Wireless communication system, wireless communication method, wireless communication device, and computer-readable recording medium

Abstract

The present application does not cause communication competition when multiple data transmission applications are installed in an information terminal. In one aspect of the present application, when multiple data transmission applications in a second device as an information terminal send communication right acquisition requests, a first device as a sensing device determines whether to permit each application communication of the requesting party based on application-specific identification information included in each of the above communication right acquisition requests and a mediation condition stored in advance, and returns a response including the determination result and the application-specific identification information to the second device. In response, the second device determines whether each application succeeds in acquiring a communication right based on the determination result of whether to permit communication included in the above response, and performs transmission processing of transmission target data using the application that succeeds in acquiring a communication right.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless communication system for transmitting data between multiple wireless communication devices, a wireless communication method, a wireless communication device, and a program used in the system. Background Technology

[0002] For example, as a method for transmitting sensing data measured by a sensing device such as a blood pressure monitor to a management device such as a server device, the following method is known: the sensing data is transmitted from the sensing device to an information terminal such as a smartphone using a short-range wireless communication technology such as Bluetooth (Bluetooth: registered trademark), and the information terminal transmits the sensing data to a management device such as a server via a mobile communication network (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] This data transmission method is implemented in the following way: For example, the OS (Operating System) of the information terminal sends the communication right acquisition request generated by the data transmission application of the information terminal to the sensing device. The OS receives the response sent back from the sensing device and notifies the aforementioned data transmission application. After that, the data transmission application performs the receiving processing of sensing data between itself and the sensing device.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-123144 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0008] However, traditional data transmission methods have the following problems. In recent years, various health management services have emerged, and there has been an increase in instances where users select their desired service, send their sensor data to the management server, and entrust health management to the service provider. When using such services, users can install a data transmission application provided by the service provider on their mobile devices to transmit sensor data.

[0009] However, for example, when a user selects multiple services, and multiple data transmission applications are installed on an information terminal, the following undesirable situation may occur: When multiple data transmission applications simultaneously generate communication right acquisition requests, these requests are sent directly from the information terminal's OS to the sensing device. The responses from the sensing device are received by the information terminal's OS and directly notified to the requesting data transmission applications. At this time, because each data transmission application cannot determine whether the notified response is relevant to itself, it attempts to execute processing for receiving sensing data separately. As a result, communication contention occurs within the sensing device. Therefore, depending on the situation, unexpected data access may occur within the sensing device, leading to data corruption, etc.

[0010] This invention provides a technique to prevent communication contention when multiple data transmission applications are installed on an information terminal.

[0011] Technical solution

[0012] To address the aforementioned problems, a first solution of the present invention relates to a wireless communication system comprising: a first device for generating transmission target data; and a second device comprising multiple applications for performing data transmission processing, wherein the transmission target data is transmitted between the first device and the second device under the control of the multiple applications. The first device comprises a communication mediation processing unit and a response processing unit, and the second device comprises a request sending processing unit, a success or failure determination processing unit, and a data transmission processing unit.

[0013] When the multiple applications request communication with the first device, the request sending processing unit generates and sends a communication right acquisition request including the unique identification information of each of the multiple applications. Upon receiving multiple communication right acquisition requests from the second device, the communication mediation processing unit determines whether to grant permission for communication to the requesting applications based on the unique identification information included in each request and pre-set mediation conditions. The response processing unit generates a response including information indicating the permission determination result and the corresponding unique identification information, and sends it back to the second device. The success / failure determination processing unit determines the success or failure of communication right acquisition for each of the multiple applications based on the information indicating the permission determination result included in the response sent back from the first device and the unique identification information. Based on the success / failure determination result, the data transmission processing unit performs the transmission processing of the data to be transmitted using the application that successfully obtained communication right among the multiple applications.

[0014] According to a first aspect of the present invention, when multiple applications send communication right acquisition requests in the second device, the first device determines whether or not permission is granted for communication by each requesting application based on the application's inherent identification information and mediation conditions included in each communication right acquisition request, and sends a response including the determination result and the application's inherent identification information back to the second device. Conversely, in the second device, the determination result of whether or not permission for communication is granted in the response determines whether the communication right has been successfully obtained for each application, and the application that successfully obtained the communication right performs the transmission processing of the data to be transmitted.

[0015] Therefore, even if multiple applications in the second device send communication right acquisition requests simultaneously, the first device determines whether communication is permitted for each application that sent the request based on mediation conditions and responds to the determination result. Thus, for each requesting application, according to the response, only the application authorized to communicate performs the transmission of the target data, thereby avoiding communication contention in the first device. Therefore, there is no need to worry about data corruption caused by unexpected data access in the first device, thereby improving system reliability.

[0016] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a wireless communication device used as the first device in a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system includes: a first device for generating transmission target data; and a second device comprising multiple applications for performing data transmission processing, which, under the control of the multiple applications, perform transmission processing of the transmission target data with the first device. The wireless communication device includes a communication mediation processing unit and a response processing unit. Upon receiving multiple communication right acquisition requests from the second device, the communication mediation processing unit determines whether or not permission is granted for communication by the requesting applications based on the inherent identification information of each of the multiple applications included in the communication right acquisition requests and pre-set mediation conditions. The response processing unit generates information including information indicating the determination result of permission or non-permission and the corresponding inherent identification information, and sends it back to the second device.

