JP6468730B2 - Wireless communication system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a wireless communication system that transmits water that is measured by the meter, the amount of such gas by using the wireless network to the center-side communication device.

  Conventionally, in a wireless telemeter system developed for meter reading of gas, water, etc., a wireless master unit is connected to a center side device equipped with a host computer and a center network control device via a wide area wireless network such as a PHS network and a FOMA network. Connected. In addition, a plurality of wireless slave devices are connected to the wireless master device, and a meter for meter reading is connected to each of the wireless slave devices. Data such as a meter reading value obtained from the meter is transmitted from the wireless slave unit to the wireless master unit, and further transmitted from the wireless master unit to the center side device.

  The wireless master device and the wireless slave device in the wireless telemeter system form, for example, a narrow area wireless network based on a specific low power wireless system. When the wireless master unit and the wireless slave unit are in a state where they can receive data transmitted from the outside in the narrow-area wireless network, they periodically transmit beacons to search for devices having data to be transmitted. Send. And when the radio | wireless main | base station and radio | wireless handset which have the data which should be transmitted receive a beacon, it is set as the structure which transmits data with respect to the transmission source of the beacon.

  In the radio telemeter system, a number issuing radio is installed in order to assign a radio number, which is a unique identifier in a narrow area wireless network, to each device. When newly installing a wireless slave device connected to the narrow-area wireless network, the wireless slave device transmits a number issue request to the number issuing wireless device via the existing wireless slave device connected to the number issuing wireless device. The number issuing wireless device generates an issuance response including the wireless device number assigned to the requesting wireless slave device, and transmits the issued response to the requesting wireless slave device via the existing wireless slave device.

JP 2007-243290 A JP 2012-244541 A

  In the conventional radio telemeter system, the number issuance request and the number issuance response are transmitted and received via the existing radio slave unit connected to the number issuance radio. When communication between an existing wireless slave device and a number issuing wireless device becomes impossible, a wireless device number cannot be issued to a newly installed wireless slave device.

  For this reason, for example, in Patent Document 2, the number issuing wireless device communicates with the surrounding wireless devices to monitor whether the network state is normal, and when there is one route connected to the network, that one route By acquiring the information on the number of routes that each wireless slave unit has via the network, and sending the information necessary for issuing a number to the wireless slave unit having the largest number of routes, It was configured to be designated as an alternative machine.

  However, in Patent Document 2, when the number issuance is actually executed, there is no communication path, or the number issuance radio device itself has failed. However, there is no timing for substituting the number issuing radio, and there is a problem that a radio number cannot be assigned to a newly installed radio slave.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and even when communication with a number issuing radio is disabled, a wireless unit newly installed without exchanging the number issuing radio and to provide a wireless communication system capable of issuing a radio number to machine.

The wireless communication system of the present application includes a plurality of wireless communication devices that communicate via a wireless communication network, and an identifier that is connected to at least one of the plurality of wireless communication devices and identifies each wireless communication device within the wireless communication network And an identifier issuing device that issues an identifier issuing device to the other wireless communication device when receiving an identifier issue request from another wireless communication device through the wireless communication device connected to the device. In a wireless communication system that transmits an issuance response including an identifier to be assigned, the identifier issuing device issues an issue response for the other wireless communication device each time an issuance response is transmitted in response to an issuance request from another wireless communication device. Means for transmitting information relating to an identifier to a specific wireless communication device in the wireless communication network that has been selected in advance as a substitute for the identifier issuing device, Communication apparatus includes means for receiving information relating to the transmitted identifier from the identifier issuing unit, and a storage means for storing information relating to the received identifier, a wireless communication device connected to the identifier issuing unit, Means for determining success or failure of communication with the identifier issuing device, and when the means determines that the issue request transmitted from the other wireless communication device is received, the issue request is identified And the specific wireless communication device receives the issue request transferred from the wireless communication device connected to the identifier issuing device, and the means issues the issue request. When receiving the information, the information stored in the storage means is referred to, a means for determining an identifier to be assigned to the other wireless communication device, and an issuance response including the determined identifier is sent to the other wireless communication device. Further comprising wherein the Rukoto and means for transmitting to.

  In the wireless communication system of the present application, the specific wireless communication device transmits information related to the identifier stored in the storage unit to the identifier issuing device when communication with the identifier issuing device is restored. It is characterized by that.

  In the wireless communication system of the present application, the specific wireless communication device communicates with an external communication device connected to a communication network different from the wireless communication network, and information on the identifier received from the identifier issuing device. And a means for transmitting to an external communication device.

