Radio communications system, master device, slave device, radio communication method, and program

Abstract

To provide a radio communications system capable of efficiently performing a data communication.SOLUTION: A function calculator 20 receives a transmission sleep signal BC1 by a broadcast communication from a PC 10, and is shifted to a transmission sleep state. The PC 10 selects the function calculator 20 as a target of the data communication in a preferential order one by one calculates by two calculates, and transmits transmission packet signals BC2, BC3, and so on containing a calculator ID of the two function calculator 20 selected while replacing it in an order with the broadcast communication. Each function calculator 20 is shifted to a non-sleep state in the case an own calculator ID is contained in each of the transmission packet signals BC2, BC3, and so on, and is in the transmission sleep state, The function calculator 20 in a previous preferential order transmits an advertise signal, establishes communication connections DC1, DC2, and so on with the PC 10 one by one, acquires a transmission object data, transmits it to the PC 10, and is shifted to the transmission sleep state again. The function calculator 20 in a post preferential order stores (prepares) the transmission object data to a transmission buffer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a wireless communication system, a master device, a slave device, a wireless communication method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in a wireless communication network server device (master device) that is capable of maintaining a communication connection at the same time, a technology has been devised in which the server device controls multiple client devices (slave devices) and connects and disconnects the client devices to the wireless communication network in order of priority, thereby allowing a number of client devices exceeding the number that can be connected simultaneously to participate in wireless communication (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-149510 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional server devices, when multiple client devices are allowed to participate in wireless communication for a specific purpose by switching the client devices that are connected to the wireless communication network in sequence, consideration has been given to eliminating unfairness in the connections of the multiple client devices, but no consideration has been given to efficiently carrying out other data communications.

[0005] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a wireless communication system, a master device, a slave device, a wireless communication method, and a program that enable efficient data communication when one master device and multiple slave devices communicate wirelessly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The wireless communication system according to the present invention comprises: In a wireless communication system in which one master device and multiple slave devices perform wireless communication, As a first process, the master device selecting a predetermined number of slave devices as target slave devices to be subjected to data communication from among the plurality of slave devices; Transmitting a first wireless signal including device selection information indicating that the target slave device has been selected by broadcast communication; After transmitting the first wireless signal, a one-to-one communication connection is established with the target slave device; a first control unit that executes a process of receiving or transmitting data from or to the target slave device with which a one-to-one communication connection has been established; Each of the plurality of slave devices performs, as a second process, receiving the first wireless signal by broadcast communication; determining whether or not the own device has been selected as the target slave device based on the device selection information included in the received first wireless signal; when it is determined that the own device is in a sleep state and has been selected as the target slave device, the own device transitions from the sleep state to a non-sleep state and establishes a one-to-one communication connection with the master device to transmit or receive data to or from the master device; when the device itself is in the non-sleep state and data transmission or reception between the device and the master device with which a one-to-one communication connection has been established is completed, or when the device itself has determined that it has not been selected as the target slave device, the device itself cuts off the one-to-one communication connection with the master device and transitions to the sleep state; A second control unit that executes the process is provided. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, data communication can be performed efficiently. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a wireless communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic circuit of a PC 10 (master device) in the wireless communication system 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic circuit of a scientific calculator 20 ((1) 201 to (n) 20n) (slave device) in the wireless communication system 1. [Figure 4] 5 is a flowchart showing wireless communication control processing (first processing) by the PC 10 of the wireless communication system 1. [Diagram 5] 6 is a flowchart showing a wireless communication control process (second process) by the scientific calculator 20 of the wireless communication system 1. [Figure 6] 13 is a diagram showing a communication operation when all of scientific calculators 20(1) 201 to 20n are put into a transmission sleep state in accordance with the wireless communication control process between PC 10 and scientific calculator 20. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram showing a communication operation when a scientific calculator (1) 201 is caused to transmit data and a scientific calculator (2) 202 is caused to prepare for data transmission in accordance with wireless communication control processing between the PC 10 and the scientific calculator 20. FIG. [Figure 8] 13 is a diagram showing a communication operation when the scientific calculator (2) 202 is caused to transmit data and the scientific calculator (3) 203 is caused to prepare for data transmission in accordance with the wireless communication control process between the PC 10 and the scientific calculator 20. FIG. [Figure 9] 13 is a diagram showing a packet format of a transmission packet signal BC2 transmitted from a PC 10 by broadcast communication. FIG. [Figure 10] 1 is a diagram showing a packet format of a transmission packet signal transmitted from the scientific calculator (1) 201 via a communication connection DC1 between the scientific calculator (1) 201 and a PC 10. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the following drawings.

[0010] (Configuration of Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a wireless communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wireless communication system 1 is configured as a wireless communication network including a master device having a wireless communication function and a plurality of slave devices having a wireless communication function with the master device.

[0011] The wireless communication system 1 of the embodiment assumes a school class, and assumes that the master device is a PC (personal computer) 10 equipped with BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) used by a teacher who conducts the class, and the slave devices are function calculators 20 ((1) 201, (2) 202,..., (n) 20n) equipped with BLE used by a plurality of students in the classroom where the class is conducted (slave devices specified for a specific purpose). In a wireless communication network using BLE, the master device is also referred to as a central device, and the slave device is also referred to as a peripheral device.

[0012] Note that the wireless communication system 1 of the embodiment is not limited to a wireless communication network using BLE, and may be applied to a wireless communication network configured to include a server device (master device) having another type of wireless communication function and a plurality of client devices (slave devices). Also, the master device and the plurality of slave devices may be any electronic devices (such as tablet-type PDAs (personal digital assistants), mobile phones, portable game machines, e-books, etc.) having a wireless communication function capable of communicating with each other, and are not limited to the PC 10 and the function calculator 20 ((1) 201 to (n) 20n), and of course, the specific purpose is not limited to a class.

