JP2005321924A - Communication device and program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To announce a calling communication of equipment while avoiding a collision as early as possible. <P>SOLUTION: When a press-down of an emergency call remote control 11 is detected by a communication processing part 7, the communication processing part 7 transmits data of the effect to the communication device 6. A priority determination means 3 determines that the data transmitted from the communication processing part 7 are data to be preferentially transmitted in case that the data are determined as press-down information of the emergency call remote control 11 from an identifier contained in the transmitted data, and announces the effect to a transmitting timing determination means 4 shown in the drawing. The transmitting timing determination means 4 starts a timer means 5 on receipt of the effect of the absence of radio wave of the own system from a transmitting means 2. After the lapse of a waiting time, a radio communication means 6 is transferred to transmitting operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication control apparatus that performs data communication using radio waves, and particularly to a communication apparatus that configures a home network at home and a program therefor.

  In recent years, wireless home appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators, security devices such as intrusion sensors, and home controllers installed in the home are connected wirelessly and connected to mobile phones via the home controllers. In-home network systems have been developed that control devices such as air conditioners and notify security information in the home to a home away from home via a mobile phone. In Japan, the Echonet (R) standard has been established as an industry standard for the above-mentioned home network system. In a wireless network system using the above-mentioned Echonet (R) standard, there are two methods described below when it is desired to check the operating state of all devices with a home controller.

  First method: The home controller sequentially accesses one device at a time using individual designation communication that designates and transmits a transmission destination, and reads out the operation state.

  Second method: The home controller uses broadcast communication that does not specify a transmission destination, and requests all devices to read out the operation state at once.

  The first method can reliably read out the operation status one by one, but it takes a long time for the home controller to finish checking the operation status of all devices.

On the other hand, when the second method is used, some control is required so that the response messages of the devices do not collide. Conventionally, there exists what was described in patent document 1 as such control. Patent Document 1 states that “all slave stations from which data is collected by at least direct wireless communication together with command data indicating that data collection is performed in a system in which the master station collects data from a plurality of slave stations by wireless communication. And the master station broadcasts the first data indicating the order in which each slave station should transmit its own data to all the slave stations that are the targets of this direct wireless communication. The wireless data collection system for polling communication by broadcast is characterized in that the data of its own station is transmitted to the master station in accordance with the order of transmission in the data of the first data received together with the command data. "Broadcast method" is described.
JP-A-08-106571

  However, the conventional configuration is a method for controlling so that a response telegram does not collide when the master station emits data collection radio waves to the slave station and the slave station returns collected data as a response to the slave station. There is a problem that it cannot be applied when data is spontaneously transmitted to the master station.

  In addition, when the slave station voluntarily transmits data to the master station, even if a part of the above method is diverted and a random order is determined and transmitted by itself, the slave station quickly raises the data with the data transmitted by the slave station. Even for the data that must be transmitted, it can be transmitted only at random timing determined by itself, and there is a problem that the transmission timing is extremely delayed in some cases.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and provides a communication device capable of quickly raising important data to a master station while avoiding a collision, and capable of freely setting important data according to usage of a target device. The purpose is to provide.

  As described above, according to the present invention, each device can efficiently transmit a message without colliding with a telegram, and in the case of an important call, even when radio waves cannot be transmitted immediately, transmission with high priority is possible. Transmission can be performed at an early timing using the timing, and the convenience value for the user is increased, and the system has a great effect on the spread of the system.

  In addition, even if the radio wave of the own system is in use, information that must be transmitted as soon as possible can be transmitted as soon as the radio wave of the own system runs out, improving the reliability of the system. . In addition, more precise notification timing control can be performed by further specifying the priority, or by dividing the content of the transmission timing with a higher priority into a plurality as described above, and the reliability can be further improved. It becomes.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problem, the communication device and the program thereof according to the present invention set the timing for transmitting the transmission data according to the priority determined by the priority determination unit that determines the priority for the data to be transmitted. After waiting for the time determined by the transmission timing determining means to determine, performing the transmission operation for transmitting the transmission data can solve the problem, and accelerate the improvement of the convenience of the system and the promotion of the spread it can.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, after waiting for a predetermined process determined by the transmission timing determining means for determining the timing for transmitting the transmission data according to the priority determined by the priority determining means for determining the priority for the data to be transmitted. A communication device that performs a transmission operation for transmitting the transmission data.

  Then, the transmission timing can be determined in consideration of the priority of data, and important data can be transmitted quickly while avoiding collision.

  In addition to the priority determination unit and the transmission timing determination unit, the second invention includes a communication processing unit connected to the priority determination unit, and data to be transmitted is emitted from the communication processing unit. Further, the data to be transmitted generated by the communication processing unit includes an identifier capable of discriminating the data type, and the priority determination means is set in advance with a priority corresponding to the identifier, The priority determining means is a communication device configured to determine a priority based on an identifier included in data to be transmitted that is transmitted from the communication processing unit.

  Since the priority can be determined by the identifier, it becomes possible to determine the priority for each data, and even in the same device, a plurality of priorities can be provided by the data, and the important data can be transmitted more finely. .

