JP4893422B2 - SETTING DEVICE, DISPLAY, SETTING METHOD, DISPLAY METHOD, AND RADIO COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a setting device, a display device, a setting method, a display method, and a wireless communication system, and in particular, a setting device, a display device, a setting method, a display method, and a setting device connected to a parent device communicating with a plurality of child devices. The present invention relates to a wireless communication system.

  Conventionally, an apparatus that displays an execution state of wireless communication between a plurality of electronic devices is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-320382 (Patent Document 1). According to the publication, for example, a plurality of other electronic devices within a range communicable by an electronic device such as a personal computer, for example, a mobile phone and a communication monitoring device are searched, and a predetermined ID is assigned to these electronic devices. The communication monitoring device can display the contents of communication between the personal computer and the mobile phone.

On the other hand, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-298653 (Patent Document 2) discloses an apparatus for setting the operation of one device among other electronic devices using another device. According to the publication, the camera device includes a camera and an electronic device operation member that is connected to the camera and remotely operates the camera, and the operation content of the camera can be set using the electronic device operation member. . Therefore, conventionally, it has been possible to display the execution state of wireless communication and to set electronic devices between a plurality of electronic devices.
JP 2001-320382 A (summary) JP 2001-298653 A (paragraph numbers 0048, 0049)

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a conventional wireless communication system including a parent device 20 and a plurality of child devices 30a to 30c that communicate with the parent device 20 wirelessly. In such a system, for example, the slave units 30a to 30c are attached to a gas meter or the like of each household, and the metered data of the gas meter or the like of each household is transmitted to the master unit 20 provided in the vicinity thereof. It is applied to a system that transmits using wireless communication. The data collected in the parent device 20 in this way is transmitted to a center device 25 that collectively manages the data in a predetermined communication format (FOMA (registered trademark)) 21 used in a mobile phone, for example. The center device 25 transmits information with various added values to the collected data. The center device 25 is connected to the Internet 26, and the transmitted data can be viewed on a general personal computer 28 via the Internet 26.

  Such a wireless communication system composed of a single master unit 20 and a plurality of slave units 30a to 30c is a slave unit call type system in which the slave units 30a to 30c transmit data to the master unit 20 at their own timing. And a center collection type system in which the parent device 20 manages data transmission timing. Since the center collection type system tends to handle data in real time, the frequency of data collection increases and the communication cost tends to be high, so that the handset call type system is generally used. When constructing a handset calling type system, the probability of occurrence of a collision is lower and communication efficiency is better if the basic communication timing to the base unit 20 is individually assigned to each handset 30a to 30c. However, in the conventional slave unit calling type system, the transmission timings from the plurality of slave units 30a to 30c to the master unit 20 can be detected only by the center device 25. Adjusting the communication timing of the slave units 30a to 30c is a very time-consuming operation. Also, it was not easy to determine whether the timing was set optimally. Further, in such a slave unit calling system, there has been no conventional one that displays the execution state of communication or sets the slave units 30a to 30c.

  Therefore, in such a wireless communication system, it is difficult to avoid a collision caused by transmission and newly install a plurality of slave units.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to enable easy installation of a plurality of slave units in a slave unit calling type radio communication system.

  The setting device according to the present invention sets a communication operation of a parent device that communicates with a plurality of child devices each transmitting predetermined data at its own timing. The setter is a communication means for setting the communication timing so that communication between a plurality of slave units and the master unit does not collide with each other in a state where the setter is connected to the master unit by the connection unit. Timing setting means.

  Since the timing of communication can be set so that there is no collision when communicating with a plurality of slave units each transmitting specified data at their own timing, the initial setting using a setting device If the transmission timing is set, no collision occurs after data transmission from the slave unit.

  As a result, a plurality of slave units can be easily installed in the slave unit calling type system.

  Preferably, it includes a slave unit operating means for operating the slave unit and a measurement unit for measuring a communication timing with the slave unit, and the communication timing setting unit communicates based on a measurement result of the communication timing with the slave unit by the measurement unit. Set the timing.

  More preferably, it has guide means, and the guide means guides the operation method of the slave unit operating means and the measuring means.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, it has voice output means, and the guide means guides the operation method using the voice output means.

  It is preferable to have display means for displaying information.

  Preferably, the guide means guides the operation method by displaying on the display means.

  The display means may display an alarm.

