon devices 520 and 530 are turned on, the beacon devices 520 and 530 shift to the transmission mode and intermittently transmit beacon signals (steps S911 and S921).
  • the control device 510 generates a message in accordance with a user operation or the like, and requests the beacon device 520 to transfer the message using a transfer command (step S931).
  • the beacon device 520 starts scanning according to the transfer command (step S914), receives the beacon signal, and acquires the beacon ID of the beacon device 540 (step S95).
  • the beacon device 520 transmits a connection request to the beacon device 540 (step S916), and the beacon device 540 returns an approval response according to the connection request (step S922). Thereby, beacon devices 520 and 540 shift to a connection mode.
  • the beacon device 520 transmits a message (step S918), and the beacon device 540 receives the program (step S924).
  • the beacon device 540 notifies the beacon device 520 of confirmation of reception (step S924).
  • the beacon device 520 that has received the notification of reception confirmation transmits a disconnection request, and the beacon device 540 is disconnected from the beacon devices 520 and 540 in response to the disconnection request.
  • the beacon device 520 supplies a notification that the message transfer has been completed to the control device 510 (step S919), and the beacon device 540 supplies a notification that the message has been received to the control device 530 together with the message (step S919). S926).
  • the beacon signal is received by shifting to the scan mode, so that an increase in power consumption is suppressed in a communication system that transmits and receives messages. be able to.
  • the processing procedure described in the above embodiment may be regarded as a method having a series of these procedures, and a program for causing a computer to execute these series of procedures or a recording medium storing the program. You may catch it.
  • a recording medium for example, a CD (Compact Disc), an MD (MiniDisc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a memory card, a Blu-ray disc (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), or the like can be used.
  • Beacon device 110 210, 522 Wireless communication unit 120, 220, 512 Input unit 130, 230, 511, 521 Processing unit 140, 240, 513, 523 Memory 150, 250, 516, 525 Bus 200 Communication device 300 Access point 400 Server 501, 502 Message terminal 510, 530 Controller 514, 524 Interface 515 Display unit

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Abstract

The present invention enables reliable data transfer at predetermined timing in a communication device and suppresses power consumption. A radio communication unit is operable in a first radio communication mode of transmitting a beacon signal by broadcast to the surroundings thereof, a second radio communication mode of receiving a beacon signal from the surroundings thereof, and a third radio communication mode of performing unicast communication with another communication device. In response to a transfer request that requests the transfer of data to a transfer destination communication device, a processing unit causes the radio communication unit to make a transition from the first radio communication mode to the second radio communication mode and operate. Using identification information of a beacon signal transmission source communication device, which is included in the beacon signal from the surroundings received in the second radio communication mode, a transfer unit causes the radio communication unit to operate in the third radio communication mode such that the data is transferred by unicast communication to the transmission source communication device.

Description

通信装置、通信システム、および、通信装置の制御方法COMMUNICATION DEVICE, COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, AND COMMUNICATION DEVICE CONTROL METHOD
　本発明は、通信装置、通信システム、および、通信装置の制御方法に関する。詳しくは、ビーコン信号を送受信する通信装置、通信システム、および、通信装置の制御方法に関する。 The present invention relates to a communication device, a communication system, and a communication device control method. Specifically, the present invention relates to a communication device that transmits and receives a beacon signal, a communication system, and a control method for the communication device.
　通信システムにおいて、自身の存在や位置情報など各種の情報を提供する目的で、間欠的にビーコン信号をブロードキャスト送信する通信機器が知られている。例えば、無線通信のアクセスポイント装置は、無線通信を利用したい通信機器からの接続要求を待ち受けるために、自身の情報をビーコン信号として送信している。この場合、通信機器は、ビーコン信号を受信することでアクセスポイント装置を接続先の機器として認識して、アクセスポイントを介して通信網に接続することが可能となる。 In a communication system, there is known a communication device that intermittently transmits a beacon signal for the purpose of providing various kinds of information such as presence and position information of the communication system. For example, an access point device for wireless communication transmits its information as a beacon signal in order to wait for a connection request from a communication device that wants to use wireless communication. In this case, the communication device can recognize the access point device as a connection destination device by receiving the beacon signal and connect to the communication network via the access point.
　無線通信機器間でのデータ転送のために無線通信を用いる場合に、上記のビーコン信号の受信を契機に機器間でデータ転送のための接続を形成する例がある。例えば、データを利用する側の通信機器が、データを所有する側の通信機器からのビーコン信号を受信することで、接続先の通信機器を認識し、接続要求を行っていた。 When wireless communication is used for data transfer between wireless communication devices, there is an example of forming a connection for data transfer between devices triggered by reception of the above-mentioned beacon signal. For example, a communication device that uses data receives a beacon signal from the communication device that owns the data, thereby recognizing the connection-destination communication device and making a connection request.
　特に送信側と受信側との間で通信用のチャンネルの取り決めがない場合には、受信側は、受信可能な信号が存在するかを確認するために、各チャンネルのスキャンを行っている。 Especially when there is no communication channel between the sending side and the receiving side, the receiving side scans each channel to check whether there is a receivable signal.
　一例として、「Ｂｌｕｅｔｏｏｔｈ（登録商標）　Ｌｏｗ　Ｅｎｅｒｇｙ（ＢＬＥ）」の規格に沿った通信機器においては、スキャンによって他の機器からのビーコン信号の送信を確認することで、他の通信機器の存在を認識し、接続を形成する処理を行うことができる（例えば、非特許文献１参照。）。 As an example, a communication device that conforms to the “Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy (BLE)” standard recognizes the presence of another communication device by confirming the transmission of a beacon signal from the other device by scanning. Then, a process for forming a connection can be performed (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).
　ところで、従来の技術においては、ビーコン信号を発する通信機器との通信が必要になった機器の方で、ビーコン信号を受信することで接続先の通信機器の存在を認識し、接続要求を行っている。 By the way, in the conventional technology, a device that needs to communicate with a communication device that emits a beacon signal recognizes the existence of the communication device that is the connection destination by receiving the beacon signal, and issues a connection request. Yes.
　一方で、通信機器間の接続については、データの転送を受ける側の機器が、転送を行う側の機器が発信するビーコン信号を受信することで、接続を形成するという手順が必要となっていた。しかしながら、データの転送を受ける側は、必ずしもどのタイミングでデータが転送されてくるかを把握していない場合がある。このような、いつ送信されて来るかわからない信号を常に受信可能とし、適切なタイミングでデータの転送を実現するためには、通信機器の動作中に常時スキャンをし続けるという手法も考えられる。しかしながら、スキャンを頻繁に行うことは、電力の消費を大幅に増加することに繋がり、特に、電池によって動作する小規模な通信機器においては、動作時間を大幅に減少させる虞もある。 On the other hand, for the connection between the communication devices, a procedure is required in which the device on the data transfer side receives the beacon signal transmitted by the device on the transfer side to form a connection. . However, the side that receives the data transfer may not always know when the data is transferred. In order to make it possible to always receive such a signal that does not know when it will be transmitted, and to realize data transfer at an appropriate timing, a method of constantly scanning during the operation of the communication device is also conceivable. However, frequent scanning leads to a significant increase in power consumption. In particular, in a small-scale communication device that is operated by a battery, there is a possibility that the operation time is significantly reduced.
　本発明はこのような状況に鑑みて生み出されたものであり、データ転送の必要が生じた際など、所望のタイミングで確実なデータ転送を可能とするとともに、機器における電力消費を抑制し得るビーコン通信システムを提供することを目的とする。 The present invention was created in view of such a situation, and is a beacon that enables reliable data transfer at a desired timing, such as when data transfer is necessary, and can suppress power consumption in a device. An object is to provide a communication system.
　本発明は、上述の問題点を解消するためになされたものであり、その第１の側面は、識別情報を含むビーコン信号の周囲への送信を行う通信装置であって、上記ビーコン信号を周囲へブロードキャスト送信する第１の無線通信モードで動作するとともに、周囲からのビーコン信号を受信する第２の無線通信モードと、他の通信装置とユニキャスト通信を行う第３無線通信モードとで動作可能な無線通信部と、転送先の通信装置へのデータの転送を要求する転送要求に応じて、上記無線通信部を上記第１の無線通信モードから上記第２の無線通信モードへ遷移させて動作させる処理部と、上記第２の無線通信モードにおいて受信した上記周囲からのビーコン信号に含まれる該ビーコン信号の送信元の通信装置の識別情報を用いて、上記送信元の通信装置との間でユニキャスト通信により上記データを転送するよう、上記無線通信部を、上記第３の無線通信モードで動作させる転送部とを具備する通信装置、および、その制御方法である。これにより、転送要求に応じて、無線通信部が上記第２の無線通信モードを実行するという作用をもたらす。 The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a first aspect of the present invention is a communication device that transmits a beacon signal including identification information to the surroundings. Operates in the first wireless communication mode that broadcasts to the network, and operates in the second wireless communication mode that receives beacon signals from the surroundings, and in the third wireless communication mode that performs unicast communication with other communication devices. In response to a transfer request for requesting transfer of data to a wireless communication unit and a destination communication device, the wireless communication unit is changed from the first wireless communication mode to the second wireless communication mode. And using the identification information of the communication device that is the transmission source of the beacon signal included in the beacon signal from the surroundings received in the second wireless communication mode, To transfer the data by unicast communication with a communication device, the wireless communication unit, the communication apparatus comprising a transfer unit to operate in the third mode of wireless communication, and a control method thereof. Accordingly, there is an effect that the wireless communication unit executes the second wireless communication mode in response to the transfer request.
