JP4992066B2 - Communication system and communication apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system and a communication device constituting the communication system, and more particularly to a communication system and a communication device using wired communication and wireless communication.

  Conventionally, wired or wireless communication methods have been used, and recently, power line communication (Power Line Communication: PLC) using a power line has been put into practical use as one of wired communication. Further, a communication system using both wired communication and wireless communication is disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example.

  The communication system described in Patent Document 1 performs communication of a slave operation using a wireless host that performs a master operation, a wired / wireless bridge device that communicates with the wireless host via a wireless link, and a wired link with the wired / wireless bridge device. A plurality of devices. In this communication system, a wired / wireless bridge device performs transfer control with a plurality of devices according to a communication band of a wireless link.

  The communication system described in Patent Document 2 includes end devices such as personal computers and mobile phones, and link devices such as routers and HUBs. The end device and the link device transmit / receive data to / from each device via a plurality of wired or wireless links on the network by a communication interface unit that each end device has.

  End devices and link devices are a link database that stores link information, a device database that stores device information, and a route table that stores information about communication paths between devices (created based on the link database and device database) ). And, the end device and the link device include a link search process for searching for a device that can be linked to the own device, an information exchange process for exchanging link information and device information with the linked device, and construction of a communication path between the devices, The route management process for switching, managing, etc. is repeatedly executed.

  Each device monitors the communication status of the communication path established with the communication device of the communication partner by the above-described various databases and various processes, and communicates with the communication partner when the communication status changes. The communication path to be used is switched to another communication path that can be established with the communication apparatus of the communication partner.

JP 2006-217476 A JP 2007-221564 A

  In the communication system of Patent Document 1, the wireless host and the wired / wireless bridge device are connected by wireless communication, and the wired / wireless bridge device and the device are connected by wired communication. That is, the communication system has a fixed transmission / reception path for data and the like.

  On the other hand, in the communication system of Patent Document 2, when the communication status of the communication path established with the communication partner communication apparatus changes, other communication that can be established with the communication partner communication apparatus. Switch to the route. For this reason, it is considered that the communication system can be operated more flexibly.

  However, in the communication system of Patent Document 2, each device has a large number of databases. For the above-described path switching, the database is updated to correspond to the change in the configuration of the communication system and the change in the communication state. Need to keep. For this reason, each device and system as a whole is required to have high performance, which is likely to increase complexity and cost.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a communication system that can flexibly construct a communication network for a communication system using wired communication and wireless communication, and is inexpensive with a simple configuration.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a communication apparatus capable of realizing such a communication system.

  The communication system according to claim 1 of the present invention includes: a first communication device configured to be capable of wired communication; and a plurality of second communication devices configured to be capable of wireless communication as well as the wired communication. Each of the second communication devices, when receiving the first packet transmitted from the first communication device by the wired communication, relaying the first packet by the wireless communication, When received by the wireless communication, the first packet is relayed by both the wireless communication and the wired communication.

  In the communication system according to claim 2 of the present invention, when each of the second communication devices relays the first packet, the relay by the second communication device is recorded in the first packet as forward route information. When generating the second packet for responding to the first packet, the forward path information is copied and recorded as the backward path information in the second packet, and when the second packet is relayed. Relays the second packet so as to follow the route followed by the first packet in reverse order based on the return route information.

  In the communication system according to a third aspect of the present invention, the first packet transmits information related to operation of a device connected to each second communication device or information held by the device to the first communication device. Each of the second communication devices generates and transmits the second packet in which information related to the operation of the device or information held by the device is recorded upon reception of the request packet. .

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the first communication device generates the first packet, the first communication device records identification information for identifying the other first packet in the first packet. When each of the second communication devices receives the first packet having the same identification information a plurality of times, the second communication device does not relay the first packet received after the second time.

  In the communication system according to claim 5 of the present invention, each of the second communication devices, when the number of relays of the first packet reaches a preset maximum number of relays, Do not relay.

  In a communication system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the first communication device transmits the first packet including the same transmission content a plurality of times.

  In a communication system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the wired communication is power line communication.

  In a communication system according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, when each of the second communication devices does not have an encryption key for encrypting and decrypting a packet, the second communication device controls a notification unit of the second communication device. The notification of the possession of the encryption key is made to the user, and the first communication device acquires the instruction to distribute the encryption key by the user via the input unit of the first communication device, thereby An encryption key is transmitted by the wired communication.

  In the communication system according to claim 9 of the present invention, the second communication device that has made the notification performs the notification and waits for acquiring the encryption key for a predetermined time set in advance. .

  In the communication system according to claim 10 of the present invention, the first communication device generates the encryption key using identification information that uniquely identifies the first communication device.

  In a communication system according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the first communication device also transmits information on a wireless channel used for the wireless communication at the same time as transmitting the encryption key.

  A communication device according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention includes a wired communication unit that performs wired communication, a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication, and a control unit that is connected to the wired communication unit and the wireless communication unit. The control unit, when receiving a packet via the wired communication unit, retransmits the packet via the wireless communication unit, and when receiving the packet via the wireless communication unit, Re-transmission is performed via both the wireless communication unit and the wired communication unit.

  According to the communication system of the first aspect of the present invention, the packets transmitted from the first communication device are relayed one after another by the plurality of second communication devices and distributed to each second communication device. For this reason, a network is dynamically and flexibly constructed according to the overall configuration and communication state of the communication system at the time of packet distribution. In addition, since each second communication device does not need to grasp the network configuration on the communication system or changes thereof, for example, by a database, the second communication device can be configured simply, thereby reducing the cost of communication. A system can be provided.

  According to the communication system of the second and third aspects of the present invention, the second packet can be efficiently transmitted to the first communication device.

  According to the communication system of the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the first packet having the same transmission content from being continuously relayed and transferred on the communication system. Thereby, the transmission load of a communication system can be reduced.

  According to the communication system of the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to ensure the delivery of the first packet even when a communication failure or the like occurs. In addition, when a response to the first packet is requested from the second communication device, abundant responses (information) can be collected, and the above response can be ensured even when a communication failure occurs. Can be obtained.