  According to the present application, even if communication with the number issuing radio is disabled due to some cause, the radio number for the newly installed wireless slave without replacing the number issuing radio Can be issued.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of a radio telemeter system. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a wireless main | base station. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a radio | wireless subunit | mobile_unit. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a number issuing radio | wireless machine. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of a radio equipment management table. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of number issuing processing in the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of number issuing processing in the second embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the synchronization procedure of a radio equipment management table. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of number issuing processing in the fourth embodiment.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the radio telemeter system. The wireless telemeter system according to the present embodiment includes a host computer 11 and a center-side network control device 12 as a configuration on the center side, and a wireless master device 21, wireless slave devices 22, 22,. 22 and meters 23, 23,..., 23 and a number issuing radio 30. The meter 23 is a measuring instrument that is installed in, for example, individual homes, companies, and various facilities, measures the amount of gas, water, electricity, etc., and outputs a measurement result (meter reading value). The wireless telemeter system according to the present embodiment uses wireless communication for various data output from the terminal side, such as data indicating the meter reading value of the meter 23, data indicating the operating state of the wireless master device 21 and the wireless slave device 22, and so on. One of the features is that various data including commands for controlling operations of the wireless master device 21 and the wireless slave device 22 are transmitted from the center side to the terminal side.

  The center-side network control device 12 and the terminal-side wireless master device 21 are connected to a wide-area wireless network N1 such as a PHS network or a FOMA network, and perform wireless communication via the wide-area wireless network N1. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the number of the wireless master devices 21 connected to the wide area wireless network N <b> 1 is one, but it goes without saying that a plurality of wireless master devices 21 may be connected. .

  The center-side network control device 12 is provided, for example, in a base station of a communication carrier and has a function of controlling communication with the terminal side via the wide area wireless network N1. When data to be transmitted from the host computer 11 to the terminal side is input from the host computer 11, the center side network control device 12 transmits the data to the terminal side by a communication method compliant with the communication standard of the wide area wireless network N1. In addition, when the data transmitted from the terminal side is received via the wide area wireless network N1, the received data is transmitted to the host computer 11.

  The wireless master device 21 is connected to the center side via the wide-area wireless network N1 and forms a mesh-type narrow-area wireless network N2 with the plurality of wireless slave devices 22, 22,. The wireless master device 21 performs wireless communication with the host computer 11 on the center side via the wide area wireless network N1 and wireless communication with the wireless slave devices 22, 22,..., 22 via the narrow area wireless network N2. It is configured.

  When the wireless slave device 22 acquires the meter reading value from the meter 23 connected to the wireless slave device 22, the wireless slave device 22 transmits data indicating the meter reading value to the wireless master device 21 via the narrow area wireless network N <b> 2. Further, the wireless master device 21 receives the data transmitted from the wireless slave device 22, and when an event to be notified to the host computer 11 occurs in the own device, etc., the host computer via the wide area wireless network N1. 11 and wireless communication.

  The number issuing wireless device 30 is connected to the narrow area wireless network N2, and issues a wireless apparatus number, which is a unique identifier in the narrow area wireless network N2, to each of the wireless master device 21 and the wireless slave device 22. To do. Each of the wireless master device 21 and each wireless slave device 22 stores a unique wireless device number issued from the number issuing wireless device 30, and is configured to identify and communicate with each device.

  The number issuing radio device 30 may be a dedicated terminal that issues a radio device number to the wireless master device 21 and the wireless slave device 22 in the narrow area wireless network N2, and is one of the wireless slave devices 22. It may function as. In the example of FIG. 1, the number issuing radio device 30 is connected to one wireless slave device 22. However, the number issuing wireless device 30 may be connected to the wireless master device 21, and a plurality of wireless slave devices may be connected. The structure connected to the machine 22,22, ... may be sufficient.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the wireless master device 21. The wireless master device 21 includes a control unit 210, a storage unit 211, a wide area wireless communication unit 212, a narrow area wireless communication unit 213, a display unit 214, an operation unit 215, and the like. Each component of the hardware provided in the wireless master device 21 is configured to operate with electric power supplied from the battery 219.

  The control unit 210 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, reads a control program stored in advance in the ROM into the RAM, and the CPU executes the control program so that the entire device is a wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention. To function as.

  The storage unit 211 is configured by a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), for example, setting information regarding the operation of the own device, and the wireless device number of the own device issued from the number issuing wireless device 30 Memorize etc.

  The wide area wireless communication unit 212 performs wireless communication via the wide area wireless network N1 by transmitting or receiving radio waves through the antenna 212a. For example, when the wireless master device 21 acquires the meter reading value of the meter 23 through the wireless slave device 22, the wireless master device 21 transmits data indicating the meter reading value to the host computer 11 on the center side. When the wide-area wireless communication unit 212 acquires data to be transmitted through the control unit 210, the wide-area wireless communication unit 212 transmits the data in a format compliant with the communication standard of the wide-area wireless network N1 by driving the antenna 212a to transmit radio waves. Process.

  In addition, when the radio wave is received by the antenna 212a, the wide area wireless communication unit 212 detects the radio wave intensity of the radio wave and decodes the received radio wave to acquire data in a predetermined format. The received radio wave received by the antenna 212a includes various control commands such as an activation command from the host computer 11, for example. Wide-area wireless communication unit 212 outputs data obtained by decoding received radio waves to control unit 210. When the control unit 210 acquires the data output from the wide area wireless communication unit 212, the control unit 210 performs various controls based on the data.

