JP2020072305A - Radio terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wireless terminal capable of improving workability for entering a network. A wireless terminal 20 receives information from an operation unit 22 that accepts an activation operation for starting entry into a network 14 and another terminal 20i that is a wireless terminal 20 capable of wireless communication in response to the activation operation. The scanning unit 23j, which detects information indicating the communication status with the other terminal 20i and acquires the received information and the detected information as the terminal information of the other terminal 20i, and the network 14 to which the other terminal 20i belongs enter the market. It is provided with a determination unit 25 that performs a determination process for determining whether the network 14 is possible or not based on the terminal information. [Selection diagram] Fig. 2

Description

  The present invention relates to wireless terminals.

  As a conventional wireless terminal, an automatic meter-reading wireless device shown in Patent Document 1 is known, and the automatic meter-reading wireless device has a wireless master device and a wireless slave device. This wireless slave device acquires usage data of gas or the like from a meter and wirelessly transmits it to the wireless master device. The wireless master device receives the usage fee data from the registered wireless slave device, and transmits the usage fee data to the remote sensing device of the operator via the T-NCU.

  When registering a wireless slave device, the wireless master device determines whether or not the slave device information is stored in itself when there is a response from the wireless slave device after accepting the operation setting by the input from the operator. .. Then, the wireless master device newly registers or overwrites and registers the information of the wireless slave device according to the determination result and the received operation setting.

JP, 2002-218569, A

  In the automatic meter-reading wireless device of Patent Document 1, the worker must perform the work of operating and setting the wireless master device and the work of starting the wireless slave device and making the wireless master device respond to the timing. Therefore, if the wireless slave device is registered near the meter remote from the wireless master device, it is necessary for two workers to work on the wireless master device and the wireless slave device, respectively.

  On the other hand, when working by one worker, the worker places the wireless slave unit near the wireless master unit away from the meter and operates both units to register the wireless slave unit in the wireless master unit. Then move the wireless slave unit near the meter. Depending on the communication environment near the meter, the wireless slave device may not be able to perform wireless communication with the wireless master device. In this case, it is necessary to reregister the wireless slave device with another wireless master device.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless terminal capable of improving the workability of entering a network.

  A wireless terminal according to an aspect of the present invention receives information from an operation unit that accepts a start operation for starting entry into a network and another terminal that is a wireless terminal capable of wireless communication according to the start operation, and the other terminal. A scanning unit that detects information indicating the communication status with the other terminal and acquires the received information and the detected information as terminal information of the other terminal, and whether the network to which the other terminal belongs is the network that can enter And a determination unit that performs determination processing based on the terminal information.

  According to this configuration, when the operator activates the wireless terminal, the network in which the wireless terminal can enter is automatically determined based on the terminal information of the other terminal capable of wireless communication. Therefore, a single worker can perform the work of determining the network that can enter. Further, since another terminal belonging to this network and the wireless terminal can already wirelessly communicate with each other, it is possible to avoid a situation where the wireless terminal is re-registered because the communication cannot be performed. Therefore, it is possible to improve the workability of entering the network.

  In the wireless terminal, the reception information includes a rank indicating the minimum hop number among the hop numbers to the wireless terminal with the function of issuing terminal identification information in the network to which the other terminal belongs, and the detection information is , Including an RSSI indicating a communication stability that is a field strength measurement value with the other terminal, the scanning unit is in order from the smallest rank, and the terminal information of the same rank is the same. A plurality of terminals information may be acquired in a descending order of the RSSI, if there are a plurality of terminals. According to this configuration, by activating only the wireless terminal that the user wants to join, it is possible to easily determine a joinable network in which the communication state is good and communication can be performed efficiently, based on the rank and the RSSI.

  The wireless terminal further includes an acquisition unit that acquires the number of wireless terminals belonging to the network from the other terminal as the terminal information, and the determination unit is the wireless terminal when the determination process is the first time. The number of wireless terminals is less than or equal to the first threshold, the network is determined to be an enterable network, the determination process is not the first time, and the number of wireless terminals in the previous determination process is less than or equal to the first threshold. When it is determined that the number of wireless terminals does not exist, it may be determined that the network in which the number of the wireless terminals is equal to or less than the second threshold value that is larger than the first threshold value is the network that can enter.

  According to this configuration, a network with a small number of wireless terminals is determined as an enterable network. As a result, the number of wireless terminals in the network can be equalized.

  In the wireless terminal, the acquisition unit transmits the identification information of the operator who uses the network to the other terminal together with the request for the number of the wireless terminals, and obtains the identification information of the operator that matches the identification information of the operator. The number of the wireless terminals belonging to the network may be acquired as the terminal information from the other terminal having the wireless terminals.