  According to the communication system according to claim 7 of the present invention, in general, power line communication is deteriorated in communication performance due to noise generated by a device connected to the power line. Communication is obtained.

  According to the communication system of the eighth aspect of the present invention, the second communication device can be registered in the communication system by acquiring the encryption key.

  According to the communication system of the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the time during which the encryption key can be acquired is limited, the situation where two or more second communication devices are in a standby state at the same time is suppressed. For this reason, a desired 2nd communication apparatus can be registered reliably.

  According to the communication system of the tenth aspect of the present invention, even if the inflow / outflow of a packet occurs between other communication systems with different first communication devices, the packet is not used. For this reason, a communication system with good security can be provided.

  According to the communication system of the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the second communication device can set the wireless communication together with the acquisition of the encryption key.

  According to the communication apparatus of the twelfth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a communication apparatus capable of building a network dynamically and flexibly according to the overall configuration and communication state of the communication system at the time of packet distribution. In addition, since the communication device does not need to grasp the network configuration on the communication system or changes thereof, for example, with a database, the communication device can be configured simply, thereby providing an inexpensive communication device. it can.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes a first communication device 10 and a plurality of second communication devices 20. The first communication device 10 functions as a central / core device in the communication system 1, a so-called master station device. On the other hand, the second communication device 20 functions as a slave station device or as a relay station device that relays information transmitted from the first communication device 10 to another second communication device 20.

  Here, six second communication devices 20 are illustrated, and reference numerals 21 to 26 are used to distinguish them. Note that the number of second communication devices 20 is not limited to six.

  Although a specific configuration example will be described later, the first communication device 10 is configured to be capable of power line communication, while the second communication device 20 is configured to be capable of both power line communication and wireless communication. . Thus, in the communication system 1, a communication network that transmits and receives information between the first communication device 10 and the second communication device 20 using the power line 30 is constructed, and between the second communication devices 20. A communication network that transmits and receives information using the power line 30 and radio is constructed.

  In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, the first communication device 10 and the second communication devices 21 to 23 are connected to the power line 31, the second communication devices 24 and 25 are connected to the power line 32, and the second communication device 26 is the power line 33. It is connected to the. These three power lines 31 to 33 schematically represent a case where the power line 30 is a single-phase three-wire wiring used in a home electrical equipment structure such as a general house. That is, in the three-wire wiring, the power line 31 is configured by the first wiring and the second wiring arbitrarily selected from the three wirings, and the power line 32 is configured by the second wiring and the third wiring. Then, the power line 33 is configured by the third wiring and the first wiring. Note that the power line 30 to which the communication system 1 can be applied is not limited to a single-phase three-wire system.

  Here, the block diagram of FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the first communication device 10. In FIG. 2, the power line 30 and the like are also shown for explanation. In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2, the first communication device 10 includes a wiring 10a, a power line communication unit 10b, a processing unit 10c, a storage unit 10d, a network communication unit 10e, a connection terminal 10f, and an input unit 10g. Is included.

  The wiring 10a is for electrically connecting the power line 30 and the first communication device 10, and is connected to the power line communication unit 10b. By connecting the wiring 10 a to the power line 30 (power line 31 in the example of FIG. 1), an electrical connection is established between the power line 30 and the first communication device 10. The wiring 10a and the power line 30 can be connected by, for example, an insertion connector (an insertion plug and a plug receptacle).

  The power line communication unit 10 b includes an interface (I / F) for performing power line communication via the power line 30. The power line communication unit 10b can also be configured to include an interface for supplying power from the power line 30 to each unit in the first communication device 10. For example, various known interface circuits can be applied to the power line communication interface and the power supply interface.

  The processing unit 10c performs various processes related to the operation of the first communication device 10 and controls the power line communication unit 10b and the like as necessary. The processing unit 10c is connected to the power line communication unit 10b, the storage unit 10d, the network communication unit 10e, and the input unit 10g. 2 illustrates the case where the power line communication unit 10b and the like are connected in a so-called star-type connection form with the processing unit 10c as the center. For example, a bus-type or ring-type connection form is applied. May be.

  Here, a case where various processes by the processing unit 10c are realized by software is illustrated. In this case, the processing unit 10c includes, for example, a microcomputer, and the microcomputer executes each processing step (in other words, a procedure) described in the program. Thereby, the microcomputer functions as various means corresponding to the processing step, or various functions corresponding to the processing step are realized by the microcomputer. It should be noted that various means or various functions realized by the processing unit 10c may be realized by hardware.

  The storage unit 10d is composed of one or more of various storage devices such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a rewritable nonvolatile memory (EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), etc.), and a hard disk device, for example. Has been. The storage unit 10d stores a program executed by the processing unit 10c, and provides a work area for executing the program.

  The storage unit 10d can also store various information and data. Information stored in the storage unit 10d includes information for uniquely identifying the first communication device 10, for example. Such device identification information is used as a packet transmission destination, for example, as will be described later. As the device identification information, for example, a MAC address, an IP address, or the like can be used. For example, a number, a code, or the like set in advance in the communication system 1 can be used. Here, for easy understanding, the identification information is also referred to as a device number, and the device number of the first communication device 10 is expressed as “10”.

  The network communication unit 10e includes an interface for communicating with the network 40 provided outside the first communication device 10, for example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) standard interface. The network communication unit 10e is connected to the connection terminal unit 10f, and is connected to the network 40 via the terminal unit 10f. The network 40 is, for example, the so-called Internet, LAN, etc., and is separate from the network constructed by the communication system 1. In FIG. 2, the network 40 also includes a center 45 that communicates with the first communication device 10.

  The input unit 10g is an interface for a user to input an instruction or the like to the first communication device 10. The input unit 10g can be configured to include input devices such as buttons, switches, touch panels, keyboards, and mice. The input unit 10g may include a contact type, non-contact type, or optical information reader (for example, a card reader or a code reader), or may include a voice input device or the like.