[0017] According to the second aspect of the present invention, even if multiple applications of the second device send communication right acquisition requests simultaneously, the first device mediates these multiple communication right acquisition requests and notifies each requesting application of the result. Therefore, in the second device, data transmission is performed only through applications authorized to communicate. This avoids communication contention in the first device, eliminating concerns about data corruption due to unexpected data access, and enabling the first device to perform highly stable data transmission processing.

[0018] In the third aspect of the present invention, the communication mediation processing unit defines the order of events as the mediation condition, and when multiple communication right acquisition requests are received from the second device, it grants communication permission to the application corresponding to the earliest received communication right acquisition request.

[0019] According to a third aspect of the present invention, when multiple applications on the second device send communication right acquisition requests simultaneously, communication is granted to each application in a sequential order. Therefore, when multiple applications are installed on the second device, communication rights can be fairly granted to these applications.

[0020] In the fourth aspect of the present invention, the communication mediation processing unit defines the priority of the plurality of applications as the mediation condition, and when it receives the plurality of communication right acquisition requests from the second device, it grants communication permission to the application with the highest priority.

[0021] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when multiple applications of the second device send communication right acquisition requests simultaneously, communication is granted preferentially to the application with the highest priority setting. Therefore, for example, data transmission performed by the application with the highest priority specified by the user can be prioritized.

[0022] In a fifth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the first apparatus is further provided with a display processing unit, which generates display information for displaying the determination result of permission or non-permission and displays it on the display unit.

[0023] According to a fifth aspect of the invention, for example, the user can confirm which application of the second device is used for data transmission in the first device.

[0024] A sixth aspect of the apparatus of the present invention relates to a wireless communication device used as a second device in a wireless communication system, the wireless communication system comprising: a first device for generating transmission target data; and a second device comprising a plurality of applications for performing data transmission processing, wherein the transmission target data is transmitted between the first device and the second device under the control of the plurality of applications. The first device has the following functions: upon receiving a plurality of communication right acquisition requests from the second device, determining whether permission is granted for communication by the plurality of applications to the requesting party based on the inherent identification information of each of the plurality of applications included in the communication right acquisition request and the pre-set mediation conditions, generating a response including information indicating the determination result of permission and corresponding inherent identification information, and sending it back to the second device. The wireless communication device comprises a success / failure determination processing unit and a data transmission processing unit. The success / failure determination processing unit, upon receiving the communication right acquisition request, determines whether the communication right acquisition is successful for each of the plurality of applications based on the information indicating the determination result of permission and the specific identification information included in the response sent back from the first device. The data transmission processing unit, based on the success / failure determination result, performs the transmission processing of the transmission target data using the applications that have successfully obtained communication rights among the plurality of applications.

[0025] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in each application of the second device, for a request to acquire communication rights, the success or failure of acquiring the communication rights is determined based on the content of the response sent back from the first device, and data transmission processing is performed only using the application that successfully acquired the communication rights. Therefore, communication contention in the first device is avoided, thus eliminating concerns about data corruption and enabling highly stable data transmission processing.

[0026] In the seventh embodiment of the present invention, the second device further includes a display processing unit, which generates display information indicating the determination result of success or failure and displays it on the display unit.

[0027] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the user can confirm which application among multiple applications to select in the second device.

[0028] Invention Effects

[0029] That is, according to the present invention, a technology can be provided that prevents communication contention when multiple data transmission applications are installed on an information terminal. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a wireless communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2 It means in Figure 1 The diagram shows the hardware configuration of the sensing device used as the first device in the system.

[0032] Figure 3 It means in Figure 1 The diagram shows a block diagram of the software configuration of the sensing device used as the first device in the system.

[0033] Figure 4 It means in Figure 1 The diagram shows the hardware configuration of the information terminal used as the second device in the system.

[0034] Figure 5 It means in Figure 1 The diagram shows the software configuration of the information terminal used as the second device in the system.

[0035] Figure 6 It means Figure 3 The flowchart shows the processing procedure and processing content of the sensing data transmission processing performed by the control unit of the sensing device.

[0036] Figure 7 It means Figure 6 The flowchart shown illustrates the mediation process and its contents within the overall processing procedure.

[0037] Figure 8 It means Figure 5 The flowchart shows the processing procedure and processing content of the sensing data receiving and processing performed by the control unit of the information terminal.

[0038] Figure 9A It means in Figure 3 and Figure 5 The diagram shows the timing of the first half of the data transmission process performed between the sensing device and the information terminal.

[0039] Figure 9B It means in Figure 3 and Figure 5 The timing diagram shows the second half of the data transmission process performed between the sensing device and the information terminal. Detailed Implementation

[0040] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] [One implementation method]

[0042] (Example of composition)

[0043] (1) System

[0044] Figure 1This is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a wireless communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] One embodiment of the wireless communication system includes a sensing device SD functioning as a first device and an information terminal UT functioning as a second device. Furthermore, a near-field communication technology, such as Bluetooth (a registered trademark), is used to transmit sensing data measured by the sensing device SD to the information terminal UT. The information terminal UT then transmits the aforementioned sensing data to a server device SV via a network NW.