　また、この第１の側面において、上記無線通信部は、上記第２の無線通信モードにおいて受信した上記ビーコン信号の送信元の通信装置と、上記転送要求により指定される転送先の通信装置とが一致するか否かを判定し、一致する場合に、上記データの転送を行ってもよい。これにより、第２の無線通信モードにおいて受信した上記ビーコン信号の送信元の通信装置と、転送要求により指定される転送先の通信装置とが一致する場合に、データが転送されるという作用をもたらす。 In the first aspect, the wireless communication unit includes a communication device that is a transmission source of the beacon signal received in the second wireless communication mode and a communication device that is a transfer destination specified by the transfer request. It is determined whether or not they match, and if they match, the data may be transferred. As a result, when the communication device that is the transmission source of the beacon signal received in the second wireless communication mode matches the communication device that is the transfer destination specified by the transfer request, data is transferred. .
　また、この第１の側面において、上記処理部は、上記転送要求に応じて所定の時間、上記無線通信部を上記第２の無線通信モードで動作させ、上記所定の時間内にビーコン信号を受信しなかった場合には、上記無線通信部を上記第１の無線通信モードで動作させてもよい。これにより、転送要求に応じて所定の時間、無線通信部が第２の無線通信モードで動作し、所定の時間内にビーコン信号を受信しなかった場合には、第１の無線通信モードで動作するという作用をもたらす。 In the first aspect, the processing unit operates the wireless communication unit in the second wireless communication mode for a predetermined time in response to the transfer request, and receives a beacon signal within the predetermined time. If not, the wireless communication unit may be operated in the first wireless communication mode. Thereby, the wireless communication unit operates in the second wireless communication mode for a predetermined time in response to the transfer request, and operates in the first wireless communication mode when the beacon signal is not received within the predetermined time. The effect of doing.
　上記転送部は、上記第３の無線通信モードで無線通信部を動作中に、上記データの転送が終了した場合には、上記無線通信部を上記第１の無線通信モードで動作させてもよい。これにより、第３の無線通信モードで無線通信部を動作中に、データの転送が終了した場合には、無線通信部が第１の無線通信モードで動作するという作用をもたらす。 The transfer unit may cause the wireless communication unit to operate in the first wireless communication mode when the data transfer is completed while the wireless communication unit is operating in the third wireless communication mode. . Thereby, when data transfer is completed while the wireless communication unit is operating in the third wireless communication mode, the wireless communication unit operates in the first wireless communication mode.
　上記通信装置は、操作入力に応じて、上記データ及び当該データの転送要求を示すコマンドを生成する生成部を更に具備してもよい。これにより、操作入力に応じて、データ及びデータの転送要求を示すコマンドが生成されるという作用をもたらす。 The communication device may further include a generation unit that generates the data and a command indicating a transfer request for the data in response to an operation input. Thus, there is an effect that data and a command indicating a data transfer request are generated according to the operation input.
　上記第１の無線通信モードにおいて、上記無線通信部は、ＢＬＥ（Ｂｌｕｅｔｏｏｔｈ（登録商標）　Ｌｏｗ　Ｅｎｅｒｇｙ）規格におけるアドバタイザとして機能して、他の通信装置からのリンク設定要求を受付可能なパケットを上記ビーコン信号として送信し、上記第２の無線通信モードにおいて、上記無線通信部は、ＢＬＥ規格におけるスキャナとして機能し、上記転送部は、受信した上記ビーコン信号に対して、リンク設定要求パケットを応答することで、上記送信元の通信装置との間でユニキャスト通信を行うための通信リンクを設定してもよい。これにより、無線通信部がアドバタイザとして機能してビーコン信号を送信し、第２の無線通信モードにおいてスキャナとして機能し、送信元の通信装置との間でユニキャスト通信を行うための通信リンクが設定されるという作用をもたらす。 In the first wireless communication mode, the wireless communication unit functions as an advertiser in the BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) standard, and transmits a packet that can accept a link setting request from another communication device to the beacon. In the second wireless communication mode, the wireless communication unit functions as a scanner in the BLE standard, and the transfer unit responds to the received beacon signal with a link setting request packet. Thus, a communication link for performing unicast communication with the transmission source communication device may be set. As a result, the wireless communication unit functions as an advertiser to transmit a beacon signal, functions as a scanner in the second wireless communication mode, and sets up a communication link for performing unicast communication with the transmission source communication device. It brings about the effect of being.
　また、本発明の第２の側面は、識別情報を含むビーコン信号を周囲へブロードキャスト送信する第１の無線通信モードで動作する第１の通信装置と、上記ビーコン信号を受信可能な第２の通信装置であって、周囲からのビーコン信号を受信する第２の無線通信モードと、他の通信装置とユニキャスト通信を行う第３無線通信モードとで動作可能な無線通信部と、転送先の通信装置へのデータの転送を要求する転送要求に応じて、上記無線通信部を上記第２の無線通信モードで動作させる処理部と、上記第２の無線通信モードにおいて受信した上記周囲からのビーコン信号に含まれる該ビーコン信号の送信元の通信装置の識別情報を用いて、上記送信元の通信装置との間でユニキャスト通信により上記データを転送するよう、上記無線通信部を、上記第３の無線通信モードで動作させる転送部とを備える第２の通信装置とを具備する通信システムである。これにより、転送要求に応じて、無線通信部が第２の無線通信モードを実行するという作用をもたらす。 The second aspect of the present invention provides a first communication device that operates in a first wireless communication mode that broadcasts a beacon signal including identification information to the surroundings, and a second communication that can receive the beacon signal. A wireless communication unit operable in a second wireless communication mode for receiving a beacon signal from the surroundings and a third wireless communication mode for performing unicast communication with another communication device; A processing unit for operating the wireless communication unit in the second wireless communication mode in response to a transfer request for requesting transfer of data to the device; and a beacon signal from the surroundings received in the second wireless communication mode The wireless communication unit is configured to transfer the data by unicast communication with the transmission source communication device using the identification information of the transmission source communication device included in the beacon signal. A communication system and a second communication device and a transfer unit to operate in the third mode of wireless communication. Accordingly, there is an effect that the wireless communication unit executes the second wireless communication mode in response to the transfer request.
　本発明によれば、通信装置において、所望のタイミングで確実なデータ転送を可能とするとともに、電力消費を抑制できるという優れた効果を奏し得る。 According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve an excellent effect of enabling reliable data transfer at a desired timing and suppressing power consumption in a communication device.
第１の実施の形態における通信システムの全体図の一例である。1 is an example of an overall view of a communication system according to a first embodiment. 第１の実施の形態におけるビーコン装置の一構成例を示すブロック図である。It is a block diagram which shows the example of 1 structure of the beacon apparatus in 1st Embodiment. 第１の実施の形態におけるビーコン装置の状態遷移図の一例である。It is an example of the state transition diagram of the beacon apparatus in 1st Embodiment. 第１の実施の形態における無線通信部の消費電力の変動を示すグラフの一例である。It is an example of the graph which shows the fluctuation | variation of the power consumption of the radio | wireless communication part in 1st Embodiment. 第１の実施の形態における通信機器の一構成例を示すブロック図である。It is a block diagram which shows the example of 1 structure of the communication apparatus in 1st Embodiment. 第１の実施の形態におけるビーコン装置の動作の一例を示すフローチャートである。It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the beacon apparatus in 1st Embodiment. 実施の形態における通信システムの動作の一例を示すシーケンス図である。It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of operation | movement of the communication system in embodiment. 第２の実施の形態における通信システムの全体図の一例である。It is an example of the general view of the communication system in 2nd Embodiment. 第２の実施の形態における制御装置の一構成例を示すブロック図である。It is a block diagram which shows one structural example of the control apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. 第２の実施の形態におけるビーコン装置の一構成例を示すブロック図である。It is a block diagram which shows the example of 1 structure of the beacon apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. 第２の実施の形態におけるビーコン装置の動作の一例を示すフローチャートである。It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the beacon apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. 第２の実施の形態における通信システムの動作の一例を示すシーケンス図である。It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of operation | movement of the communication system in 2nd Embodiment.
　以下、本発明を実施するための形態（以下、実施の形態と称する）について説明する。 Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described.
　＜１．第１の実施の形態＞
　［通信システムの構成例］
　図１は、本発明の第１の実施の形態における通信システムの全体図の一例である。この通信システムは、ビーコン装置１０１および１０２などの複数のビーコン装置１００と、通信機器２００とアクセスポイント３００とサーバ４００とを備える。 <1. First Embodiment>
[Configuration example of communication system]
FIG. 1 is an example of an overall view of a communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The communication system includes a plurality of beacon devices 100 such as beacon devices 101 and 102, a communication device 200, an access point 300, and a server 400.