  According to this configuration, the wireless terminal determines the network that can enter based on the identification information of the business operator. This allows the wireless terminal to join the network of the desired business operator.

  The wireless terminal gives priority to the network to which the wireless terminal having the smaller rank belongs, and, if the ranks are the same, to the network to which the wireless terminal having the larger RSSI belongs, among the networks that can participate. The network may be further provided with a registration unit for requesting issuance of the terminal identification information.

  According to this configuration, in the wireless terminal, a network having a smaller rank and a larger RSSI is determined as a network that can enter. As a result, it is possible to enter a network in which communication is more stable and communication can be performed efficiently.

  The wireless terminal may periodically repeat acquisition of the terminal information of the other terminal when the terminal identification information cannot be acquired by the registration unit for all the enterable networks.

  According to this configuration, even if the wireless terminal cannot join the network, the scanning unit periodically repeats the acquisition of the terminal information, and thus the joining network is automatically determined based on the terminal information. Be seen. Then, when a network that can enter nearby is newly constructed, the wireless terminal can automatically join the network.

  In the wireless terminal, the registration unit may obtain the issued terminal identification information and also obtain key information used for authentication in the network. According to this configuration, the key information can be acquired at the same time as the terminal identification information is acquired, and the information transmitted and received in the network can be more safely transmitted by the acquired key information.

  The wireless terminal further includes a switching unit that switches between an automatic entry method and a manual entry method into the network, and the registration unit has already entered the automatic entry method when the automatic entry method is set by the switching unit. The other terminal or the other terminal already entered by the manual entry method may be requested to issue the terminal identification information. According to this configuration, the wireless terminal can request the other terminal to issue the terminal identification information regardless of the entry method of the other terminal. Therefore, the wireless terminal can reliably include the wireless terminal in the network even in a network in which wireless terminals that have entered by both the automatic entry method and the manual entry method are mixed.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention has an effect that it is possible to provide a wireless terminal having the configuration described above and improving the workability of entering a network.

  The above objects, other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It is a figure which shows schematically the automatic meter-reading system provided with the wireless terminal which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the wireless terminal of FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the wireless terminal of FIG. 2. It is a functional block diagram which shows roughly the structure of the radio | wireless terminal which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention.

(Embodiment 1)
<Structure of automatic meter reading system>
As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless terminal 20 according to the first embodiment is used, for example, in an automatic meter reading system 10. The automatic meter-reading system 10 is a system that transmits information such as meter-reading data such as the amount of gas, water, and electricity used to a remote center 11.

  The automatic meter reading system 10 includes a plurality of networks 14. The network 14 has one or more collecting wireless terminals 20 for collecting information, and one transmitting wireless terminal 12 for transmitting the collected information to the center 11. The transmission wireless terminal 12 has a function of a gateway that wirelessly communicates between the center 11 and the network 14 of the wireless terminal 20, and is provided in the meter 13 that measures the usage amount.

  The wireless terminal 20 for collection is connected to the meter 13 by wire, and acquires information such as meter reading data of the usage fee measured by the meter 13. Further, among the collection wireless terminals 20, one wireless terminal 20 connected to the transmission wireless terminal 12 by wire is the master device 20a, and another wireless terminal 20 not connected to the transmission wireless terminal 12 is It is a child device 20b.

  The parent device 20a and the child device 20b are mutually connected by wireless communication, and information is transmitted, received, and relayed to each other to construct the network 14. In such a multi-hop network 14, the information such as the meter reading data acquired by the child device 20b is relayed in multiple stages and sent to the parent device 20a. Then, the information such as the meter reading data is transmitted from the master device 20a to the center 11 by wireless communication via the transmission wireless terminal 12.

<Configuration of wireless terminal for collection>
As shown in FIG. 1, the parent device 20a, as a wireless terminal with a function of issuing terminal identification information in the network 14, issues the terminal identification information to the child device 20b. On the other hand, the child device 20b acquires the terminal identification information from the parent device 20a when entering the network. The entry into this network includes the case where the network is not entered and the case where the network is already entered, and the case where the network is already entered is re-entered to another network.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the master device 20a includes a transmission / reception unit 21, an operation unit 22, a storage unit 27, a control unit 28, an antenna 29, and an issuing unit 30. The slave device 20b includes a transmission / reception unit 21, an operation unit 22, a scanning unit 23, an acquisition unit 24, a determination unit 25, a registration unit 26, a storage unit 27, a control unit 28, and an antenna 29. In the parent device 20a and the child device 20b, the transmission / reception unit 21 transmits and receives information via the antenna 29, whereby wireless communication is performed.

