Communication system, setting method, and program

Abstract

To provide a communication system capable of stabilizing communication between a certain communication network and another communication network.SOLUTION: A communication system 10 includes a plurality of nodes 20 constituting a communication network, and each of the plurality of nodes 20 can set to enable or disable a relay function for communication between the communication network and an information terminal 30. A first node included in the plurality of nodes 20 and having its relay function set to be disabled sets to enable the relay function of the first node when (a) the plurality of nodes 20 does not include a second node having the relay function set to be enabled, or (b) it determines that there is an abnormality in the communication state with the second node included in the plurality of nodes 20 and having its relay function set to be enabled.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to communication systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a communication system in which links connecting networks or links connecting a network and a terminal are made highly reliable. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-243288 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention provides a communication system and the like that can stabilize communication between one communication network and another communication network. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of nodes constituting a communication network, each of which can set a relay function for communication between the communication network and another communication network to enabled or disabled, and a first node included in the plurality of nodes and having the relay function set to disabled sets the relay function of the first node to enabled when (a) the plurality of nodes does not include a second node for which the relay function is set to enabled, or (b) it is determined that there is an abnormality in the communication status with a second node included in the plurality of nodes and for which the relay function is set to enabled.

[0006] A setting method according to one embodiment of the present invention is a setting method executed by a first node, which is included in a plurality of nodes constituting a communication network, each of which can set a relay function for communication between the communication network and another communication network to be enabled or disabled, and which has the relay function set to disabled, and which sets the relay function of the first node to enabled when (a) the plurality of nodes does not include a second node for which the relay function is set to enabled, or (b) it is determined that there is an abnormality in the communication state with a second node, which is included in the plurality of nodes and for which the relay function is set to enabled.

[0007] A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the setting method. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The communication system etc. of the present invention can stabilize communication between one communication network and another communication network. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hierarchical mesh network formed by a plurality of nodes. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an example of a flowchart of a switching operation of a relay function of a normal node. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which the relay function of a part of a normal node is enabled in advance. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a single-layer mesh network. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a tree-type network. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component arrangement and connection forms, steps, and order of steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in the independent claims will be described as optional components.

[0011] In addition, each drawing is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily a precise illustration. In each drawing, the same reference numerals are used for substantially the same configurations, and duplicated explanations may be omitted or simplified.

[0012] (Embodiment) First, a configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, a communication system 10 includes a plurality of nodes 20 and an information terminal 30. Note that the configuration shown in Fig. 1 is merely an example, and the configuration of the communication system 10 is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 1.

[0013] In the communication system 10, each of the multiple nodes 20 has a wireless communication function, and the multiple nodes 20 configure a hierarchical wireless mesh network (hereinafter, simply referred to as a hierarchical mesh network). Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hierarchical mesh network configured by the multiple nodes 20. Note that the information terminal 30 shown in Fig. 2 is not a node that configures the hierarchical mesh network.

[0014] The CN or GN in FIG. 2 corresponds to one node 20 in FIG. 1. The hierarchical mesh network includes multiple lower mesh networks and a higher mesh network. In the example of FIG. 2, each of the lower mesh networks is composed of one or more nodes (CN and GN), and the higher mesh network is composed of a gateway node (GN) belonging to each of the multiple lower mesh networks. The gateway node can be called a bridge node, a backbone node, or a management node. The number of lower mesh networks included in the hierarchical mesh network is not particularly limited. The number of layers in the hierarchical mesh network is also not particularly limited.

[0015] In the lower mesh network, when information is transmitted from one node to another, the information is transmitted, for example, by a routing method, but may also be transmitted by other methods such as a flooding method.

[0016] When a node belonging to a lower mesh network transmits information to another node belonging to another lower mesh network, the information is relayed by a gateway node. That is, information is transmitted through the upper mesh network. At least one gateway node is provided in each lower mesh network, for example. The method used for transmitting information within the upper mesh network is, for example, a routing method, but may be another method such as a flooding method.