　ビーコン装置１００は、ビーコン信号などの無線信号を送信するものである。ここで、ビーコン信号は、ビーコン装置１００の存在を知らせるためなどの目的で、通信システム内の装置や機器の全てに対して送信される信号である。このビーコン信号は、ビーコン装置１００を識別するためのビーコンＩＤ（IDentification information）などを含む。 The beacon device 100 transmits a radio signal such as a beacon signal. Here, the beacon signal is a signal transmitted to all devices and devices in the communication system for the purpose of notifying the existence of the beacon device 100. This beacon signal includes a beacon ID (IDentification information) for identifying the beacon device 100 and the like.
　また、ビーコン装置１００は、ファームウェアのアップデートプログラムを通信機器２００などから受信し、そのプログラムを他のビーコン装置１００に転送する。なお、ビーコン装置１００は、特許請求の範囲に記載の通信装置の一例である。 Also, the beacon device 100 receives a firmware update program from the communication device 200 or the like, and transfers the program to another beacon device 100. The beacon device 100 is an example of a communication device described in the claims.
　通信機器２００は、ユーザの操作などに従って、アップデートプログラムをサーバ４００から取得し、ビーコン装置１００のいずれかに送信するものである。ビーコン装置１００および通信機器２００においては、例えば、ＢＬＥ規格により無線送信が行われる。なお、ビーコン装置１００および通信機器２００は、Ｗｉ－Ｆｉ（登録商標）規格など、別の通信規格により無線通信を行ってもよい。 The communication device 200 acquires an update program from the server 400 and transmits it to one of the beacon devices 100 according to a user operation. In the beacon device 100 and the communication device 200, for example, wireless transmission is performed according to the BLE standard. Note that the beacon device 100 and the communication device 200 may perform wireless communication according to another communication standard such as the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard.
　サーバ４００は、通信システム全体を管理するものである。また、このサーバ４００は、必要に応じてアップデートプログラムを通信機器２００に送信する。 The server 400 manages the entire communication system. Further, the server 400 transmits an update program to the communication device 200 as necessary.
　［ビーコン装置の構成例］
　図２は、第１の実施の形態におけるビーコン装置１００の一構成例を示すブロック図である。このビーコン装置１００は、無線通信部１１０、入力部１２０、処理部１３０、メモリ１４０およびバス１５０を備える。 [Configuration example of beacon device]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the beacon device 100 according to the first embodiment. The beacon device 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an input unit 120, a processing unit 130, a memory 140, and a bus 150.
　処理部１３０は、ビーコン装置１００全体を制御するものである。この処理部１３０は無線通信部１１０がアップデートプログラムを受信した場合に、そのアップデートプログラムを実行してビーコン装置１００のファームウェアのアップデートを行う。なお、処理部１３０は、特許請求の範囲に記載の処理部および転送部の一例である。 The processing unit 130 controls the entire beacon device 100. When the wireless communication unit 110 receives an update program, the processing unit 130 executes the update program and updates the firmware of the beacon device 100. The processing unit 130 is an example of a processing unit and a transfer unit described in the claims.
　無線通信部１１０は、ビーコン信号やアップデートプログラムを無線で送受信するものである。この無線通信部１１０は、電源が投入されたとき、または、所定のアプリケーションが実行されたときに送信モードに移行する。 The wireless communication unit 110 transmits and receives beacon signals and update programs wirelessly. The wireless communication unit 110 shifts to the transmission mode when the power is turned on or when a predetermined application is executed.
　ここで、送信モードは、無線通信部１１０がビーコン信号を間欠的に（例えば、数百ミリ秒から数秒程度の一定間隔で）無線送信する状態である。例えば、ＢＬＥ規格におけるアドバタイジングステートが送信モードに相当する。この送信モードにおいては、処理部１３０は、一定の間隔（以下、「送信間隔」と称する）ごとにビーコン信号の送信を行うよう、無線通信部１１０を動作させる。ビーコン信号の送信時には、処理部１３０は、ビーコン信号を送信するのに要する送信時間に亘って無線通信部１１０を動作させ、送信が終了した後は、次の送信の開始まで、無線通信部１１０の動作を停止させる。 Here, the transmission mode is a state in which the wireless communication unit 110 wirelessly transmits a beacon signal intermittently (for example, at regular intervals of about several hundred milliseconds to several seconds). For example, the advertising state in the BLE standard corresponds to the transmission mode. In this transmission mode, the processing unit 130 operates the wireless communication unit 110 so as to transmit a beacon signal at regular intervals (hereinafter referred to as “transmission interval”). At the time of transmitting the beacon signal, the processing unit 130 operates the wireless communication unit 110 over the transmission time required to transmit the beacon signal. After the transmission is completed, the wireless communication unit 110 continues until the start of the next transmission. Stop the operation.
　送信モードにおいて通信相手（他のビーコン装置１００や通信機器２００）から接続要求を受信すると、無線通信部１１０は、その通信相手との間の接続を確立し、接続モード５０３に移行する。この接続モードは、通信相手との間でユニキャスト通信を行う状態であって、好適には、通信相手との間で受信確認応答やパケットの再送制御など、データ転送のための信頼性が確保された通信を行う状態である。例えば、ＢＬＥ規格におけるコネクションステートが接続モードに相当する。接続モードにおいて無線通信部１１０は、アップデートプログラムなどを受信する。なお、アップデートプログラムの転送が全て終了し、通信相手から切断要求を受信すると、無線通信部１１０は、通信相手との接続を解除し、接続モードから送信モードへと遷移する。 When receiving a connection request from a communication partner (another beacon device 100 or communication device 200) in the transmission mode, the wireless communication unit 110 establishes a connection with the communication partner, and shifts to the connection mode 503. This connection mode is a state in which unicast communication is performed with a communication partner, and preferably, reliability for data transfer such as reception confirmation response and packet retransmission control is ensured with the communication partner. This is a state in which communication is performed. For example, the connection state in the BLE standard corresponds to the connection mode. In the connection mode, the wireless communication unit 110 receives an update program or the like. When all the transfer of the update program is completed and a disconnection request is received from the communication partner, the wireless communication unit 110 releases the connection with the communication partner and transitions from the connection mode to the transmission mode.
　送信モードにおいて、転送コマンドを受信すると、無線通信部１１０は、スキャンモードに遷移する。この転送コマンドは、アップデートプログラムの転送先への転送を要求するコマンドである。転送コマンドは、例えば、アップデートプログラム内のコマンドとして送信される。アップデートプログラムと同時に転送コマンドを受信した場合、無線通信部１１０は、送信モードに遷移する代わりに、スキャンモードに遷移してもよい。なお、転送コマンドは、アップデートプログラム内のコマンドでなく、そのプログラムとは別に送信される構成であってもよい。 In the transmission mode, when receiving the transfer command, the wireless communication unit 110 transitions to the scan mode. This transfer command is a command for requesting transfer of the update program to the transfer destination. The transfer command is transmitted as a command in the update program, for example. When the transfer command is received simultaneously with the update program, the wireless communication unit 110 may transition to the scan mode instead of transition to the transmission mode. Note that the transfer command may be transmitted separately from the program instead of the command in the update program.
　ここで、スキャンモードは、他のビーコン装置１００からのビーコン信号を受信してビーコンＩＤを取得し、そのビーコンＩＤが転送先のものであるか否かを判断する状態である。例えば、ＢＬＥ規格におけるスキャニングステートおよびイニシエーティングステートがスキャンモードに相当する。このスキャンモードにおいては、処理部１３０は、一定の間隔（以下、「受信間隔」）と称する）ごとにビーコン信号のスキャン及び受信を行うよう、無線通信部１１０を動作させる。間欠的に動作させる場合には、処理部１３０は、無線通信部１１０を所定の受信時間に亘って動作させ、無線通信部１１０は、所定の時間の間、受信チャネルをスキャンし、受信信号を発見した場合には受信を行う処理を実行する。ビーコン信号のスキャン及び受信時には、処理部１３０は、各チャンネルにおいてビーコン信号をスキャン及び受信するのに要する受信時間に亘って無線通信部１１０を動作させ、受信時間が終了した後は、次のスキャンの開始まで、無線通信部１１０の動作を停止させる。 Here, the scan mode is a state in which a beacon signal is received from another beacon device 100, a beacon ID is acquired, and it is determined whether or not the beacon ID belongs to a transfer destination. For example, a scanning state and an initiating state in the BLE standard correspond to the scan mode. In this scan mode, the processing unit 130 operates the wireless communication unit 110 so as to scan and receive a beacon signal at regular intervals (hereinafter referred to as “reception interval”). In the case of intermittent operation, the processing unit 130 operates the wireless communication unit 110 for a predetermined reception time, and the wireless communication unit 110 scans the reception channel for a predetermined time and receives the received signal. If it is found, the receiving process is executed. At the time of scanning and receiving the beacon signal, the processing unit 130 operates the wireless communication unit 110 over the reception time required to scan and receive the beacon signal in each channel, and after the reception time is over, the next scan is performed. Until the start of the operation, the operation of the wireless communication unit 110 is stopped.