  The operation unit 22 uses, for example, a switch such as a reed switch, and an interface that receives a wire telegram (start control) transmitted from a communication device such as a setting device used for maintenance and the like. A memory is used as the storage unit 27, and a device that transmits and receives radio waves is used as the antenna 29. For example, a processor is used for the other components (transmission / reception unit 21, scan unit 23, acquisition unit 24, determination unit 25, registration unit 26, control unit 28, and issuing unit 30). For example, the memory and the processor are configured by a microcomputer or the like.

  When the wireless terminal 20 does not belong to the network 14, the storage unit 27 stores predetermined information that the wireless terminal 20 itself has in advance. The predetermined information is initial information set in advance, and has predetermined device information, predetermined NT information, predetermined key information, predetermined operator information, and rank. The rank will be described later.

  The predetermined device information is terminal identification information such as an address that distinguishes its own wireless terminal 20 (own terminal) from other wireless terminals 20. The predetermined NT information is identification information that distinguishes the network 14 of the self terminal (self network 14) from other networks 14. The predetermined key information is information used for authentication in communication of the own network 14, and is an encryption key such as a session key. The predetermined business operator information is identification information that identifies a business operator of the automatic meter-reading system 10 in which the self-terminal is used.

  When the wireless terminal 20 belongs to the network 14, the storage unit 27 stores, in addition to the predetermined information, the belonging information given from the parent device 20a of the network 14, the hop count table, and the rank. The affiliation information is information on communication in the network 14 to which the affiliation belongs, and includes affiliation device information, affiliation NT information, and affiliation key information. The hop count table will be described later.

  The belonging device information is terminal identification information such as an address that distinguishes the own terminal from other wireless terminals 20 in the belonging network 14. The affiliated NT information is identification information that distinguishes the affiliated network 14 from other networks. The belonging key information is information used for authentication in the communication of the belonging network 14, and is an encryption key such as a session key.

  For example, the affiliation information is given (issued) from the issuing unit 30 of the parent device 20a to the registration unit 26 of the child device 20b. Further, in the parent device 20a, the predetermined NT information and the predetermined key information of its own predetermined information are used as the belonging NT information and the belonging key information of the belonging information, respectively.

  Further, when the wireless terminal 20 does not belong to the network 14, the control unit 28 periodically transmits a beacon (RIT Data Request) storing the predetermined device information and the predetermined NT information via the transmission / reception unit 21. On the other hand, when the wireless terminal 20 belongs to the network 14, the control unit 28 periodically transmits a beacon storing the belonging device information, the belonging NT information, and the rank via the transmitting / receiving unit 21. Then, in any state, the transmission / reception unit 21 makes it possible to receive information for the first predetermined time after transmitting the beacon. As described above, the wireless terminal 20 operates intermittently to reduce power consumption.

<Rank>
The rank is the smallest number of hops from the self terminal to the base device 20a in the network 14, and for example, 0h to Eh is set as the rank. The rank is updated every time the hop count table is exchanged.

  When the wireless terminal 20 does not belong to the network 14, the rank is an initial value and is set to Fh, for example. Even if the wireless terminal 20 joins the network 14, if the parent device 20a cannot be recognized in the network 14 due to a failure of the parent device 20a, the rank is maintained at Fh.

  When the wireless terminal 20 belongs to the network 14 and is the master device 20a, the rank is set to 0h. For example, the rank of the wireless terminal 20 adjacent to the parent device 20a by one hop is set to 1h. When the wireless terminal 20 belongs to the network 14 and is the child device 20b, and when there are a plurality of communication routes to the parent device 20a, the smallest number of hops in each communication route is set as the rank.

<Hop number table>
The hop count table is information in which the belonging device information of the wireless terminal 20 belonging to the network 14 and the hop count of the wireless terminal 20 are associated with each other. The hop count table holds not only the information of the own terminal but also the information of other wireless terminals 20 that have already joined the network 14 and are adjacent to the network 14. The number of hops is the number of wireless terminals 20 (slave devices 20b) that pass through before reaching the master device 20a of the network 14. When the number of wireless terminals 20 passing between the self terminal and the master device 20a is n, the number of hops is n + 1h.

  For example, the hop count table is exchanged by wireless communication with another wireless terminal 20 (another terminal) capable of wireless communication when the wireless terminal 20 joins the network 14 and every second predetermined time. .. The wireless terminal 20 updates the hop count table of its own terminal according to the hop count table received from the other terminal. For example, the wireless terminal 20 adds 1h to the number of hops of another terminal capable of wireless communication to obtain the number of hops of its own terminal. Therefore, according to the joining and leaving of the wireless terminal 20 in the network 14, the hop count table is updated in order from other terminals that wirelessly communicate with the wireless terminal 20. Note that the wireless terminal 20 receives the hop number table from another terminal after initializing the hop number table of its own terminal before entering the network 14.