  The block diagram of FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the second communication device 20. In FIG. 3, the power line 30 and the like are also shown for explanation. In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 3, the second communication device 20 includes a wiring 20a, a power line communication unit 20b, a processing unit 20c, a storage unit 20d, a wireless communication unit 20e, a connection terminal 20f, and a power measurement unit 20g. And a device communication unit 20h and a notification unit 20i.

  The wiring 20a is for electrically connecting the power line 30 and the second communication device 20, and is connected to the power line communication unit 20b. Electrical connection is established between the power line 30 and the second communication device 20 by connecting the wiring 20a to the power line 30 (any of the power lines 31 to 33 in the example of FIG. 1). The wiring 20a and the power line 30 can be connected by, for example, an insertion connector (an insertion plug and a plug receptacle).

  The wiring 20a electrically connects the power line 30 and the connection terminal 20f. For this reason, when connecting the device 51 such as an electric device to the connection terminal 20f, it is possible to supply power to the device 51 provided outside the device 20 via the second communication device 20. . The connection terminal 20f can be configured by, for example, a plug receptacle of a plug connector.

  The power line communication unit 20 b includes an interface for performing power line communication via the power line 30. The power line communication unit 20b can also be configured to include an interface for supplying power from the power line 30 to each unit in the second communication device 20. Each interface can be configured in the same manner as that of the power line communication unit 10b (see FIG. 2), for example.

  The processing unit 20c performs various processes related to the operation of the second communication device 20, and controls the power line communication unit 20b and the like as necessary. The processing unit 20c is connected to the power line communication unit 20b, the storage unit 20d, the wireless communication unit 20e, the power measurement unit 20g, the device communication unit 20h, and the notification unit 20i. In addition, the connection between each part is not restricted to the form illustrated in FIG.

  Here, a case where various processes by the processing unit 20c are realized by software is illustrated. In this case, the processing unit 20c can be configured similarly to the processing unit 10c (see FIG. 2). It should be noted that some or all of the various means or functions realized by the processing unit 20c can be realized by hardware.

  The storage unit 20d can be configured in the same manner as the storage unit 10d (see FIG. 2), stores a program executed by the processing unit 20c, and provides a work area for executing the program.

  The storage unit 20d stores identification information similar to the device identification information of the first communication device 10, and the second communication device 20 is uniquely identified by the identification information. Here, in order to make the explanation easy to understand, the device identification information (device numbers) of the six second communication devices 21 to 26 illustrated in FIG. 1 is expressed as “21” to “26”, Moreover, when not distinguishing these 2nd communication apparatuses 21-26, it will describe with "20".

  The wireless communication unit 20e includes an interface for performing wireless communication with another second communication device 20, for example, an interface conforming to a standard such as ZigBee (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

  Here, the range in which wireless communication by the wireless communication unit 20e is possible (in other words, the reach of wireless radio waves) may be affected by, for example, the installation location of the second communication device 20 or the like. With regard to this point, FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a wireless communication possible range by the wireless communication unit 20e with a broken-line circle. For example, the wireless communicable range of the second communication devices 22, 23, 25 is illustrated narrower than the same range of the second communication devices 21, 24, 26. In addition, the wireless communicable range of the second communication devices 21, 24, 26 is illustrated as a substantially circular range centering on the devices 21, 24, 26. On the other hand, the wireless communicable range of the second communication devices 22, 23, 25 is illustrated narrowly on the lower side in the figure.

  In the illustration of FIG. 1, the wireless communication possible range of the second communication device 21 overlaps the same range of the second communication devices 22 and 24, and the wireless communication possible range of the second communication device 26 is the second communication device. It overlaps with the same range of the device 24. For this reason, the 2nd communication apparatuses 20 with which the radio | wireless communicable range has overlapped can directly perform radio | wireless communication. In addition, by using the second communication device 20 having overlapping wireless communication ranges as a relay station, it is also possible to perform wireless communication indirectly with the second communication device 20 ahead.

  On the other hand, in the illustration of FIG. 1, the second communication devices 23 and 25 do not overlap with the other second communication devices 20, so that wireless communication is not performed with the other communication devices 20. .

  Returning to FIG. 3, the power measuring unit 20g is installed with respect to the wiring 20a, and includes a meter for measuring the power (power amount) flowing through the wiring 20a. As the instrument, for example, various known methods can be applied. According to the power measurement unit 20g, it is possible to measure the power consumption of the device 51 connected to the connection terminal 20f.

  The device communication unit 20h includes an interface for performing communication with the device 52 such as a device having a wireless LAN function. Here, the case where the device communication unit 20h performs wireless communication is illustrated, but it may be configured to perform wired communication. As the wireless communication interface, for example, an interface conforming to a standard such as ZigBee (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be applied. For this reason, when the device 52 is provided in a range where wireless communication with the device communication unit 20h is possible, the second communication device 20 and the device 52 are connected by wireless communication by the device communication unit 20h.

  Note that the device 52 may be wirelessly connected to the plurality of second communication devices 20. In some cases, the device 52 is connected to the connection terminal 20f to receive power.

  The device communication unit 20h and the wireless communication unit 20e are configured to be different from each other in order to prevent interference, or configured to perform wireless communication using different channels even with the same standard.

  FIG. 3 illustrates a case where two types of devices 51 and 52 having different connection forms with the second communication device 20 are connected to the second communication device 20. On the other hand, only one of the devices 51 and 52 may be connected to the second communication device 20, or none of the devices 51 and 52 may be connected to the second communication device 20. .

  The notification unit 20 i is an interface for notifying a user who is outside the device 20 of the operation state of the second communication device 20. The notification unit 20i can be configured to include a device that visually notifies, such as one or a plurality of light emitting elements (LEDs, etc.), a liquid crystal display, and the like. Further, in addition to or instead of a device that visually notifies, the notification unit 20i can be configured to include a device that performs an audible notification using an alarm sound or voice.

  Note that not all of the second communication devices 20 used in the communication system 1 need to have the same configuration. For example, the second communication device 20 that does not have one or more of the power measurement unit 20g, the device communication unit 20h, and the notification unit 20i can be used. Moreover, you may use the 2nd communication apparatus 20 which has an additional element with respect to the structure of the said illustration.