  The narrow area wireless communication unit 213 communicates with a plurality of wireless slave units 22, 22,..., 22 by a predetermined wireless communication method by transmitting or receiving radio waves through the antenna 213a. As the wireless communication method, for example, a specific low power wireless method is adopted. The narrow area wireless communication unit 213 of the wireless master device 21 intermittently transmits a beacon as a search signal for searching for the wireless slave device 22 having data to be transmitted. In addition, the narrow area wireless communication unit 213 receives the beacon transmitted from the wireless slave unit 22 and transmits the data to the transmission source of the beacon when the own apparatus has data to be transmitted.

  The display unit 214 includes an LED lamp, a liquid crystal display panel, and the like, and displays information to be notified to a worker or the like who performs maintenance work based on a control signal output from the control unit 210.

  The operation unit 215 includes various switches such as dip switches and buttons, and accepts various setting operations by, for example, a worker performing maintenance work. The control unit 210 performs various controls based on the setting content input from the operation unit 215 and stores the setting content in the storage unit 211 as necessary.

  In the present embodiment, the wireless master device 21 has been described as having an NCU function. However, a network control device having an NCU function is prepared as an individual device, and the wireless master device 21 is connected to the network control device. It may be configured to. In this case, the wireless master device 21 may be configured to include a connection interface for connecting the network control device and to communicate with the center side via the network control device connected to the connection interface.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the wireless slave unit 22. The wireless slave device 22 includes a control unit 220, a storage unit 221, a narrow-area wireless communication unit 222, a meter IF 223, a display unit 224, an operation unit 225, and the like. Each part of the hardware included in the wireless slave device 22 is configured to operate with electric power supplied from the battery 229.

  The control unit 220 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, reads a control program stored in advance in the ROM into the RAM, and the CPU executes the control program so that the entire device is a wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention. To function as.

  The storage unit 221 is configured by, for example, a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM, and stores setting information related to the operation of the own device, the wireless device number of the own device issued from the number issuing wireless device 30, and the like.

  The narrow area wireless communication unit 222 communicates with the wireless master device 21 and other wireless slave devices 22 by a predetermined wireless communication method by transmitting or receiving radio waves through the antenna 222a. As the wireless communication method, for example, a specific low power wireless method is adopted. The narrow area wireless communication unit 222 of the wireless slave device 22 intermittently transmits a beacon as a search signal for searching for the wireless master device 21 or other wireless slave device 22 having data to be transmitted. In addition, the narrow-area wireless communication unit 222 receives a beacon transmitted from the wireless master device 21 or another wireless slave device 22, and when the own device has data to be transmitted, Send to the sender.

  The meter IF 223 is connected to the meter 23 for measuring the usage amount of gas, water and the like. When the meter IF 223 acquires a meter reading value from the connected meter 23, the meter IF 223 sends data indicating the meter reading value to the control unit 220.

  The display unit 224 includes an LED lamp, a liquid crystal display panel, and the like, and displays information to be notified to a worker or the like performing maintenance work based on a control signal output from the control unit 220.

  The operation unit 225 includes various switches such as dip switches and buttons, and accepts various setting operations by, for example, a worker performing maintenance work. The control unit 220 performs various controls based on the setting content input from the operation unit 225 and stores the setting content in the storage unit 221 as necessary.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the number issuing radio 30. The number issuing radio device 30 includes a control unit 300, a storage unit 301, a narrow area wireless communication unit 302, a meter IF 303, a display unit 304, an operation unit 305, and the like. Each hardware unit included in the number issuing radio 30 is configured to operate with electric power supplied from the battery 309.

  The control unit 300 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The CPU causes the entire device to function as the identifier issuing device according to the present invention by reading the control program stored in the ROM in advance into the RAM and executing it.

  The storage unit 301 is configured by, for example, a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM, and includes a wireless device management table that stores the issued wireless device number and information indicating the issue destination in association with each other. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the radio management table. The wireless device number is a unique number in the narrow area wireless network N2 assigned to each device newly installed in the narrow area wireless network N2. For example, 1 to N (N is the narrow area wireless network N2). The maximum number of devices to be connected). Further, the information indicating the issue destination is information unique to each device (hereinafter referred to as a wireless device ID) such as a manufacturing number and a serial number of the wireless master device 21 or the wireless slave device 22, and is, for example, a character string made up of alphanumeric characters. expressed.

  The narrow-area wireless communication unit 302 communicates with the wireless slave device 22 by a predetermined wireless communication method by transmitting or receiving radio waves through the antenna 302a. As the wireless communication method, for example, a specific low power wireless method is adopted.

  The meter IF 303 is an interface for connecting the meter 23. When the number issuing radio device 30 is caused to function as one of the radio slave devices 22, the meter 23 is connected to the meter IF 303. When the meter 23 is connected, the meter IF 303 acquires the meter reading value output from the meter 23 and sends data indicating the acquired meter reading value to the control unit 300.

  The display unit 304 includes an LED lamp, a liquid crystal display panel, and the like, and displays information to be notified to a worker or the like performing maintenance work based on a control signal output from the control unit 300. The operation unit 305 includes various switches such as dip switches and buttons, and accepts various setting operations by, for example, a worker who performs maintenance work.

