JP2005203940A - Communication apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that a transmitter side has needed much time to select a transmission parameter in response to the capability of a receiver side because the transmitter side and the receiver side require to exchange their capability information prior to communication, that is, a communication time to exchange their own capability information is required in a system wherein apparatuses whose transmission parameters such as a transmission speed are different from each other. <P>SOLUTION: The communication apparatus comprises: an identification information detection means 107 for detecting prescribed identification information from a signal received by a reception means 103; a communication opposite party information table storage means 108 for storing information with respect to a communication opposite party on the basis of the identification information detected by the identification information detection means 107; and a transmission control means 109 for controlling the transmission parameter such as a transmission output level and the transmission speed on the basis of the information stored in the communication opposite party information table storage means 108 in the case of transmitting a signal to the prescribed communication opposite party. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device and a program for performing data communication using radio, and more particularly to a communication device constituting a home network at home.

  In recent years, white 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 a mobile phone via the home controller. 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 such a home network system, there may be a mixture of devices that support only a transmission speed of 2400 bps and devices that support a plurality of transmission speeds (for example, 2400 bps and 4800 bps).

  In order to limit the range of interference, it is necessary to determine whether the communication with the communication partner is sufficient with a transmission output of 1 mW or 10 mW, and determine the transmission output to the transmission partner.

  Conventionally, there is a method described in Patent Document 1 for determining transmission parameters suitable for such a communication partner. Hereinafter, a conventional example described in Patent Document 1 will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a conventional communication apparatus. 1 is a block diagram on the transmission side, 2 is a block diagram on the reception side, and a facsimile (FAX) apparatus has both blocks, but only one of them is shown in FIG. Show.

  First, in block 1 on the transmission side, 3 is a reading processing unit for reading a document, 4 is a line memory for storing several lines of image data, 5 is an encoding processing unit for compressing image data in the line memory, 6 Is a reception buffer prediction calculation unit that predicts and calculates the remaining amount of the reception buffer 11, 7 is a fill control unit that controls the fill amount, and 9 is a transmission processing unit that transmits data in the transmission buffer 8 via a modem.

  Next, in the reception side block 2, 10 is a reception processing unit that receives data via a modem and stores it in the reception buffer 11, and 12 is a decoding process that extracts the code data of the reception buffer 11 and decompresses it to the original image And 13, a line memory for temporarily storing the image decompressed by the decoding processing unit, and a recording processing unit for extracting image data from the line memory and outputting it to a printer.

The operation outline is shown below. Here, the reading processing unit 3, the encoding processing unit 5, the transmission processing unit 9, the reception processing unit 10, the decoding processing unit 12, and the recording processing unit 14 are processed by individual programs (referred to as tasks), respectively. It is assumed that it is managed by a unit (not shown). First, when dialing a partner machine to be transmitted, first, the capabilities (for example, transmission speed, minimum transmission time, buffer size, decoding speed, resolution, etc.) are exchanged. Then, the transmission side selects parameters according to the capabilities of the reception side.
JP-A-5-276344

  However, in the conventional configuration, it is necessary to exchange the capabilities of the transmission side and the reception side prior to communication. That is, a communication time for exchanging the capabilities of each other is required, and there is a problem that it takes time for the transmission side to select a transmission parameter according to the capability of the reception side.

  In particular, in a system such as a home network where packet communication consisting of a small amount of data such as device control data is the main component, it takes a long time to set the transmission parameter, which is a problem in the system due to a significant decrease in latency. .

  In addition, each time the communication partner changes, it is necessary to exchange the capacity, which significantly reduces latency and is a system problem.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication apparatus and a program therefor that can determine transmission parameters optimally without reducing latency.

  In order to solve the conventional problem, the communication device and the program of the present invention include an identification information detection unit that detects predetermined identification information from a signal received by the reception unit, and an identification detected by the identification information detection unit. A communication partner information table storing means for storing information on the communication partner based on the information, and a transmission output level based on the information stored in the communication partner information table storing means when transmitting a signal to the predetermined communication partner. , And transmission control means for controlling transmission parameters such as transmission speed.

  As a result, communication for unnecessary information exchange prior to necessary communication becomes unnecessary, and transmission parameters to the communication partner can be determined without lowering the latency.

  By using the communication device and the program of the present invention, efficient data communication can be performed even if devices having different transmission parameters are mixed.