  The communication devices 10 and 20 transmit information to be transmitted in packets. At this time, the communication devices 10 and 20 generate a packet corresponding to the transmission information, and encrypt the packet using, for example, an encryption key (see FIG. 4). The communication devices 10 and 20 decrypt the received packet using, for example, an encryption key. For this reason, the communication apparatuses 10 and 20 have the same encryption key. The encryption key is set uniquely, that is, uniquely for the first communication device 10. For this reason, even if the inflow / outflow of a packet occurs between another communication system 1 in which the first communication device 10 is different, the packet is not used. For this reason, good security can be obtained.

  As a method using an encryption key, for example, there is AES. Various encryption / decryption methods can be used. Packet generation and encryption / decryption processing are performed by the processing units 10c and 20c. The processing units 10c and 20c appropriately adjust the number of bits of a packet to be encrypted by, for example, zero padding in the encryption process.

  5 and 6 illustrate packets used in the communication system 1. FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an example of the request packet 100 used when the first communication device 10 makes a predetermined request to the second communication device 20. FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an example of a response packet 200 used when the second communication device 20 responds to the request.

  The request packet illustrated in FIG. 5 includes information 102, 104, 106, 110. 5 does not limit the description position and data length of the information 102, 104, 106, 110 in the request packet 100.

  The information 102 is information for designating the second communication device 20 as a transmission destination, and for example, identification information for distinguishing each second communication device 20 is described. Here, it is assumed that the request packet 100 is transmitted to all the second communication devices 20, and information indicating that all the second communication devices 20 are transmission destinations is described in the transmission destination device information 102.

  The information 104 is information for identifying the request packet 100. Here, the sequence number of the request packet 100 is exemplified. In this case, the sequence number 104 corresponds to a number starting from 0 (zero) and incremented each time a request packet is generated.

  The information 106 is information related to processing requested to the second communication device 20. For example, a command is set in advance corresponding to the requested process, and the request command is given as information 106.

  The information 110 is information regarding a route that the request packet 100 follows in the communication system 1. Specifically, the communication device 10, 21-26 is connected to the communication device 10, 21-26 when the request packet 100 is transmitted (including retransmission performed by the second communication device 20 as a relay station). Is recorded by adding to the route information 110 as a unit (route unit).

  For easy understanding, the distinction between the communication devices 10 and 21 to 26 is represented by the above device numbers “10”, “21” to “26”, and transmission by power line communication is represented as “P”. The transmission by wireless communication is expressed as “R”, and the above two distinct items are connected by “:”. For example, a path unit indicating transmission using power line communication by the first communication device 10 is represented as “10: P”, and for example, a path unit indicating transmission using wireless communication by the second communication device 21 is “21: R”. (See FIG. 1).

  In addition, by adding the path unit to the end by separating it with “/”, the additional writing of the path unit is described. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, when the request packet 100 is transmitted from the first communication device 10 by power line communication and then retransmitted (relayed) by wireless communication from the second communication device 21, the contents of the route information 110 Is written as “10: P / 21: R”. When the request packet 100 is further relayed by power line communication by the second communication device 24, the content of the route information 110 is expressed as “10: P / 21: R / 24: P”.

  In FIG. 1, in order to make the explanation easier to understand, a quadrangular shape surrounding a notation such as “10: P” is devised. That is, a solid rectangle represents transmission / reception by power line communication, and a broken line rectangle represents transmission / reception by wireless communication. In addition, a thick solid line and a broken-line rectangle represent transmission of a packet, and a thin solid line and a broken-line rectangle represent reception of a packet.

  The response packet 200 illustrated in FIG. 6 includes information 202, 204, 206, 208 and 210. FIG. 6 does not show the description position and data length of the information 202, 204, 206, 208, 210 in the response packet 200.

  In the information 202, transmission destination apparatus information is described in the same manner as the information 102 (see FIG. 5). However, in the response packet 200, the second communication device 20 to be received next is specified, and identification information (device number) of the communication device 20 is described in the transmission destination device information 202.

  As will be described later, the response packet 200 is transmitted back to the first communication device 10 along the transmission path of the corresponding request packet 100, that is, the forward path. At this time, the second communication device 20 that is the next transmission destination in the route that the response packet 200 follows, that is, the return route, is specified by the information 204. The information 204 is realized by, for example, a pointer that sequentially points the route units described in the route information 210 below in the order of the routes.

  The information 206 is information related to the request command similar to the information 106 (see FIG. 5), and the same information as the request command 106 of the request packet 100 is described.

  Information 208 is information related to the response content, and will be exemplified later.

  Information 210 is information related to the return path followed by the response packet 200. The information 210 is generated based on the path information 110 of the corresponding request packet 100 by the second communication device 20 that is the origin of transmission of the response packet 200. For example, the path information 210 is generated by copying the path information 110 of the request packet 100 as it is, or by copying the path units described in the path information 110 in reverse order. Both of the path information 110 and 210 include the same contents by any copy method.

  The route information 210 is not added by the second communication device 20 on the return route. The return route information 210 also uses the same notation method as the forward route information 110.

  Here, for example, the value “0” of the return path pointer 204 is associated with the head path unit in the path information 210, and the values “1”, “2”,. When sequentially associating with the second, third,... Path units, the path units in the path information 210 can be traced sequentially by incrementing or decrementing the value of the return path pointer 204.

  The packets 100 and 200 may be configured to further include other information (such as an error detection code). For example, when an error detection code is included, the processing units 10c and 20c can take measures such as not using the packets 100 and 200 in which a data error has occurred.

  FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of an operation of the second communication device 20 that has received the request packet 100, more specifically, a process (outward relay process) S2 when the request packet 100 is relayed.

  First, when the second communication device 20 receives the request packet 100 (step S20), the packet 100 is decoded by the processing unit 20c (step S22).

  The transmission source immediately before the received request packet 100 may be the first communication device 10 or the other second communication device 20. In addition, the request packet 100 may be received by the power line communication unit 20b or may be received by the wireless communication unit 20e. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the second communication device 22 can receive the request packet 100 directly from the first communication device 10 through power line communication (that is, without relaying by another second communication device 20). In addition, it is also possible to receive the request packet 100 by wireless communication via relay by the second communication device 21.