[0013] <Functions of PC10 (Master Device)> In the wireless communication system 1 of the embodiment, the PC 10 (master device) has at least the following functions (a1) to (a4). (a1) A function of transmitting a transmission sleep signal BC1 by broadcast communication to transition the scientific calculator 20 ((1) 201 to (n) 20n) to a transmission sleep state (a state in which wireless signals are received but not transmitted). (a2) A function for storing the calculator (1) ID through calculator (n) ID (device information), which are also the communication addresses of each of the scientific calculators (1) 201 through (n) 20n. The calculator (1) ID through calculator (n) ID may include information (such as consecutive numbers or symbols) that can identify the order (order of priority) of each of the scientific calculators (1) 201 through (n) 20n according to a predetermined rule. (a3) A function for selecting a predetermined number of scientific calculators (1) 201-(n) 20n that are to be targets of temporary data communication (targets requesting data communication) as target slave devices, for example one at a time or two at a time, in an order that follows a predetermined rule (if two are selected, the scientific calculator 20 that is later in order becomes a preparation slave device that is a target for communication preparation (target for requesting preparation for data communication)), and for transmitting transmission packet signals BC2, BC3, ..., BCn (first wireless signal) including the calculator ID (device selection information) of the selected scientific calculators 20 (target slave devices) (preparation slave devices) in order by broadcast communication. (a4) A function of sequentially establishing one-to-one communication connections DC1, DC2, ..., DCn with the selected scientific calculator 20 in response to receiving an advertising signal (first type of wireless signal) from the selected scientific calculator 20, and communicating data with the selected scientific calculator 20.

[0014] <Functions of Scientific Calculator 20 (slave device)> In the wireless communication system 1 of the embodiment, the scientific calculators (1) 201 to (n) 20n (slave devices) have at least the following functions (b1) to (b5). (b1) A function of transitioning to a transmission sleep state in response to a transmission sleep signal BC1 received by broadcast communication from the PC 10, whereby the wireless communication device 10 receives wireless signals but does not transmit them. (b2) When two calculator IDs (device selection information) are included in the transmission packet signals BC2, BC3, ..., BCn received by broadcast communication from PC10 and the calculator ID (device selection information) that is first (priority) among the two calculator IDs according to a predetermined rule is the calculator ID of the own calculator and the own calculator is in a transmission sleep state, or when one calculator ID (device selection information) is included in the transmission packet signals BC2, BC3, ..., BCn received by broadcast communication and the said calculator ID is the calculator ID of the own calculator and the own calculator is in a transmission sleep state, the transmission sleep state is cancelled and the calculator transitions from the transmission sleep state to a non-sleep state (active) in which the calculator has returned from the transmission sleep state. Then, the function of transmitting an advertising signal (first type of wireless signal) and establishing one-to-one communication connections DC1, DC2, ..., DCn with PC10 to perform data communication (second type of wireless signal). (b3) A function to cancel the transmission sleep state and transition to a non-sleep state (active) when the transmission packet signals BC2, BC3, ..., BCn received by broadcast communication from PC10 contain two calculator IDs (device selection information) and the calculator ID (device selection information) that is next in the order of the two calculator IDs according to a predetermined rule is the calculator's own calculator ID and the calculator is in a transmission sleep state, or when the transmission packet signals BC2, BC3, ..., BCn received by broadcast communication contain one calculator ID (device selection information) and the calculator ID that is next in the order of the two calculator IDs according to a predetermined rule is the calculator's own calculator ID and the calculator is in a transmission sleep state. Then, the function to store (store) the data to be transmitted in the transmission buffer and prepare for data communication. (b4) When the transmission packet signals BC2, BC3, …, BCn received by broadcast communication from the PC10 contain two calculator IDs (device selection information), and the calculator ID (device selection information) that is prior (has priority) according to a predetermined rule among the two calculator IDs is the own calculator ID and the own device is in a non-sleep state (a state where data communication is prepared), or when the transmission packet signals BC2, BC3, …, BCn received by broadcast communication contain one calculator ID (device selection information), and the calculator ID is the own calculator ID and the own device is in a non-sleep state (a state where data communication is prepared), a function of transmitting an advertisement signal to establish one-to-one communication connections DC2, DC3, …, DCn with the PC10 and transmitting the data stored in the transmission buffer (a second type of wireless signal). (b5) A function of disconnecting the communication connection and shifting to a transmission sleep state in response to the completion of data communication with the PC10. Note that when the transmission packet signals BC2, BC3, …, BCn received by broadcast communication contain two calculator IDs (device selection information) and neither of the calculator IDs (device selection information) is the own calculator ID, or when the transmission packet signals BC2, BC3, …, BCn received by broadcast communication contain one calculator ID (device selection information) and neither the calculator ID nor the calculator ID of the next order according to a predetermined rule is the own calculator ID, the communication connection with the PC10 may be disconnected and the device may shift to a transmission sleep state.

[0015] <Configuration of the PC10 (master device)> FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic circuit of the PC10 (master device) in the wireless communication system 1. The PC10 includes a control unit (CPU: central processing unit) 11 (first control unit) that is a computer, a storage unit 12, a recording medium reading unit 13, a communication unit 14 using Wi-Fi (registered trademark), etc., a short-range wireless communication unit 15 using BLE, an input unit 16 including a keyboard and a pointing device, and a display unit 17. The control unit 11 may include a plurality of processors.