  Hereinafter, the operation when the wireless slave unit 22 is newly installed in the narrow area wireless network N2 will be described. The newly installed wireless slave device 22 is referred to as a number acquisition wireless device in the following description. The internal configuration of the number acquisition wireless device is exactly the same as that of the wireless slave device 22, but since the wireless device number issued from the number issuing wireless device 30 is not acquired, the storage unit 221 of the number acquisition wireless device has its own device. It is assumed that no radio number is stored.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of number issuing processing in the first embodiment. The control unit 220 of the number acquisition wireless device determines whether or not a predetermined operation has been received in order to shift to the number issuing mode (step S101). When the predetermined operation is not received (S101: NO), the control unit 220 stands by until the predetermined operation is received.

  If it is determined that the predetermined operation has been accepted (S101: YES), the number acquisition wireless device performs pairing with the existing wireless slave device 22 in the narrow-area wireless network N2, for example, and the paired existing wireless slave device 22 In response to the indirect number issuance request, a number issuance request for requesting issuance of a radio number (identifier) addressed to the own device is transmitted to the number issuing radio 30 (step S102). Note that the wireless slave device 22 to be paired may be designated by a manual operation by an operator or the like, and radio waves transmitted from other wireless slave devices 22, 22,. May be specified by the number acquisition wireless device based on the measurement result.

  The number issuance request is transmitted to the number issuing radio 30 via one or a plurality of radio slaves 22, 22,... Including the radio slave 22 paired with the number acquisition radio.

  The control unit 300 of the number issuing wireless device 30 determines whether or not the narrow area wireless communication unit 302 has received a number issuing request transmitted via the existing wireless slave device 22 connected to the own device ( Step S103). When it is determined that the number issue request has not been received (S103: NO), the control unit 300 waits until the number issue request is received.

  When the control unit 300 determines that the narrow-area wireless communication unit 302 has received a number issuance request (S103: YES), the control unit 300 refers to the wireless device management table in the storage unit 301 and sets the request source number acquisition wireless device. A radio number to be assigned is determined (step S104). For example, the control unit 300 is a wireless device that should be assigned the smallest wireless device number to the requesting number acquisition wireless device among the wireless device numbers excluding the issued wireless device number from the wireless device numbers to be issued. It can be determined as a number.

  Next, the control unit 300 generates an issuance response including the wireless device number determined in step S104 (step S105), and transmits the generated issuance response to the number acquisition wireless device through the narrow area wireless communication unit 302 (step S106). . The issuance response is transmitted to the number acquisition radio device via one or a plurality of wireless slave devices 22, 22,.

  After transmitting the number issue request, the control unit 220 of the number acquisition wireless device determines whether an issue response transmitted from the number issue wireless device 30 has been received (step S107). When the issue response has not been received (S107: NO), the control unit 220 waits until the issue response is received. When the issue response is received (S107: YES), the control unit 220 acquires the wireless device number included in the issue response and stores it in the storage unit 221 of the own device (step S108). The number acquisition wireless device to which the wireless device number is assigned can execute wireless communication with the wireless master device 21 or the other wireless slave device 22 using the wireless device number in the same manner as the other wireless slave devices 22. .

  After transmitting the issuance response in step S106, the control unit 300 of the number issuing radio 30 updates the radio management table in the storage unit 301 (step S109). That is, the control unit 300 executes a process of associating a newly issued wireless device number with an issued wireless device ID and storing them in the wireless device management table. Note that the number issuing radio 30 can acquire the issuing radio ID at an appropriate timing. For example, when the number acquisition wireless device transmits a number issuance request, the wireless device ID of the own device is attached, and when the number issuance wireless device 30 receives the number issuance request, the wireless device of the issue destination You may make it acquire machine ID. Also, at an appropriate timing from receiving the number issuance request to updating the wireless device management table, a wireless device ID transmission request is sent to the number acquisition wireless device, and the wireless device ID is sent as a response to the transmission request. It is good also as a structure to acquire.

  Next, the control unit 300 transmits the newly issued wireless device number and the issued wireless device ID to the wireless master device 21 through the narrow area wireless communication unit 302 (step S110).

  When the wireless master device 21 receives the wireless device number and the issuing wireless device ID transmitted from the number issuing wireless device 30 (step S111), the storage unit 211 stores the received wireless device number and the issuing wireless device ID. (Step S112), and notifies the number issuing radio 30 that the radio number and the issuing radio ID are received (step S113).

As described above, in the present embodiment, each time the number issuing radio 30 issues a new radio number to the newly installed radio slave unit 22, the issued radio number and the issued radio unit are issued. The ID is transmitted to the wireless master device 21.
The wireless master device 21 stores the issued wireless device number and the issued wireless device ID transmitted from the number issuing wireless device 30 sequentially in the storage unit 211, thereby managing the same wireless device as the number issuing wireless device 30. A table can be generated in the storage unit 211. For this reason, when the number issuing radio 30 is out of order, or when there is no communication path from the number acquiring radio to the number issuing radio 30, the wireless master unit 21 functions as a substitute for the number issuing radio 30. It becomes possible.