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the priority determined by the priority determination means is high, a plurality of transmission timings are provided even when the priority is high, and the transmission timing is switched every time a message is transmitted. A communication device having a determining means.

  Even when data with high priority is transmitted from a plurality of devices, it is possible to avoid collision between the high priority data.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the priority determined by the priority determination means is high, a plurality of transmission timings are provided even when the priority is high, and the plurality of transmissions are determined by a value of a device identification code indicating its own device number. It is a communication apparatus which has a transmission timing determination means which switches timing.

  Even when data with high priority is transmitted from a plurality of devices, the probability of collision avoidance can be increased.

  5th invention is mounted as an opening / closing sensor which senses the opening / closing state of a window and a door, and transmits the result, and when the identifier of the data which should be transmitted which the communication processing part emits is information about the opening / closing state, The priority determination means is a communication device that determines the data with high priority.

  And important data, such as an open / close state and a battery voltage drop state, can be transmitted quickly while avoiding a collision.

  The sixth invention is implemented as a human sensor that senses the presence state of a person or an object and transmits the result, and when the data to be transmitted issued by the communication processing unit is the presence state, the priority is The determining means is a communication device that determines the data with high priority.

  Then, important data such as the presence / absence of a person and a battery voltage drop state can be transmitted quickly while avoiding a collision.

  The seventh invention is implemented as a remote controller for notifying an emergency state, and when the data to be transmitted issued by the communication processing unit is the emergency state, the priority determination means determines the data to be a high priority Communication device.

  Then, important data such as an emergency call and a battery voltage drop can be transmitted quickly while avoiding a collision.

  The eighth invention is implemented as a remote controller for controlling the state of a controller device that communicates with the communication device, and when the data to be transmitted issued by the communication processing unit is controller control information, the priority The determining means is a communication device that determines the data with high priority.

  And important data, such as a warning setting, warning cancellation setting, a battery voltage fall state, can be transmitted quickly, avoiding a collision.

  The ninth invention is implemented as a fire sensor that senses the presence or absence of a fire and transmits the result, and when the data to be transmitted issued by the communication processing unit is the presence or absence of the fire, the priority determination means It is a communication device that determines the data with high priority.

  And important data, such as a fire detection and a battery voltage fall state, can be transmitted quickly, avoiding a collision.

  The tenth invention is implemented as a fire sensor that senses the presence or absence of gas leakage and transmits the result, and when the data to be transmitted issued by the communication processing unit is the presence or absence of the gas leakage, the priority determination The means is a communication device that determines the data with high priority.

  And important data, such as a gas leak detection and a battery voltage fall state, can be transmitted quickly, avoiding a collision.

  The eleventh invention is implemented as an air conditioner, and when the data to be transmitted generated by the communication processing unit is turned on / off, temperature change, or other air conditioner changes, the priority determining means Is a communication device that determines a high priority.

  Then, important data such as power ON / OFF, temperature change, air volume change, and operation mode change can be transmitted quickly while avoiding collision.

  The twelfth aspect of the invention is implemented as a water heater such as gas, electricity, or heat pump, and when the data to be transmitted generated by the communication processing unit is turned on / off, a change in hot water temperature, or other state of the water heater changes. The priority determination means is a communication device that determines the data with high priority.

  Then, important data such as power ON / OFF, temperature change, and hot water volume change can be transmitted quickly while avoiding collision.

  In a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, when the data to be transmitted generated by the communication processing unit is turned on / off of lighting, or the state of the other lighting equipment changes, the priority determination means stores the data. It is a communication device that determines a high priority.

  Then, important data such as power ON / OFF can be transmitted quickly while avoiding a collision.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, when the data to be transmitted issued by the communication processing unit is detected as a visitor and the state of the door phone is changed, the priority determining unit determines the data to be a high priority. Communication device.

  Then, important data such as visitor detection can be transmitted quickly while avoiding collisions.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, when the data to be transmitted issued by the communication processing unit is locked on / off, and when the state of the electric lock changes, the priority determination means increases the data. It is a communication device that determines priority.

  Then, important data such as locking / unlocking can be transmitted quickly while avoiding a collision.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, when the data to be transmitted issued by the communication processing unit is opened and closed, or the state of the refrigerator changes, the priority determining means sets the data to a high priority. The communication device to be determined.

  Then, important data such as door opening / closing and internal temperature change can be transmitted quickly while avoiding collisions.

  According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, when the data to be transmitted issued by the communication processing unit is implemented as a washing machine and washing is completed, and the state of the other washing machine is changed, the priority determination unit sets the data to a high priority. It is a communication apparatus to decide on.

  Then, important data such as power ON / OFF, start / end of washing, start / end of drying, etc. can be transmitted quickly while avoiding collision.

  In an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, when the data to be transmitted issued by the communication processing unit is finished cooking, or the state of the microwave oven has changed, the priority determination means sets the data to a high priority. It is a communication apparatus to decide on.

  And important data, such as power ON / OFF and cooking end, can be transmitted quickly while avoiding a collision.

  19th invention is implemented as a rice cooker, and when the data which should be transmitted which the said communication processing part emits is the end of rice cooking, and the state of other rice cookers changes, the said priority determination means makes the said data high priority. It is a communication apparatus to decide on.