  Then, the processing unit 20c determines whether it is necessary to relay the request packet 100, in other words, transfer (step S24). An example of the relay necessity determination step S24 is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  In the relay necessity determination step S24 illustrated in FIG. 8, the processing unit 20c first determines whether or not the request packet 100 to be relayed has already been relayed by the second communication device 20 (step S24). S24a). If it is determined that the relay has already been performed, the processing unit 20c ends the forward relay processing S2 (see FIG. 7) without performing the relay processing of the received request packet 100. On the other hand, when it determines with having not been relayed, the process part 20c performs the following step S24b.

  The determination step S24a can be executed by using, for example, the sequence number 104 (see FIG. 5) included in the request packet 100. Specifically, the processing unit 20c records the sequence number 104 of the request packet 100 that has been relayed in the storage unit 20d, and the request packet 100 to be relayed has already been relayed by collation with the record. It is possible to determine whether or not there is.

  Thus, according to the determination step S24a, the second communication device 20 receives the request packet 100 having the same sequence number 104, that is, the packet 100 having the same transmission content (here, the request content is the same) a plurality of times. The request packet 100 received after the second time is not relayed. For this reason, it is possible to prevent packets 100 having the same transmission content from being continuously relayed and transferred on the communication system 1 indefinitely. Thereby, the transmission load of the communication system 1 can be reduced.

  In step S24b, the processing unit 20c determines whether the number of relays (the number of relay stages) of the received request packet 100 so far is smaller than a preset maximum number of relays. In other words, it is determined whether or not the maximum number of relays is exceeded by performing the current relay. If it is determined that the number of relays so far is less than the maximum number of relays, the processing unit 20c ends the relay necessity determination step S24 and executes the next step S26. On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of relays so far has reached the maximum number of relays, the processing unit 20c ends the forward relay process S2 (see FIG. 7) without performing the relay process of the received request packet 100. .

  The maximum number of relays described above can be used in step S24b, for example, by describing in advance in the program, or by storing in advance in the storage unit 20d, for example.

  According to the determination process in step S24b, it is possible to prevent packets 100 having the same transmission contents (here, the same request contents) from being continuously relayed and transferred on the communication system 1. Thereby, the transmission load of the communication system 1 can be reduced.

  The execution order of steps S24a and S24b may be the reverse of the above.

  After the end of step S24, the processing unit 20c determines whether or not the request packet 100 has been received by wireless communication (step S26, see FIG. 7). As a result of such classification, in the case of reception by wireless communication, the processing unit 20c performs both power line communication processing S28 and wireless communication processing S30. On the other hand, when the reception is not wireless communication, that is, when reception is performed by power line communication, the processing unit 20c performs only the wireless communication processing S30.

  In the power line communication processing S28 illustrated in FIG. 7, the processing unit 20c determines the device number of the second communication device 20 that performs the current relay and the communication method (power line communication in this case) used for the current relay in the request packet 100. The information is added to the route information 110 (step S28a). Then, the processing unit 20c encrypts the request packet 100 (step S28b), controls the power line communication unit 20b (see FIG. 3), and transmits the request packet 100 (step S28c).

  In the wireless communication processing S30 illustrated in FIG. 7, the processing unit 20c determines the device number of the second communication device 20 that performs the current relay and the communication method (in this case, wireless communication) used for the current relay. The information is added to the route information 110 (step S30a). Then, the processing unit 20c encrypts the request packet 100 (step S30b), controls the wireless communication unit 20e (see FIG. 3), and transmits the request packet 100 (step S30c).

  Here, in the range illustrated in FIG. 1, it is assumed that the request packet 100 is transmitted as follows by the forward relay processing S2. Here, it is assumed that power line communication is not performed between the different-phase power lines 31 to 33.

  The request packet 100 transmitted from the first communication device 10 is received by the second communication devices 21 to 23 through the power line 31, and is retransmitted by wireless communication of the second communication devices 21 to 23 (step S26, S30).

  The request packet 100 retransmitted from the second communication device 21 is received by the second communication devices 22 and 24 having overlapping wireless communication ranges. However, since the second communication device 22 has already relayed the received packet 100 as described above, the packet 100 relayed by the second communication device 21 is not retransmitted (see step S24a). On the other hand, the second communication device 24 retransmits the received packet 100 received by wireless communication by power line communication and wireless communication (see steps S26, S28, and S30).

  Further, the request packet 100 retransmitted from the second communication device 22 is received by the second communication device 21 with which the wireless communication coverage is overlapped, but the second communication device 21 has already relayed as described above. Therefore, the packet 100 relayed by the second communication device 22 is not retransmitted (see step S24a).

  Further, the request packet 100 retransmitted from the second communication device 23 is not transmitted to the other second communication devices 20 because there is no second communication device 20 having overlapping wireless communication ranges.

  The request packet 100 retransmitted by the power line communication from the second communication device 24 as described above is received by the second communication device 25 and retransmitted using wireless communication (see steps S26 and S30). However, since there is no second communication device 20 that overlaps the wireless communication range with the second communication device 25, the request packet 100 is not transmitted from the second communication device 25 first.

  The request packet 100 retransmitted from the second communication device 24 by wireless communication is received by the second communication device 26 and retransmitted from the second communication device 26 by power line communication and wireless communication (step S26). , S28, S30).

  Next, FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart of an operation of the second communication device 20 that has received the response packet 200, more specifically, a process (return relay process) S6 when the response packet 200 is relayed.

  Here, the second communication device 20 that is the transmission start point of the response packet 200 uses the route information 110 (see FIG. 5) of the request packet 100 in the step of generating the response packet 200 (see step S4 described later). In this example, the path information 210 is copied in the reverse order and the path information 210 is initialized, and the return path pointer 204 (see FIG. 6) is initialized to “0”.

  First, when the second communication device 20 receives a response packet 200 from another second communication device 20 (step S50), the packet 200 is decoded by the processing unit 20c (step S52). Note that steps S50 and S52 are not performed in the second communication device 20 that is the transmission start point of the response packet 200.