　スキャンモードにおいて転送先のビーコンＩＤを取得すると、無線通信部１１０は、そのビーコンＩＤのビーコン装置１００に対して接続要求を送信して接続を確立し、接続モード５０３に移行する。 Upon acquiring the transfer destination beacon ID in the scan mode, the wireless communication unit 110 transmits a connection request to the beacon device 100 of the beacon ID to establish a connection, and shifts to the connection mode 503.
　そして、接続モードにおいて、無線通信部１１０は、接続したビーコン装置１００にアップデートプログラムを送信する。アップデートプログラム送信が完了すると、ビーコン装置１００は、送信モードに移行する。 In the connection mode, the wireless communication unit 110 transmits an update program to the connected beacon device 100. When the update program transmission is completed, the beacon device 100 shifts to the transmission mode.
　なお、接続モードの無線通信部１１０は、特許請求の範囲に記載の無線通信部の一例である。 The wireless communication unit 110 in the connection mode is an example of a wireless communication unit described in the claims.
　２つのビーコン装置１００の一方（送信側）が送信モードで他方（受信側）がスキャンモードである場合、送信側がビーコン信号を送信したときに受信側が無線通信部１１０を動作させていれば、受信側でビーコン信号を受信することができる。このため、一般に、受信間隔に対する受信時間の比は、送信間隔に対する送信時間の比よりも高く設定される。したがって、スキャンモードにおける無線通信部１１０の消費電力は、送信モードのときよりも高くなる。 If one of the two beacon devices 100 (transmission side) is in the transmission mode and the other (reception side) is in the scan mode, if the reception side operates the wireless communication unit 110 when the transmission side transmits a beacon signal, the reception is performed. The beacon signal can be received on the side. For this reason, generally, the ratio of the reception time to the reception interval is set higher than the ratio of the transmission time to the transmission interval. Therefore, the power consumption of the wireless communication unit 110 in the scan mode is higher than that in the transmission mode.
　入力部１２０は、ユーザの入力操作に従って操作信号を生成するものである。メモリ１４０は、ビーコンＩＤなどのデータを保持するものである。バス１５０は、無線通信部１１０、入力部１２０、処理部１３０およびメモリ１４０が互いにデータをやりとりするための共通の経路である。 The input unit 120 generates an operation signal according to a user input operation. The memory 140 holds data such as a beacon ID. The bus 150 is a common path for the wireless communication unit 110, the input unit 120, the processing unit 130, and the memory 140 to exchange data with each other.
　［ビーコン装置の動作例］
　図３は、第１の実施の形態におけるビーコン装置１００の状態遷移図の一例である。同図におけるａは、データの送信側のビーコン装置１００の状態遷移図の一例である。送信側のビーコン装置１００の状態は、例えば、送信モード５０１、スキャンモード５０２、および、接続モード５０３の３つの状態に分類される。 [Operation example of beacon device]
FIG. 3 is an example of a state transition diagram of the beacon device 100 according to the first embodiment. A in the figure is an example of a state transition diagram of the beacon device 100 on the data transmission side. The state of the beacon device 100 on the transmission side is classified into three states, for example, a transmission mode 501, a scan mode 502, and a connection mode 503.
　送信側のビーコン装置１００は、電源が投入されたとき、または、所定のアプリケーションが実行されたときに送信モード５０１に移行する。この送信モード５０１において、ビーコン装置１００は、間欠的にビーコン信号を無線送信する。また、送信モード５０１において、ビーコン装置１００は、データの転送要求（転送コマンド）に応じて、スキャンモード５０２に移行する。 The transmission-side beacon device 100 shifts to the transmission mode 501 when the power is turned on or when a predetermined application is executed. In this transmission mode 501, the beacon device 100 wirelessly transmits a beacon signal intermittently. In the transmission mode 501, the beacon device 100 shifts to the scan mode 502 in response to a data transfer request (transfer command).
　スキャンモード５０２において、ビーコン装置１００は、他のビーコン装置１００からのビーコン信号を受信して、そのビーコン信号から転送先のビーコンＩＤを取得する。ビーコン装置１００は、取得したビーコンＩＤの示すビーコン装置１００に対して接続要求を送信して接続を確立し、接続モード５０３に移行する。 In the scan mode 502, the beacon device 100 receives a beacon signal from another beacon device 100, and acquires the beacon ID of the transfer destination from the beacon signal. The beacon device 100 establishes a connection by transmitting a connection request to the beacon device 100 indicated by the acquired beacon ID, and shifts to the connection mode 503.
　接続モード５０３において、ビーコン装置１００は、転送先のビーコン装置１００へアップデートプログラムなどのデータを送信する。接続モード５０３において、データの転送が完了すると、ビーコン装置１００は、切断要求を送信し、送信モード５０１に移行する。 In the connection mode 503, the beacon device 100 transmits data such as an update program to the transfer destination beacon device 100. In the connection mode 503, when the data transfer is completed, the beacon device 100 transmits a disconnection request and shifts to the transmission mode 501.
　図３におけるｂは、データの受信側のビーコン装置１００の状態遷移図の一例である。受信側のビーコン装置１００の状態は、例えば、送信モード５０１および接続モード５０３の状態に分類される。 3 is an example of a state transition diagram of the beacon device 100 on the data receiving side. The state of the beacon device 100 on the reception side is classified into, for example, a transmission mode 501 and a connection mode 503.
　受信側のビーコン装置１００は、電源が投入されたとき、または、所定のアプリケーションが実行されたときに送信モード５０１に移行する。この送信モード５０１において、ビーコン装置１００は、間欠的にビーコン信号を無線送信する。また、送信モード５０１において、送信側の装置から接続要求を受信すると、受信側のビーコン装置１００は、その送信側との間の接続を確立し、接続モード５０３に移行する。 The beacon device 100 on the receiving side shifts to the transmission mode 501 when the power is turned on or when a predetermined application is executed. In this transmission mode 501, the beacon device 100 wirelessly transmits a beacon signal intermittently. In the transmission mode 501, when a connection request is received from a transmission-side device, the reception-side beacon device 100 establishes a connection with the transmission side and shifts to the connection mode 503.
　接続モード５０３において、ビーコン装置１００は、送信側からアップデートプログラムなどのデータを受信する。この接続モード５０３において、切断要求を受信すると、ビーコン装置１００は送信モード５０１に移行する。 In the connection mode 503, the beacon device 100 receives data such as an update program from the transmission side. In this connection mode 503, when a disconnection request is received, the beacon device 100 shifts to the transmission mode 501.
　図４は、第１の実施の形態における無線通信部１１０の消費電力の変動を示すグラフの一例である。同図の縦軸は、消費電力を示し、横軸は時間を示す。同図におけるａは、送信モードにおける無線通信部１１０の消費電力の変動を示すグラフの一例である。 FIG. 4 is an example of a graph showing fluctuations in power consumption of the wireless communication unit 110 in the first embodiment. In the figure, the vertical axis indicates power consumption, and the horizontal axis indicates time. A in the same figure is an example of the graph which shows the fluctuation | variation of the power consumption of the wireless communication part 110 in transmission mode.
　送信モードにおいてビーコン装置１００は、一定の送信間隔で無線通信部１１０を間欠的に動作させる。典型的には、ビーコン信号により伝送されるデータ量は、数十乃至数百バイトと小さいため、送信時間は非常に短く済む。例えば、送信間隔に対する送信時間の割合（つまり、デューティ比）は、０．１乃至１％程度であっても、十分なビーコン信号の送信を行うことができる。 In the transmission mode, the beacon device 100 operates the wireless communication unit 110 intermittently at a constant transmission interval. Typically, since the amount of data transmitted by the beacon signal is as small as several tens to several hundreds of bytes, the transmission time is very short. For example, even if the ratio of the transmission time to the transmission interval (that is, the duty ratio) is about 0.1 to 1%, a sufficient beacon signal can be transmitted.