  Then, important data such as power ON / OFF and operation start / end can be transmitted quickly while avoiding collisions.

  The twentieth invention is implemented as a dishwasher, and when the data to be transmitted issued by the communication processing unit has been washed, or when the state of the dishwasher has changed, the priority determination means increases the data. It is a communication device that determines priority.

  Then, important data such as cleaning start / completion can be transmitted quickly while avoiding a collision.

  21st invention is implemented as a warm water washing toilet seat, and when the data which should be transmitted which the communication processing part emits is abnormal as a result of analyzing excrement, it detects the other information about the person's health detected by the warm water washing toilet seat In this case, the priority determination means is a communication device that determines the data with high priority.

  Then, important data such as health abnormalities can be transmitted quickly while avoiding collisions.

  The twenty-second invention is implemented as an electronic shelf label for a display item such as a store, and when the data to be transmitted issued by the communication processing unit changes in price or the state of the other electronic shelf label changes, the priority determination The means is a communication device that determines the data with high priority.

  And important data such as price changes and battery voltage drops can be transmitted quickly while avoiding collisions.

  In a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, when the data to be transmitted issued by the communication processing unit is opened / closed, pinching is detected, or other shutter state is changed, the priority determination unit sets the data to high priority. It is a communication device that is determined every time.

  And important data such as opening / closing detection and pinching detection can be transmitted quickly while avoiding collision.

  A twenty-fourth invention is a program for causing a computer to execute at least a part of the communication apparatus. And since it is a program, at least a part of the communication apparatus of the present invention can be easily realized by cooperating hardware resources such as an electric / information device, a computer, and a server. In addition, the program can be distributed / updated and installed easily by recording on a recording medium or distributing the program using a communication line.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the wireless communication unit 6 includes a transmission unit 2, a priority determination unit 3, a transmission timing determination unit 4, and a timer unit 5. The antenna 1 is connected to the transmission means 2 that constitutes the wireless communication unit 6. The priority determination means 3 is connected to the communication processing unit 7.

  FIG. 2 shows a system example using the communication apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 2, 8 is a home controller (hereinafter abbreviated as HC), 6 is a communication device, 10 is an open / close sensor, 11 is a human sensor, 12 is an emergency call remote control, and 13 is a setting / canceling remote control. The open / close sensor 9, the human sensor 10, the emergency call remote controller 11, and the setting / cancelling remote controller 12 are specific names of the communication device 6.

  In FIG. 2, the open / close sensor 9, the human sensor 10, the emergency call remote controller 11, and the setting / cancelling remote controller 12 are a “security sensor group”. In this example, for one HC8, there is one “open / close sensor”, one “human sensor”, one “emergency call remote control”, and one “setting / canceling remote control”. It is described.

  The “security sensor group” referred to here is, for example, an open / close sensor 9 that is installed on a window or door in the home, and that responds to an intruder from the outside and sounds an alarm sound or reports that fact, HC8 is detected by detecting the presence or absence of a human being and detecting the presence of a human sensor 10 to prevent an intruder from the outside by intimidating or notifying using an alarm sound or a notification. In addition, when the open / close sensor 9 or the human sensor 10 detects an intrusion, the alarm call remote controller 11 or the human sensor 10 informing the user of the emergency call remote controller 11 or HC8 informing the user is informed. The remote controller 12 is a setting / canceling remote controller 12 for remotely performing a mode in which the user is at home and does not perform warning (referred to as a non-warning mode).

  For example, when an abnormality report from the “security sensor group” occurs, the HC8 notifies the user to that effect using a screen or voice, or reports to an external mobile phone, personal computer, medical institution, service center, etc. Play a role.

  In FIG. 2, only the “security sensor group” is explicitly shown as the communication device 6, but other devices that communicate with the HC 8 include “home appliance group”, “flow rate measurement device group”, “health device”. "Group" is also conceivable. The “home appliance group” mentioned here refers to home appliances used at home such as “washing machine”, “microwave oven”, “air conditioner”, “refrigerator”, “rice cooker”, “hot water heater”, and the like. The HC 8 can grasp or control the current state of these “home appliance groups”. For example, the “home appliance group” is controlled from a mobile phone outside the home via the HC8, and the abnormality information of the “home appliance group” is reported to an external mobile phone, a personal computer, a service center, and the like.

  The “flow rate measuring device group” refers to an energy measuring device called a lifeline of each household, such as electricity, gas, and water. The HC 8 may have a function of communicating with these “flow rate measuring device groups”. That is, for example, the gas flow rate of each household is measured by a “flow rate measuring device” called a gas meter. The HC 8 acquires the meter reading data of the gas meter and sends the data to the gas supplier. The gas company charges the household a gas fee according to the amount of gas used.

  The gas meter measures the gas flow rate and also has various security functions. That is, the gas meter has a shut-off function for shutting off the gas flow. When a gas leak or an earthquake occurs, the gas meter automatically shuts off the gas flow and notifies that effect. The report destination is HC8. The HC8 notifies the gas service company of an alarm report such as a shutoff output from the gas meter. The gas service provider notifies the home of the abnormality by telephone, or in some cases, goes to the home and responds. At this time, the HC 8 can notify the user to that effect using a user interface such as a screen or voice.