  A first invention is an identification information detecting means for detecting predetermined identification information from a signal received by a receiving means, and a communication partner information table for storing information relating to a communication partner based on the identification information detected by the identification information detecting means. Storage means and transmission control means for controlling transmission parameters such as transmission output level and transmission speed based on information stored in the communication partner information table storage means when transmitting a signal to a predetermined communication partner; With this configuration, communication for unnecessary information exchange prior to necessary communication becomes unnecessary, and transmission parameters to the communication partner can be determined without reducing latency.

  In the second invention, when sending a signal to a communication partner that is not stored in the communication partner information table storage means for transmitting a signal without designating the communication partner, or a preset default value By controlling the transmission parameters such as the transmission output level and the transmission speed based on the above, the transmission parameters can be set to preset default values in the case of broadcast transmission to be transmitted to a plurality of parties.

  In the third invention, in the case of broadcast transmission in which a signal is transmitted without designating a communication partner, a predetermined transmission parameter is extracted from information stored in the communication partner information table storage means, and a transmission output level By controlling the transmission parameters such as the transmission speed, the transmission parameters can be set to the transmission parameters suitable for the device having a low function.

  The fourth invention is characterized in that the communication partner information table storage means has information for a plurality of communication partners, so that it is possible to set and transmit optimum transmission parameters for each communication partner.

  The fifth invention is characterized in that when a response signal is returned to the received signal, the response signal is transmitted with the same transmission parameters as the received signal. It can be sent.

  The sixth invention is characterized in that when the same signal is retransmitted because the response signal does not return in response to signal transmission, the transmission parameter is changed and transmitted. Even if the other party cannot receive, the transmission parameter can be matched to the communication partner by retransmission.

  According to a seventh aspect of the invention, the function of the present invention can be realized with simple hardware by using a program for causing a computer to realize at least a part of the functions of the communication apparatus according to any one of 1 to 6. Further, since it is a program, it is possible to easily realize at least a part of the communication device of the present invention 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.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described 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 106 includes a transmission means 102, a reception means 103, a code generation means 104, and a code decoding means 105. The antenna 101 is connected to a transmission unit 102 and a reception unit 103 constituting the wireless communication unit 106. The code generation means 104 and the code decoding means 105 are connected to the home appliance 111. The identification information detection unit 107 and the transmission control unit 109 are connected to the wireless communication unit 106. The communication partner information table storage means 108 is connected to the identification information detection means 107 and the transmission control means 109. Reference numeral 110 denotes a communication device.

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

  The communication device A122 or the communication device B123 in FIG. 2 corresponds to the communication device 110 in FIG. The controller 121 or the air conditioner 124 in FIG. 2 corresponds to the home appliance 111 in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, a block composed of the controller 121 and the communication device A 122 is a home controller, and a block composed of the communication device B 123 and the air conditioner 124 is a network-compatible home appliance controlled by the home controller. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the home controller has a touch panel, and the air conditioner 124 can be controlled by pressing a button on the touch panel. 125 is a communication device C, and 126 is a sensor device connected to the communication device C. The communication device A 122 constituting the home controller, the communication device B 123 connected to the air conditioner 124, and the communication device C 125 connected to the sensor device 126 are connected by a protocol using a specific low power radio wave of 429 MHz band.

  Here, the message structure transmitted and received between the communication device A 122 and the communication device B 123 in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 3, (1) shows the entire data format configuration. In (1) of FIG. 3, section (a) is called a preamble part, and is set to one (bit synchronization signal 1 + frame synchronization signal 1 + data signal 1) in order to cope with a reception method in which a plurality of channels are sequentially scanned and waited. The block is repeatedly transmitted N times as one block. For example, when the receiving side sequentially scans and waits for three channels, two blocks are required for each channel, and thus the block is repeated six times. The section (b) is called an information part. The section C is a signal indicating the end of transmission, but it 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 it is a message of the system to which it belongs is determined by a wireless system identification code, and whether it is a broadcast is determined by a certain bit of the control code 1 and the pattern of the receiving device identification code.

  The control code 2 of data 2 describes capability information related to transmission / reception of the transmission source. For example, when the transmission source communication device supports transmission / reception of both transmission speeds of 2400 bps and 4800 bps, a predetermined bit (identification information) of the control code 2 is set to “1”, and is transmitted only at 2400 bps. If not, the bit is set to “0” and transmitted.

  The operation of the communication apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The receiving means 103 is configured to receive a message having a transmission speed of either 2400 bps or 4800 bps. Then, the information is taken out by the decoding means 105 and the home appliance 111 is controlled. The identification information detecting means 107 detects the transmission speed capability of the transmission source based on whether the predetermined bit (identification information) of the control code 2 is “1” or “0”, and the communication partner information table storage means 108 stores the transmission speed capability. Remember. The communication partner information table storage means 108 stores the transmission speed capability in pairs with the device identification code of the communication partner. The communication partner information table storage means 108 has an area where a plurality of device identification codes can be stored. When a message is wirelessly transmitted, the transmission speed is determined under the control of the transmission control means 109 and transmitted.