  In this embodiment, every time a new wireless device number is issued, the wireless device number and the wireless device ID are transmitted. However, the newly issued wireless device is used as the minimum information necessary for issuing the number. It is good also as a structure which transmits only a number to the wireless main | base station 21. FIG. Since the wireless master device 21 can acquire information on the issued wireless device number, if the own device is a substitute device for the number issuing wireless device 30, the wireless master device 21 refers to the issued wireless device number information to The wireless device number can be assigned to the wireless device 22 so that it does not overlap with the issued wireless device number.

  Further, in this embodiment, after issuing the wireless device number, the issued wireless device number and the wireless device ID of the issue destination are transmitted to the wireless master device 21, but instead of transmitting to the wireless master device 21, A configuration may be adopted in which a wireless device number and an issuance destination wireless device ID are transmitted to a predetermined specific wireless slave device 22. The specific wireless slave device 22 generates a wireless device management table in the storage unit 221 by sequentially storing the issued wireless device number and the issued wireless device ID received in the storage unit 221. Can do. Therefore, in a situation where the number issuing radio device 30 cannot issue a number, the specific wireless slave device 22 can function as a substitute device for the number issuing wireless device 30.

(Embodiment 2)
In the second embodiment, a configuration in which a number is issued from the wireless master device 21 when a number is not issued from the number issuing wireless device 30 will be specifically described.
Note that the configuration of the radio telemeter system and each device according to the second embodiment is exactly the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  In the second embodiment, the wireless slave device 22 connected to the number issuing wireless device 30 so as to be directly communicable (that is, the wireless slave device 22 with the number of hops of the number issuing wireless device 30 viewed from the own device) is When a number issuance request transmitted from the number acquisition radio is received, it is determined whether or not communication with the number issuance radio 30 is successful. When communication with the number issuing radio 30 is possible, the radio handset 22 transmits the number issuing request received from the number obtaining radio 30 to the number issuing radio 30. On the other hand, when communication with the number issuing radio 30 is not possible, an issuance response addressed to the number obtaining radio cannot be obtained. Therefore, the radio handset 22 receives the number issuance request received from the number obtaining radio. Transfer to machine 21.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure of number issuing processing in the second embodiment. The wireless slave device 22 connected to the number issuing wireless device 30 so as to be directly communicable determines whether or not the narrow area wireless communication unit 222 has received the number issuing request transmitted from the number obtaining wireless device ( Step S201). If it is determined that it has not been received (S201: NO), the wireless slave device 22 waits until it receives a number issuance request.

  When it is determined that the wireless handset 22 has received the number issuance request transmitted from the number acquiring wireless handset (S201: YES), the control unit 220 of the wireless handset 22 determines whether or not the communication with the number issuing wireless handset 30 is successful. Is determined (step S202). For example, when the wireless slave device 22 transmits a message requesting a response to the number issuing wireless device 30 and a response to the request is obtained from the number issuing wireless device 30, the wireless slave device 22 can determine that the communication is successful. If no response is obtained, it can be determined that communication has failed.

When communication with the number issuing wireless device 30 is possible (S203: YES), the control unit 220 of the wireless slave device 22 determines the number issuing wireless device 30 as the transfer destination of the number issuing request, and from the number obtaining wireless device. The received number issuing request is transferred to the number issuing radio 30 (step S204).
On the other hand, when communication with the number issuing wireless device 30 is not possible (S203: NO), the control unit 220 of the wireless slave device 22 determines the transfer destination of the number issuing request as the wireless master device 21, and the number acquiring wireless device. The number issuing request received from is transferred to the wireless master device 21 (step S205).

  The control unit 300 of the number issuing wireless device 30 periodically determines whether or not a number issuing request has been received through the narrow area wireless communication unit 302 (step S206). When not receiving (S206: NO), the control part 300 waits until it receives a number issue request.

  When it is determined that the number issue request has been received (S206: YES), the control unit 300 refers to the radio management table stored in the storage unit 301 of the own device and gives it to the requesting number acquisition radio device. A wireless device number to be determined is determined (step S207). The control unit 300 generates an issuance response including a radio number to be assigned to the requesting number acquisition radio (step S208), and transmits the generated issuance response to the number acquisition radio through the narrow area radio communication unit 302. (Step S209). The issuance response transmitted from the number issuing radio 30 is transmitted to the requesting number acquiring radio through one or a plurality of radio slave units 22.

  Similar to the first embodiment, the number issuing radio 30 updates the radio management table of its own machine after transmitting the issue response, and sets the issued radio number and the issued radio ID to the radio master unit. 21 is notified.

  The control unit 210 of the wireless master device 21 determines whether or not a number issuance request has been received through the narrow area wireless communication unit 213, as with the number issuance wireless device 30 (step S210). If not received (S210: NO), the control unit 210 waits until a number issuance request is received.