[0046] It should be noted that in this example, the wireless communication method between the sensing device SD and the information terminal UT uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) as defined in version 4.0. When using BLE, power consumption can be further reduced compared to previous specifications, especially when utilizing unidirectional communication known as BLE broadcast, where even greater power consumption can be expected.

[0047] Networks (NW) include, for example, the Internet and access networks used to access the Internet. Access networks include, for example, mobile wireless communication networks using 4G or 5G standards, wireless LANs (Local Area Networks), etc., but are not limited to these.

[0048] Server-based (SV) devices, such as cloud computers or web computers operated by healthcare institutions or health information service providers, collect user sensor data for user health management. It should be noted that... Figure 1 For simplicity, only one server device SV is shown in the example. However, in the case of multiple service operators performing user health management, multiple server devices used by each service operator are set up.

[0049] (2) Apparatus

[0050] (2-1) Sensing device SD

[0051] Figure 2 and Figure 3 These are block diagrams representing the hardware and software components of the sensing device SD.

[0052] The sensing device SD, for example, is a blood pressure monitor and includes a control unit 1, a sensing unit 2, a BLE communication module 3, an input unit 4a, and a display unit 4b.

[0053] Under the control of the control unit 1, the sensing unit 2 performs, for example, the measurement of sensing data including blood pressure data, and outputs the measured sensing data to the control unit 1. It should be noted that the sensing unit 2 can be a device that measures other vital signs data, such as pulse rate, electrocardiogram waveform, blood glucose level, activity level, and stress level, individually or in combination, in addition to blood pressure data.

[0054] The BLE communication module 3 transmits and receives wireless control signals and data with the aforementioned information terminal UT according to the communication protocol defined by the BLE specification. It should be noted that the BLE communication module 3 is not limited to being built into the sensing device SD. It can be an external communication module that serves as an auxiliary communication adapter, or it can be a communication module that is used independently in IoT devices, routers, or set-top boxes (STBs).

[0055] The control unit 1 may include, for example, a control unit 11 that uses a hardware processor such as a central processing unit (CPU). It should be noted that the control unit 11 may also include a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) for tasks such as encryption.

[0056] The aforementioned control unit 11 is connected via bus 17 to a storage unit having a program storage unit 12 and a data storage unit 13, a sensor interface (hereinafter referred to as I / F) 14, a communication I / F 15, and an input / output I / F 16.

[0057] Sensor I / F14, under the control of control unit 11, receives and accepts various control signals for the operation of sensing unit 2, and processes the receiving of sensing data output from sensing unit 2 and transmits it to control unit 11. Communication I / F15, under the control of control unit 11, receives and accepts various control signals for the operation of BLE communication module 3, and processes the output of data packets generated by control unit 11 to BLE communication module 3.

[0058] The program storage unit 12, for example, is a storage medium composed of a non-volatile memory that can be written to and read from at any time, such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive), and a non-volatile memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory). The program storage unit 22 not only stores middleware such as OS (Operating System), but also stores programs required to execute various control processes of an implementation.

[0059] The data storage unit 13, for example, is a storage medium obtained by combining a non-volatile memory such as an SSD that can be written to and read from at any time with a volatile memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory). As the main storage unit required to implement one embodiment, the data storage unit 13 includes a sensing data storage unit 131 and a mediation information storage unit 132.

[0060] The sensing data storage unit 131 is used to store sensing data measured by the sensing unit 2 in association with information such as the date and time of the measurement.

[0061] When multiple communication right acquisition requests are sent from the information terminal UT during the connection of the BLE wireless link, the mediation information storage unit 132 stores mediation conditions for mediating communications related to these requests. In this example, a "sequence order" or "priority" is defined as a mediation condition, but it is not limited to these. Furthermore, the mediation information storage unit 132 also stores information indicating the mediation results for the aforementioned multiple communication right acquisition requests.

[0062] It should be noted that the data storage unit 13 also has a storage area for temporarily storing data generated during various processes of the control unit 11.

[0063] As essential functions required for implementing one embodiment, the control unit 11 includes a sensing control unit 111, a BLE communication control unit 112, a communication mediation processing unit 113, and a sensing data transmission processing unit 114. These control units and processing units 111 to 114 are implemented by having the hardware processor of the control unit 11 execute a program stored in the program storage unit 12.

[0064] When an operation triggering the measurement of vital sign data, including blood pressure data, is performed in the input unit 4a, the sensing control unit 111 activates the sensing unit 2 via the sensor I / F 14. Then, the following processing is performed: the sensing data measured by the sensing unit 2 is acquired via the sensor I / F 14, and the acquired sensing data is stored in the sensing data storage unit 131 in a corresponding manner with information indicating the measurement date and time.

[0065] The BLE communication control unit 112 performs a series of processes to establish a BLE wireless link with the information terminal UT by executing BLE broadcasting and connection timing between the BLE communication unit and the information terminal UT according to the communication protocol specified by the BLE communication method.

[0066] In the event that multiple communication right acquisition requests are sent from the information terminal UT during the aforementioned BLE broadcast process via multiple data transmission applications (described later), the communication mediation processing unit 113 mediates the communication of each application that sent the multiple communication right acquisition requests based on the mediation conditions stored in the mediation information storage unit 132. Then, it performs the following processing: generates response information including information indicating the mediation result and the unique identification information (hereinafter referred to as the application ID) of the requesting data transmission application included in the communication right acquisition request, and sends the generated response information back to the BLE communication control unit 112. Furthermore, the communication mediation processing unit 113 stores the information indicating the mediation result in the mediation information storage unit 132.