  In another aspect of the present invention, the display unit displays information on a master unit that communicates with a plurality of slave units each transmitting predetermined data at its own timing. The display device includes connection means for connecting to the parent device, and display means for displaying data obtained at the time of communication between the plurality of child devices and the parent device in a state of being connected to the parent device by the connection means. .

  In still another aspect of the present invention, a method for setting a communication operation of a parent device that communicates with a plurality of child devices each transmitting predetermined data at its own timing using a setting device is connected to the parent device. And a step of setting communication timing so that the communication between the plurality of slave units and the master unit does not collide with each other while being connected to the master unit.

  In still another aspect of the present invention, a method for displaying information of a master unit that communicates with a plurality of slave units each transmitting predetermined data at its own timing using a display unit is a step of connecting to the master unit. And a step of displaying in real time data obtained at the time of communication between the plurality of slave units and the master unit while being connected to the master unit.

  In still another aspect of the present invention, the wireless communication system includes a plurality of slave units each transmitting predetermined data at its own timing, a master unit communicating with the plurality of slave units, and communication between the master units It consists of a setter that sets the operation. The setter is a communication means for setting the communication timing so that communication between a plurality of slave units and the master unit does not collide with each other in a state where the setter is connected to the master unit by the connection unit. Timing setting means.

  In yet another aspect of the present invention, the wireless communication system displays a plurality of slave units each transmitting predetermined data at its own timing, a master unit communicating with the plurality of slave units, and information on the master unit Display. The display device includes connection means for connecting to the parent device, and display means for displaying data obtained at the time of communication between the plurality of child devices and the parent device in a state of being connected to the parent device by the connection means. .

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a wireless communication system employing a slave unit calling type system according to this embodiment, and corresponds to the conventional FIG. Referring to FIG. 1, in this embodiment, setting device 10 is connected to base unit 20. Since the other parts are basically the same as those in FIG. 9, the same reference numerals are given to the corresponding parts, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 2 is an external view of the setting device 10 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 2, the setting device 10 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has a 10 to 14 inch liquid crystal display unit 16 and a touch panel type input unit on its surface. The thickness is about the same as a notebook personal computer, and a communication antenna and the like are housed inside the housing.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the setting device 10. Referring to FIG. 3, setting device 10 includes control unit 11 that controls setting device 10 as a whole, connection interface 12 that serves as a connection means for connection to parent device 20, and child devices 30 a to 30 c and parent device 20. A setting unit (communication timing setting means) 13 for setting the communication timing between them, a slave unit operation unit (slave unit operating means) 14 for operating the slave units 30a to 30c, a master unit 20, and the slave units 30a to 30c. A measuring unit (measuring unit) 15 that measures the communication timing between them, a display unit (display unit) 16 that can display various data in real time, and an audio output unit (audio output unit) 17 that can output audio. including. Each of these units 12 to 17 is controlled by the control unit 11 and can perform the operations described below.

  The slave unit operation unit 14 can remotely set communication timings of the slave units 30a to 30c. When the slave units 30a to 30c are activated, the slave units 30a to 30c start communication with the master unit 20 at their own timing, but the measurement unit 15 can detect this communication timing instead of the center device 25. .

  In general, the slave unit communicates with the master unit at regular time intervals (for example, every 10 minutes). This communication timing is managed by a timer inside each slave unit. This is called “own timing”.

  Next, a specific method of using the setting device 10 connected to the parent device 20 will be described. Here, the case where the communication timing between the main | base station 20 and the subunit | mobile_units 30a-30c is set after installing the main | base station 20 and the subunit | mobile_unit 30a-30c is demonstrated. The person in charge of the site installs the plurality of slave units 30a to 30c at respective predetermined positions, and then turns on the power switches of the slave units 30a to 30c at the position where the master unit 20 connected to the setting device 10 is installed. At the same time, a power switch (not shown) of the master unit 20 is turned on. In response to this, the slave units 30a to 30c communicate with the master unit 20 at their own timing. Since the setting device 10 can detect this timing by the measurement unit 15, the person in charge at the site uses the slave unit operation unit 14 so that the transmission timings from the plurality of slave units 30a to 30c do not collide. The transmission timings of 30a to 30c can be shifted so that communication from the plurality of slave units 30a to 30c does not collide.

  In this setting procedure, voice guidance may be performed using the voice output unit 17. The person in charge of the site turns on the slave units 30a to 30c according to the voice guidance. As a result, the setting at the time of installation of the parent device 20 and the child devices 30a to 30c becomes easy.