　同図におけるｂは、スキャンモードにおける無線通信部１１０の消費電力の変動を示すグラフの一例である。スキャンモードにおいてビーコン装置１００は、無線通信部１１０を受信時間に亘って動作させる処理を一定の受信間隔で実行する。前述したように、一般に、受信間隔に対する受信時間の比は、送信間隔に対する送信時間の比よりも高く設定される。例えば、受信間隔に対する受信時間の割合は、５０乃至１００％である。ビーコン信号の送信のために、実際に無線通信部１１０を動作させる際のデューティ比は非常に低いため、常時、間欠的にビーコン信号を送信するビーコン装置１００における電力消費を低く抑えられる。他方で、他の装置からのビーコン信号を受信するスキャンモードにおいて無線通信部１１０を動作させる際のデューティ比は、ビーコン信号の送信時と比較して非常に大きい。いつ送信されるかわからないビーコン信号を受信するためには、常時（つまり、デューティ比＝１００％で）受信を行うことが好ましいものの、高いデューティ比で受信のために回路を動作させることは、消費電力の大幅な増大に繋がる。 B in the figure is an example of a graph showing fluctuations in power consumption of the wireless communication unit 110 in the scan mode. In the scan mode, the beacon device 100 executes processing for operating the wireless communication unit 110 over the reception time at a constant reception interval. As described above, generally, the ratio of the reception time to the reception interval is set higher than the ratio of the transmission time to the transmission interval. For example, the ratio of the reception time to the reception interval is 50 to 100%. Since the duty ratio when actually operating the wireless communication unit 110 for transmitting the beacon signal is very low, the power consumption in the beacon device 100 that transmits the beacon signal intermittently can be kept low. On the other hand, the duty ratio when operating the wireless communication unit 110 in the scan mode in which a beacon signal from another device is received is very large compared to when the beacon signal is transmitted. In order to receive a beacon signal that is not known when it is transmitted, it is preferable to perform reception at all times (that is, at a duty ratio = 100%), but operating a circuit for reception at a high duty ratio is a consumption This leads to a significant increase in power.
　しかし、前述したように、無線通信部１１０は、転送要求（転送コマンド）を受信したときにのみスキャンを行うため、消費電力の増大を大幅に抑制することができる。なお、スキャンを行う時間はごく短い時間に限られるため、このときに受信時のデューティ比を高めることで、短い時間であっても確実にビーコン信号を受信可能とすることができるとの利点もある。 However, as described above, since the wireless communication unit 110 performs scanning only when a transfer request (transfer command) is received, an increase in power consumption can be significantly suppressed. In addition, since the scanning time is limited to a very short time, there is an advantage that the beacon signal can be reliably received even in a short time by increasing the duty ratio at the time of reception at this time. is there.
　［通信機器の構成例］
　図５は、第１の実施の形態における通信機器２００の一構成例を示すブロック図である。この通信機器２００は、無線通信部２１０、入力部２２０、処理部２３０、メモリ２４０およびバス２５０を備える。 [Configuration example of communication equipment]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the communication device 200 according to the first embodiment. The communication device 200 includes a wireless communication unit 210, an input unit 220, a processing unit 230, a memory 240, and a bus 250.
　無線通信部２１０は、データを無線で送受信するものである。この無線通信部２１０は、サーバ４００に接続要求を送信して接続モードに移行する。そして、接続モードにおいて無線通信部２１０はサーバ４００からアップデートプログラムを受信してメモリ２４０に保持させる。 The wireless communication unit 210 transmits and receives data wirelessly. The wireless communication unit 210 transmits a connection request to the server 400 and shifts to the connection mode. In the connection mode, the wireless communication unit 210 receives the update program from the server 400 and stores it in the memory 240.
　そして、無線通信部２１０は、サーバ４００に切断要求を送信してスキャンモードに移行し、ビーコン信号から転送先のビーコンＩＤを取得する。ビーコンＩＤを取得すると、無線通信部２１０は、ビーコン装置１００に接続要求を送信し、接続モードに移行する。この接続モードにおいて、無線通信部２１０は、ビーコン装置１００にアップデートプログラムを送信する。送信完了後に無線通信部２１０は切断要求をビーコン装置１００に送信する。 Then, the wireless communication unit 210 transmits a disconnection request to the server 400, shifts to the scan mode, and acquires the beacon ID of the transfer destination from the beacon signal. When acquiring the beacon ID, the wireless communication unit 210 transmits a connection request to the beacon device 100 and shifts to the connection mode. In this connection mode, the wireless communication unit 210 transmits an update program to the beacon device 100. After the transmission is completed, the wireless communication unit 210 transmits a disconnection request to the beacon device 100.
　処理部２３０は、通信機器２００全体を制御するものである。入力部２２０は、ユーザの入力操作に従って操作信号を生成するものである。メモリ２４０は、アップデートプログラムなどのデータを保持するものである。バス２５０は、無線通信部２１０、入力部２２０、処理部２３０およびメモリ２４０が互いにデータをやりとりするための共通の経路である。 The processing unit 230 controls the entire communication device 200. The input unit 220 generates an operation signal in accordance with a user input operation. The memory 240 holds data such as an update program. The bus 250 is a common path for the wireless communication unit 210, the input unit 220, the processing unit 230, and the memory 240 to exchange data with each other.
　図６は、第１の実施の形態におけるビーコン装置１００の動作の一例を示すフローチャートである。この動作は、ビーコン装置１００に電源が投入されたとき、または、所定のアプリケーションが実行されたときに開始する。 FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the beacon device 100 according to the first embodiment. This operation starts when the beacon device 100 is turned on or when a predetermined application is executed.
　ビーコン装置１００は、送信モードに移行してビーコン信号を間欠的に送信する（ステップＳ９０１）。また、ビーコン装置１００は、接続要求を受信したか否かを判断する（ステップＳ９０２）。接続要求を受信していなければ（ステップＳ９０２：Ｎｏ）、ビーコン装置１００は、ステップＳ９０２に戻る。 The beacon device 100 shifts to the transmission mode and intermittently transmits a beacon signal (step S901). The beacon device 100 determines whether a connection request has been received (step S902). If the connection request has not been received (step S902: No), the beacon device 100 returns to step S902.
　接続要求を受信したのであれば（ステップＳ９０２：Ｙｅｓ）、ビーコン装置１００は接続モードに移行し、アップデートプログラムを受信する（ステップＳ９０３）。また、ビーコン装置１００は、切断要求を受信したか否かを判断する（ステップＳ９０４）。切断要求を受信していなければ（ステップＳ９０４：Ｎｏ）、ビーコン装置１００は、ステップＳ９０４に戻る。 If the connection request has been received (step S902: Yes), the beacon device 100 shifts to the connection mode and receives the update program (step S903). Further, the beacon device 100 determines whether or not a disconnection request has been received (step S904). If the disconnection request has not been received (step S904: No), the beacon device 100 returns to step S904.
　接続要求を受信したのであれば（ステップＳ９０４：Ｙｅｓ）、ビーコン装置１００はアップデートプログラムを実行してアップデートを開始する（ステップＳ９０５）。また、ビーコン装置１００は、転送コマンドを受信したか否かにより他のビーコン装置１００に接続するか否かを判断する（ステップＳ９０６）。接続しないのであれば（ステップＳ９０６：Ｎｏ）、ビーコン装置１００はステップＳ９０１に戻る。 If the connection request has been received (step S904: Yes), the beacon device 100 executes the update program and starts updating (step S905). Also, the beacon device 100 determines whether to connect to another beacon device 100 based on whether a transfer command is received (step S906). If not connected (step S906: No), the beacon device 100 returns to step S901.
　接続するのであれば（ステップＳ９０６：Ｙｅｓ）、ビーコン装置１００は、スキャンモードに移行し、ビーコン信号を受信して転送先のビーコンＩＤを取得する（ステップＳ９０７）。そして、ビーコン装置１００は、接続要求を送信して接続モードに移行し、アップデートプログラムを送信する（ステップＳ９０８）。ステップＳ９０８の後、ビーコン装置１００は、切断要求を送信してステップＳ９０１に戻る。 If it is connected (step S906: Yes), the beacon device 100 shifts to the scan mode, receives the beacon signal, and acquires the beacon ID of the transfer destination (step S907). And the beacon apparatus 100 transmits a connection request | requirement, transfers to connection mode, and transmits an update program (step S908). After step S908, beacon device 100 transmits a disconnection request and returns to step S901.
　なお、図６では、アップデート開始（ステップＳ９０５）の後に、ビーコン装置１００がステップＳ９０６以降の処理を実行しているが、ステップＳ９０６以降にアップデートを開始してもよい。 In FIG. 6, after the update is started (step S905), the beacon device 100 executes the processing after step S906. However, the update may be started after step S906.
　図７は、第１の実施の形態における通信システムの動作の一例を示すシーケンス図である。ビーコン装置１０１および１０２は、電源が投入されると送信モードに移行して間欠的にビーコン信号を送信する。（ステップＳ９１１、Ｓ９２１）。なお、このときはビーコン装置１０１および１０２は、ビーコン信号受信のためのスキャンを行っていないため、互いが送信したビーコン信号を受信していない。 FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the communication system according to the first embodiment. When the power is turned on, the beacon devices 101 and 102 shift to a transmission mode and intermittently transmit beacon signals. (Steps S911, S921). At this time, beacon devices 101 and 102 do not scan for receiving beacon signals, and thus do not receive beacon signals transmitted from each other.
　ビーコン装置１０１は、転送コマンドを含むアップデートプログラムを他の装置から受信し（ステップＳ９１２）、アップデート処理を行う（ステップＳ９１３）。そして、ビーコン装置１０１は、アップデートプログラムに含まれる転送コマンドに応じてスキャンを開始し（ステップＳ９１４）、ビーコン信号を受信してビーコン装置１０２のビーコンＩＤを取得する（ステップＳ９５）。 The beacon device 101 receives an update program including a transfer command from another device (step S912), and performs an update process (step S913). Then, the beacon device 101 starts scanning according to the transfer command included in the update program (step S914), receives the beacon signal, and acquires the beacon ID of the beacon device 102 (step S95).