  If it is determined that the number issue request has been received (S210: YES), the control unit 210 refers to the wireless device management table of the own device and determines the wireless device number to be assigned to the requesting number acquisition wireless device. (Step S211). The control unit 210 generates an issuance response including a radio number to be assigned to the requesting number acquisition radio (step S212), and transmits the generated issuance response to the number acquisition radio through the narrow area radio communication unit 213. (Step S213). The issue response transmitted from the wireless master device 21 is transmitted to the requesting number acquisition wireless device through one or a plurality of wireless slave devices 22.

  After transmitting the issue response, the wireless master device 21 updates the wireless device management table stored in the storage unit 211 of the wireless device itself. That is, the control unit 210 of the wireless master device 21 executes a process of associating the newly issued wireless device number with the wireless device ID of the issue destination and storing them in the wireless device management table.

  When the number acquisition wireless device receives an issue response transmitted from the number issuing wireless device 30 or the wireless parent device 21 through one or a plurality of wireless slave devices 22, it acquires the wireless device number included in the issue response, and The data is stored in the storage unit 221 of the machine. The number acquisition wireless device to which the wireless device number is assigned can execute wireless communication with the wireless master device 21 or the other wireless slave device 22 using the wireless device number in the same manner as the other wireless slave devices 22. .

  As described above, in the second embodiment, when the wireless slave device 22 receives a number issue request from the number acquisition wireless device in a situation where the wireless slave device 22 cannot communicate with the number issuing wireless device 30, the number issuance request is issued. The data is transferred to the wireless master device 21. For this reason, when the number issuing wireless device 30 breaks down, or when there is no communication path from the number obtaining wireless device to the number issuing wireless device 30, the wireless master device 21 functions as a substitute device for the number issuing wireless device 30. It becomes possible to issue a new radio number to the number acquisition radio.

  In the second embodiment, the wireless slave device 22 connected to the number issuing wireless device 30 so as to be directly communicable with the number issuing wireless device 30 at the timing of receiving the number issuing request transmitted from the number acquiring wireless device. However, the timing for determining the success or failure of communication with the number issuing radio 30 is arbitrary, regardless of whether or not a number issuance request is received from the number acquisition radio. The configuration may be such that the success or failure of communication is determined at regular timing, and the determination result is held in the storage unit 221.

  In addition, when there is no communication path from each wireless slave device 22 to the number issuing wireless device 30, information indicating that may be shared between the wireless master device 21 and each wireless slave device 22. . In this case, a configuration may be adopted in which the wireless slave device first paired with the number acquisition wireless device sets the transfer destination of the number issuance request to the wireless master device 21.

(Embodiment 3)
In the third embodiment, when communication with the number issuing wireless device 30 is restored, the wireless device number and the wireless device ID stored in the wireless master device 21 are transmitted to the number issuing wireless device 30, and the number issuing wireless device A configuration for synchronizing information necessary for number issuance between the wireless terminal 30 and the wireless master device 21 will be described.
The configuration of the radio telemeter system and each device according to the third embodiment is exactly the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the synchronization procedure of the radio management table. The wireless master device 21 determines, for example, whether communication with the number issuing wireless device 30 has been restored by determining whether communication with the number issuing wireless device 30 is successful at a regular timing (step S301). The wireless master device 21 transmits a message requesting a response to the number issuing wireless device 30, and when a response to the request is obtained from the number issuing wireless device 30, communication with the number issuing wireless device 30 is restored. It can be judged. If no response is obtained for the transmission of the electronic message, the wireless master device 21 can determine that communication with the number issuing wireless device 30 has not been restored.

  If it is determined in step S301 that communication with the number issuing radio 30 has not been restored (S301: NO), the wireless master device 21 waits until communication with the number issuing radio 30 is restored.

  If it is determined in step S301 that the communication with the number issuing wireless device 30 has been restored (S301: YES), the wireless master device 21 stores the wireless device number stored in the wireless device management table through the narrow area wireless communication unit 213. The wireless device ID is transmitted to the number issuing wireless device 30 (step S302). The wireless master device 21 does not need to transmit all the wireless device numbers and wireless device IDs stored in the wireless device management table to the number issuing wireless device 30, and replaces the number issuing wireless device 30 with the wireless master device. The wireless device number issued by 21 and the wireless device ID of the issue destination may be transmitted to the number issuing wireless device 30.

  When the number issuing wireless device 30 receives the wireless device number and the wireless device ID transmitted from the wireless master device 21 (step S303), the wireless device management table of its own device based on the received wireless device number and wireless device ID. Is updated (step S304).

  As described above, in the third embodiment, when communication with the number issuing radio 30 is restored, the information stored in the radio management table is synchronized between the radio master unit 21 and the number issuing radio 30. Thus, after the restoration, the number issuing radio device 30 can take over from the wireless master device 21 and perform the number issuing processing.

  In the third embodiment, it is determined whether or not communication with the number issuing wireless device 30 has been restored in the wireless master device 21. If it is determined that the wireless communication has been restored, the wireless device registered in the wireless device management table is used. The device number and the wireless device ID of the issue destination are configured to be transmitted to the number issuing wireless device 30, but when the number issuing wireless device 30 is restored, a request is made from the number issuing wireless device 30 to the wireless master device 21 to The wireless device number registered in the wireless device management table of the parent device 21 and the wireless device ID of the issue destination may be acquired.