[0016] The control unit 11 controls the operation of each part of the circuit in accordance with a PC control program 12a and a short-range wireless communication control program 12b stored in the memory unit 12, and executes various processes in response to an input signal corresponding to a user operation from the input unit 16, or a signal received by the communication unit 14 from a Web server 30 on a communication network N (Internet), or a signal received by the short-range wireless communication unit 15 from a plurality of scientific calculators (1) 201, (2) 202, ..., (n) 20n. The PC control program 12a and the short-range wireless communication control program 12b may be pre-stored in the memory unit 12, or may be read from an external recording medium M such as a CD-ROM via the recording medium reading unit 13 and stored in the memory unit 12, or may be stored in the memory unit 12 via the communication unit 14 from a Web server 30 (in this case, a program server) on the communication network N. The short-distance wireless communication control program 12b functions in cooperation with the PC control program 12a, and includes a program for executing the wireless communication control function including at least the above-mentioned functions (a1) to (a4).

[0017] The storage unit 12 further has various data storage areas secured therein, such as a scientific calculator data storage area 12c, a working data storage area 12d, and the like. In the scientific calculator data storage area 12c, for example, the calculator (1) ID through calculator (n) ID (device information) of each of a plurality of students' scientific calculators (1) 201, (2) 202, ..., (n) 20n that require data communication with the PC 10 used by the teacher are stored in association with each other, along with the user name (student name) and communication data (including received data and / or transmitted data). In the working data storage area 12d, various data generated or acquired in response to the control of the operation of each part by the control unit 11 is temporarily stored as necessary.

[0018] In the PC 10 (master device) configured in this manner, the control unit 11 controls the operation of each part of the circuit in accordance with the instructions written in the PC control program 12a and the short-range wireless communication control program 12b, and the software and hardware operate in cooperation with each other to realize the wireless communication control function described in the operation explanation below.

[0019] <Configuration of Scientific Calculator 20 (slave device)> FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit of a scientific calculator 20 ((1) 201 to (n) 20n) (slave device) in the wireless communication system 1. In FIG. 3, the configuration of a scientific calculator (1) 201 is shown as a representative example. The scientific calculator (1) 201 includes a control unit (CPU) 21 (second control unit) which is a computer, a storage unit 22, a recording medium reading unit 23, a key input unit 24, a liquid crystal dot matrix display unit 25, and a short-range wireless communication unit 26 using BLE. The control unit 21 may include multiple processors.

[0020] The control unit 21 controls the operation of each part of the circuit in accordance with a calculator control program 22a and a communication control program 22b stored in the memory unit 22, and executes various processes according to key input signals from the key input unit 24 and received signals received from an external communication device (e.g., PC 10 (master device)) via the short-range wireless communication unit 26. The calculator control program 22a and the communication control program 22b may be stored in advance in the storage unit 22, or may be read from an external storage medium M such as a memory card via the storage medium reading unit 23 and stored in the storage unit 22. The calculator control program 22a and the communication control program 22b cannot be rewritten by the user by operating the key input unit 24. The communication control program 22b functions in cooperation with the calculator control program 22a, and includes a program for executing the wireless communication control function including at least the above-mentioned functions (b1) to (b5).

[0021] The storage unit 22 further has various data storage areas secured therein, such as a calculator data storage area 22c, a calculation data storage area 22d, a communication data storage area (transmission / reception buffer) 22e, and a working data storage area 22f. In calculator data storage area 22c, calculator (1) ID (device information) such as the calculator device number of scientific calculator (1) 201 is stored. The calculation data storage area 22d stores calculation formulas inputted through the key input unit 24, calculation result data, and the like. The communication data storage area (send / receive buffer) 22e stores data to be sent to the PC 10 (send data: for example, data on the formula or the calculation result stored in the calculation data storage area 22d) or data received from the PC 10 (received data: for example, data on the formula or the calculation result of the correct answer, data on the formula or the calculation result obtained from another student's scientific calculator 20). The communication data storage area 22e may include a data storage area that functions as a send buffer or a receive buffer. In the working data storage area 22f, various data generated or acquired in response to the control of the operation of each part by the control unit 21 is temporarily stored as necessary.

[0022] In the thus configured scientific calculator (slave device) 20 ((1) 201 to (n) 20n), the control unit 21 controls the operation of each part of the circuit in accordance with the instructions written in the calculator control program 22a and the communication control program 22b, and the software and hardware operate in cooperation with each other to realize a wireless communication control function as described later in the operation explanation.

[0023] (Operation of the embodiment) Next, the operation of the wireless communication system 1 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a wireless communication control process (first process) by the PC 10 of the wireless communication system 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a wireless communication control process (second process) by the scientific calculator 20 of the wireless communication system 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a communication operation when all of the scientific calculators 20(1) 201 to 20n are caused to enter a transmission sleep state in accordance with the wireless communication control process between the PC 10 and the scientific calculator 20. In FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a communication operation when the scientific calculator (1) 201 is caused to transmit data and the scientific calculator (2) 202 is caused to prepare for data transmission according to wireless communication control processing between the PC 10 and the scientific calculator 20. In FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a communication operation when the scientific calculator (2) 202 is caused to transmit data and the scientific calculator (3) 203 is caused to prepare for data transmission according to wireless communication control processing between the PC 10 and the scientific calculator 20. In FIG.

[0024] Here, it is assumed that when each student uses their respective scientific calculator (1) 201-(n) 20n to take a class, the scientific calculators (1) 201-(n) 20n are powered on, and as shown in FIG. 6(A), the scientific calculators (1) 201-(n) 20n are in a non-sleep state (active) in which advertising signals AD1, AD2, ..., ADn are transmitted periodically at fixed time intervals from their respective short-range wireless communication units 26. When the control unit 11 of the teacher's PC 10 determines, for example, based on a user operation on the input unit 16 or an application program stored in the memory unit 12, that there are multiple students' scientific calculators 20 required for data communication (step P1 (multiple calculators)), the control unit 11 transmits a transmission sleep signal BC1 by broadcast communication, as shown in FIG. 6(B) (step P2). When the scientific calculators 20 ((1) 201 to (n) 20n) of the students receive the transmission sleep signal BC1 transmitted by broadcast communication from the PC 10 (step S1 (Yes)), the control unit 21 transitions to a transmission sleep state in which the short-range wireless communication unit 26 receives but does not transmit wireless signals (step S11). By transitioning to the transmission sleep state, the scientific calculators 20 ((1) 201 to (n) 20n) are able to reduce power consumption.