<Operation of wireless terminal>
A case where the wireless terminal 20 joins the network 14 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. For convenience of explanation, the reference numeral of the wireless terminal 20 (entry terminal 20j) that joins the network 14 and its components is denoted by j, and the wireless terminal 20 (other terminal 20i) capable of wireless communication with the entry terminal 20j and The reference numbers of the respective components will be described by adding i.

  First, when the operation unit 22j is externally operated by a user such as an operator, the entry terminal 20j receives a startup operation for starting entry into the network 14 (step S1). Thereby, the entry terminal 20j sets the predetermined device information and the predetermined NT information of the predetermined information for wireless communication, and starts the automatic entry process.

  In this automatic entry process, the scan unit 23j receives the activation operation of the operation unit 22j and executes communication (RIT scan process) for confirming the wireless terminals 20 that have already entered the network 14 existing in the vicinity (step S2). ..

  In this RIT scan process, the scanning unit 23j receives the beacon transmitted from the other terminal 20i by the transmitting / receiving unit 21j for the third predetermined time. The beacon (reception information) includes affiliated device information, affiliated NT information, and rank. Here, when the entry terminal 20j receives information from a plurality of other terminals 20i having the same affiliated NT information, the entry terminal 20j sets the information of the other terminal 20i having the smallest rank as the reception information. As a result, this received information becomes the device information of the other terminal 20i having the lowest rank in the network 14 to which it belongs.

  Then, the entry terminal 20j continues to receive the beacon from the other terminal 20i until the elapsed time from the start of scanning reaches the third predetermined time. For example, when the other terminal 20i emits a beacon every 5 seconds, the third predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) is set so that the beacon is received a plurality of times (for example, twice) accordingly. Has been done. As a result, the entry terminal 20j can more reliably acquire the beacon from the other terminal 20i.

  If the entry terminal 20j cannot receive the beacon within the third predetermined time, the time for receiving the beacon may be extended. This extension may be performed in response to an extension request instructed by the transmission / reception unit 21j. Also, the extension number is limited to a predetermined number.

  Then, the transmission / reception unit 21j, upon receiving the beacon, also detects information indicating the communication status with the other terminal 20i, and outputs this detection information to the scanning unit 23j. The information indicating the communication status is information indicating communication stability with the other terminal 20i, and is an electrolytic strength measurement value with the other terminal 20i. For example, when a beacon is received from the other terminal 20i. Signal strength (RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator)) is used. Then, the scanning unit 23j collects the received information and the detected RSSI information as the terminal information of the other terminal 20i (step S3). At this time, the scanning unit 23j may leave the terminal information having a large RSSI when there is a plurality of pieces of terminal information having the minimum rank.

  Then, the scanning unit 23j arranges the acquired terminal information in order from the smallest rank. Here, when the ranks of the plurality of terminal information are the same, the scanning unit 23j arranges the terminal information in descending order of RSSI. Then, the terminal information of a predetermined number (for example, three) of the other terminals 20i is selected in order from the smallest rank, and in the terminal information of the same rank, from the largest RSSI. Then, the scanning unit 23j stores the selected terminal information in the storage unit 27 (step S4).

  If the other terminal 20i does not belong to the network 14 or cannot recognize the parent device 20a of the network 14, the rank is set to Fh. The terminal information of such a rank is not included in the terminal information of a small rank, and this terminal information is not selected by the scanning unit 23j.

  In this way, it is possible to select the terminal information of the other terminal 20i that has entered the network 14 of the automatic meter reading system 10 of a predetermined business operator, has a stable communication status, and is as close as possible to the parent device 20a. it can. Further, by limiting the maximum number to the predetermined number and storing the other terminal information of the other terminals 20i, the capacity and the communication amount of the storage unit 27 can be suppressed. Furthermore, by selecting the terminal information based on the RSSI and the rank, it is possible to easily and automatically select the terminal information of the other terminal 20i that is a determination factor of the network 14 that can enter.

  Subsequently, the acquisition unit 24j executes the number acquisition process. In this number acquisition process, the acquisition unit 24j transmits a unit number request and predetermined operator information by the transmission / reception unit 21j with the belonging device information in the terminal information of the other terminal 20i selected by the scanning unit 23j as the transmission destination. Accordingly, the entry terminal 20j inquires of the other terminal 20i the number of wireless terminals 20 in the network 14 to which the other terminal 20i belongs (step S5). Note that the transmission destination of the number-of-units request is not only the wireless terminal 20 (other terminal 20i) selected by the scanning unit 23j but also the wireless terminal 20 having the same affiliated NT information as this other terminal 20i as the transmission destination. You may.