  Then, the processing unit 20c increments the return path pointer 204 (step S54), and sets the transmission destination device information 202 (step S56). Specifically, the processing unit 20c analyzes the path unit indicated by the incremented return path pointer 204, and sets the apparatus number of the second communication apparatus 20 described in the path unit in the transmission destination apparatus information 202. Then, the processing unit 20c encrypts the response packet 200 (step S58).

  Next, the processing unit 20c sorts the communication method used in the forward path by the second communication device 20 designated as the next transmission destination (step S60). Specifically, the path unit indicated by the return path pointer 204 incremented in step S54 is analyzed, and the communication methods described in the path unit are classified.

  When it is determined in step S60 that the forward path is wireless communication, the processing unit 20c transmits the response packet 200 by wireless communication (step S62). On the other hand, when it is determined that the forward path is power line communication, the processing unit 20c transmits the response packet 200 by power line communication (step S64).

  Here, a transmission example of the response packet 200 is illustrated in FIG. FIG. 10 illustrates a case where the response packet 200 is transmitted from the second communication device 25 to the first communication device 10 based on the transmission example of the request packet 100 (see FIG. 1). A part of 1 is extracted and shown.

  First, according to the transmission example of FIG. 1, information “10: P / 21: R / 24: P” is recorded in the route information 110 of the request packet 100 received by the second communication device 25. For this reason, the second communication device 25 records the information “24: P / 21: R / 10: P” obtained by inverting the arrangement of the route units of the route information 110 in the route information 210 of the response packet 200 ( (See FIG. 10). The second communication device 52 initializes the return path pointer 204 to “0” (see step S54). As a result, the return path pointer 204 points to the head path unit “24: P”. In FIG. 10, the return path pointer 204 is schematically shown by an arrow for easy understanding.

  Based on the path unit “24: P” pointed to by the return path pointer 204, the second communication apparatus 25 sets the second communication apparatus 24 as a transmission destination (see step S56), and transmits the response packet 200 by power line communication (step S56). (See S60 and S64).

  The second communication device 24 increments the return path pointer 204 of the received response packet 200 (see step S54). Then, based on the path unit “21: R” pointed to by the return path pointer 204, the second communication device 24 transmits the response packet 200 to the second communication device 21 by wireless communication (see steps S54, S56, S60, and S62). .

  The second communication device 21 increments the return path pointer 204 of the received response packet 200 (see step S54). Then, based on the path unit “10: P” pointed to by the return path pointer 204, the second communication device 21 transmits the response packet 200 to the first communication device 10 by power line communication (see steps S54, S58, S60, and S64). .

  The transmission of the response packet 200 illustrated in FIG. 10 is illustrated together with the transmission of the corresponding request packet 100 in the sequence diagram of FIG. In FIG. 11, step S <b> 0 is a transmission process of the request packet 100 by the first communication device 10, and includes an initial generation process of the packet 100. Step S4 is the initial generation of the response packet 100 by the second communication device 10 and the transmission process thereof.

  As described above, the second communication device 20 transmits the packet 100 transmitted from the first communication device 10 directly from the first communication device 10 or via the other second communication device 20. When the received packet 100 is received, the received packet 100 is relayed by wireless communication. On the other hand, when the packet 100 transmitted from the first communication device 10 is received by wireless communication via the other second communication device 20, the first packet is relayed by both wireless communication and wired communication. To do.

  For this reason, the packets transmitted from the first communication device 10 are relayed one after another by the plurality of second communication devices 20 and delivered to each second communication device 20. For this reason, a network is dynamically and flexibly constructed according to the overall configuration and communication state of the communication system 1 at the time of packet distribution. In addition, since each second communication device 20 does not need to grasp the network configuration on the communication system 1 or changes thereof, for example, by a database, the second communication device 20 can have a simple configuration. The communication system 1 can be made inexpensive.

  Further, as described above, a route (outward route) followed by the request packet 100 is recorded, and the response packet 200 travels on the communication system based on the record. For this reason, the response packet 00 can be efficiently transmitted to the first communication device 10.

  Next, as an example of processing that the first communication device 10 requests from the second communication device 20 using the request packet 100, power amount acquisition processing will be described. The power amount acquisition process is a process for causing the first communication device 10 to report the power amount measured by the power measurement unit 20g of the second communication device 20. Since the electric energy changes according to the operation state of the device 51 (see FIG. 3) connected to the connection terminal 20f of the second communication device 20, it is included in the information regarding the operation of the device.

  FIG. 12 illustrates a sequence diagram of the electric energy acquisition process S10. Here, the communication devices 10, 21, and 26 illustrated in FIG. 12 will be described.

  In the example of FIG. 12, the processing unit 10c of the first communication device 10 first performs initialization (step S100). This initial setting includes generation of a request packet 100 having a request command 106 (see FIG. 5) corresponding to the power amount acquisition process S10, clearing of a data table describing the acquisition result, and the like.

  When the request packet 100 is transmitted from the first communication device 10 (step S0), the request packet 100 reaches the second communication device 21.

  The second communication device 21 acquires the power consumption amount from the power measurement unit 20g according to the content of the request command 106 in the request packet 100, and generates a response packet 200 in which the acquired power amount is recorded in the response content information 208. It returns to the 1st communication apparatus 10 (step S4). When receiving the response packet 200, the first communication device 10 records a power amount data table of the measured power amount by the first communication device 21 based on the response content information 208 (step S102).

  The second communication device 21 relays the received request packet 100 (step S2). When the relayed request packet 100 reaches the second communication device 26, the second communication device 26 generates and transmits a response packet 200, similarly to the second communication device 21 (step S4). The transmitted response packet 200 arrives at the first communication device 10 through the return relay process S6. When receiving the response packet 200, the first communication device 10 records the power amount data table in the same manner as described above (step S104).

  In the communication system 1, the processing from the generation / transmission of the request packet 100 to the recording of the power amount reported by the second communication devices 21 and 26 is defined as one processing unit T, and the processing unit T is set a plurality of times. ,repeat. The processing unit T may be executed periodically or aperiodically.