[0025] Control unit 11 of PC 10 selects the calculator ID of scientific calculator 20 to be the target of data communication from the calculator IDs (calculator (1) ID to calculator (n) ID) of each scientific calculator (1) 201 to (n) 20n stored in scientific calculator data storage area 12c, in an order that follows a predetermined rule (here, calculator (1) ID to calculator (n) ID are selected two at a time in order) (step P3). As shown in FIG. 7A, control unit 11 transmits a transmission packet signal BC2 including the calculator IDs of the two selected scientific calculators 20 (initially, calculator (1) ID and calculator (2) ID) by broadcast communication (step P4). FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a packet format of the transmission packet signal BC2 transmitted from the PC 10 by broadcast communication. The calculator (1) ID and calculator (2) ID selected in step P3 are added to (stored in) advertisement data that constitutes a protocol data unit of a transmission packet signal BC2, and then transmitted by broadcast communication, as shown in FIG. 9.

[0026] Control unit 21 of scientific calculators (1) 201-(n) 20n determines whether or not a transmission packet signal BC2 including the calculator ID of the scientific calculator (1) 201-(n) 20n has been received by broadcast communication from PC 10 (step S2). When it is determined that a transmission packet signal BC2 including the calculator ID of the own device (calculator (1) ID and calculator (2) ID) has been received in scientific calculator (1) 201, (2) 202 (step S2 (Yes)), control unit 21 determines that the device is currently in a transmission sleep state (step S3 (Yes)), and cancels the transmission sleep state to transition to a non-sleep state (active) (step S4). Here, the scientific calculators (3) 203 to (n) 20n from which the transmission packet signal BC2 including the own calculator ID has not been received are maintained in a transmission sleep state in which power consumption is reduced.

[0027] Control unit 21 of scientific calculator (1) 201, (2) 202 that has transitioned to a non-sleep state (active) determines whether or not its own calculator ID has priority among the two calculator IDs (calculator (1) ID and calculator (2) ID) included in transmission packet signal BC2 received from PC 10 (step S5). Here, control unit 21 of scientific calculator (1) 201 determines that its own calculator ID is first (priority) (step S5 (Yes)), and as shown in FIG. 7(B) transmits an advertising signal AD1 (step S6), and after receiving a scan request signal from PC 10 and transmitting a scan response signal to PC 10, establishes a one-to-one communication connection DC1 with PC 10 that is free of radio interference (step S7). The control unit 21 of the scientific calculator (1) 201 determines whether data to be transmitted to the PC 10 (transmission target data) is stored (prepared) in the transmission buffer of the communication data storage area 22e (step S8). If the transmission target data is not stored (prepared) in the transmission buffer (step S8 (No)), the control unit 21 acquires the transmission target data, for example, from the calculation data storage area 22d (step S9), and transmits the acquired transmission target data d1 to the PC 10 (step S10), as shown in Fig. 7B. Then, the control unit 21 again transitions to the transmission sleep state (step S11). In the embodiment, the data to be transmitted is the answer data of a calculation obtained by scientific calculator 20. However, the answer data is not limited to the calculation result of a formula, and it goes without saying that the answer data may also include answer data with a large amount of data, such as graph data including a list of multiple coordinate points.

[0028] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a packet format of a transmission packet signal transmitted from the scientific calculator (1) 201 via the communication connection DC1 between the scientific calculator (1) 201 and the PC 10. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, data d1 to be transmitted from the scientific calculator (1) 201 is added to (stored in) a payload constituting a protocol data unit of a transmission packet signal and transmitted to the PC 10.

[0029] On the other hand, control unit 21 of scientific calculator (2) 202 determines that of the two calculator IDs (calculator (1) ID and calculator (2) ID) included in the transmission packet signal BC2 received from PC 10, its own calculator ID comes later (step S5 (No)). For example, control unit 21 stores transmission target data d2 acquired from calculation data memory area 22d in the transmission buffer of communication data memory area 22e, as shown in FIG. 7(B), and prepares for data transmission (step S12).

[0030] In PC 10, as shown in FIG. 7(B), when an advertising signal AD1 is received from scientific calculator (1) 201 selected as the target of data communication (step P5 (Yes)), the control unit 11 transmits a scan request signal to the scientific calculator (1) 201 and receives a scan response signal from the scientific calculator (1) 201, and establishes a one-to-one communication connection DC1 with the scientific calculator (1) 201 that is free from radio interference (step P6). The control unit 11 receives the transmission data d1 from the communicatively connected scientific calculator (1) 201 (step P7) and stores (saves) the data in association with the calculator (1) ID of the scientific calculator (1) 201 in the scientific calculator data storage area 12c (step P8).

[0031] The control unit 11 determines whether or not the transmission target data dn corresponding to the calculator (n) ID of the scientific calculator (n) 20n stored in the scientific calculator data storage area 12c has been acquired, that is, whether or not acquisition of the transmission target data d1-dn from the scientific calculators (1) 201-(n) 20n of all students that are the target of data communication has been completed (step P9). If it is determined here that the transmission target data dn corresponding to the calculator (n) ID has not been acquired (step P9 (No)), control unit 11 selects the calculator ID of the next scientific calculator 20 to be the target of data communication (here, the calculator (2) ID and calculator (3) ID) (step P3), and acquires the transmission target data d2 from the next scientific calculator (2) 202 through the same processing as described above (steps P4 to P8). That is, as shown in FIG. 8(A), control unit 11 of PC 10 transmits a transmission packet signal BC3 including the calculator IDs (calculator (2) ID and calculator (3) ID) of the two selected scientific calculators 20 by broadcast communication (step P4).