[0067] When a BLE wireless link is established between the BLE communication control unit 112 and the information terminal UT, the sensing data transmission processing unit 114 reads the untransmitted sensing data from the sensing data storage unit 131, outputs the sensing data to the BLE communication module 3 via the communication I / F 15, and sends the data from the BLE communication module 3.

[0068] (2-2) Information Terminal UT

[0069] Figure 4 and Figure 5 These are block diagrams representing the hardware and software components of the information terminal UT.

[0070] Information terminals (UTs) can be, for example, smartphones owned by the user. It should be noted that as long as an information terminal (UT) is owned by the user, it can be a tablet, wearable device, or laptop computer, in addition to smartphones.

[0071] The information terminal UT has a control unit 5, a BLE communication module 6, a mobile wireless communication module 7, and input / output devices 8.

[0072] The BLE communication module 6 transmits and receives wireless control signals and data with the aforementioned sensing device SD, according to the communication protocol defined by the BLE specification.

[0073] The mobile wireless communication module 7 uses a wireless access method and communication protocol defined by a mobile communication network to send and receive data with the server device SV via the network NW. Examples of wireless access methods include Long Term Evolution (LTE) (registered trademark), 4G, or 5G.

[0074] Input / output device 8 is, for example, a touch input film using pressure sensing or capacitive methods superimposed on the display screen of a display device using liquid crystal or organic EL, used for inputting various operation data and displaying display data.

[0075] The control unit 5 includes a control unit 51 that uses a hardware processor such as a central processing unit. The control unit 51 is connected via a bus 57 to a storage unit having a program storage unit 52 and a data storage unit 53, communication I / Fs 54 and 55, and an input / output I / F 56.

[0076] During the process of establishing a BLE wireless link with the sensing device SD, the communication I / F54 performs various signal transmission or conversion between the control unit 51 and the BLE communication module 6.

[0077] The input / output I / F56 takes the operation data input into the input / output device 8 and transmits it to the control unit 51. It also outputs and displays various display information output from the control unit 51 to the input / output device 8.

[0078] The program storage unit 52, for example, is a storage medium composed of a non-volatile memory such as an SSD that can be written to and read from at any time and a non-volatile memory such as a ROM. The program storage unit 52 not only stores middleware such as an OS, but also stores programs required to execute various control processes of an implementation.

[0079] This program includes multiple applications for data transmission provided by various operators offering health management services (which may include manufacturers of SD sensing devices, etc.). In this example, we will illustrate the process by installing two data transmission applications (hereinafter referred to as Application A and Application B).

[0080] The data storage unit 53, for example, is a storage medium obtained by combining a non-volatile memory such as an SSD that can be written to and read from at any time with a volatile memory such as RAM. As the main storage unit required for implementing one embodiment, this data storage unit 53 includes a sensing data storage unit 531. The sensing data storage unit 531 is used to store sensing data sent from the sensing device SD. It should be noted that the sensing data storage unit 531 can be set for application A and application B respectively. In addition, the data storage unit 53 also includes a storage area for temporarily storing data generated during various processes of the control unit 51.

[0081] The control unit 51 includes a platform 511, a first data transmission processing unit 512, and a second data transmission processing unit 513. These processing units 511 to 513 are implemented by having the hardware processor of the control unit 51 execute the OS and application programs stored in the program storage unit 52.

[0082] Platform 511 is executed by the OS. According to the communication protocol specified by the BLE communication method, it performs various sending and receiving processes such as scanning the sensing device SD, receiving BLE announcements from the sensing device SD, and various requests and responses for BLE connection timing, and performs a series of processes until a BLE wireless link is established with the sensing device SD.

[0083] The first data transmission processing unit 512 operates by executing the aforementioned application program A, performing a series of data transmission processes for acquiring sensing data from the sensing device SD.

[0084] For example, the process includes scanning platform 511, receiving notifications, sending connection requests, executing connection timing, sending communication right acquisition requests, and receiving response information to communication right acquisition requests. At this time, the application ID of application A is inserted into the aforementioned connection request.

[0085] Next, the first data transmission processing unit 512 determines whether the communication right for application A has been successfully obtained based on the mediation result and application ID included in the received response information. Then, if the communication right has been successfully obtained, sensing data is received via the wireless link established with the sensing device SD, and the received sensing data is stored in the sensing data storage unit 531.

[0086] Furthermore, the first data transmission processing unit 512 monitors the timing of the transmission of the stored sensing data to the server device SV. When the transmission timing is right, it reads the untransmitted sensing data from the sensing data storage unit 531 and outputs the read sensing data to the mobile wireless communication module 7 via the communication I / F 55. Then, it performs the following processing: according to the communication protocol specified by the mobile communication network, it transmits the sensing data from the mobile wireless communication module 7 to the server device SV via the network NW.

[0087] The second data transmission processing unit 513 operates by executing the aforementioned application program B, performing a series of data transmission processes for acquiring sensing data from the sensing device SD.