  As an example of voice guidance, the following is preferable, for example. "Turn on the handset that you want to set up first, and press the handset test switch." “Turn on the power to the next slave unit and press the test switch.” "The transmission timing of the slave unit is overlapping. Turn off the power of the slave unit A and shift the transmission timing of the slave unit C."

  In order to perform this operation automatically, an automatic communication timing setting button may be provided on the setting device 10 to automatically set communication timings with the plurality of slave units 30a to 30c.

  Further, in order to investigate a malfunctioning slave unit or adjust the attachment position, a batch setting for temporarily interrupting communication of other unnecessary slave units may be provided.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating communication timings between the plurality of slave units 30 a to 30 c and the master unit 20 after communication adjustment is performed using the setting device 10. It adjusts so that the transmission timing of each subunit | mobile_unit 30a-30c may not collide.

  Next, a display example of the display unit 16 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a basic screen of the display unit 16. Referring to FIG. 5, buttons 161 to 163 for “communication monitor”, “transmission timing setting”, and “data display” are provided. When the communication monitor button 161 is pressed when the communication timing of the device is set, the display unit 16 may display the operation guidance. A display example when the communication monitor button 161 is pressed is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the serial number of the slave unit and the communication timing for each installation name are displayed. Reference numeral 164 denotes a time axis scroll button.

  FIG. 7 shows a display example when the transmission timing setting button 162 is pressed. Here, the arrow indicated by 165 is a transmission timing adjustment button. By pressing the arrow of this transmission timing adjustment button 165, the transmission timing of each slave unit can be shifted in the direction of the arrow.

  A display example when the data display button 163 is pressed is shown in FIG. Here, data indicating the relationship between the room temperature and the power consumption for each time is displayed. The power consumption is displayed as a bar graph, and the room temperature is displayed as a line graph.

  As described above, in the normal state other than when the device is set, the display unit 16 can display data in communication with the slave units 30a to 30c. Therefore, the master unit 20 and the slave units 30a to 30c are on-site. Real-time information display and alarm notification can be made.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the display unit 16 can also display statistical information based on data obtained through communication with the slave units 30a to 30c, and display data held by a plurality of slave units. .

  Conventionally, the data from the plurality of slave units 30a to 30c can be confirmed only by the center device 25 as shown in FIG. Therefore, when the administrator wants to view data from the plurality of slave units 30 a to 30 c, it is necessary to access the center device 25 via the Internet 26 using the personal computer 28. Therefore, if it is intended to observe transient real-time data at the site, it is necessary to send detailed data to the center device 25, which increases operational costs.

  On the other hand, according to this embodiment, temporary real-time information is displayed on the display unit 16 and only statistical data that needs to be recorded is transmitted to the center device 25, thereby reducing operational costs. Administrators and the like can obtain real-time information on site while saving. As a result, it is possible to efficiently manage the statistical information of the multiple slave units. Therefore, the setting device 10 can also be used as a display device.

  Further, in this embodiment, the setting device 10 includes not only the setting unit 13 but also the display unit 16. If only the setting unit 13 is provided in the setting device 10, the setting unit 13 is necessary only when the device is installed, and that alone is expensive. Further, when only the display device is provided, only the display device is unnecessary at the time of installation.

  However, in this embodiment, since the display unit 16 is provided in the setting device 10 to display communication information in real time, a single device can have a plurality of functions of the setting device and the display device. . As a result, the apparatus can be used efficiently.

  Next, the setting device (display device) 10 having such a display unit 16 is applied to communication setting or display of communication data in a wireless communication system including a plurality of slave units and a master unit that transmits predetermined data. A specific application example will be described.

  First, it can be used for collecting and managing various data at the factory. For example, when sending detection data such as raw material usage / remaining amount, process temperature, number of units produced, site environment (temperature, humidity), energy usage, etc. from the slave unit to the master unit, know the data in real time Can do.

  In a chain store, the temperature of the showcase, the store environment (temperature, humidity, illuminance), the amount of energy used in the store, etc. can be known in real time. An example of displaying an alarm using the display unit 16 in the showcase will be described below. For example, when the showcase temperature is + 3 ° C compared to the set temperature, a warning message “Showcase temperature rises. Please check” is output, and the showcase temperature is set to + 5 ° C compared to the set temperature. Then, the alarm message “The temperature of the showcase is too high. Please check the door” is output.