(Embodiment 4)
In the first embodiment, each time the number issuing wireless device 30 newly issues a wireless device number, the issued wireless device number and the issuing wireless device ID are transmitted to the wireless master device 21, and the wireless master device 21 transmits the wireless device. Although the configuration for sequentially storing the number and the wireless device ID of the issue destination has been described, the transmission destination of the issued wireless device number and the wireless device ID of the issue destination is not limited to the wireless master device 21.
In the fourth embodiment, a configuration in which the issued wireless device number and the issued wireless device ID are transmitted to the center-side host computer 11 each time the number issuing wireless device 30 newly issues a wireless device number will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of number issuing processing in the fourth embodiment. The number issuing radio device 30 executes the number issuing process in accordance with the number issuing request from the number acquisition radio device according to the same procedure as in the first embodiment, and updates its own radio device management table.

  Next, the control unit 300 of the number issuing wireless device 30 transmits the newly issued wireless device number and the issuing wireless device ID to the host computer 11 on the center side (step S410). The wireless device number and the issuing wireless device ID transmitted from the number issuing wireless device 30 to the host computer 11 on the center side are transmitted to the host computer 11 through the wireless master device 21 and the wide area wireless network N1.

  When the host computer 11 receives the wireless device number and the wireless device ID transmitted from the number issuing wireless device 30 (step S411), the host computer 11 stores the received wireless device number and the wireless device ID of the issue destination in the storage unit of the own device (not shown). (Step S412), and a notification to the effect that the wireless device number and the issuing wireless device ID have been received is transmitted to the number issuing wireless device 30 through the wide area wireless network N1 (step S413).

As described above, in the present embodiment, each time the number issuing radio 30 issues a new radio number to the newly installed radio slave unit 22, the issued radio number and the issued radio unit are issued. The ID is transmitted to the host computer 11 on the center side.
The host computer 11 sequentially stores the issued wireless device number and the issued wireless device ID transmitted from the number issuing wireless device 30, thereby creating a wireless device management table similar to the number issuing wireless device 30. Can be generated within. For this reason, the host computer 11 is caused to function as a substitute for the number issuing radio 30 when the number issuing radio 30 breaks down, or when there is no communication path from the number acquisition radio to the number issuing radio 30. Can do.

  In the present embodiment, the issuer's wireless device ID is transmitted together with the newly issued wireless device number, but only the newly issued wireless device number is the minimum information necessary for issuing the number. May be transmitted to the host computer 11. Since the host computer 11 can acquire the information of the issued wireless device number, when the own computer is a substitute device for the number issuing wireless device 30, the host computer 11 refers to the information of the issued wireless device number and creates a new one. A wireless device number can be assigned to the wireless slave device 22 so as not to overlap with the issued wireless device number.

  The embodiment disclosed this time is to be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the meanings described above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  Regarding the above embodiment, the following additional notes are disclosed.

  The wireless communication system of the present application is connected to a plurality of wireless communication devices (21, 22) communicating via a wireless communication network (N2) and at least one of the plurality of wireless communication devices (21, 22), An identifier issuing device (30) for issuing an identifier for identifying each wireless communication device (21, 22) in the wireless communication network (N2), and the identifier issuing device (30) is a wireless device connected to the own device. A wireless communication system for transmitting an issuance response including an identifier to be given to the other wireless communication device (22) when an issuance request for the identifier from the other wireless communication device (22) is received through the communication device (22). In this case, each time the identifier issuing device (30) transmits an issuance response in response to an issuance request from another wireless communication device (22), information relating to the identifier issued for the other wireless communication device (22) is displayed. Means (302) for transmitting to a specific wireless communication device (21) in the wireless communication network (N2), wherein the specific wireless communication device (21) is an identifier transmitted from the identifier issuing device (30); It is characterized by comprising a means (213) for receiving information relating to, and a storage means (211) for storing information relating to the received identifier.

In this application, whenever an identifier issuing device issues an identifier to a newly installed wireless communication device, information related to the issued identifier is transmitted to a specific wireless communication device.
The specific wireless communication apparatus can manage information on issued identifiers by sequentially storing information on identifiers transmitted from the identifier issuing apparatus. For this reason, when the identifier issuing device fails or when there is no communication path from the new wireless communication device to the identifier issuing device, the specific wireless communication device can function as a substitute for the identifier issuing device. It becomes.

  In the wireless communication system of the present application, the wireless communication device (22) connected to the identifier issuing device (30) includes means (220) for determining success or failure of communication with the identifier issuing device (30), 220), when the issue request transmitted from the other wireless communication device (22) is received, the issue request is transferred to the specific wireless communication device (21). 222), and the specific wireless communication device (21) receives the issue request transferred from the wireless communication device (22) connected to the identifier issuing device (30), and (213) Means (210) for determining an identifier to be given to the other wireless communication device (22) with reference to information stored in the storage means (211) when the issue request is received by the means (213) ) And the determined knowledge Characterized in that it comprises a means (213) for transmitting the issued response including child the another wireless communication device (22).