  Further, when the gas meter is a gas meter for LP gas, for example, it has a function of detecting the remaining amount of the LP gas cylinder. That is, when the remaining amount of the LP gas cylinder falls below a predetermined level, or when the remaining amount is exhausted, the gas meter detects and notifies that fact. The reporting method is the same as in the case of the above-mentioned blocking. Upon receipt of the report, the gas service provider delivers the gas cylinder to the household and performs an exchange operation.

  The “health equipment group” refers to health equipment such as a sphygmomanometer, a weight scale, a body fat percentage meter, and a pedometer. Each of these devices may exist as a single device, or may be incorporated in, for example, a warm water toilet seat. Devices that measure the state of excrement using a toilet and acquire health data are also included in the “health device group”. In any case, the data acquired by these “health equipment groups” can be reported to an external mobile phone, personal computer, medical institution, service center, etc. via the HC8. Furthermore, it is also possible to acquire these data remotely from outside such as a medical institution.

  Also, the HC 8 sets / cancels various warning operations to the “security sensor group”, controls the power on / off of the “home appliance group”, and turns on / off the flow rate to the “flow rate measuring device group”. It also plays the role of performing such control. Here, in the case of the “security sensor group”, since it is difficult to supply AC power, the “security sensor group” generally operates with a battery. In addition, when the “flow rate measuring device group” is a gas meter or a water meter, the gas meter or the water meter is installed in the garden or the back side of each home and normally operates with a battery.

  On the other hand, in the case of the “home appliance group”, the operation is performed by supplying AC power. As described above, the HC 8 and at least one terminal device 1 such as “security sensor group”, “home appliance group”, “flow rate measuring device group”, and “health device group” constitute a system.

  Here, when the HC 8 communicates with the outside, a line is used. Here, the line is an analog telephone line, ISDN line, ADSL line, FTTH line, cable TV line, or the like. This line uses the various line types introduced by the household. Depending on the line, the communication device 2 is connected via a modem such as a modem, T-NCU (Terminal Network Control Unit), TA, dial-up router, ONU (Optical Network Unit) or the like for connection to the line. Built-in.

  On the other hand, the HC8 and an external server device, a mobile phone, a personal computer, a medical institution, a service center, and the like may be directly connected by a circuit switching method, or may be an ISP (Internet Service Provider) or an ASP (Application Service). In some cases, connection is made using an Internet network via Provider). Further, the communication protocol between the HC8 and an external server device, a mobile phone, a personal computer, a medical institution, a service center, etc. may be a non-procedure original protocol determined in advance by this system, or may be TCP / IP, HTTP, In some cases, an Internet protocol such as HTTPS is used.

  Next, communication between the HC 8 and the communication devices 6 such as “security sensor group”, “home appliance group”, “flow rate measuring device group”, and “health device group” will be described. Here, the communication between the HC 8 and the communication device 6 such as “security sensor group”, “home appliance group”, “flow rate measurement device group”, and “health device group” uses, for example, a specific low-power radio in the 400 MHz band. Done. That is, when the opening / closing sensor 9 or the human sensor 10 detects an intrusion abnormality, the “security sensor group” transmits the fact to the HC 8 using the specific low power radio. When reporting the meter reading value from a gas meter or water meter, or when shutting down the valve of the gas meter or water meter in the event of an abnormality and reporting that effect, the “flow rate measuring device group” will notify the HC8 using a specific low-power radio. To transmit. The same applies to the “health equipment group”.

  Also, when the HC8 sends a signal to the “security sensor group” to shift to a warning operation, or when the valve is remotely shut off / returned to the “flow rate measuring device group” of the gas meter or water meter The specific low-power radio is also used when transmitting an operation ON / OFF command to the “home appliance group”.

  Note that communication between the HC 8 and the communication devices 6 such as “security sensor group”, “home appliance group”, “flow rate measurement device group”, and “health device group” is not limited to the specific low-power radio, but the power line, infrared A communication medium such as a wireless LAN or Bluetooth (R) may be used.

  Here, in the “security sensor group”, as described above, the “opening / closing sensor” is attached to a door or window and threatens the intruder with its own alarm sound or the like when the suspicious person or the like enters, and the communication device 2 To that effect. The “human sensor” detects the movement of a person, animal, or other object, threatens the intruder with its own alarm sound or the like, and informs the communication device 2 accordingly. "Emergency call remote control" notifies the HC8 and others by pressing the emergency call remote control when a user's physical abnormality occurs. The “setting / canceling remote control” remotely sets the warning mode and the non-warning mode. Here, the “open / close sensor” is battery-operated as described above, and emits an alarm sound when a window or door is “open”. The “human sensor” is also battery-operated as described above, and generates an alarm sound when the presence of a person is detected. Note that both the “open / close sensor” and “human sensor” may be AC driven, but both the “open / close sensor” and “human sensor” are more likely to be installed in places where AC power is not available. There is convenience in time. The “emergency call remote control” and the “setting / cancellation remote control” are assumed to be battery-powered because it is assumed that the user carries them around. In addition, these may be AC driving instead of battery driving.