　ビーコンＩＤを取得すると、ビーコン装置１０１は、ビーコン装置１０２に接続要求を送信し（ステップＳ９１６）、ビーコン装置１０２は、その接続要求に応じて承認応答を返信する（ステップＳ９２２）。これにより、ビーコン装置１０１および１０２は接続モードに移行する。 When the beacon ID is acquired, the beacon device 101 transmits a connection request to the beacon device 102 (step S916), and the beacon device 102 returns an approval response according to the connection request (step S922). As a result, the beacon devices 101 and 102 shift to the connection mode.
　接続モードにおいてビーコン装置１０１は、アップデートプログラムを送信し（ステップＳ９１７）、ビーコン装置１０２は、そのプログラムを受信する（ステップＳ９２３）。受信が完了すると、ビーコン装置１０２は、受信の確認をビーコン装置１０１に通知する（ステップＳ９２４）。受信確認の通知を受け取ったビーコン装置１０１は、切断要求を送信し、ビーコン装置１０２は切断要求に応答して、ビーコン装置１０１および１０２の間の接続が切断される。そしてビーコン装置１０２は、受信したプログラムに基づいてアップデート処理を行う（ステップＳ９２５）。ビーコン装置１０２は、ビーコン装置１０１と同様の処理を行って、他のビーコン装置１００にアップデートプログラムを送信する。 In the connection mode, the beacon device 101 transmits an update program (step S917), and the beacon device 102 receives the program (step S923). When the reception is completed, the beacon device 102 notifies the beacon device 101 of reception confirmation (step S924). The beacon device 101 that has received the notification of reception confirmation transmits a disconnection request, and the beacon device 102 is disconnected from the beacon devices 101 and 102 in response to the disconnection request. And the beacon apparatus 102 performs an update process based on the received program (step S925). The beacon device 102 performs the same process as the beacon device 101 and transmits the update program to the other beacon devices 100.
　なお、スキャンモードにおいてビーコン信号の送信が中断されているが、ビーコン装置１００が複数の無線通信部１１０を備え、ビーコン信号を中断しない構成とすることもできる。ビーコン装置１００が複数の無線通信部１１０を備えれば、いずれかの無線通信部１１０がスキャンモードに移行しても、他の無線通信部１１０が送信モードに移行し、ビーコン信号の送信を継続することができる。 In addition, although transmission of the beacon signal is interrupted in the scan mode, the beacon device 100 may include a plurality of wireless communication units 110 and the beacon signal may not be interrupted. If the beacon device 100 includes a plurality of wireless communication units 110, even if any one of the wireless communication units 110 shifts to the scan mode, the other wireless communication unit 110 shifts to the transmission mode and continues to transmit the beacon signal. can do.
　図７に例示したように、アップデートプログラムを１つのビーコン装置（１０１など）に送信すれば、通信システム内の全てのビーコン装置１００に、そのプログラムが順に送信される。それぞれのビーコン装置１００は、アップデートプログラムを他のビーコン装置に送信する必要が生じた際に、送信先のビーコン装置の情報を取得する目的で短時間のみスキャンモードに移行するため、消費電力の増大を抑制することができる。 As illustrated in FIG. 7, if the update program is transmitted to one beacon device (101 or the like), the program is sequentially transmitted to all beacon devices 100 in the communication system. When each beacon device 100 needs to transmit an update program to another beacon device, the beacon device 100 shifts to the scan mode only for a short time for the purpose of acquiring information of the destination beacon device, so that the power consumption increases. Can be suppressed.
　スキャンモードおよび送信モードをユーザが手動で切り替えてアップデートプログラムを複数のビーコン装置１００に送信させることもできるが、その方法では、ユーザの不注意などにより長時間に亘ってスキャンモードに移行させてしまうおそれがある。このため、手動でモードを切り替える構成では、ビーコン装置１００の消費電力の増大を抑制することが困難である。 Although the user can manually switch the scan mode and the transmission mode to transmit the update program to the plurality of beacon devices 100, the method causes the user to shift to the scan mode for a long time due to the carelessness of the user. There is a fear. For this reason, in the structure which switches a mode manually, it is difficult to suppress the increase in the power consumption of the beacon apparatus 100. FIG.
　このように、本発明の第１の実施の形態によれば、ビーコン装置１００は、転送要求を受信した際にスキャンモードに移行してビーコン信号を受信するため、スキャンモードの継続時間を最小限にして消費電力の増大を抑制することができる。 As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when the beacon device 100 receives the transfer request, the beacon device 100 shifts to the scan mode and receives the beacon signal, so the duration of the scan mode is minimized. Thus, an increase in power consumption can be suppressed.
　＜２．第２の実施の形態＞
　第１の実施の形態では、ビーコン装置１００は、アップデートプログラムを送受信していたが、送受信するデータはアップデートプログラムに限定されない。例えば、ビーコン装置１００は、所定のメッセージを示すメッセージデータを送受信してもよい。第２の実施の形態のビーコン装置１００は、メッセージデータを送受信する点において第１の実施の形態と異なる。 <2. Second Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, the beacon device 100 transmits and receives the update program, but the data to be transmitted and received is not limited to the update program. For example, the beacon device 100 may transmit / receive message data indicating a predetermined message. The beacon device 100 according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that message data is transmitted and received.
　図８は、第２の実施の形態における通信システムの全体図の一例である。第２の実施の形態の通信システムは、メッセージ端末５０１や５０２などの複数のメッセージ端末を備える。メッセージ端末５０１は、制御装置５１０およびビーコン装置５２０を備え、メッセージ端末５０２は、制御装置５３０およびビーコン装置５４０を備える。 FIG. 8 is an example of an overall view of a communication system according to the second embodiment. The communication system according to the second embodiment includes a plurality of message terminals such as message terminals 501 and 502. The message terminal 501 includes a control device 510 and a beacon device 520, and the message terminal 502 includes a control device 530 and a beacon device 540.
　制御装置５１０は、メッセージ端末５０１全体を制御するものである。この制御装置５１０は、他の装置に送信すべきメッセージがある場合に、そのメッセージを転送コマンドとともにビーコン装置５２０に供給する。ここで、メッセージは、ユーザの操作などに従って制御装置５１０により生成される。もしくは、メッセージは、ビーコン装置５２０から供給される。制御装置５３０の構成は、制御装置５１０と同様である。 The control device 510 controls the entire message terminal 501. When there is a message to be transmitted to another device, the control device 510 supplies the message to the beacon device 520 together with the transfer command. Here, the message is generated by the control device 510 in accordance with a user operation or the like. Alternatively, the message is supplied from the beacon device 520. The configuration of the control device 530 is the same as that of the control device 510.
　ビーコン装置５２０は、ビーコン信号などの無線信号を送信するものである。また、ビーコン装置５２０は、転送コマンドに従って、メッセージを他のメッセージ端末５０２に転送する。また、ビーコン装置５２０は、他のメッセージ端末からメッセージを受信すると、そのメッセージを制御装置５１０に供給する。ビーコン装置５４０の構成は、ビーコン装置５２０と同様である。 The beacon device 520 transmits a radio signal such as a beacon signal. Also, the beacon device 520 transfers the message to another message terminal 502 in accordance with the transfer command. Further, when the beacon device 520 receives a message from another message terminal, the beacon device 520 supplies the message to the control device 510. The configuration of the beacon device 540 is the same as that of the beacon device 520.
　図９は、第２の実施の形態における制御装置５１０の一構成例を示すブロック図である。この制御装置５１０は、処理部５１１、入力部５１２、メモリ５１３、インターフェース５１４、表示部５１５およびバス５１６を備える。 FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the control device 510 according to the second embodiment. The control device 510 includes a processing unit 511, an input unit 512, a memory 513, an interface 514, a display unit 515, and a bus 516.
　処理部５１１は、制御装置５１０全体を制御するものである。処理部５１１は、入力部５１２から操作信号に従ってメッセージを生成し、転送コマンドとともにインターフェース５１４を介してビーコン装置５２０に供給する。 The processing unit 511 controls the entire control device 510. The processing unit 511 generates a message according to the operation signal from the input unit 512 and supplies the message to the beacon device 520 via the interface 514 together with the transfer command.
　また、処理部５１１は、インターフェース５１４を介してビーコン装置５２０からメッセージを受け取ると、そのメッセージをメモリ５１３に保持させ、表示部５１５に表示させる。そして、受信されたメッセージを転送する必要がある場合に、処理部５１１は、メッセージを転送コマンドとともにインターフェース５１４を介してビーコン装置５２０に供給する。 Further, when the processing unit 511 receives a message from the beacon device 520 via the interface 514, the processing unit 511 holds the message in the memory 513 and displays the message on the display unit 515. When it is necessary to transfer the received message, the processing unit 511 supplies the message to the beacon device 520 via the interface 514 together with the transfer command.