  In the present application, when the wireless communication device receives an issue request in a situation where it cannot communicate with the identifier issuing device, the issue request is transferred to the specific wireless communication device. For this reason, when the identifier issuing device fails, or when there is no communication path from the new wireless communication device to the identifier issuing device, the specific wireless slave device is made to function as a substitute device for the identifier issuing device, and newly An identifier used in the wireless communication network can be given to the installed wireless communication device.

  In the wireless communication system of the present application, when the specific wireless communication device (21) is restored from communication with the identifier issuing device (30), information relating to the identifier stored in the storage means (211) is stored in the identifier. It is characterized by being transmitted to the issuing device (30).

  In the present application, when the communication with the identifier issuing device is restored, the information relating to the identifier is synchronized between the specific wireless communication device and the identifier issuing device. An identifier issuing process can be performed by taking over from a specific wireless communication device.

  In the wireless communication system of the present application, the specific wireless communication device (21) communicates with an external communication device (11) connected to a communication network (N1) different from the wireless communication network (N2); And a means (212) for transmitting information relating to the identifier received from the identifier issuing device (30) to the external communication device (11).

In the present application, whenever an identifier issuing device issues an identifier to a newly installed wireless communication device, information related to the issued identifier is transmitted to the external communication device.
The external communication device can manage information on issued identifiers by sequentially storing information on identifiers transmitted from the identifier issuing device. For this reason, when the identifier issuing device fails, or when there is no communication path from the newly installed wireless communication device to the identifier issuing device, the external communication device can function as a substitute for the identifier issuing device. .

  An identifier issuing device (30) of the present application is connected to at least one of a plurality of wireless communication devices (21, 22) communicating via a wireless communication network (N2), and is a wireless communication device connected to its own device When an identifier issuance request is received from another wireless communication device (22) through (22), the identifier issuing device (30) transmits an issuance response including an identifier to be given to the other wireless communication device (22). ), Each time an issue response is transmitted in response to an issue request from another wireless communication device (22), information related to the identifier issued for the other wireless communication device (22) is sent to the wireless communication network (N2). A means (302) for transmitting to a specific wireless communication device (21) is provided.

In the present application, each time an identifier is issued to a newly installed wireless communication device, information related to the issued identifier is transmitted to a specific wireless communication device.
The specific wireless communication device can manage information on identifiers already issued in the wireless communication network by sequentially storing information on identifiers transmitted from the identifier issuing device. For this reason, when the identifier issuing device fails or when there is no communication path from the new wireless slave device to the identifier issuing device, the specific wireless slave device can function as a substitute device for the identifier issuing device. It becomes.

11 Host computer 12 Center side network control device 21 Wireless master unit 22 Wireless slave unit 23 Meter 30 Number issuing radio unit 210, 220, 300 Control unit 211, 221, 301 Storage unit 212 Wide area wireless communication unit 213, 222, 302 Narrow area Wireless communication unit 214, 224, 304 Display unit 215, 225, 305 Operation unit 219, 229, 309 Battery 223, 303 Meter IF

Claims (3)

A plurality of wireless communication devices that communicate via a wireless communication network; and an identifier issuing device that is connected to at least one of the plurality of wireless communication devices and issues an identifier for identifying each wireless communication device within the wireless communication network; The identifier issuing device receives an identifier issue request from another wireless communication device through a wireless communication device connected to the own device, including an identifier to be given to the other wireless communication device In a wireless communication system that transmits a response,
The identifier issuing device
Each time an issue response is transmitted in response to an issue request from another wireless communication device, information related to the identifier issued for the other wireless communication device is pre-selected as a substitute for the identifier issuing device. Means for transmitting to a specific wireless communication device in the network,
The specific wireless communication device is:
Means for receiving information relating to the identifier transmitted from the identifier issuing device;
Storage means for storing information relating to the received identifier ,
The wireless communication device connected to the identifier issuing device is
Means for determining success or failure of communication with the identifier issuing device;
Means for transferring the issuance request to the specific radio communication apparatus when the means determines that the issuance request is transmitted from the other radio communication apparatus;
With
The specific wireless communication device is:
Means for receiving an issue request transferred from a wireless communication device connected to the identifier issuing device;
Means for determining an identifier to be given to the other wireless communication device with reference to the information stored in the storage means when the means receives the issue request;
Means for transmitting an issuance response including the determined identifier to the other wireless communication device;
Further comprising a wireless communication system according to claim Rukoto a. The specific wireless communication device is:
The wireless communication system according to claim 1 in which communication with said identifier issuing apparatus when restored, characterized in that the information relating to the identifier stored in the storage means are to be transmitted to the identifier issuing unit. The specific wireless communication device is:
Means for communicating with an external communication device connected to a communication network different from the wireless communication network;
The wireless communication system according to claim 1, further comprising: means for transmitting information related to the identifier received from the identifier issuing device to the external communication device.

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