  The operation and action of the communication device 6 configured as described above will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the communication device 6 and the communication processing unit 7 of the present invention incorporated in each device of FIG.

  In FIG. 3, the vertical axis is a time axis, and communication is performed obliquely in order to perform communication between the HC 8 and the communication device 6 by specific low-power radio and spend some time. On the other hand, the communication processing unit 7 is built in or externally attached to the communication device 6 and is connected to the communication processing unit 7 through a wired or software interface. The communication device 6 mainly performs wireless communication with the HC 8. The communication processing unit 7 is a part that mainly serves as a function of the open / close sensor 9 and the human sensor 10.

  Although the communication device 6 and the communication processing unit 7 have been described as separate units, the communication device 6 and the communication processing unit 7 may be integrated. In this case, the logic between the communication device 6 and the communication processing unit 7 is integrated and realized as an internal process.

  Further, the transmission timing determination means 4 can be provided on the communication processing unit 7 side. In that case, the communication processing unit 7 determines the communication timing with the HC 8.

  Since the communication between the communication device 6 and the communication processing unit 7 is faster than the specific low power wireless section between the HC 8 and the communication device 6, the communication is shown right next to FIG. 3. A dotted line in FIG. 3 indicates a time zone in which radio waves are actually flying in space.

  First, communication between the HC 8 and the open / close sensor 9 and the human sensor 10 will be described.

  Here, since both the “open / close sensor” and the “human sensor” sound their own alarm sound, they cannot always be in a warning state. This is because, if the alert state is always set, a warning sound is emitted from the detected sensor every time the user opens / closes a window or door or roams around the human sensor, which causes great inconvenience to the user.

  In addition, since the “open / close sensor” and “human sensor” are battery-driven as described above, there is a problem that if the alarm is always maintained, current must be supplied to the sensing portion of each sensor, and battery consumption is accelerated. is there.

  Furthermore, when the “open / close sensor” and “human sensor” are detected in a warning state, a notification is made to the HC8. If the warning state is always set, communication traffic between the HC8 and the “open / close sensor” and “human sensor” Increases the possibility of interference and interference. In addition, battery consumption is increased by communication.

  From the above, the “open / close sensor” and “human sensor” will be described below on the assumption that two modes of “warning mode” and “non-warning mode” are provided. The “warning mode” is a mode in which three points of sensing, alarm sounding, and calling to HC8 are performed, and the above three points are not performed in non-warning. The “warning mode” and “non-warning mode” of the “open / close sensor” and “human sensor” are set from the HC 8.

  In FIG. 3, when the “warning mode” is set, a screen, a button, or the like attached to the HC 8 is operated. Then, the HC 8 transmits “warning mode start” to all the sensors in the home, in this case, the open / close sensor 9 and the open / close sensor 11 by “broadcast” (I communication in FIG. 3). Here, “broadcast” refers to transmission without specifying a partner to all the communication devices 6 by specific low-power radio as described above. The communication device 6 side, here, the open / close sensor 9 and the human sensor 10 receive a signal to that effect and sends it to the communication processing unit 7.

  Thus, basically, the alarm setting by the broadcast from the HC 8 to the open / close sensor 9 and the human sensor 10 causes the open / close sensor 9 and the human sensor 10 to enter the “warning mode”. It is not possible to confirm whether the warning setting based on the information has reached the opening / closing sensor 9 or the human sensor 10. That is, it is also assumed that the warning-set radio wave due to the broadcast does not reach the opening / closing sensor 9 or the human sensor 10 for some reason such as noise or interference.

  Therefore, the HC 10 individually sets warnings for all the sensors that communicate with the HC 10, such as the open / close sensor 9 and the human sensor 10, after the warning setting by the broadcast (II, III communication in FIG. 3). ) And receive a response from the other party to check whether the open / close sensor 9 and the human sensor 10 are in the “warning mode”. If the response cannot be received, a retransmission is performed (not shown in FIG. 3). .

  Next, communication between the HC 8 and the emergency call remote controller 11 will be described.

  A case in which a user's physical change or the like occurs and the emergency call remote controller 11 is used may be considered. When the user presses a button or the like, the emergency call remote controller 11 sends information to that effect to the HC 8. The HC 8 has a function of displaying such information on a screen or other means, or calling and contacting an external telephone. Similarly to the open / close sensor 9 and the human sensor 10, the emergency call remote controller 11 also includes a communication device 6 and a communication processing unit 7.

  Here, a case where the user presses the emergency call remote controller 11 will be described. The pressing of the emergency call remote controller 11 is detected by the communication processing unit 7, and the communication processing unit 7 sends data to that effect to the communication device 6 (IV communication in FIG. 3). In FIG. 1, the communication device 6 receives data to that effect by the internal priority determination means 3. Here, the priority determination means 3 checks the contents of the data sent from the communication processing unit 7. The method of checking is checked by an identifier (data type) included in data sent from the communication processing unit 7 to the priority determination means 3.