  The operation will be described in detail below.

  (1) A transmission source communication apparatus that supports both transmission speeds of 2400 bps and 4800 bps transmits “1” in a predetermined bit of the control code 2.

  (2) The transmission speed for transmission is 2400 bps when transmitting to a communication partner not stored in the communication partner information table storage means 108. When transmitting to the communication partner stored in the communication partner information table storage means 108, the transmission is performed at the transmission speed of the communication partner stored in the table storage means 108.

  (3) When a telegram is received wirelessly, the state of a predetermined bit of the control code 2 is detected, and the transmission rate capability of the transmission source is recorded in the communication device information table storage means 108 in the area of the device identification code of the transmission source. . Then, the flag A is operated. The operation of the flag A is to set the flag A if even one transmission speed of the device identification code described in the table storage means is 2400 bps. When transmitting by broadcast, the transmission transmission speed is determined by flag A.

  (4) In the case of acknowledgment (hereinafter referred to as ACK) transmission, ACK transmission is performed at the same transmission rate as the transmission rate at which the message was received.

  (5) In the case of retransmission communication, the second and subsequent retransmissions (the third from the first) are transmitted at 2400 bps.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the communication apparatus and the home electric appliance of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 4, the home controller indicates the controller 121 of the home controller in FIG. 2, the communication devices A and B indicate the communication device A 122 and the communication device B 123 in FIG. 2, and the device B indicates the air conditioner 123 in FIG. 125 is a communication device C, and 126 is a sensor device connected to the communication device C.

  Here, the communication device A 122 and the communication device B 123 are communication devices that can support both 2400 bps and 4800 bps, and the communication device C 125 is a communication device that can support only 2400 bps.

  A communication apparatus that can support both 2400 bps and 4800 bps is a communication apparatus having the function of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, and a communication apparatus that can only support 2400 bps does not have the function of the present invention shown in FIG. It is a communication device that can only transmit and receive at a fixed 2400 bps.

  First, a sequence for turning on the operation of the air conditioner 124 from the home controller 121 and notifying the home controller 121 that the air conditioner 124 has been turned on will be described.

  Assume that communication apparatus A 122 and communication apparatus B 123 have already stored the transmission rate information of the communication partner in communication partner information table storage means 108 of each communication device.

  The home controller 121 transmits a request message 131 “Please turn on the air conditioner” to the communication device A 122. Then, the communication device A 122 wirelessly transmits the request message 132 that the air conditioner is ON at 4800 bps with the message configuration shown in FIG. At this time, the predetermined bit indicating the transmission rate capability of the control code 2 in the information part (section (b) in FIG. 3) of the air conditioner ON message 132 transmitted from the communication device A 122 is “1”.

  When the air conditioner ON message 132 is received by the communication device B123, ACK (not shown) is wirelessly transmitted at 4800 bps, and the air conditioner ON message 133 is transmitted to the air conditioner 124.

  When the air conditioner ON message 133 is received by the air conditioner 124, the air conditioner operation of the air conditioner 124 is started. Then, the air conditioner 124 transmits a response message 134 for notifying the home controller 121 that the air conditioning operation has started, to the communication device B123. Then, the electronic message 135 is wirelessly transmitted at 4800 bps. Upon receiving the wireless telegram 135, the communication device A 122 wirelessly transmits ACK (not shown) at 4800 bps, and transmits a response telegram 136 to the home controller 121.

  Next, a sequence for turning on the operation of the sensor 126 from the home controller 121 and notifying the home controller 121 that the sensor 126 has been turned on will be described.

  Also in this case, it is assumed that the communication device A 122 and the communication device C 125 have already stored the transmission rate information of the communication partner in the communication partner information table storage means 108 of each communication device.

  The home controller 121 transmits a request message 137 “Please turn on the sensor 126” to the communication device A122. Then, the communication device A 122 wirelessly transmits a request message 138 of sensor ON at 2400 bps with the message configuration shown in FIG. At this time, the predetermined bit indicating the transmission rate capability of the control code 2 in the information part (section (b) in FIG. 3) of the sensor ON message 138 transmitted from the communication device A 122 is “0”.

  When the communication device C125 receives the sensor ON message 138, the communication device C125 wirelessly transmits ACK (not shown) at 2400 bps, and transmits the sensor ON message 139 to the sensor 126.