  And the 1st communication apparatus 10 transmits the acquired electric energy information to the information management center 45 (refer FIG. 2) (step S110).

  The data transmitted to the center 45 may be all data (see FIG. 13) for each processing unit T, for example. At this time, for example, when a communication failure such as packet loss occurs and the second report cannot be received from the second communication device 21 (indicated as “−1” in FIG. 13), the data is not stored. The acquisition state may be left as it is, or unacquired data may be interpolated with other acquired data.

  In addition, the data to be transmitted to the center 45 can be limited to, for example, only representative data for each second communication device 20 by organizing all data. For example, when different power amount data is reported from the same second communication device 22 as illustrated in FIG. 13, the latest data and average data may be selected as representative data.

  In this way, when the processing unit T is executed a plurality of times, in other words, the request packet 100 including the same request command 106 is transmitted a plurality of times while changing the sequence number 104, thereby causing a communication failure or the like. However, delivery of the request packet 100 can be ensured. Further, according to the response packet 200 of a plurality of times, abundant information can be collected and information can be reliably acquired even when a communication failure or the like occurs.

  In addition, sensor state acquisition processing will be described as another example of processing that the first communication device 10 requests the second communication device 20 by using the request packet 100. The sensor state acquisition process is a process for reporting to the first communication apparatus 10 the state of various sensors as an example of the device 52, that is, information regarding the operation of the sensor. The various sensors are, for example, optical sensors, mechanical sensors, and the like, and are, for example, security sensors, sensors for detecting operation states of various devices, and the like.

  FIG. 14 illustrates a flowchart of the sensor state acquisition process S12. In the example of FIG. 14, the processing unit 10c of the first communication device 10 first performs initial setting (step S120). This initial setting includes generation of a request packet 100 having a request command 106 (see FIG. 5) corresponding to the sensor state acquisition process S12, clearing of a data table describing the acquisition result, and the like.

  When the request packet 100 is transmitted from the first communication device 10 to each second communication device 20, each second communication device 20 detects the state of a sensor connected so as to be communicable. Then, each second communication device 20 transmits a response packet 200 in which the detection result is recorded in the response content information 208 to the first communication device 10. Thereby, the sensor connected to the communication system 1 is scanned (step S122).

  Then, the first communication device 10 receives the response packet 200 from each second communication device 20, collects the scan results in, for example, a data table based on each response content information 208 (see FIG. 15), It is determined whether or not a sensor exists (step S124). As a result of the determination, if there is an on-state sensor, the first communication device 10 reports to the center (for example, security center) 45 (step S126), and then returns to step S120. On the other hand, when there is no sensor in the ON state, the first communication device 10 returns to the above step S120 without performing the center report step S126.

  Contrary to the above, when there is a sensor in an off state, the center 45 can be notified.

  Here, a plurality of sensors may be connected as a device 52 to one second communication apparatus 20 (for example, in the case of wireless connection). In this case, the response content information 208 may be generated for each sensor, or one response content information 208 may be generated by collecting some or all of the plurality of sensors.

  In addition, one sensor may be connected as a device 52 to a plurality of second communication apparatuses 20 (for example, in the case of wireless connection). In this case, it is preferable that the first communication device 10 employs the latest of the acquired data.

  In addition, although the case where the device 52 is various sensors was illustrated above, the device 52 may be various information terminals, for example. In this case, the information acquired and held by the information terminal can be collected by the first communication device 10 via the second communication device 20. Examples of the information terminal include health management devices such as a weight scale and a blood pressure monitor.

  As described above, the communication devices 10 and 20 perform encryption and decryption processing on the packet. The encryption key used at this time is uniquely set for the first communication device 10, that is, is unique. For this reason, for example, when a new second communication device 20 is added, the second communication device 20 needs to obtain an encryption key from the first communication device 10. Below, the process which distributes an encryption key in the communication system 1 is demonstrated.

  FIG. 16 illustrates a sequence diagram of the encryption key distribution process S14. According to this example, the processing unit 20c of the second communication device 20 that does not have the encryption key notifies the user of the possession of the encryption key using the notification unit 20i (see FIG. 3) (step S250). . The check of possession of the encryption key can be included in, for example, a general state check process performed by the processing unit 20c for each part in the device when the second communication device 20 is activated (including restart). In this case, step S250 is performed shortly after activation.

  The processing unit 20c continues the notification of possession of the encryption key for a predetermined time set in advance (step S252), and waits for acquiring the encryption key during that time. When the encryption key is not transmitted from the first communication device 10 during the predetermined time, the processing unit 20c releases the encryption key standby state (step S252). In this case, the second communication device 20 having no encryption key is not registered in the communication system 1 and cannot communicate with the other communication devices 10 and 20.

  On the other hand, when the user notices that he / she does not possess the encryption key during the predetermined time and instructs the first communication device 10 to distribute the encryption key using the input unit 10g of the first communication device 10 (see FIG. 2). (Step S150), the first communication device 10 generates an encryption key (Step S152). The encryption key can be generated, for example, when the processing unit 10c encrypts the encryption key base information with the master key (see FIG. 17).

  The encryption key base information 300 illustrated in FIG. 18 includes the MAC address 302 of the first communication device 10, so that an encryption key unique to the first communication device 10 can be generated. Information other than the MAC address 302 may be used for the encryption key base information 300 as long as the information is uniquely given to the first communication device 10.

  The encryption key base information 300 illustrated in FIG. 18 also includes wireless communication channel information 304 used in the communication system 1. Accordingly, the second communication device 20 that has obtained the encryption key can appropriately perform channel setting of the wireless communication unit 20e (see FIG. 3).

  The encryption key base information 300 can also include other information. 18 does not limit the description positions and the data lengths of the information 302 and 303.

  In the example of FIG. 16, the generated encryption key is then encrypted (step S154, see FIG. 19) and transmitted to the second communication device 20 (step S156). The packet 330 for transmitting the encryption key illustrated in FIG. 20 includes the generated encryption key information 336, the identification information (device number) 332 of the second communication device 20 that is the transmission destination, and the sequence number of the packet 330. 334. Here, information indicating that all of the second communication devices 20 are transmission destinations is given to the transmission destination device information 332.