[0088] The processing procedure and content are the same as those of the first data transmission processing unit 512 that executes application A.

[0089] (Example of action)

[0090] Next, an example of the operation of a wireless communication system configured as described above will be explained.

[0091] Figure 6 and Figure 7These are flowcharts illustrating the processing procedures and processing content performed by the control unit 11 of the sensing device SD. Furthermore... Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedures and content performed by the control unit 51 of the information terminal UT. Furthermore, Figure 9A , Figure 9B It is a timing diagram representing the data transmission processing between the sensing device SD and the information terminal UT.

[0092] (1) Launching the application for data transmission in the information terminal UT

[0093] The control unit 51 of the information terminal UT is in Figure 8 In step S30, the startup of the application is monitored. In this state, for example, when the user starts application A and application B on the input / output device 8, or when a startup request for application A and application B is received from the server device SV of the service operator, the control unit 51 of the information terminal UT starts application A and application B.

[0094] Subsequently, applications A and B will operate in the background for various other applications installed on the information terminal UT.

[0095] Upon startup, the data transmission processing units 512 and 513 executing applications A and B respectively first provide scan requests to the platform 511 in step S31. As a result, the platform 511 then begins intermittent scanning operations for the BLE notifications of the sensing device SD. It should be noted that at this time, the platform 511 receives scan requests from both applications A and B, but... Figure 9A As shown, the scanning action is performed based on the first received scanning request.

[0096] (2) Sensing action in the sensing device SD

[0097] In the sensing device SD, the user, as the subject of the measurement, performs a sensing operation. This operation could include, for example, pressing the measurement button located on the input section 4a, or it could involve the user attaching a cuff to the area being measured, such as the arm or wrist.

[0098] When the above operation is sensed in step S10, the control unit 11 of the sensing device SD, under the control of the sensing control unit 111, activates the sensing unit 2 in step S11. Then, in step S12, the sensing data measured and output by the sensing unit 2 is acquired via the sensor I / F 14, and the acquired sensing data, after appending information indicating the measurement date and time, is stored in the sensing data storage unit 131. When the above sensing action ends, the sensing control unit 111 determines in step S13 whether the sensing action has ended. Then, if the person being measured presses the measurement button again, the process returns to step S11 and repeats the above sensing action.

[0099] It should be noted that in this example, the data obtained as sensing data represent systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and pulse rate. However, the sensing data may also include pulse rate or ECG waveform, blood glucose level, activity level, stress level, and other vital sign data, either alone or in combination.

[0100] (3) Transmission of sensing data

[0101] (3-1) Execution of BLE broadcast and connection timing

[0102] When it is determined in step S13 that the sensing action has ended, the control unit 11 of the sensing device SD, under the control of the BLE communication control unit 112, begins to send BLE notifications intermittently at fixed time intervals in step S14.

[0103] In contrast, in step S32, when the control unit 51 of the information terminal UT receives the above-mentioned BLE notification through the platform 511, the first data transmission processing unit 512 and the second data transmission processing unit 513 respectively generate connection requests in step S33 and output the connection requests to the platform 511.

[0104] Platform 511 outputs the connection request to BLE communication module 6 via communication I / F 54. As a result, the connection request is sent from BLE communication module 6 to sensing device SD. It should be noted that, at this time, when connection requests are generated from first data transmission processing unit 512 and second data transmission processing unit 513 respectively, platform 511 only sends the first generated connection request to sensing device SD.

[0105] During the transmission of the aforementioned notification, when the connection request is received from the information terminal UT in step S15, the control unit 11 of the sensing device SD executes the BLE connection timing in step S16 under the control of the BLE communication control unit 112.

[0106] Furthermore, at this time, the platform 511 of the information terminal UT also performs BLE connection timing with the sensing device SD in step S34 after the connection request is sent. Then, when a connection is established with the sensing device SD through the BLE connection timing, the platform 511 notifies the first data transmission processing unit 512 and the second data transmission processing unit 513, which are the senders of the connection request, that the connection is complete.

[0107] (3-2) Sending a request to acquire communication rights

[0108] When the connection completion notification is received via step S35, the first data transmission processing unit 512 and the second data transmission processing unit 513 generate communication right acquisition requests in step S36. At this time, the application IDs of the requesting application A and application B are respectively inserted into each of the communication right acquisition requests.

[0109] Then, the first data transmission processing unit 512 and the second data transmission processing unit 513 transmit the generated communication right acquisition requests to the platform 511. The platform 511 then sends each of the communication right acquisition requests from the BLE communication module 6 to the sensing device SD.

[0110] (3-3) Communication Mediation

[0111] In contrast, when the control unit 11 of the sensing device SD receives the aforementioned communication right acquisition request in step S17, it proceeds to step S18. Then, under the control of the communication mediation processing unit 113, the communication mediation processing for the aforementioned communication right acquisition request is performed in the following manner.

[0112] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedure and content of the communication mediation process. Specifically, the communication mediation processing unit 113 first determines, in step S181, whether there is one or more communication right acquisition requests sent from the information terminal UT within a fixed time period (e.g., 1 second or less). If there is only one request, communication is unconditionally permitted for that request. Then, in step S182, response information including information permitting the communication and the application ID included in the received communication right acquisition request is generated, and in step S186, the generated response information is sent from the BLE communication module 3 to the information terminal UT.