  The data that the emergency call remote controller 11 sends to the HC 8 includes information on pressing the emergency call remote controller 11 of the user as described here, and information to the HC 8 when the battery of the emergency call remote controller 11 that is battery-powered is exhausted. There is information that prompts the user to replace the battery. Based on the identifier included in the data sent from the communication processing unit 7, the priority determining means 3 determines that the data is to be preferentially transmitted when the information is the pressing information of the emergency call remote controller 11 as shown here. This is notified to the transmission timing determination means 4 in FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is other data based on the identifier (data type) included in the data sent from the communication processing unit 7, it is determined that the data is to be normally transmitted, and that is the transmission timing. In addition to notifying the determination means 4, the transmission data is sent to the transmission means 2.

  Here, the description has been made so that the determination is made based on the identifier (data type) sent from the communication processing unit 7, but the priority determination means 3 may independently determine “priority” and “normal”. For example, an emergency call caused by the user pressing the emergency call remote controller 11 needs to be notified to all the HCs 8 when, for example, a plurality of HCs 8 exist in the own system. However, when the priority determination means 3 transmits in “broadcast” in this way, all are determined to be “priority”, and the opening / closing sensor 9 and the human sensor 10 described above are HC8. As in the case of a response to the individual alert setting from, a method may be adopted in which it is determined that data to be transmitted only to a specific partner is “normal”. In other words, all of these may be referred to as “data type” including determinations such as identifiers and “priority” and “normal”.

  Next, the operation of the transmission means 2 of FIG. 1 will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

  The transmission means 2 performs “carrier sense” in order to transmit the data sent from the priority determination means 3 (13a in FIG. 4). Here, “carrier sense” is an operation of checking whether there is already a radio wave on the channel to which it is transmitting.

  Here, for example, three channels (CH_A, CH_B, and CH_C in FIG. 4) can be used for wireless communication between the HC 8 and the opening / closing sensor 9, the human sensor 10, the emergency call remote controller 11, and the setting / canceling remote controller 12. To do. In this case, “carrier sense” is performed for all three channels (13a, 14a, and 15a in FIG. 4). If it is determined that there is no carrier for all channels, the antenna 1 is used to wirelessly transmit data (17 in FIG. 4). On the other hand, if any of CH_A, CH_B, and CH_C is “with carrier”, it is checked whether the radio wave is the radio wave of the own system (13b, 14b, and 15b in FIG. 4).

  Here, the message structure for identifying the system to which the user belongs is described. The data format of the transmission radio wave is as shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, (1) shows the entire data format configuration. In FIG. 5 (1), section (a) is called a header part and corresponds to intermittent reception (bit synchronization signal 1 + frame synchronization signal 1 + data signal 1) as one block and has a length longer than the intermittent reception period. The block is repeatedly transmitted N times. The section (b) is called an information part. The section (c) is a signal indicating the end of transmission, but may not be present.

  The detailed configuration of data 1 is shown in (2) of FIG. The detailed configuration of data 2 is shown in (3) of FIG.

  Data 1 includes a receiving device identification code indicating a destination and a partial wireless system identification code which is a part of a wireless system identification code for identifying whether or not the system belongs to itself. The partial radio system identification code is a radio system identification code divided into three parts. Data 2 includes a wireless system identification code and a transmission device identification code indicating a transmission source. Whether the message belongs to the system to which the user belongs is determined by the wireless system identification code.

  When the radio wave of “with carrier” by “carrier sense” is the radio wave of its own system, the transmission means 2 waits until the radio wave disappears (18 in FIG. 4). When there is no radio wave, the transmission timing determining means 4 is notified of this.

  Next, the operations of the transmission timing determination unit 4 and the timer unit 5 of FIG. 1 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. When the transmission timing determination means 4 receives from the transmission means 2 that the radio wave of its own system has been lost, it starts the timer means 5 and sets the time measured by the timer means 5 at that time.

  Here, the transmission timing determination unit 4 sets the time measured by the timer unit 5 in accordance with the “priority” and “normal” information from the priority determination unit 3. When the information from the priority determination means 3 is “priority”, “wait time for priority slot: X” is set (20 in FIG. 4). If two priority slots are provided (two timings of 20 msec and 60 msec), either 20 msec or 60 msec is set (20 in FIG. 4).

  On the other hand, when the information from the priority determination unit 3 is “normal”, the transmission timing determination unit 4 sets the following calculation time. For example, “waiting time for priority slot: X” is added to the value obtained by subtracting the random timing for each device from the value of the device identification code indicating the own device number held by the wireless communication unit 6 and the hardware transmission operation. This value is obtained by multiplying the value obtained by adding the time and the time variation for avoiding the collision for each device (21 in FIG. 4).