  Other information may be included in the encryption key transmission packet 330. 20 does not limit the description position and data length of the information 332, 334, 336.

  In the example of FIG. 16, when the second communication device 20 in the encryption key acquisition standby state receives the encryption key transmission packet 330 (step S254), the packet 330 is decrypted by the processing unit 20c (step S256). The decryption processing S256 needs to use the same (same) master key as that of the first communication device 10, and it is assumed that the master key is assigned to each of the communication devices 10 and 20 in advance. Then, the processing unit 20c stores the acquired encryption key in the nonvolatile storage device in the storage unit 20d (see FIG. 3) (step S258). As a result, the second communication device 20 is registered in the communication system 1 and can communicate in the communication system 1.

  According to the encryption key distribution process S14, since the encryption key non-possibility notification and the encryption key acquisition standby state are limited to the predetermined time, the situation where two or more second communication devices 20 are simultaneously in the standby state is suppressed. Is done. For this reason, the desired 2nd communication apparatus 20 can be registered reliably.

  In the above example, the encryption key transmission packet 330 is transmitted to all the second communication devices 20. At this time, the second communication device 20 other than the second communication device 20 in the encryption key acquisition standby state, that is, the second communication device 20 that already holds the encryption key, ignores the encryption key transmission packet 330. .

  If it is desired to update the encryption key in the second communication device 20 having the encryption key, the second communication device 20 may be configured to discard the encryption key in the storage unit 20d, for example, according to a user instruction. The instruction to destroy the encryption key can be given by providing the second communication device 20 with an input unit that can be configured in the same manner as the input unit 10g (see FIG. 2), for example.

  The encryption key distribution process S14 is also applicable when the encryption key is destroyed for some reason, for example.

  In the above, power line communication has been exemplified, but other wired communication can be applied to the communication system 1 instead of power line communication. On the other hand, power line communication generally tends to deteriorate communication performance due to noise generated by devices connected to the power line. Therefore, according to the communication system 1 using both power line communication and wireless communication, the entire system is good. Communication is obtained.

It is a schematic diagram explaining the structure of the communication system which concerns on embodiment, and an outward relay process. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the 1st communication apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the 2nd communication apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic diagram explaining the encryption process which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic diagram explaining the request packet which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic diagram explaining the response packet which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the outward relay process which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the outward relay process which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the inbound trip relay process which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic diagram explaining the return trip relay process which concerns on embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which arranges and shows the relay processing of the outgoing way and the return way concerning an embodiment. It is a sequence diagram explaining the electric energy acquisition process which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic diagram explaining the electric energy acquisition process which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the sensor state acquisition process which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic diagram explaining the sensor state acquisition process which concerns on embodiment. It is a sequence diagram explaining the encryption key distribution process which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic diagram explaining the encryption key generation process which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic diagram explaining the encryption key base information used for the encryption key generation process which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic diagram explaining the encryption process of the encryption key which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic diagram explaining the encryption key packet which concerns on embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication system 10 1st communication apparatus 10b Power line communication part 10g Input part 20-26 2nd communication apparatus 20b Power line communication part 20c Control part 20e Radio | wireless communication part 20i Notification part 30-33 Power line 100 Request packet (1st packet)
104 Sequence number (identification information)
110 Route information 200 Response packet (second packet)
210 Route information 302 MAC address (identification information)
304 Radio channel information

Claims (12)

A first communication device configured to be capable of wired communication;
A plurality of second communication devices configured to be capable of wireless communication as well as wired communication;
With
Each of the second communication devices is
When the first packet transmitted from the first communication device is received by the wired communication, the first packet is relayed by the wireless communication,
When the first packet is received by the wireless communication, the first packet is relayed by both the wireless communication and the wired communication. The communication system according to claim 1,
Each of the second communication devices is
When relaying the first packet, the relay by the second communication device is recorded in the first packet as forward route information,
When generating a second packet for responding to the first packet, copy the forward route information and record it in the second packet as return route information;
When the second packet is relayed, the second packet is relayed so as to follow the route followed by the first packet in reverse order based on the return route information. A communication system according to claim 2,
The first packet is a request packet for requesting transmission of information related to operation of a device connected to each second communication device or information held by the device to the first communication device;
Each said 2nd communication apparatus produces | generates and transmits the said 2nd packet which recorded the information regarding the operation | movement of the said device, or the information which the said device hold | maintains by reception of the said request packet. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
When the first communication device generates the first packet, the first communication device records identification information for identifying the other first packet in the first packet,
Each said 2nd communication apparatus is a communication system characterized by not relaying the said 1st packet received after the 2nd time, when the said 1st packet with the said same identification information is received in multiple times. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Each of the second communication devices does not relay the first packet when the number of relays of the first packet reaches a preset maximum number of relays. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The first communication device transmits the first packet including the same transmission content a plurality of times. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The communication system, wherein the wired communication is power line communication. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
When each of the second communication devices does not have an encryption key for encrypting and decrypting a packet, the second communication device controls the notification unit of the second communication device to notify the user of the possession of the encryption key. To
The first communication device transmits the encryption key by the wired communication by obtaining an instruction to distribute the encryption key by the user via the input unit of the first communication device. . A communication system according to claim 8,
The communication system, wherein the second communication device that has made the notification waits to obtain the encryption key and perform the notification for a predetermined time set in advance. A communication system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein
The first communication device generates the encryption key using identification information that uniquely identifies the first communication device. The communication system according to any one of claims 8 to 10,
The communication system, wherein the first communication device also transmits information on a wireless channel used for the wireless communication at the time of transmitting the encryption key. A wired communication unit for performing wired communication;
A wireless communication unit for performing wireless communication;
A control unit connected to the wired communication unit and the wireless communication unit;
With
The controller is
When a packet is received via the wired communication unit, the packet is retransmitted via the wireless communication unit,
When a packet is received via the wireless communication unit, the packet is retransmitted via both the wireless communication unit and the wired communication unit.

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