  The control unit 28i of the other terminal 20i determines whether or not the predetermined business operator information received together with the request for the number of vehicles matches the predetermined business operator information stored in its own storage unit 27i. If these match, the control unit 28i determines the number of wireless terminals 20 belonging to the network 14 based on the list of belonging device information that has already joined the network 14 in the hop count table stored in the storage unit 27i. Extract and send.

  Accordingly, the acquisition unit 24j of the entry terminal 20j receives the number of units from the other terminal 20i having the predetermined business operator information that matches the predetermined business operator information of itself (step S6). Then, the acquisition unit 24j stores this number by including it in the held terminal information of the other terminal 20i.

  The transmission timing of the number-of-units request is determined based on the period of the beacon emitted by the other terminal 20i. That is, the wireless terminal 20 is limited to a receivable state for a short time immediately after beacon transmission in order to suppress battery consumption. Therefore, even if the entry terminal 20j sends a request for the number of devices at an arbitrary timing, there is a high possibility that the other terminal 20i cannot receive the request. Therefore, while the other terminal 20i is in a receivable state immediately after it periodically emits a beacon, the entry terminal 20j transmits a request for the number of devices, thereby minimizing battery consumption and communicating with the other terminal 20i. You can enable it.

  If the beacon periodically emitted by the wireless terminal 20 includes the number of vehicles and the predetermined business operator information, the inquiry about the number of vehicles and the determination of the coincidence of the predetermined business operator information become unnecessary when acquiring the number of vehicles. However, the amount of beacon information increases and the amount of battery consumption increases. Therefore, it is possible to suppress battery consumption by obtaining the number of units separately from the beacon.

  Then, the determination unit 25j executes a determination process. In this determination processing, the determination unit 25j determines whether the network 14 to which the other terminal 20i belongs is a network 14 (network 14 candidate) that can enter, based on the terminal information.

  Specifically, the determination unit 25j first determines whether the determination process is the first time (step S7). Here, if the determination process is executed for the first time after the activation operation, it is determined to be the first determination process. It should be noted that this activation operation includes rebooting and message activation by activation control. The restart is a case where the entry terminal 20j enters the state where the entry terminal 20j once leaves the network 14 and is started up in this state, and the belonging information and the like are not stored.

  When it is the first determination process (step S7: YES), the determination unit 25j determines whether or not there is a network 14 whose number is equal to or less than the first threshold value (for example, 30) (step S8). Here, execution of the determination process of step S8 may be stored. In this case, when the execution of the process of step S8 is not stored in the determination of step S7, the determination unit 25j may determine that the determination process is the first time.

  If the number of vehicles is less than or equal to the first threshold value in the determination process of step S8, the determination unit 25j determines the network 14 as a network 14 candidate. On the other hand, if the number of vehicles is larger than the first threshold, the determination unit 25j determines that the network 14 cannot be entered and excludes it from the network 14 candidates. This determination is performed for all the networks 14 that have acquired the number of units. As a result, if there is no network 14 candidate (step S8: NO), for example, the entry terminal 20j periodically transmits a beacon, returns to the processing of step S2 after the elapse of the fourth predetermined time, and executes the processing thereafter. To do.

  On the other hand, when it is not the first determination process (step S7: NO), the determination unit 25j determines whether or not there is the network 14 whose number is equal to or less than the second threshold value (step S9). The second threshold value is a value larger than the first threshold value, and is set based on the storage capacity of the storage unit 27j such as the maximum number of wireless terminals 20 that can be stored in the storage unit 27j, and is, for example, 50 units.

  If the number is equal to or less than the second threshold, the determination unit 25j determines the network 14 as a network 14 candidate. On the other hand, if the number of vehicles is larger than the second threshold, the determination unit 25j determines that the network 14 cannot be entered and excludes the network 14 from the candidates. This determination is performed for all the networks 14 that have acquired the number of units. As a result, if there is no network 14 candidate (step S9: NO), for example, the entry terminal 20j periodically transmits a beacon, and returns to the process of step S2 after the elapse of the fourth predetermined time.

  In this way, the number of wireless terminals 20 belonging to each of the plurality of networks 14 can be equalized by first determining the number of terminals based on the first threshold value that is smaller than the second threshold value. As a result, the number of terminals in any one of the plurality of networks 14 excessively increases, the amount of information such as a hop number table and the communication fee increase in this network 14, and the wireless belonging to this network 14 increases. It is possible to prevent the battery of the terminal 20 from being consumed.

  If there is a network 14 candidate as a result of such determination processing (step S8: YES, step S9: YES), the determination unit 25j stores the information of the network 14 candidate in the storage unit 27j as terminal information. This terminal information includes information stored by the scanning unit 23j (affiliation NT information, affiliated device information of another terminal 20i having the smallest rank, its minimum rank, RSSI with other terminals 20i), and acquisition. The information (the number of wireless terminals 20 on the network 14) acquired by the unit 24 is associated with these. This information is output from the determination unit 25j to the registration unit 26j.