[0017] If all nodes belong to the same mesh network, the amount of communication per unit time will be large. In contrast, in a hierarchical mesh network, when information is transmitted within a certain lower mesh network, the information is not relayed in other lower mesh networks. In a hierarchical mesh network, information is transmitted from a certain lower mesh network to another lower mesh network via a gateway node only when necessary. Therefore, according to the hierarchical mesh network, the robustness of the system can be improved by suppressing the amount of communication per unit time.

[0018] Hereinafter, the node 20 and the information terminal 30 will be described mainly with reference to FIG. 1. First, the node 20 will be described. In other words, the node 20 is a wireless communication device. Examples of the node 20 include lighting-related devices such as a lighting fixture, a lighting remote controller, a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) dimmer, a scheduler, and an AC (Alternating Current) relay. The lighting fixture here means a lighting fixture in a broad sense, and may be a device that emits at least visible light, and the form of the light source provided in the lighting fixture and the form of the fixture shape are not particularly limited.

[0019] The PWM dimmer, scheduler, and AC relay are explained in more detail below. The PWM dimmer is a device that can dim the lighting fixtures attached to the PWM dimmer. The scheduler is a device that turns on, off, or dims the lighting fixtures included in multiple nodes 20 according to a preset schedule.

[0020] The scheduler can also control any device other than a lighting fixture having multiple operation modes according to a schedule. For example, for a multi-controller equipped with both a brightness sensor and a human presence sensor, the scheduler can switch, according to a schedule, between a mode in which only the brightness sensor is enabled, a mode in which both the brightness sensor and the human presence sensor are enabled, a mode in which only the human presence sensor is enabled, and a mode in which both the brightness sensor and the human presence sensor are disabled (disabled).

[0021] AC relays include, but are not limited to, the following two types: a first AC relay and a second AC relay. The first AC relay is a device that is attached to a wiring duct and can turn on and off one device attached to the wiring duct by turning on and off the AC power to the device. The second AC relay is a device that is attached to the base of the wiring duct and can turn on and off all devices attached to the wiring duct by turning on and off the supply of AC power to the wiring duct. The AC relay may also be a wireless control switch that does not use a wiring duct.

[0022] The node 20 may be a device that is not directly related to lighting, such as an air conditioner, a ventilation device, a camera, a motion sensor, a speaker, or an environmental sensor. The environmental sensors include a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a brightness sensor, a carbon dioxide concentration sensor, and a PM (Particle Matter) sensor. The device that becomes the node 20 may be a device that has two or more of the individual functions of each of the above-mentioned devices, and the type of device that becomes the node 20 is not particularly limited.

[0023] When the plurality of nodes 20 includes lighting fixtures, the communication system 10 operates as a lighting system. In this case, the information transmitted through the hierarchical mesh network is, for example, control information for controlling the lighting fixtures' on / off, dimming, color adjustment, color, light distribution, or drive units. When the plurality of nodes 20 includes an environmental sensor, the measurement value (sensing information) of the environmental sensor may be transmitted through the hierarchical mesh network. When the plurality of nodes 20 includes a camera, speaker, or other device, video, image, sound, other information, or control value may be transmitted.

[0024] Specifically, the node 20 includes a wireless communication unit 21, an information processing unit 22, and a storage unit 23.

[0025] The wireless communication unit 21 is a wireless communication circuit for the node 20 to perform wireless communication (more specifically, radio wave communication) with other nodes 20 and the information terminal 30. Specifically, the wireless communication unit 21 performs wireless communication with other nodes 20 using a first communication protocol for a mesh network, and performs wireless communication with the information terminal 30 using a second communication protocol such as BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy). When the wireless communication unit 21 performs communication using the first communication protocol and the second communication protocol, the wireless communication circuit using the first communication protocol and the wireless communication circuit using the second communication protocol may be separated.