  In the office, the amount of power used can be known in real time. In this case, if the power consumption exceeds 30% due to the set power per hour, a warning message “Power consumption exceeds 30%. Unnecessary lighting should be turned off” is output. % Is exceeded. Please turn off unnecessary lights. " An alarm sound may be sounded before such display.

    By looking at the data displayed on the display unit, a general person can also save energy, for example, frequently turning off electricity based on the data.

    Note that such alarm setting values and message contents are set from the center device 25.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described with reference to drawings, this invention is not limited to the thing of embodiment shown in figure. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment within the same range or equivalent range as the present invention.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the subunit | mobile_unit call type | mold radio | wireless communications system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of a setting device. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a setting device. It is a figure which shows the communication timing of a subunit | mobile_unit and a main | base station. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a display part. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a display part. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a display part. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a display part. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the conventional subunit | mobile_unit call type | mold radio | wireless communications system.

Explanation of symbols

10 setting unit, 11 control unit, 12 connection interface, 13 setting unit, 14 slave unit operation unit, 15 measuring unit, 16 display unit, 17 audio output unit, 20 master unit, 25 center device, 28 personal computer, 30 slave unit.

Claims (7)

A setting device that sets the communication operation of a parent device that communicates with multiple slave devices .
Connection means for connecting to the master unit;
When the slave unit is activated in a state where it is connected to the master unit by the connection means, each starts communication with the master unit at its own timing, and detects the timing of the communication by starting the slave unit. Communication timing measuring means for measuring the communication timing between the machine and the master unit;
Based on the measurement result of the communication timing between the slave unit and the master unit by the communication timing measurement means , the communication timing is set so that the communication between the plurality of slave units and the master unit does not collide with each other And a communication timing setting means. The setter according to claim 1, further comprising a slave unit operating unit that operates the slave unit. A display device that displays information on a master unit that communicates with a plurality of slave units ,
Connection means for connecting to the master unit;
When the slave unit is activated in a state where it is connected to the master unit by the connection means, each starts communication with the master unit at its own timing, and detects the timing of the communication by starting the slave unit. Communication timing measuring means for measuring the communication timing between the machine and the master unit;
Based on the measurement result of the communication timing between the slave unit and the master unit by the communication timing measuring means, the measured communication timing is displayed, and the data obtained when communicating with the plurality of slave units and the master unit And a display means for displaying in real time. A method of setting a communication operation of a parent device communicating with a plurality of child devices using a setting device,
Connecting to the base unit,
When the slave unit starts up while connected to the master unit, each starts communication with the master unit at its own timing, and by detecting the timing of this communication, the slave unit and the master unit Measuring communication timing;
Using a setting device including a step of setting communication timing so that communication between a plurality of slave units and the master unit does not collide with each other based on a measurement result of communication timing between the slave unit and the master unit. How to set up. A method of displaying information of a parent device communicating with a plurality of child devices using a display device,
Connecting to the base unit,
When the slave unit starts up while connected to the master unit, each starts communication with the master unit at its own timing, and by detecting the timing of this communication, the slave unit and the master unit Measuring communication timing;
Displaying the measured communication timing based on the measurement result of the communication timing between the slave unit and the master unit, and displaying the data obtained at the time of communication between the plurality of slave units and the master unit in real time, Display method using a display. A wireless communication system comprising a plurality of slave units, a master unit communicating with the plurality of slave units, and a setter for setting a communication operation of the master unit,
The setting device includes connection means for connecting to the master unit;
When the slave unit is activated in a state where it is connected to the master unit by the connection means, each starts communication with the master unit at its own timing, and detects the timing of the communication by starting the slave unit. Communication timing measuring means for measuring the communication timing between the machine and the master unit;
Based on the measurement result of the communication timing between the slave unit and the master unit by the communication timing measurement means , the communication timing is set so that the communication between the plurality of slave units and the master unit does not collide with each other And a communication timing setting means. A wireless communication system comprising a plurality of slave units, a master unit communicating with the plurality of slave units, and a display for displaying information of the master unit,
The display device includes a connection means for connecting to the master unit,
When the slave unit is activated in a state where it is connected to the master unit by the connection means, each starts communication with the master unit at its own timing, and detects the timing of the communication by starting the slave unit. Communication timing measuring means for measuring the communication timing between the machine and the master unit;
Based on the measurement result of the communication timing between the slave unit and the master unit by the communication timing measuring means, the measured communication timing is displayed, and the data obtained when communicating with the plurality of slave units and the master unit And a display means for displaying the information in real time.

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