  Subsequently, the registration unit 26j executes a process of requesting issuance of belonging device information. In this issuance request process, the registration unit 26j requests the determined network 14 candidate to join (step S10).

  Note that this issuance request processing may be performed using the same channel as the communication channel in other processing, or may be performed using a different channel. By using the same channel as the communication channel for the issuance request processing, the wireless terminal 20 joining the network 14 does not need to monitor the signals of channels other than the communication channel, and monitoring of multiple channels becomes unnecessary immediately after transmitting the beacon. It has the effect of reducing battery consumption.

  First, from among the network 14 candidates, a priority order is set such that the smaller the rank of the other terminal 20i belonging to the network 14, the higher. Here, when the ranks of the other terminals 20i belonging to the plurality of network 14 candidates are the same, the higher the RSSI of the other terminal 20i, the higher the priority. Then, the registration unit 26j executes the issuance request process for the network 14 candidates determined according to this priority order.

  In addition, when there is one network 14 candidate, the rank of the other terminal 20i belonging to the network 14 is the smallest, so that the priority of the network 14 candidate is the highest. The registration unit 26j executes the issuance request process only for this network 14 candidate.

  In the issuance request process, the registration unit 26j requests the other terminal 20i of the network 14 to attach (issue) the terminal identification information (affiliated device information) of the joining terminal 20j that distinguishes it from the joining wireless terminal 20 in the network 14. Send an issuance request. At this time, the issuance request includes the predetermined terminal information and the predetermined NT information of the entry terminal 20j.

  When the other terminal 20i is the parent device 20a, the issuing unit 30i of the other terminal 20i issues the affiliated device information in response to the issuance request and stores it in association with the predetermined device information of the entry terminal 20j. , The entry terminal 20j is registered as the child device 20b. Then, the issuing unit 30i transmits response information including the affiliated NT information and the affiliated key information to the affiliated device information to the entry terminal 20j based on the predetermined terminal information. In response to this, the entry terminal 20j acquires the affiliated device information, the affiliated NT information, and the affiliated key information (step S11: YES), stores them, and sets them for wireless communication (step S12). As a result, the entry terminal 20j can be included in the network 14 and periodically emits a beacon. Further, the belonging key information makes it possible to more securely send and receive information on the network 14.

  On the other hand, when the other terminal 20i is the child device 20b, the registration unit 26i of the other terminal 20i holds the predetermined device information and the predetermined NT information of the entry terminal 20j, and indicates that the affiliated device information of the entry terminal 20j is not issued. The information and the belonging device information of the other terminal 20i are transmitted to the entry terminal 20j. On the other hand, when the entry terminal 20j receives these pieces of information, it stores the belonging device information of the other terminal 20i that has transmitted the information. Then, the entry terminal 20j waits for the response information while performing the intermittent operation of receiving, with the predetermined information set as the communication setting with the belonging device information not set.

  Further, the registration unit 26i of the other terminal 20i transmits (intermediates) the issue request of the entry terminal 20j to the parent device 20a via the network 14. The issuing unit 30i of the parent device 20a issues the affiliated device information of the entry terminal 20j in response to the issuance request, and registers this in association with the predetermined device information of the entry terminal 20j. Then, the issuing unit 30i includes the affiliated NT information and the affiliated key information in the affiliated device information, and transmits it as an issuance response to the other terminal 20i that has transmitted the issuance request. Upon receiving the issuance response, the registration unit 26i of the other terminal 20i transmits (intermediates) the response information for setting the affiliated device information, the affiliated NT information, and the affiliated key information to the entry terminal 20j.

  The entry terminal 20j compares the belonging device information of the other terminal 20i, which is the transmission source of the response information, with the belonging device information of the other terminal 20i, which is the transmission destination of the issuance request. When these are different, the entry terminal 20j discards the response information and continues the waiting state for the response information. On the other hand, when these match, the entry terminal 20j can be included in the network 14 by storing various information included in the response information and setting the communication according to the response information (step S11: YES, S12). As a result, it becomes possible for the plurality of wireless terminals 20 to simultaneously perform the work (installation registration work) included in the network 14.

  On the other hand, in the process of step S11, when the registration unit 26j of the entry terminal 20j cannot acquire the affiliated device information from the other terminal 20i of the network 14 candidate (step S13: NO), the network of the next priority order. An issuance request is transmitted to the 14 other candidate terminals 20i (step S10).