[0113] On the other hand, as described above, two communication right acquisition requests are received from the information terminal UT within the aforementioned fixed time period. In this case, the communication mediation processing unit 113 reads the mediation conditions from the mediation information storage unit 132. Then, based on the read mediation conditions, it determines whether or not communication is permitted for each of the two communication right acquisition requests.

[0114] In determining whether communication is permitted, two methods can be considered: "order of precedence" and "priority order." Both are defined by mediation conditions.

[0115] First, "order of precedence" means granting permission to communicate to the party whose communication request is received earlier, and denying the communication request to the party whose communication request is received later. In this case, such as Figure 7 As illustrated in the example, the communication mediation processing unit 113 selects the communication right acquisition request from the party with the earlier receiving order in step S183. For the selected communication right acquisition request, in step S184, it generates response information containing flag information indicating permission (OK) for communication and an application ID. On the other hand, for the communication right acquisition request from the party with the later receiving order, in step S185, it generates response information containing flag information indicating rejection (NG) for communication and an application ID. Then, the generated response information is sent from the BLE communication module 3 to the information terminal UT in step S186.

[0116] In contrast, "priority order" refers to, for example, in an information terminal (UT), the user determines whether application A or application B has a pre-set priority. Communication requests from applications with higher priority are granted permission, while requests from applications with lower priority are temporarily denied. It should be noted that the determination of whether the communication request originates from application A or application B is based on the application ID included in the request.

[0117] In this case, the communication mediation processing unit 113 generates response information for each of the above-mentioned communication right acquisition requests, including the above-mentioned judgment result of permission or denial, i.e., the flag information indicating permission (OK) or denial (NG) and the application ID of the requesting party's application, and sends each generated response information from the BLE communication module 3 to the information terminal UT.

[0118] When the platform 511 of the information terminal UT receives the aforementioned response information sent from the sensing device SD via the BLE communication module 6, it transmits the received response information to the first data transmission processing unit 512 and the second data transmission processing unit 513. At this time, the platform 511 does not have the function of identifying the address of each response information, so it notifies both the first data transmission processing unit 512 and the second data transmission processing unit 513 of the received response information.

[0119] When the first data transmission processing unit 512 and the second data transmission processing unit 513 of the information terminal UT receive the aforementioned response information, in step S38, it is determined which response information is destined for its own application based on the application ID included in these response information. Then, based on the flag information included in the response information destined for itself, it is determined whether the communication right has been successfully obtained. Subsequently, by the first data transmission processing unit 512 or the second data transmission processing unit 513 that has successfully obtained the communication right, the sensing data reception operation is performed.

[0120] (3-4) Transmission of sensing data

[0121] When the control unit 11 of the sensing device SD ends the above-mentioned mediation process, under the control of the sensing data transmission processing unit 114, in step S19, it reads the sensing data from the sensing data storage unit 131. Then, the read sensing data is transmitted from the BLE communication module 3 to the information terminal UT via the wireless link established between the two terminals.

[0122] In contrast, the data transmission processing unit that successfully obtained communication rights in the first and second data transmission processing units 512 and 513 of the information terminal UT, for example, the first data transmission processing unit 512 corresponding to application A, receives sensing data from the sensing device SD via a BLE wireless link established between the two devices, and stores the received sensing data in the sensing data storage unit 531. Then, when it is detected in step S40 that the sensing data reception is complete, the first data transmission processing unit 512 sends a cut-off request to the sensing device SD in step S41, ending the processing.

[0123] (3-5) Situations where applications are in communication standby mode.

[0124] The control unit 11 of the sensing device SD stores information indicating the determination result of whether communication permission is granted by the communication mediation processing unit 113, such as a communication right acquisition request that is denied, as communication standby information in the mediation information storage unit 132. After the transmission of sensing data, when the BLE communication control unit 112 receives a cut-off request sent from the information terminal UT in step S20, it then determines in step S21 whether there is a communication right acquisition request that is currently in standby, based on the communication standby information stored in the mediation information storage unit 132. Then, if there is a communication right acquisition request that is currently in standby, it returns to step S14 and performs the processing again through steps S14 to S20.

[0125] On the other hand, when the first data transmission processing unit 512 terminates the data transmission processing by sending a cut-off request in step S41, the control unit 51 of the information terminal UT then determines in step S42 whether there is a data transmission application in standby mode. If there is a data transmission application in standby mode, the control unit 51 of the information terminal UT returns to step S31 and executes the processing again through steps S31 to S41.

[0126] For example, in the example described above, application B is in communication standby mode, so under the control of the second data transmission processing unit 513, the processing for receiving sensing data from the sensing device SD is performed through the above steps S31 to S41. Figure 9B This is a diagram representing the timing of the processing.

[0127] (Function / Effect)

[0128] As described above, in one embodiment, under the control of two data transmission applications A and B installed on the information terminal UT, during the process of transmitting sensing data from the sensing device SD to the information terminal UT, applications A and B send a communication right acquisition request, including the application ID, to the sensing device SD. Conversely, upon receiving the communication right acquisition requests from the information terminal UT based on applications A and B respectively, the sensing device SD determines whether communication permission is granted to each application A and application B based on pre-stored mediation conditions. Then, it generates response information including information representing the determination result and the application ID included in the communication right acquisition request, and sends it back to the information terminal UT. Based on the received response information, applications A and B on the information terminal UT determine whether the communication right has been successfully acquired and proceed with the process of enabling application A or application B that has successfully acquired communication right to receive sensing data from the sensing device SD.