[0032] When it is determined that the scientific calculator (2) 202 has received a transmission packet signal BC3 including its own calculator (2) ID (step S2 (Yes)), control unit 21 determines that it is currently in a non-sleep state (active) (step S3 (No)), and, as shown in FIG. 8 (B) , transmits an advertising signal AD2 (step S6), and after receiving a scan request signal from PC 10 and transmitting a scan response signal to PC 10, establishes a one-to-one communication connection DC2 with PC 10 (step S7). The control unit 21 of the scientific calculator (2) 202 determines that data d2 to be transmitted to the PC 10 is stored (prepared) in the transmission buffer of the communication data storage area 22e (step S8 (Yes)), and transmits the data d2 to be transmitted in the transmission buffer (22e) to the PC 10 (step S10), as shown in Fig. 8B. Then, the one-to-one communication connection with the PC 10 is disconnected, and the device again enters a transmission sleep state (step S11).

[0033] Control unit 21 of scientific calculator (3) 203 also determines that a transmission packet signal BC3 including its own calculator (3) ID has been received (step S2 (Yes)), and determines that it is currently in a transmission sleep state (step S3 (Yes)), and cancels the transmission sleep state and transitions to a non-sleep state (active) (step S4). Here, control unit 21 of scientific calculator (3) 203 determines that of the two calculator IDs (calculator (2) ID and calculator (3) ID) included in the transmission packet signal BC3 received from PC 10, its own calculator ID comes later (step S5 (No)), and prepares for data transmission by storing, for example, data to be transmitted d3 acquired from calculation data memory area 22d in the transmission buffer of communication data memory area 22e, as shown in FIG. 8 (B) (step S12).

[0034] In PC 10, as shown in FIG. 8 (B), when an advertising signal AD2 is received from the next scientific calculator (2) 202 selected as the target of data communication (step P5 (Yes)), control unit 11 transmits a scan request signal to scientific calculator (2) 202 and receives a scan response signal from scientific calculator (2) 202, and establishes a one-to-one communication connection DC2 with that scientific calculator (2) 202 that is free from radio interference (step P6). The control unit 11 receives the transmission data d2 from the communicatively connected scientific calculator (2) 202 (step P7) and stores (saves) the data in association with the calculator (2) ID of the scientific calculator (2) 202 in the scientific calculator data storage area 12c (step P8).

[0035] The control unit 11 determines that the transmission target data dn corresponding to the calculator (n) ID has not been acquired (step P9 (No)), selects the calculator ID of the next scientific calculator 20 to be the target of data communication (here, the calculator (3) ID and the calculator (4) ID) (step P3), and acquires the transmission target data d3 from the next scientific calculator (3) 203 (for which the transmission target data d3 is prepared in the transmission buffer (22e)) through the same processing as described above (steps P4 to P8). Thereafter, by repeatedly executing the same wireless communication control process as described above between the PC 10 and the scientific calculators (4) 204 to (n) 20n, the data to be transmitted d4 to dn from the scientific calculator (4) 204 onwards is also received by the PC 10 in order by establishing one-to-one communications connections and is stored in the scientific calculator data memory area 12c. Then, when control unit 11 of PC 10 determines that transmission target data dn corresponding to the calculator (n) ID has been acquired (step P9 (Yes)), the series of wireless communication control processes with scientific calculators (1) 201 to (n) 20n is terminated.

[0036] On the other hand, when control unit 11 of PC 10 determines, for example, in response to a user operation on input unit 16 or an application program stored in memory unit 12, that the number of connections required with the student's scientific calculator 20 that is the target of data communication is one (step P1 (one unit)), control unit 11 establishes a one-to-one communications connection by sending a scan request signal to that one scientific calculator 20 and receiving a scan response signal from that scientific calculator 20 based on the advertising signal from the scientific calculator 20 that is the target of data communication among the advertising signals received from each of the scientific calculators (1) 201-(n) 20n (step P10), and executes data communication with that scientific calculator 20 (step P11).

[0037] If the control unit 21 of the scientific calculator 20 determines that the transmission packet signal received from the PC 10 does not include its own calculator ID (step S2 (No)), if the calculator is currently in a transmission sleep state (step S13 (Yes)), it maintains the sleep state without establishing a communication connection with the PC 10 (step S14), and if the calculator is not in a transmission sleep state (step S13 (No)), it forcibly transitions to a transmission sleep state (step S15).

[0038] In the operation of the embodiment described here, of the identified multiple scientific calculators (1) 201-(n) 20n that require data communication with PC 10 for a specific purpose, PC 10 selects two scientific calculators 20 as communication targets in sequence according to a predetermined rule, the first of which is selected as a target for data communication and the second as a target for communication preparation, and transmits transmission packet signals BC2, BC3, ... including the calculator IDs (device selection information) of the two selected calculators in sequence based on broadcast communication. Then, if the first (priority) calculator ID of the two calculator IDs (device selection information) received from PC 10 is its own calculator ID, scientific calculator 20(1) 201-(n) 20n transmits an advertising signal to establish a one-to-one communication connection with PC 10, and transmits the data to be transmitted to PC 10. Of the two calculator IDs (device selection information) received from PC 10, if the latter calculator ID is the calculator ID of the own device, the data to be transmitted is stored (prepared) in the transmission buffer (22e). Even if the scientific calculators 20 selected in order by PC 10 are communication targets one by one, if it is determined in step S2 of the wireless communication control process of the scientific calculator 20 (FIG. 5) that the calculator ID (device selection information) included in the transmission packet signals BC2, BC3, ... from PC 10 is its own calculator ID, it will of course transmit an advertising signal to establish a communication connection with PC 10 and transmit the data to be transmitted to PC 10 (steps S5 to S10). Then, by determining that the next calculator ID in the order of the calculator IDs (device selection information) included in the transmission packet signals BC2, BC3, ... from PC 10 is its own calculator ID, the data to be transmitted can be stored (prepared) in the transmission buffer (22e) (step S12).