  For example, when n = 20, the device identification code of the open / close sensor 9 is 02, the device identification code of the human sensor 10 is 03, the device identification code of the emergency call remote control 11 is 04, and the device identification code of the setting / canceling remote control 12 is 05. Yes, two “priority slots” are provided, and the time required for hardware transmission operation is added: A = 100 ms, the value for generating random timing for each device is “00 to 6F”, When the time variation for avoiding the collision is considered to be every 5 milliseconds, the waiting time of the open / close sensor 9 = 180 milliseconds, the waiting time of the human sensor 10 = 220 milliseconds, the waiting time of the emergency call remote controller 11 = 260 milliseconds, setting / release The waiting time of the remote controller 12 is 300 milliseconds (the calculation formulas for the above “priority” and “normal” are shown in FIG. 6). Then, after the waiting time has elapsed, the wireless communication means 6 is shifted to a transmission operation.

  When two priority slots are provided (two timings of 20 msec and 60 msec), either 20 msec or 60 msec is set (20 in FIG. 4). Thus, by providing a plurality of priority slots, when a plurality of emergency call remote controllers 11 are connected, the slots can be distributed even if the transmission timing coincides. This “priority slot” distribution method may be, for example, distributed according to even / odd number of “equipment identification code” inherently owned by each emergency call remote controller 11 or alternately used whenever a transmission requirement occurs. You may take a way to do.

  In the transmission timing determining means 4, a device identification code that is a number unique to the communication device 6 is used as a method for determining the transmission waiting time. However, other numbers unique to the communication device 6 may be used. good.

  Further, the transmission timing determination means 4 may include random number generation means, and the transmission waiting time may be determined using a random value generated by the random number generation means.

  Further, the transmission timing determination unit 4 may determine the transmission waiting time based on the circuit operation time generated due to the circuit characteristics of the communication device 6. For example, the lock time of the PLL circuit can be used as the circuit operation time generated due to the circuit characteristics of the communication device 6.

  The timer means 5 measures the time set by the transmission timing determination means 4, and when the measurement is completed, informs the transmission means 2 to that effect (16 in FIG. 4). The transmission means 2 transmits at the timing of “no carrier” (17 in FIG. 4).

  As described above, when an “IV emergency call” occurs as shown in FIG. 3, the “II response” from the open / close sensor 9 to the HC 8 is output as a radio wave in the radio space. "IV emergency call" cannot be sent immediately, but when "IV emergency call" is treated as "priority" A “call” can be sent to the HC 8. In this way, each device can efficiently transmit a message without colliding with a telegram, and in the case of an emergency call of the emergency call remote controller 11 that the user presses in an emergency, the radio wave is immediately transmitted with “with carrier”. Even when transmission is not possible, it is possible to perform transmission at an early timing by using the priority slot, increasing the convenience value for the user and greatly increasing the spread of the system.

In the flowchart of FIG. 4, it is described that the timer means 5 is not activated in the first transmission, but is transmitted immediately if “no carrier”, but the timer means 5 is activated from the time of the first transmission. , It may be transmitted in the “priority” or “normal” slot.
Further, as to what data is treated as “priority” and what data is treated as “normal”, for example, it can be considered as shown in FIG. That is, the status change information of each device is treated as “priority”, and the read response from the HC 8 and the communication confirmation between each device and the HC 8 (the communication confirmation here refers to, for example, an appropriate distance or wireless communication with the HC 8) "Determining whether it is used in a place by the strength of the radio wave)" is treated as "normal". By doing this, even if the radio wave of the own system is in use, information that must be transmitted to the HC 8 as soon as possible can be transmitted as soon as the radio wave of the own system runs out, improving the reliability of the system. Will be able to.

  Further, in FIG. 7, the description has been made with the two slots of “priority” and “normal”. However, by defining the priority more finely or by dividing the contents of the “priority” slot into a plurality of slots as described above, the HC8 This makes it possible to perform more detailed notification timing control with respect to the above and further improve the reliability.

  Note that the means described in this embodiment causes hardware resources such as a CPU (or microcomputer), a RAM, a ROM, a storage / recording device, an electrical / information device including an I / O, a computer, a server, and the like to cooperate. You may implement with the form of a program. In the form of a program, new functions can be easily distributed / updated and installed by recording them on a recording medium such as magnetic media or optical media or distributing them via a communication line such as the Internet.

  As described above, the communication device and the program according to the present invention can make a call as soon as possible without colliding data, so that “security sensor group”, “home appliance group”, “flow rate measurement device group” in the home It can also be applied to applications such as communication between terminal devices and communication devices such as “health equipment group”.

Block diagram of a communication apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention System diagram using communication device in embodiment 1 of the present invention Explanatory drawing explaining communication of the communication apparatus and home controller in Embodiment 1 of this invention Flowchart of communication apparatus in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Communication data format diagram between the communication device and the home controller in Embodiment 1 of the present invention The figure showing the transmission slot control timing of the communication apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention Relationship diagram between transmission data and transmission slot control of communication apparatus in embodiment 1 of the present invention

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Antenna 2 Transmission means 3 Priority determination means 4 Transmission timing determination means 5 Timer means 6 Communication apparatus 7 Communication processing part 8 Home controller 9 Opening / closing sensor 10 Human sensor 11 Emergency call remote control 12 Setting / canceling remote control

Claims (24)