　入力部５１２は、ユーザの操作に従って操作信号を生成するものである。この入力部５１２は、ボタン、タッチパネル、または、キーボードなどにより構成される。メモリ５１３は、メッセージなどのデータを保持するものである。インターフェース５１４は、ビーコン装置５２０との間でデータを送受信するものである。このインターフェース５１４は、例えば、ＵＡＲＴ（Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter）の通信規格に従って、データを送受信する。表示部５１５は、メッセージなどを表示するものである。バス５１６は、処理部５１１、入力部５１２、メモリ５１３、インターフェース５１４、および、表示部５１５が互いにデータをやりとりするための共通の経路である。 The input unit 512 generates an operation signal in accordance with a user operation. The input unit 512 includes buttons, a touch panel, a keyboard, and the like. The memory 513 holds data such as messages. The interface 514 transmits and receives data to and from the beacon device 520. The interface 514 transmits / receives data in accordance with, for example, a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Receiver Transmitter) communication standard. The display unit 515 displays a message or the like. A bus 516 is a common path for the processing unit 511, the input unit 512, the memory 513, the interface 514, and the display unit 515 to exchange data with each other.
　図１０は、第２の実施の形態におけるビーコン装置５２０の一構成例を示すブロック図である。このビーコン装置５２０は、処理部５２１、無線通信部５２２、メモリ５２３、インターフェース５２４およびバス５２５を備える。 FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the beacon device 520 according to the second embodiment. The beacon device 520 includes a processing unit 521, a wireless communication unit 522, a memory 523, an interface 524, and a bus 525.
　処理部５２１は、ビーコン装置５２０全体を制御するものである。この処理部５２１は、インターフェース５２４を介して制御装置５１０からメッセージおよび転送コマンドを受け取ると、そのメッセージをメモリ５２３に保持させ、また、無線通信部５２２に転送させる。また、処理部５２１は、無線通信部５２２がメッセージを受信すると、そのメッセージをインターフェース５２４を介して制御装置５１０に供給する。 The processing unit 521 controls the beacon device 520 as a whole. When the processing unit 521 receives a message and a transfer command from the control device 510 via the interface 524, the processing unit 521 causes the memory 523 to hold the message and transfer the message to the wireless communication unit 522. Further, when the wireless communication unit 522 receives a message, the processing unit 521 supplies the message to the control device 510 via the interface 524.
　無線通信部５２２は、第１の実施の形態と同様の手順でビーコンを送信し、また、メッセージを送受信するものである。メモリ５２３は、メッセージを保持するものである。インターフェース５２４は、ＵＡＲＴ規格などに従って、制御装置５１０との間でデータを送受信するものである。バス５２５は、処理部５２１、無線通信部５２２、メモリ５２３およびインターフェース５２４が互いにデータをやりとりするための共通の経路である。 The wireless communication unit 522 transmits a beacon and transmits / receives a message in the same procedure as in the first embodiment. The memory 523 holds a message. The interface 524 transmits / receives data to / from the control device 510 in accordance with the UART standard. The bus 525 is a common path for the processing unit 521, the wireless communication unit 522, the memory 523, and the interface 524 to exchange data with each other.
　図１１は、第２の実施の形態におけるビーコン装置５２０の動作の一例を示すフローチャートである。第２の実施の形態におけるビーコン装置１００の動作は、ステップＳ９０３、Ｓ９０５およびＳ９０８の代わりにステップＳ９１１、Ｓ９１２およびＳ９１３を実行する点において第１の実施の形態と異なる。 FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the beacon device 520 according to the second embodiment. The operation of the beacon device 100 in the second embodiment is different from that in the first embodiment in that steps S911, S912, and S913 are executed instead of steps S903, S905, and S908.
　接続要求を受信すると（ステップＳ９０２：Ｙｅｓ）、ビーコン装置５２０は、接続モードに移行してメッセージを受信して保持する（ステップＳ９１１）。また、切断要求を受信すると（ステップＳ９０４：Ｙｅｓ）、ビーコン装置５２０は、保持しておいたメッセージを表示する（ステップＳ９１２）。また、他の装置に接続する場合に（ステップＳ９０６：Ｙｅｓ）、ビーコン装置５２０は、ビーコンＩＤを取得し（ステップＳ９０７）、メッセージを送信する（ステップＳ９１３）。なお、メッセージの表示（ステップＳ９０５）の後に、ビーコン装置５２０がステップＳ９０６以降の処理を実行しているが、ステップＳ９０６以降にメッセージを表示してもよい。 When the connection request is received (step S902: Yes), the beacon device 520 shifts to the connection mode and receives and holds the message (step S911). In addition, when the disconnection request is received (step S904: Yes), the beacon device 520 displays the retained message (step S912). Moreover, when connecting with another apparatus (step S906: Yes), the beacon apparatus 520 acquires beacon ID (step S907), and transmits a message (step S913). In addition, after the message display (step S905), the beacon device 520 executes the processing after step S906, but the message may be displayed after step S906.
　図１２は、第２の実施の形態における通信システムの動作の一例を示すシーケンス図である。ビーコン装置５２０および５３０は、電源が投入されると送信モードに移行して間欠的にビーコン信号を送信する（ステップＳ９１１、Ｓ９２１）。 FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the communication system according to the second embodiment. When the beacon devices 520 and 530 are turned on, the beacon devices 520 and 530 shift to the transmission mode and intermittently transmit beacon signals (steps S911 and S921).
　制御装置５１０は、ユーザの操作などに従ってメッセージを生成し、転送コマンドにより、その転送をビーコン装置５２０に要求する（ステップＳ９３１）。 The control device 510 generates a message in accordance with a user operation or the like, and requests the beacon device 520 to transfer the message using a transfer command (step S931).
　ビーコン装置５２０は、転送コマンドに応じてスキャンを開始し（ステップＳ９１４）、ビーコン信号を受信してビーコン装置５４０のビーコンＩＤを取得する（ステップＳ９５）。 The beacon device 520 starts scanning according to the transfer command (step S914), receives the beacon signal, and acquires the beacon ID of the beacon device 540 (step S95).
　ビーコンＩＤを取得すると、ビーコン装置５２０は、ビーコン装置５４０に接続要求を送信し（ステップＳ９１６）、ビーコン装置５４０は、その接続要求に応じて承認応答を返信する（ステップＳ９２２）。これにより、ビーコン装置５２０および５４０は接続モードに移行する。 When the beacon ID is acquired, the beacon device 520 transmits a connection request to the beacon device 540 (step S916), and the beacon device 540 returns an approval response according to the connection request (step S922). Thereby, beacon devices 520 and 540 shift to a connection mode.
　接続モードにおいてビーコン装置５２０は、メッセージを送信し（ステップＳ９１８）、ビーコン装置５４０は、そのプログラムを受信する（ステップＳ９２４）。受信が完了すると、ビーコン装置５４０は、受信の確認をビーコン装置５２０に通知する（ステップＳ９２４）。受信確認の通知を受け取ったビーコン装置５２０は、切断要求を送信し、ビーコン装置５４０は切断要求に応答して、ビーコン装置５２０および５４０の間の接続が切断される。そしてビーコン装置５２０は、メッセージの転送を完了した旨の通知を制御装置５１０に供給し（ステップＳ９１９）、ビーコン装置５４０は、メッセージを受信した旨の通知をメッセージとともに制御装置５３０に供給する（ステップＳ９２６）。 In the connection mode, the beacon device 520 transmits a message (step S918), and the beacon device 540 receives the program (step S924). When reception is completed, the beacon device 540 notifies the beacon device 520 of confirmation of reception (step S924). The beacon device 520 that has received the notification of reception confirmation transmits a disconnection request, and the beacon device 540 is disconnected from the beacon devices 520 and 540 in response to the disconnection request. The beacon device 520 supplies a notification that the message transfer has been completed to the control device 510 (step S919), and the beacon device 540 supplies a notification that the message has been received to the control device 530 together with the message (step S919). S926).
　このように、第２の実施の形態によれば、メッセージの転送要求を受信した際にスキャンモードに移行してビーコン信号を受信するため、メッセージを送受信する通信システムにおいて消費電力の増大を抑制することができる。 As described above, according to the second embodiment, when a message transfer request is received, the beacon signal is received by shifting to the scan mode, so that an increase in power consumption is suppressed in a communication system that transmits and receives messages. be able to.
　なお、上述の実施の形態は本発明を具現化するための一例を示したものであり、実施の形態における事項と、特許請求の範囲における発明特定事項とはそれぞれ対応関係を有する。同様に、特許請求の範囲における発明特定事項と、これと同一名称を付した本発明の実施の形態における事項とはそれぞれ対応関係を有する。ただし、本発明は実施の形態に限定されるものではなく、その要旨を逸脱しない範囲において実施の形態に種々の変形を施すことにより具現化することができる。 The above-described embodiment shows an example for embodying the present invention, and the matters in the embodiment and the invention-specific matters in the claims have a corresponding relationship. Similarly, the matters specifying the invention in the claims and the matters in the embodiment of the present invention having the same names as the claims have a corresponding relationship. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and can be embodied by making various modifications to the embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention.