[0039] Furthermore, in the operation of the embodiment, the data communication between PC10 (master device) and scientific calculators 20 ((1) 201-(n) 20n) (slave devices) has been described as data communication in which transmission target data d1-dn of each scientific calculator (1) 201-(n) 20n is transmitted to PC10. However, it goes without saying that the data communication may also include transmission and reception of data, such as transmitting and transferring transmission target data d1 received by PC10 from scientific calculator (1) 201 via PC10 to scientific calculator (2) 202 with which a communication connection is established next in order, thereby sharing the transmission target data d1.

[0040] (Summary of the embodiment) According to the wireless communication system 1 of the embodiment, the scientific calculators (1) 201-(n) 20n receive a transmission sleep signal BC1 by broadcast communication from the PC 10 and transition to a transmission sleep state in which reception of wireless signals is permitted but transmission (including advertising signals (first type of wireless signal) and signals transmitting data (second type of wireless signal)) is not permitted, thereby reducing power consumption. The PC 10 selects a predetermined number of scientific calculators (1) 201-(n) 20n (two in this case: the second one is a communication preparation target (preparation slave device that is a target requesting preparation for data communication)) in a predetermined order of priority as targets for temporary data communication (target slave devices that are targets for requesting preparation for data communication), and transmits transmission packet signals BC2, BC3, ... (first wireless signal) including calculator IDs (device selection information) of the two selected scientific calculators 20 (target slave devices) (preparation slave devices) by broadcast communication, alternating the order. When the transmission packet signals BC2, BC3, ... from PC 10 include the calculator ID of the scientific calculator (1) 201-(n) 20n and the scientific calculator (1) 201-(n) 20n are in a transmission sleep state, the scientific calculator (1) 201-(n) 20n transitions from the transmission sleep state to a non-sleep state (active) in which the scientific calculator 20(m), which has the first priority, transmits an advertising signal (first type of wireless signal) to establish one-to-one communication connections DC1, DC2, ... with PC 10, and obtains data to be transmitted and transmits it (second type of wireless signal) to PC 10. The scientific calculator 20(m+1), which has the second priority, is in a non-sleep state but is in a transmission preparation state in which transmission of an advertising signal (first type of wireless signal) is permitted but transmission of a signal for transmitting data (second type of wireless signal) is not permitted, and the data to be transmitted is stored (prepared) in the transmission buffer (22e). Furthermore, when the scientific calculator (2) 202-(n) 20n's calculator ID is included as the calculator ID with first priority in the transmission packet signals BC2, BC3, ... from PC 10 and the scientific calculator (2) 202-(n) 20n is in a non-sleep state rather than a transmission sleep state, it transmits an advertising signal (first type of wireless signal) to establish one-to-one communication connections DC2, DC3, ... with PC 10 and transmits data to be transmitted that is stored (prepared) in the transmission buffer (22e) to PC 10 (second type of wireless signal). When the scientific calculators (1) 201 to (n) 20n have transmitted the data to be transmitted, they disconnect the communication connection with the PC 10 and transition back to the transmission sleep state to reduce power consumption.

[0041] Thus, according to the wireless communication system 1 of the embodiment, when data communication is performed between PC10 (master device) and multiple scientific calculators (1) 201-(n) 20n (slave devices), data communication is performed by sequentially establishing one-to-one communication connections with PC10 based on advertisement signals from each of the scientific calculators 20 selected in turn as targets for data communication by transmission packet signals BC2, BC3, ... via broadcast communication from PC10, so that radio interference and problems in establishing communication connections do not occur, and the occurrence of communication errors and retransmission of erroneous data can be suppressed. Furthermore, the scientific calculators 20 selected by the PC 10 as targets for data communication or targets for communication preparation are selectively switched to a non-sleep state (active), while the other scientific calculators 20 are switched to a transmission sleep state, thereby significantly suppressing increases in power consumption due to data communication. Furthermore, in the scientific calculator 20 which is to carry out data communication next and which is selected by the PC 10 as a target for communication preparation, the data to be transmitted is stored (prepared) in the transmission buffer (22e), and when the scientific calculator 20 is next selected by the PC 10 as a target for data communication, a communication connection with the PC 10 is established and the data to be transmitted is immediately transmitted, thereby shortening the time required to obtain and prepare the data to be transmitted. Therefore, according to the wireless communication system 1 of the embodiment, it is possible to perform data communication efficiently.

[0042] In the above embodiment, the transmission sleep state of scientific calculator 20 is described as a state in which wireless signals are received but not transmitted, and only scientific calculator 20 selected by PC 10 as a communication target cancels the transmission sleep state and establishes a one-to-one communication connection, thereby enabling data communication without radio interference and suppressing power consumption. That is, in the above embodiment, PC 10 temporarily cancels the transmission sleep state of scientific calculator 20 selected by PC 10 as a communication target to perform data communication and suppress power consumption of each of scientific calculators (1) 201-(n) 20n, so this may be referred to as a power sleep state in which radio signals are transmitted but power consumption is suppressed.

[0043] Also, in a wireless communication network between a master device and multiple slave devices using BLE, there is a technology that enables a large number of slave devices to be simultaneously connected to the master device by switching channels by frequency hopping. However, when frequency hopping is used, the number of channels through which the slave devices transmit advertisement signals is limited to a predetermined number, so that the more the number of slave devices increases, the lower the efficiency of data communication is in terms of radio interference, power consumption, and communication connection establishment time. Therefore, when the number of identified slave devices (scientific calculators 20 used by students in a classroom where a lesson is held) is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (e.g., 15) for which frequency hopping is effective. Alternatively, when frequency hopping is ineffective, the wireless communication system 1 of the embodiment may be configured to execute processing even if the number of slave devices is small (e.g., 5).