The transmission data is transmitted after waiting for a predetermined process determined by the transmission timing determining means for determining the timing for transmitting the transmission data according to the priority determined by the priority determining means for determining the priority for the data to be transmitted. A communication device that performs a transmission operation for the purpose. The communication apparatus includes a communication processing unit connected to the priority determination unit in addition to the priority determination unit and the transmission timing determination unit, and data to be transmitted is emitted from the communication processing unit. The data to be transmitted generated by the communication processing unit includes an identifier capable of discriminating the data type, and the priority determination means is preset with a priority corresponding to the identifier, and the priority The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the degree determining means is configured to determine a priority based on an identifier included in data to be transmitted generated from the communication processing unit. And a transmission timing determination unit configured to provide a plurality of transmission timings and switch the plurality of transmission timings every time a message is transmitted when the priority determined by the priority determination unit is high. 2. The communication device according to 2. When the priority determined by the priority determination means is high, a transmission timing determination that provides a plurality of transmission timings even when the priority is high and switches the plurality of transmission timings according to a value of a device identification code indicating its own device number. The communication apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means. The communication device is implemented as an open / close sensor that senses an open / closed state of a window or a door and transmits the result, and when an identifier of data to be transmitted issued by the communication processing unit is information on the open / closed state, The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the priority determination unit determines the data to have a high priority. The communication device is implemented as a human sensor that senses the presence state of a person or an object and transmits the result, and when the data to be transmitted issued by the communication processing unit is information on the presence state, the priority is given. The communication apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the degree determining means determines the data with high priority. The communication device is implemented as a remote controller for notifying an emergency state, and when the data to be transmitted issued by the communication processing unit is information on the emergency state, the priority determination unit sets the data to a high priority. The communication device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the communication device is determined. The communication device is implemented as a remote controller for controlling the state of a controller device that communicates with the communication device, and when the data to be transmitted issued by the communication processing unit is controller control information, the priority determination 3. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means determines the data with high priority. The communication device is implemented as a fire sensor that senses the presence or absence of a fire and transmits the result, and when the data to be transmitted issued by the communication processing unit is information on the presence or absence of the fire, the priority determination means 3. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data is determined with high priority. The communication device is implemented as a fire sensor that senses the presence or absence of gas leakage and transmits the result, and when the data to be transmitted issued by the communication processing unit is information on the presence or absence of the gas leakage, the priority The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines the data with high priority. The communication device is implemented as an air conditioner, and when the data to be transmitted issued by the communication processing unit is information on power on / off, temperature change, and other air condition change, the priority determining means The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data is determined with high priority. The communication device is mounted as a water heater such as gas, electricity, or heat pump, and the data to be transmitted generated by the communication processing unit is information on power on / off, hot water temperature change, and other hot water heater state changes. 3. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the priority determination unit determines the data to have a high priority. The communication device is implemented as a lighting device, and when the data to be transmitted generated by the communication processing unit is information on lighting on / off, and other changes in the state of the lighting device, the priority determination means 3. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein data is determined with high priority. The communication device is implemented as a door phone, and when the data to be transmitted issued by the communication processing unit is information relating to visitor detection and other changes in the state of the door phone, the priority determination means sets the data to a high priority The communication device according to claim 1 or 2, which is determined as follows. The communication device is implemented as an electric lock, and when the data to be transmitted issued by the communication processing unit is information on locking / unlocking and other changes in the state of the electric lock, the priority determination means The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is determined to have a high priority. The communication device is implemented as a refrigerator, and when the data to be transmitted issued by the communication processing unit is information on opening / closing of a door or other changes in the state of the refrigerator, the priority determination means prioritizes the data. The communication device according to claim 1 or 2, which is determined each time. The communication device is implemented as a washing machine, and when the data to be transmitted issued by the communication processing unit is information on the end of washing and other changes in the state of the washing machine, the priority determination means increases the data. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication apparatus determines priority. The communication device is implemented as a microwave oven, and when the data to be transmitted issued by the communication processing unit is information on the end of cooking or other changes in the state of the microwave oven, the priority determination means increases the data. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication apparatus determines priority. When the communication device is implemented as a rice cooker and the data to be transmitted issued by the communication processing unit is information related to the end of rice cooking or other changes in the state of the rice cooker, the priority determination means increases the data. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication apparatus determines priority. The communication device is implemented as a dishwasher, and when the data to be transmitted issued by the communication processing unit is information about the end of washing and other changes in the state of the dishwasher, the priority determination means The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is determined to have a high priority. The communication device is implemented as a warm water washing toilet seat, and when the data to be transmitted issued by the communication processing unit is abnormal as a result of analyzing excrement, other information related to detecting human health detected by the warm water washing toilet seat 3. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the information is information, the priority determination unit determines the data with high priority. The communication device is mounted as an electronic shelf label for a display such as a store, and when the data to be transmitted issued by the communication processing unit is information relating to a price change or other state change of the electronic shelf label, the priority is given. The communication apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the degree determining means determines the data with high priority. The communication device is implemented as a shutter, and when the data to be transmitted issued by the communication processing unit is information on the open / closed state, pinching detection, and other changes in the shutter state, the priority determination unit stores the data. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is determined to have a high priority. A program for causing a computer to realize at least a part of the functions of the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 23.