  Then, when the entry terminal 20j cannot receive the affiliated device information from all the network 14 candidates (step S11: NO, S13: YES), the issuance request to the other terminals 20i of all the network 14 candidates is performed a predetermined number of times (for example, If it has not reached (twice) (step S14: NO), the issuance request is transmitted again in order from the network 14 candidate with the highest priority (step S10).

  If the entry terminal 20j cannot receive the affiliated device information (step S11: NO) even if the issuance request is retransmitted to all the network 14 candidates a predetermined number of times (step S14: YES), the entry possible network 14 is performed. There is no. Then, the entry terminal 20j sets the predetermined device information and the predetermined NT information set in itself as communication settings until the elapsed time reaches the fifth predetermined time (for example, 10 hours) from the issuance request (step S15: NO). , Send beacons periodically.

  Then, when the fifth predetermined time has elapsed from the issuance request (step S15: YES), the entry terminal 20j returns to the process of step S2 and executes the subsequent processes. As a result, the process of automatically joining the network 14 is automatically and periodically repeated, which eliminates the need for the user to repeat the work for joining the network 14 and is excellent in workability. Further, when a network 14 that can enter nearby is newly constructed, the entry terminal 20j can automatically join the network 14.

  Further, even when the entry terminal 20j cannot enter the network 14, it can acquire the meter reading information from the meter 13 and wirelessly communicate the meter reading information. Therefore, the entry terminal 20j can also be used as a wireless terminal for a handy terminal for collecting meter reading information. Further, when the entry terminal 20j enters the network 14 and then leaves the network 14, the affiliation information may be returned to the predetermined information in order to identify that the entry terminal 20j has entered the non-entry state.

  In the above configuration, the determination unit 25j narrows down the network 14 candidates based on the number of units acquired by the acquisition unit 24j from the networks 14 of the other terminals 20i selected by the scanning unit 23j. The network 14 of the other terminal 20i selected by the unit 23j may be determined as the network 14 candidate. In this case, in the flowchart of FIG. 3, the processes of steps S5 to S9 may not be performed, and the process of step S10 may be performed after the process of step S4.

(Embodiment 2)
The radio terminal 20 according to the second embodiment further includes a switching unit 31, as shown in FIG. The switching unit 31 switches the entry method (automatic entry method, manual entry method) to the network 14 in response to the switching request received by the transmission / reception unit 21 or the switching request input by the switching operation of the operation unit 22.

  In the other terminal 20i that has entered the network 14 by the automatic entry method, the automatic entry processing is set to be valid in the switching unit 31i. On the other hand, in the other terminal 20i that has entered the network 14 by the manual entry method, the automatic entry method is set to be invalid in the switching unit 31i. There is a case where one or both of the other terminal 20i for which the automatic joining method is effective and the other terminal 20i for which the automatic joining method is invalid exist in the network 14.

  In this network 14, the child device 20b (other terminal 20i) is not able to receive information between the entry terminal 20j and the parent device 20a regardless of whether it is switched to the automatic entry method or the manual entry method by the switching unit 31i. Mediate transmission and reception. In addition, the master device 20a (other terminal 20i) is a device to which the entry terminal 20j belongs in response to the issue request of the entry terminal 20j regardless of whether the switching unit 31i switches to the automatic entry method or the manual entry method. The information is issued and the response information including this is transmitted to the entry terminal 20j.

  Therefore, when the automatic entry method is set to be valid by the switching unit 31j of the entry terminal 20j, whether the automatic entry method is valid or invalid in the other terminal 20i, the child device 20b mediates information, The machine 20a can issue the affiliated device information. Therefore, the automatic entry processing of the entry terminal 20j shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 is executed, where the registration unit 26j of the entry terminal 20j uses the other entry terminal 20i that has already entered by the automatic entry method or the manual entry method. It is possible to request the other terminal 20i that has already entered to issue the terminal identification information.

  In this way, the other terminal 20i can send and receive information necessary for the automatic entry process of the joining terminal 20j, regardless of the method of joining the other terminal 20i to the network 14. Therefore, the entry terminal 20j can automatically join the network 14 based on the information transmitted and received with the other terminal 20i.

  On the other hand, when the automatic entry method is disabled by the switching unit 31j of the entry terminal 20j, the entry process to the network 14 is manually performed by the user. The user performs the entry operation on the entry terminal 20j using the operation unit 22j, and simultaneously operates the operation unit 22i of the other terminal 20i of the network 14 to be entered. As a result, the other terminal 20i in which the operation unit 22i has been operated enters the manual entry acceptance state, and the issue request for manual entry is transmitted to the other terminal 20i via the transmission / reception unit 21j together with the predetermined device information of the entry terminal 20j.