  When the sensor 126 receives the sensor ON message 139, the sensor 126 starts the sensor operation. Then, the sensor 126 transmits a response message 140 for notifying the home controller 121 that the sensor operation has been started to the communication device C125. The wireless telegram 141 is wirelessly transmitted at 2400 bps. When the communication device A 122 receives the message 141, the communication device A 122 wirelessly transmits ACK (not shown) at 2400 bps, and transmits a response message 142 to the home controller 121.

  Next, a case where a broadcast transmission request message 143 is transmitted from the home controller 121 will be described. When the communication device A 122 receives the electronic message 143, the wireless communication device A 122 wirelessly transmits the wireless electronic message 144 to all the members. At this time, transmission rate information of the communication device B123 and the communication device C125 is recorded in the communication partner information table storage unit 108 of the communication device A122. Since the transmission speed information of the communication device C125 is 2400 bps, “1” indicating that 2400 bps exists is set in the flag A of the communication device A122. Therefore, the broadcast message 144 is transmitted at 2400 bps.

  Next, the case where the communication speed information of the communication partner is not stored in the communication partner information table storage means 108 of each communication device in the communication device A and the communication device B will be described.

  The home controller 121 transmits a request message 145 “Please turn on the air conditioner” to the communication device A122. Then, the communication device A 122 wirelessly transmits the request message 146 that the air conditioner is ON at 2400 bps with the message configuration shown in FIG. At this time, the predetermined bit indicating the transmission rate capability of the control code 2 in the information part (section (b) in FIG. 3) of the air conditioner ON message 146 transmitted from the communication device A 122 indicates that it can support 4800 bps. ".

  When the air conditioner ON message 146 is received by the communication device B123, ACK (not shown) is wirelessly transmitted at 2400 bps, and the air conditioner ON message 147 is transmitted to the air conditioner 124. A predetermined bit indicating the transmission rate capability of the control code 2 of the information part (section (b) in FIG. 3) of the wirelessly received air conditioner ON message 146 is stored in the communication partner information table storage unit 108 of the communication device B123. ", The transmission speed capability 4800 bps of the communication device A 122 is stored.

  When the air conditioner ON message 147 is received by the air conditioner 124, the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 124 is started. Then, the air conditioner 124 transmits a response message 148 for notifying the home controller 121 that the air conditioning operation has started, to the communication device B123. The electronic message 149 is wirelessly transmitted at 4800 bps. Upon receiving the message 149, the communication device A 122 wirelessly transmits ACK (not shown) at 4800 bps and transmits a response message 150 to the home controller 121. Then, the communication speed information 4800 bps of the communication device B123 is stored in the communication partner information table storage means 108 of the communication device A122.

  By the operation described above, wireless transmission can be performed according to the transmission speed capability of the communication partner, and communication can be performed without any problems even if devices having different transmission speed capabilities are mixed in the same system.

  In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the communication apparatus A that can support both 2400 bps and 4800 bps transmits the transmission rate capability of the control code 2 at 4800 bps with the predetermined bit indicating “1”. It may be 1 "and transmitted at 2400 bps. The predetermined bit of the control code 2 being “1” indicates that the reception capability on the transmission side can receive both 2400 bps and 4800 bps.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, the description has been given focusing on the transmission rate information. Here, transmission output control will be described.

  A block diagram of a communication apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 as in the first embodiment.

  Similarly, FIG. 2 shows an example of a system using the communication apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Further, the message structure transmitted and received between the communication device A 122 and the communication device B 123 in FIG. 2 is also shown in FIG. 3 as in the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 3, the control code 2 of data 2 describes information related to the transmission output level of the transmission source. For example, when the transmission device is a radio wave transmitted with a transmission output of 1 mW, a predetermined bit (identification information) of the control code 2 is set to “1” and transmitted with a transmission output of 10 mW. In the case of radio waves, the bit is set to “0” and transmitted.

  The operation of the communication apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The receiving means 103 receives the wireless telegram, takes out information by the decoding means 105, and controls the home appliance 111. The identification information detection means 107 identifies whether the received radio wave is transmitted at 10 mW or 1 mW depending on whether a predetermined bit (identification information) of the control code 2 is “1” or “0”. Then, the transmission output level is stored in the communication partner information table storage means 108. The communication partner information table storage means 108 stores the transmission output level in pairs with the device identification code of the communication partner. The communication partner information table storage means 108 has an area where a plurality of device identification codes can be stored. When the electronic message is wirelessly transmitted, the transmission output level is determined and transmitted under the control of the transmission control means 109.

  The operation will be described in detail below.