[0129] Therefore, for example, in the information terminal UT, even if application A and application B send communication right acquisition requests at the same time, the sensing device SD will handle the mediation of these requests and notify the information terminal UT of the result through a response message. Thus, among the requesting applications A and B, only the application that successfully obtains communication right will process the transmission of sensing data, avoiding communication contention within the sensing device SD. Therefore, there is no need to worry about data corruption caused by unexpected data access within the sensing device SD, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission processing.

[0130] Furthermore, in one implementation, the order of access is defined as a mediation condition, granting permission to communicate to the application A and application B installed on the information terminal UT. Therefore, communication rights can be fairly granted to both applications A and B.

[0131] On the other hand, as a mediation condition, priority can also be defined for application A and application B. In this case, for example, data transmission can be prioritized based on the application with the higher priority specified by the user.

[0132] Furthermore, in one embodiment, as information representing the mediation result in the sensing device SD, the communication right acquisition request from the communication-rejecting application B is saved as mediation information, and information indicating whether the communication right acquisition was successful or not is saved in the information terminal UT. Then, after the data transmission of application A based on permitted communication is completed, BLE broadcasting and connection timing are continued based on the aforementioned saved information, and the data transmission processing performed by application B is further executed. Therefore, after the data transmission processing based on application A is completed, the data transmission processing based on application B can be automatically executed, completing the data transmission processing based on all applications that are started.

[0133] [Variation Example]

[0134] Display information indicating the outcome of a communication right acquisition request can be generated in the sensing device SD and displayed on the display unit 4b. Alternatively, display information indicating whether the communication right acquisition was successful or not can be generated in the information terminal UT and displayed on the display unit of the input / output device 8. In this way, the user can check the application in the sensing data transmission processing in both the sensing device SD and the information terminal UT.

[0135] Furthermore, in the above example, the scenario described illustrates the case where the information terminal UT sends a cut-off request when either application A or application B terminates data transmission. However, as another example, the information terminal UT can enable a standby application to perform communication processing without sending a cut-off request, through the following communication process.

[0136] That is, for example, applications A and B send communication right acquisition requests. In response, the sensing device SD responds to application A's request (OK) for communication right acquisition and to application B's request (NG). In this case, in the information terminal UT, application A performs data transmission, while application B is in standby mode. Then, when application A finishes data transmission, the information terminal UT sends a communication right open request. At this time, the ID of application A is inserted into the communication right open request.

[0137] In contrast, when the sensing device SD receives a communication right grant request containing the ID of application A, it sends back a communication right grant response including the ID of application A. Upon confirming that application A has granted communication right through the communication right grant response including the ID of application A, the information terminal UT sends a communication right grant request to the sensing device SD again. Through this process, both application A and application B can complete data transmission.

[0138] [Other Implementation Methods]

[0139] In one embodiment, the case of using a blood pressure monitor as the first device is described as an example. The first device may also be a device that measures vital signs data other than blood pressure data, or a device that measures environmental data such as temperature, humidity, and air pressure in addition to vital signs data, or a device that measures substances that pollute the atmosphere such as exhaust gas, water quality, vibration, and noise.

[0140] Furthermore, various modifications can be made to the number of applications for data transmission, the types and configurations of the first and second devices, the processing procedure and processing content, the type of data to be transmitted, and the data structure, without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0141] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the description up to the foregoing is merely illustrative in all respects. Various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. That is, when implementing the present invention, specific structures can be appropriately adopted according to the embodiments.

[0142] In summary, this invention is not limited to the embodiments described above in their entirety. During implementation, the constituent elements can be modified and embodied by variations without departing from its spirit. Furthermore, various inventions can be formed through appropriate combinations of the multiple constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, several constituent elements can be deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiments. Moreover, constituent elements relating to different embodiments can be appropriately combined.

[0143] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0144] SD: Sensing device

[0145] UT: Information Terminal

[0146] NW: Network

[0147] SV: Server device

[0148] 1, 5: Control Unit

[0149] 2: Sensing Unit

[0150] 3, 6: BLE communication module

[0151] 4a: Input Section

[0152] 4b: Display section

[0153] 7: Mobile wireless communication module

[0154] 8: Input / output devices

[0155] 11, 51: Control Department

[0156] 12, 52: Program storage section

[0157] 13, 53: Data Storage Department

[0158] 14: Sensor I / F

[0159] 15, 54, 55: Communication I / F

[0160] 16, 56: Input / Output (I / F)

[0161] 111: Sensing and Control Unit

[0162] 112: BLE Communication Control Department

[0163] 113: Communications Mediation and Handling Department

[0164] 114: Sensing Data Transmission and Processing Unit

[0165] 131, 531: Sensor data storage unit

[0166] 132: Mediating Information Storage Department

[0167] 511: Platform (OS)

[0168] 512: First Data Transmission Processing Unit (Application Program A)

[0169] 513: Second Data Transmission Processing Unit (Application Program B)