　また、上述の実施の形態において説明した処理手順は、これら一連の手順を有する方法として捉えてもよく、また、これら一連の手順をコンピュータに実行させるためのプログラム乃至そのプログラムを記憶する記録媒体として捉えてもよい。この記録媒体として、例えば、ＣＤ（Compact Disc）、ＭＤ（MiniDisc）、ＤＶＤ（Digital Versatile Disc）、メモリカード、ブルーレイディスク（Blu-ray（登録商標）Disc）等を用いることができる。 Further, the processing procedure described in the above embodiment may be regarded as a method having a series of these procedures, and a program for causing a computer to execute these series of procedures or a recording medium storing the program. You may catch it. As this recording medium, for example, a CD (Compact Disc), an MD (MiniDisc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a memory card, a Blu-ray disc (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), or the like can be used.
　１００、１０１、１０２、５２０、５４０　ビーコン装置
　１１０、２１０、５２２　無線通信部
　１２０、２２０、５１２　入力部
　１３０、２３０、５１１、５２１　処理部
　１４０、２４０、５１３、５２３　メモリ
　１５０、２５０、５１６、５２５　バス
　２００　通信機器
　３００　アクセスポイント
　４００　サーバ
　５０１、５０２　メッセージ端末
　５１０、５３０　制御装置
　５１４、５２４　インターフェース
　５１５　表示部 100, 101, 102, 520, 540 Beacon device 110, 210, 522 Wireless communication unit 120, 220, 512 Input unit 130, 230, 511, 521 Processing unit 140, 240, 513, 523 Memory 150, 250, 516, 525 Bus 200 Communication device 300 Access point 400 Server 501, 502 Message terminal 510, 530 Controller 514, 524 Interface 515 Display unit

Claims (8)

  1. 　識別情報を含むビーコン信号の周囲への送信を行う通信装置であって、
    　前記ビーコン信号を周囲へブロードキャスト送信する第１の無線通信モードで動作するとともに、周囲からのビーコン信号を受信する第２の無線通信モードと、他の通信装置とユニキャスト通信を行う第３無線通信モードとで動作可能な無線通信部と、
    　転送先の通信装置へのデータの転送を要求する転送要求に応じて、前記無線通信部を前記第１の無線通信モードから前記第２の無線通信モードへ遷移させて動作させる処理部と、
    　前記第２の無線通信モードにおいて受信した前記周囲からのビーコン信号に含まれる該ビーコン信号の送信元の通信装置の識別情報を用いて、前記送信元の通信装置との間でユニキャスト通信により前記データを転送するよう、前記無線通信部を、前記第３の無線通信モードで動作させる転送部と
    を具備する通信装置。     A communication device that performs transmission around a beacon signal including identification information,
    The second wireless communication mode that operates in the first wireless communication mode that broadcasts the beacon signal to the surroundings, receives the beacon signal from the surroundings, and the third wireless communication that performs unicast communication with other communication devices. A wireless communication unit operable with the mode,
    A processing unit for operating the wireless communication unit by switching from the first wireless communication mode to the second wireless communication mode in response to a transfer request for requesting transfer of data to a destination communication device;
    Using the identification information of the communication device of the transmission source of the beacon signal included in the beacon signal from the surroundings received in the second wireless communication mode, the unicast communication with the communication device of the transmission source A communication apparatus comprising: a transfer unit that causes the wireless communication unit to operate in the third wireless communication mode so as to transfer data.
  2. 　前記無線通信部は、前記第２の無線通信モードにおいて受信した前記ビーコン信号の送信元の通信装置と、前記転送要求により指定される転送先の通信装置とが一致するか否かを判定し、一致する場合に、前記データの転送を行う請求項１に記載の通信装置。 The wireless communication unit determines whether or not the communication device that is the transmission source of the beacon signal received in the second wireless communication mode matches the communication device that is the transfer destination specified by the transfer request, The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data is transferred when they match.
  3. 　前記処理部は、前記転送要求に応じて所定の時間、前記無線通信部を前記第２の無線通信モードで動作させ、前記所定の時間内にビーコン信号を受信しなかった場合には、前記無線通信部を前記第１の無線通信モードで動作させる請求項１に記載の通信装置。 The processing unit operates the wireless communication unit in the second wireless communication mode for a predetermined time in response to the transfer request, and when the beacon signal is not received within the predetermined time, the wireless communication unit The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a communication unit is operated in the first wireless communication mode.
  4. 　前記転送部は、前記第３の無線通信モードで無線通信部を動作中に、前記データの転送が終了した場合には、前記無線通信部を前記第１の無線通信モードで動作させる請求項１に記載の通信装置。 The transfer unit operates the wireless communication unit in the first wireless communication mode when the data transfer is completed while the wireless communication unit is operating in the third wireless communication mode. The communication apparatus as described in.
  5. 　前記通信装置は、操作入力に応じて、前記データ及び当該データの転送要求を示すコマンドを生成する生成部を更に具備する請求項１に記載の通信装置。 The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a generation unit that generates a command indicating the data and a transfer request for the data in response to an operation input.
  6. 　前記第１の無線通信モードにおいて、前記無線通信部は、ＢＬＥ（Ｂｌｕｅｔｏｏｔｈ（登録商標）　Ｌｏｗ　Ｅｎｅｒｇｙ）規格におけるアドバタイザとして機能して、他の通信装置からのリンク設定要求を受付可能なパケットを前記ビーコン信号として送信し、
    　前記第２の無線通信モードにおいて、
    　　前記無線通信部は、ＢＬＥ規格におけるスキャナとして機能し、
    　　前記転送部は、受信した前記ビーコン信号に対して、リンク設定要求パケットを応答することで、前記送信元の通信装置との間でユニキャスト通信を行うための通信リンクを設定する請求項１に記載の通信装置。     In the first wireless communication mode, the wireless communication unit functions as an advertiser in the BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) standard, and transmits a packet that can accept a link setting request from another communication device to the beacon. Send as a signal,
    In the second wireless communication mode,
    The wireless communication unit functions as a scanner in the BLE standard,
    The transfer unit sets a communication link for performing unicast communication with the transmission source communication device by responding a link setting request packet to the received beacon signal. The communication device described.
  7. 　識別情報を含むビーコン信号を周囲へブロードキャスト送信する第１の無線通信モードで動作する第１の通信装置と、
    　前記ビーコン信号を受信可能な第２の通信装置であって、
    　周囲からのビーコン信号を受信する第２の無線通信モードと、他の通信装置とユニキャスト通信を行う第３無線通信モードとで動作可能な無線通信部と、
    　転送先の通信装置へのデータの転送を要求する転送要求に応じて、前記無線通信部を前記第２の無線通信モードで動作させる処理部と、
    　前記第２の無線通信モードにおいて受信した前記周囲からのビーコン信号に含まれる該ビーコン信号の送信元の通信装置の識別情報を用いて、前記送信元の通信装置との間でユニキャスト通信により前記データを転送するよう、前記無線通信部を、前記第３の無線通信モードで動作させる転送部とを備える第２の通信装置と
    を具備する通信システム。     A first communication device that operates in a first wireless communication mode that broadcasts a beacon signal including identification information to the surroundings;
    A second communication device capable of receiving the beacon signal,
    A wireless communication unit operable in a second wireless communication mode for receiving a beacon signal from the surroundings and a third wireless communication mode for performing unicast communication with another communication device;
    A processing unit that operates the wireless communication unit in the second wireless communication mode in response to a transfer request for requesting transfer of data to a transfer destination communication device;
    Using the identification information of the communication device of the transmission source of the beacon signal included in the beacon signal from the surroundings received in the second wireless communication mode, the unicast communication with the communication device of the transmission source A communication system comprising: a second communication device including a transfer unit that causes the wireless communication unit to operate in the third wireless communication mode so as to transfer data.
  8. 　識別情報を含むビーコン信号の周囲への送信を行う通信装置における通信方法であって、
    　前記ビーコン信号を周囲へブロードキャスト送信する第１の無線通信ステップと、
    　転送先の通信装置へのデータの転送を要求する転送要求に応じて、周囲からのビーコン信号を受信する第２の無線通信ステップと、
    　前記第２の無線通信ステップにおいて受信した前記周囲からのビーコン信号に含まれる該ビーコン信号の送信元の通信装置の識別情報を用いて、前記送信元の通信装置との間でユニキャスト通信により前記データを転送する第３の無線通信ステップと
    を具備する通信方法。     A communication method in a communication device that performs transmission around a beacon signal including identification information,
    A first wireless communication step of broadcasting the beacon signal to the surroundings;
    A second wireless communication step of receiving a beacon signal from the surroundings in response to a transfer request for requesting transfer of data to a transfer destination communication device;
    Using the identification information of the communication device of the transmission source of the beacon signal included in the beacon signal from the surroundings received in the second wireless communication step, the unicast communication with the communication device of the transmission source A third wireless communication step of transferring data.
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