  (1) When wirelessly transmitting to a communication partner not stored in the communication partner information table storage unit 108, transmission is performed at 10 mW. At this time, a predetermined bit of the control code 2 is set to “0” and transmitted.

  (2) Receive 10 mW radio waves (determined from predetermined bits of received control code 2) (including ACK), and store 1 mW in the table storage means if the reception level is a predetermined value, for example, 30 μV or more To do. If the reception level is less than 30 μV, 10 mW is stored in the table storage means.

  (3) Receive 1 mW radio wave (determined from a predetermined bit of the received control code 2) (including ACK), and store 1 mW in the table storage means if the reception level is a predetermined value, for example, 20 μV or more To do. If the reception level is less than 20 μV, 10 mW is stored in the table storage means.

  (4) When wirelessly transmitting to the communication partner stored in the communication partner information table storage unit 108, the transmission is performed at the transmission output level stored in the communication partner information table storage unit 108. At this time, in the case of transmission at 1 mW, the predetermined bit of the control code 2 is set to “1” for transmission. In the case of transmission at 10 mW, the predetermined bit of the control code 2 is set to “0” for transmission.

  (5) The ACK is transmitted with the same power as the bit specified power indicating the transmission output of the control code 2 of the immediately preceding received radio wave.

  (6) If ACK cannot be received after transmission, retransmission is performed at 10 mW.

  (7) The transmission output level of broadcast transmission is 10 mW.

  (8) When retransmission occurs, the sender side rewrites the table storage means to 10 mW.

  (9) When transmitting to a communication partner not described in the communication partner information table storage means 108, the transmission is performed at 10 mW.

  By the operation shown above, when the reception level of the radio wave of the communication partner is high, the transmission output level can be lowered and not transmitted at a transmission output level that is higher than necessary, so that interference to other devices can be reduced. This is useful for security because it can reduce the risk of eavesdropping by others.

  In this embodiment, an acknowledge signal (ACK) is used as the response signal. However, a NAK signal may be used as the response signal.

  Although the identification information is described as being included in the control code 2, it may be included in the preamble portion (section (a) in FIG. 3). Moreover, although demonstrated with the flag, not only this but a predetermined code and command may be sufficient.

  In addition, the transmission output level and the transmission speed have been described as transmission parameters in the present embodiment, but the version information of the communication partner is stored in the communication partner information table storage unit, and the version information is supported for the communication partner. An example in which transmission control is performed using the transmission parameters described above is also conceivable.

  Note that all or part of the configuration shown in FIG. 1 can be executed by a program on a computer. The means described in this embodiment is a program for cooperating hardware resources such as a CPU (or microcomputer), RAM, ROM, storage / recording device, electrical / information device including I / O, computer, server, etc. You may implement with a form. 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 set and transmit optimum transmission parameters regarding the transmission output level, the transmission speed, and the like to the communication partner.

The block diagram of the communication apparatus in Embodiment 1 or 2 of this invention Communication system diagram using communication device in embodiment 1 or 2 of the present invention Data format diagram transmitted by communication device according to Embodiment 1 or 2 of the present invention Explanatory drawing explaining the communication operation | movement of the communication apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. Block diagram of a conventional communication device

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Antenna 102 Transmission means 103 Reception means 104 Code generation means 105 Code decoding means 106 Wireless communication part 107 Identification information detection means 108 Communication partner information table storage means 109 Transmission control means 110 Communication apparatus 111 Household appliances

Claims (7)

Identification information detection means for detecting predetermined identification information from the signal received by the reception means, communication partner information table storage means for storing information about the communication partner based on the identification information detected by the identification information detection means, A communication apparatus comprising transmission control means for controlling transmission parameters such as a transmission output level and a transmission speed based on information stored in the communication counterpart information table storage means when transmitting a signal to a communication counterpart . Broadcast transmission that transmits a signal without specifying a communication partner, or when transmitting a signal to a communication partner that is not stored in the communication partner information table storage means, a transmission output level based on a preset default value, The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein transmission parameters such as transmission speed are controlled. In the case of broadcast transmission in which a signal is transmitted without specifying a communication partner, a predetermined transmission parameter is extracted from the information stored in the communication partner information table storage means, and transmission such as transmission output level and transmission speed is transmitted. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the parameter is controlled. The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the communication partner information table storage means has information for a plurality of communication partners. 5. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when a response signal is returned in response to the received signal, the response signal is transmitted with the same transmission parameter as the received signal. 6. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the same signal is retransmitted because a response signal does not return for signal transmission, the transmission parameter is changed and transmitted. The program for making a computer implement | achieve at least one part of the function of the communication apparatus of any one of Claims 1-5.

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