[0170] 514: Sensor Data Transmission Processing Unit

Claims

1. A wireless communication system comprising: a first device for generating transmission target data; and a second device having a plurality of applications for performing data transmission processing, wherein, under the control of the plurality of applications, transmission processing of the transmission target data is performed between the second device and the third device, wherein in the wireless communication system, The second device includes a request sending processing unit. When the multiple applications request communication with the first device, the request sending processing unit generates and sends a communication right acquisition request including the unique identification information of each of the multiple applications. The first device includes: The communication mediation processing unit, upon receiving multiple communication right acquisition requests from the second device, determines whether to grant permission for the multiple applications to communicate with the requesting party based on the inherent identification information included in each communication right acquisition request and pre-set mediation conditions. as well as The response processing unit generates a response including information indicating the determination result of permission or non-permission and the corresponding inherent identification information, and sends it back to the second device. The second device includes: The determination processing unit determines whether the communication right is successfully obtained for each of the plurality of applications based on the information indicating the determination result of permission or not included in the response sent back from the first device and the inherent identification information. as well as The data transmission processing unit, based on the success or failure determination result, uses the application that has successfully obtained the communication right among the multiple applications to perform the transmission processing of the data to be transmitted.

2. A wireless communication device, used as a first device in a wireless communication system, the wireless communication system comprising: the first device, which generates data of a transmission target; And a second device, comprising multiple applications for data transmission processing, wherein, under the control of the multiple applications, transmission processing of the data to be transmitted is performed between the wireless communication device and the first device, wherein the wireless communication device comprises: The communication mediation processing unit, upon receiving multiple communication right acquisition requests from the second device, determines whether or not permission is granted for communication by the multiple applications of the requesting party based on the inherent identification information of each application included in the communication right acquisition request and the preset mediation conditions. as well as The response processing unit generates a response including information indicating the determination result of permission or non-permission and the corresponding inherent identification information, and sends it back to the second device.

3. The wireless communication device according to claim 2, wherein, The communication mediation processing unit defines the order of events as the mediation condition, and when it receives the plurality of communication right acquisition requests from the second device, it grants communication permission to the application corresponding to the earliest communication right acquisition request received.

4. The wireless communication device according to claim 2, wherein, The communication mediation processing unit defines the priority of the plurality of applications as the mediation condition, and grants communication permission to the application with the highest priority when it receives the plurality of communication right acquisition requests from the second device.

5. The wireless communication device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein, It also includes a display processing unit, which generates display information of the determination result based on information indicating the determination result of permission or non-permission, and displays the display information on the display unit of the wireless communication device.

6. A wireless communication device, used as a second device in a wireless communication system, the wireless communication system comprising: a first device for generating transmission target data; and a second device comprising a plurality of applications for performing data transmission processing, wherein, under the control of the plurality of applications, transmission processing of the transmission target data is performed between the first device and the second device, the first device comprising the following functions: upon receiving a plurality of communication right acquisition requests from the second device, determining, based on inherent identification information of each of the plurality of applications included in each communication right acquisition request and pre-set mediation conditions, whether or not permission is granted for communication by the requesting party's plurality of applications, generating a response including information indicating the determination result of permission or non-permission and the corresponding inherent identification information, and sending it back to the second device, wherein the wireless communication device comprises: The success / failure determination processing unit, upon receiving the communication right acquisition request, determines the success or failure of communication right acquisition for each of the plurality of applications based on information indicating the permission or non-permission determination result included in the response sent back from the first device and the inherent identification information; and The data transmission processing unit, based on the success or failure determination result, uses the application that has successfully obtained communication rights among the multiple applications to perform the transmission processing of the data to be transmitted.

7. The wireless communication device according to claim 6, wherein, It also includes a display processing unit, which generates display information for displaying the determination result based on information indicating whether the determination is successful or not, and displays the display information on the display unit of the wireless communication device.

8. A wireless communication method, executed by a wireless communication system, the wireless communication system comprising: a first device for generating transmission target data; and a second device comprising a plurality of applications for performing data transmission processing, wherein, under the control of the plurality of applications, transmission processing of the transmission target data is performed between the second device and the first device. The wireless communication method includes the following steps: When the multiple applications request communication with the first device respectively, the second device generates and sends a communication right acquisition request including the inherent identification information of each of the multiple applications; When the first device receives multiple communication right acquisition requests from the second device, it determines whether or not permission is granted for the multiple applications to communicate with the requesting party based on the inherent identification information included in each communication right acquisition request and the preset mediation conditions. The first device generates a response including information indicating the determination result of permission or non-permission and the corresponding inherent identification information, and sends it back to the second device; The second device, based on information indicating the permission determination result included in the response sent back from the first device and the inherent identification information, determines whether the communication right has been successfully obtained for each of the plurality of applications; and Based on the success or failure determination result, the second device uses the application that has successfully obtained the communication right among the multiple applications to perform the transmission processing of the data to be transmitted.

9. A computer-readable recording medium having a program that causes a processor of the wireless communication device to perform processing performed by the processing units of the wireless communication device according to any one of claims 2 to 5.

10. A computer-readable recording medium having a program that causes a processor of the wireless communication device to perform processing performed by the processing units of the wireless communication device of claim 6 or 7.

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