  When the other terminal 20i is the parent device 20a, the entry terminal 20j directly performs the entry process with the other terminal 20i. In response to the issuance request, the other terminal 20i issues the affiliated device information in its own network 14, and registers the predetermined device information of the entry terminal 20j in association with the affiliated device information. Further, the other terminal 20i transmits the affiliated device information, the affiliated NT information, and the affiliated key information to the entry terminal 20j.

  Then, the entry terminal 20j receives the information from the other terminal 20i, stores the received belonging device information, belonging NT information, and belonging key information as belonging information, and performs wireless communication by using this as communication setting. Thereby, the entry terminal 20j can enter the network 14 of the parent device 20a.

  When the other terminal 20i is the child device 20b, the entry terminal 20j indirectly performs the entry process with the parent device 20a. When the other terminal 20i receives the issuance request from the entry terminal 20j, it transmits its own device information to the entry terminal 20j and also sends the issuance request to the parent device 20a.

  Upon receiving the issuance request from the other terminal 20i, the parent device 20a issues the belonging device information and registers it in association with the predetermined device information of the entry terminal 20j. Further, the master device 20a transmits the belonging NT information and the belonging key information together with the belonging device information. Upon receiving this, the other terminal 20i transmits it to the entry terminal 20j. The entry terminal 20j can enter the network 14 of the parent device 20a by storing the information from the other terminal 20i.

  If the number of wireless terminals 20 in the network 14 has reached the maximum number, the parent device 20a cannot issue the belonging device information. In this case, the master device 20a transmits the issue prohibition information indicating that fact to the entry terminal 20j.

  From the above description, many modifications and other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the above description should be construed as illustrative only and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode for carrying out the present invention. Details of its structure and / or function may be changed substantially without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The wireless terminal of the present invention is useful as a wireless terminal capable of improving the workability of entering a network.

14: Network 20: Wireless terminal 20a: Base unit (wireless terminal with a function for issuing terminal identification information)
20i: Other terminal 20j: Entry terminal 21: Transmission / reception section 22: Operation section 23: Scan section 24: Acquisition section 25: Judgment section 26: Registration section 30: Issuing section 31: Switching section

Claims (8)

An operation unit that accepts startup operations to start entering the network,
In response to the activation operation, information is received from another terminal that is a wireless terminal capable of wireless communication, information indicating the communication status with the other terminal is detected, and the received information and the detected information are the terminals of the other terminal. A scanning unit that acquires as information,
A wireless terminal, comprising: a determination unit that performs determination processing that determines based on the terminal information whether the network to which the other terminal belongs is an enterable network. The reception information, among the number of hops to the wireless terminal with the function of issuing terminal identification information in the network to which the other terminal belongs, includes a rank indicating the minimum number of hops,
The detection information includes an RSSI indicating communication stability, which is a field strength measurement value with the other terminal,
The scan unit acquires a predetermined number of the terminal information in descending order of the rank, and in the case of a plurality of the terminal information of the same rank, in order of increasing the RSSI. The wireless terminal described in. From the other terminal, further comprising an acquisition unit that acquires the number of the wireless terminals belonging to the network as the terminal information,
The determination unit,
If the determination process is the first time, the number of wireless terminals is determined to be the network that can enter the network below the first threshold,
If it is determined that the determination process is not the first time and there is no network having the number of the wireless terminals equal to or less than the first threshold in the determination process of the previous time, the number of the wireless terminals is greater than the first threshold. The wireless terminal according to claim 2, wherein the network having a larger second threshold value or less is determined to be the network that can participate. The acquisition unit is
Along with the request for the number of wireless terminals, the identification information of the operator who uses the network is transmitted to the other terminal,
The wireless terminal according to claim 3, wherein the number of the wireless terminals belonging to the network is acquired as the terminal information from the other terminal that has the identification information of the operator that matches the identification information of the operator.   Among the networks that can be entered, the network to which the wireless terminal with the smaller rank belongs is prioritized, and, if the ranks are the same, the network with the wireless terminal to which the larger RSSI belongs is determined according to the priority order. The wireless terminal according to claim 2, further comprising a registration unit that requests the network to issue the terminal identification information.   The wireless terminal according to claim 5, wherein if the terminal identification information cannot be acquired by the registration unit for all the networks that can enter, the scanning unit periodically repeats acquisition of the terminal information of the other terminal.   The wireless terminal according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the registration unit acquires the issued terminal identification information and also acquires key information used for authentication in the network. Further comprising a switching unit for switching between an automatic entry method and a manual entry method to the network,
When the automatic entry method is set by the switching unit, the registration unit issues the terminal identification information to the other terminal already entered by the automatic entry method or the other terminal already entered by the manual entry method. The wireless terminal according to any one of claims 5 to 7, which makes a request.

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