[0044] The methods of each process by the wireless communication system 1 described in the above embodiment, i.e., the wireless communication control process of the PC 10 (master device) shown in the flowchart of Fig. 4 and the wireless communication control process of the scientific calculator 20 (slave device) shown in the flowchart of Fig. 5, can be stored in a medium of an external recording device such as a memory card (ROM card, RAM card, etc.), a magnetic disk (floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), or a semiconductor memory and distributed as a program that can be executed by a computer. Then, the control unit (CPU) of the electronic device reads the program recorded in the medium of the external recording device into the storage device, and the operation is controlled by the read program, thereby realizing the various functions described in the embodiment and executing the same processes by the above-mentioned methods.

[0045] In addition, the program data for realizing each technique can be transmitted over a communication network (N) in the form of program code, and the program data can be imported into an electronic device from a computer device (program server) connected to this communication network (N) and stored in a storage device to realize the various functions described above.

[0046] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the gist of the invention. The embodiments may be implemented in appropriate combination, and in that case, the combined effect can be obtained. Furthermore, the above-mentioned embodiment includes various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by combinations selected from the multiple components disclosed. For example, if the problem can be solved and the effect can be obtained even if some components are deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment, the configuration from which the components are deleted can be extracted as an invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1. Wireless communication systems 10 ... PC (master device) 11 ... Control unit (CPU) (first control unit) 12c…Scientific calculator data storage area 15…Near field communication department 201, 202, 203, 20n...Scientific calculator (slave device) 21 ...Control unit (CPU) (second control unit) 22e…Communication data storage area (transmission / reception buffer) 26…Near field communication department AD1, AD2, AD3...Advertisement signal BC1: Transmission sleep signal (broadcast communication) BC2, BC3, BCn: Transmission packet signal including device selection information (broadcast communication) DC1, DC2, DC3, DCn...one-to-one communication connection d1, d2, d3... Data to be sent (communication data)

Claims

1. In a wireless communication system in which one master device and multiple slave devices perform wireless communication, As a first process, the master device selecting a predetermined number of slave devices as target slave devices to be subjected to data communication from among the plurality of slave devices; Transmitting a first wireless signal including device selection information indicating that the target slave device has been selected by broadcast communication; After transmitting the first wireless signal, a one-to-one communication connection is established with the target slave device; receiving or transmitting data to or from the target slave device with which a one-to-one communication connection has been established; A first control unit that executes a process, Each of the plurality of slave devices performs, as a second process, receiving the first wireless signal by broadcast communication; determining whether or not the own device has been selected as the target slave device based on the device selection information included in the received first wireless signal; when it is determined that the own device is in a sleep state and has been selected as the target slave device, the own device transitions from the sleep state to a non-sleep state and establishes a one-to-one communication connection with the master device to transmit or receive data to or from the master device; when the device itself is in the non-sleep state and data transmission or reception between the device and the master device with which a one-to-one communication connection has been established is completed, or when the device itself has determined that it has not been selected as the target slave device, the device itself cuts off the one-to-one communication connection with the master device and transitions to the sleep state; A second control unit that executes a process is provided. Wireless communication system.

2. The first control unit of the master device Identifying multiple slave devices that transmit or receive data for a specific purpose; repeatedly executing the first process while switching the predetermined number of slave devices selected as the target slave devices from among the identified plurality of slave devices; 2. The wireless communication system according to claim 1.

3. The non-sleep state is a state in which a wireless signal can be transmitted, The sleep state is a state in which transmission of a wireless signal is disabled.

3. The wireless communication system according to claim 2.

4. the non-sleep state is a state in which power consumption is higher than that of the sleep state, The sleep state is a state in which power consumption is lower than that of the non-sleep state.

3. The wireless communication system according to claim 2.

5. The first control unit of the master device execute the first process when the number of the identified slave devices is equal to or greater than a predetermined number.

3. The wireless communication system according to claim 2.

6. the non-sleep state is a state in which both transmission of a first type of wireless signal that needs to be periodically transmitted in order to maintain an established communication connection and transmission of a second type of wireless signal for transmitting data are permitted; the sleep state is a state in which a wireless signal can be received but both the first type of wireless signal and the second type of wireless signal are not permitted to be transmitted; 2. The wireless communication system according to claim 1.

7. The broadcast communication is communication for transmitting data to a plurality of slave devices, including slave devices with which a communication connection has not been established.

2. The wireless communication system according to claim 1.

8. The predetermined number is two or less, placing all of the slave devices that are not selected as the target slave device among the plurality of slave devices into the sleep state; 2. The wireless communication system according to claim 1.

9. The wireless communication system according to claim 8 , wherein the predetermined number is one.

10. The predetermined number is two, a first control unit of the master device executes a process of requesting the two target slave devices to transmit data in a predetermined order by transmitting the first wireless signal; 9. The wireless communication system according to claim 8.

11. a second control unit of the slave device, when the received first wireless signal requests the two target slave devices to transmit data in a predetermined order, controls the two target slave devices to transmit data in order with a shift in timing so that the two target slave devices do not transmit data simultaneously; 11. The wireless communication system of claim 10.

12. a second control unit of the slave device, when the received first wireless signal requests data transmission to the two target slave devices in a determined order, transmits data to the master device when its turn is first, and prepares transmission data for the master device while the first target slave device is transmitting data when its turn is second.

12. The wireless communication system of claim 11.

13. The predetermined number is two, a first control unit of the master device executes a process of requesting one of the two target slave devices to transmit data by transmitting the first wireless signal, and requesting the other target slave device to prepare for data transmission; 9. The wireless communication system according to claim 8.

14. a first control unit of the master device executes a process of selecting a first slave device as the target slave device and selecting a second slave device as a preparation slave device from among the plurality of slave devices; the device selection information includes information for a slave device to determine which of the plurality of slave devices has been selected as the preparation slave device; Each of the second control units of the plurality of slave devices determining whether or not the own device has been selected as the preparation slave device based on the device selection information included in the received first wireless signal; When it is determined that the device is selected as the preparation slave device, a process of transitioning to a preparation state in which the transmission of the first type of wireless signal is permitted but the transmission of the second type of wireless signal is not permitted is executed.

7. The wireless communication system according to claim 6.

15. The master device is a device operated by a teacher who teaches a class, and the slave devices are devices operated by each of a plurality of students who take the class, 2. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein data relating to the lesson is transmitted or received between the master device and the slave device.

16. the slave device is a student-operated scientific calculator; 16. The wireless communication system according to claim 15, wherein the first process and the second process are executed when, in response to a calculation assignment being transmitted from a device operated by the teacher to a plurality of scientific calculators operated by the students during the lesson, answer data for the assignment is transmitted from the plurality of scientific calculators to the device operated by the teacher.

17. a second control unit of the slave device selected as the preparation slave device executes a process of storing data to be transmitted in a transmission buffer; a second control unit of the slave device selected as the target slave device executes a process of transmitting the data stored in the transmission buffer to the master device with which a one-to-one communication connection has been established; 15. The wireless communication system of claim 14.

18. In a master device which performs wireless communication with a plurality of slave devices, selecting a predetermined number of slave devices from the plurality of slave devices as target slave devices to be subjected to data communication; transmitting a first wireless signal to the plurality of slave devices by broadcast communication, the first wireless signal including device selection information indicating that a non-slave device not selected as the target slave device among the plurality of slave devices is to be put into a sleep state and that the target slave device is to be put into a non-sleep state; After transmitting the first wireless signal, a one-to-one communication connection is established with the target slave device; receiving data from the target slave device with which a one-to-one communication connection has been established; A master device that includes a control unit for executing processing.

19. The control unit is selecting a first slave device and a second slave device from among the plurality of slave devices as target slave devices to be subjected to data communication; executing a process of transmitting data received from a first target slave device with which a one-to-one communication connection has been established to a second target slave device with which a one-to-one communication connection has been established; 20. The master device of claim 18.

20. In a slave device that wirelessly communicates with a master device, receiving a first wireless signal which is a wireless signal transmitted by the master device to a plurality of slave devices by broadcast communication and which includes device selection information indicating that a predetermined number of slave devices have been selected from the plurality of slave devices as target slave devices to be subjected to data communication; determining whether or not the own device has been selected as the target slave device based on the device selection information included in the received first wireless signal; when it is determined that the own device is in a sleep state and has been selected as the target slave device, the own device transitions from the sleep state to a non-sleep state and establishes a one-to-one communication connection with the master device to transmit data to the master device; when the device itself is in the non-sleep state and data transmission or reception between the device and the master device with which a one-to-one communication connection has been established is completed, or when the device itself has determined that it has not been selected as the target slave device, the device itself cuts off the one-to-one communication connection with the master device and transitions to the sleep state; A slave device that has a control unit that executes processing.

21. A wireless communication method for wirelessly communicating between one master device and multiple slave devices, comprising: As a first process, a first control unit of the master device selecting a predetermined number of slave devices as target slave devices to be subjected to data communication from among the plurality of slave devices; Transmitting a first wireless signal including device selection information indicating that the target slave device has been selected by broadcast communication; After transmitting the first wireless signal, a one-to-one communication connection is established with the target slave device; receiving or transmitting data to or from the target slave device with which a one-to-one communication connection has been established; Execute the process, As a second process, a second control unit of each of the plurality of slave devices receiving the first wireless signal by broadcast communication; determining whether or not the own device has been selected as the target slave device based on the device selection information included in the received first wireless signal; when it is determined that the own device is in a sleep state and has been selected as the target slave device, the own device transitions from the sleep state to a non-sleep state and establishes a one-to-one communication connection with the master device to transmit or receive data to or from the master device; when the device itself is in the non-sleep state and data transmission or reception between the device and the master device with which a one-to-one communication connection has been established is completed, or when the device itself has determined that it has not been selected as the target slave device, the device itself cuts off the one-to-one communication connection with the master device and transitions to the sleep state; Execute the process, A wireless communication method for achieving this.

22. A program for operating a wireless communication system in which one master device and multiple slave devices perform wireless communication, A first control unit of the master device performs a first process, selecting a predetermined number of slave devices as target slave devices to be subjected to data communication from among the plurality of slave devices; Transmitting a first wireless signal including device selection information indicating that the target slave device has been selected by broadcast communication; After transmitting the first wireless signal, a one-to-one communication connection is established with the target slave device; receiving or transmitting data to or from the target slave device with which a one-to-one communication connection has been established; function to carry out a process, A second control unit of each of the plurality of slave devices performs a second process, receiving the first wireless signal by broadcast communication; determining whether or not the own device has been selected as the target slave device based on the device selection information included in the received first wireless signal; when it is determined that the own device is in a sleep state and has been selected as the target slave device, the own device transitions from the sleep state to a non-sleep state and establishes a one-to-one communication connection with the master device to transmit or receive data to or from the master device; when the device itself is in the non-sleep state and data transmission or reception between the device and the master device with which a one-to-one communication connection has been established is completed, or when the device itself has determined that it has not been selected as the target slave device, the device itself cuts off the one-to-one communication connection with the master device and transitions to the sleep state; function to carry out processing; program.

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