[0026] The information processing unit 22 performs information processing on wireless communication using the wireless communication unit 21. The information processing unit 22 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor or a dedicated circuit. The functions of the information processing unit 22 are realized by hardware such as a microcomputer or a processor constituting the information processing unit 22 executing a computer program (software) stored in the storage unit 23.

[0027] The storage unit 23 is a storage device that stores various information used by the information processing unit 22, such as computer programs executed by the information processing unit 22. The storage unit 23 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0028] Next, the configuration of the information terminal 30 will be described. The information terminal 30 is an information terminal operated by a user to perform setting processing (also described as setting change) regarding a plurality of nodes 20. The information terminal 30 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). The information terminal 30 may be a dedicated remote controller used in the communication system 10. Specifically, the information terminal 30 includes an operation receiving unit 31, a display unit 32, a wireless communication unit 33, a control unit 34, and a storage unit 35.

[0029] The operation reception unit 31 receives operations from a user. Specifically, the operation reception unit 31 is realized by a touch panel or the like.

[0030] The display unit 32 displays images necessary for the above setting process. The display unit 32 is realized by a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel.

[0031] The wireless communication unit 33 is a wireless communication circuit for the information terminal 30 to perform one-to-one wireless communication (more specifically, radio wave communication) with one of the multiple nodes 20. Specifically, the wireless communication unit 33 performs wireless communication with one of the multiple nodes 20 using a second communication protocol such as BLE.

[0032] The control unit 34 performs setting processing in response to a user's operation received by the operation receiving unit 31. The control unit 34 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor or a dedicated circuit. The functions of the control unit 34 are realized by hardware such as a microcomputer or a processor constituting the control unit 34 executing a computer program (software) stored in the storage unit 35.

[0033] The storage unit 35 is a storage device that stores information necessary for setting processes of computer programs and the like executed by the control unit 34. The storage unit 35 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0034] [Communication function with information terminals (relay function)] As described above, in the communication system 10, the multiple nodes 20 configure a hierarchical mesh network as shown in Fig. 2. Wireless communication (hereinafter also simply referred to as communication) between the multiple nodes 20 is performed according to, for example, a first communication protocol for the mesh network.

[0035] On the other hand, the information terminal 30 does not belong to a hierarchical mesh network and cannot communicate with multiple nodes using the first communication protocol. However, the information terminal 30 has a communication function using a second communication protocol for one-to-one communication such as BLE. The second communication protocol is a communication protocol different from the first communication protocol. Note that the first communication protocol and the second communication protocol are communication protocols that use, for example, the same frequency band (for example, the 2.4 GHz band).

[0036] Therefore, in the communication system 10, the communication function (also referred to as relay function) using the second communication protocol of a gateway node (GN in Figure 2) among the multiple nodes 20 is pre-enabled, and the gateway node is prepared for communication with the information terminal 30.

[0037] Specifically, the gateway node alternately (in a time-division manner) performs communication using a first communication protocol and communication using a second communication protocol, and transmits a beacon signal during communication using the second communication protocol. In other words, the gateway node periodically transmits a beacon signal between communications using the first communication protocol. When the information terminal 30 receives a beacon signal transmitted by the gateway node, it establishes a communication connection with the gateway node based on the second communication protocol, and can communicate with multiple nodes 20 as the gateway node repeater.

[0038] Note that nodes 20 other than the gateway node (CN in FIG. 2, hereinafter also referred to as normal nodes) can also change the setting of the relay function between enabled and disabled, but the relay function is basically set to disabled. This is because if there are many nodes 20 with the relay function set to enabled, this may hinder communication using the first communication protocol. If there are many nodes 20 with the relay function set to enabled, for example, the period during which communication based on the first communication protocol is performed may become shorter, causing information transmitted by the communication to be missed (reception error), and a retransmission process or other such action may be required. In other words, there is a possibility that the stability of communication based on the first communication protocol may decrease.

[0039] The information terminal 30 needs to communicate with the multiple nodes 20 when changing the settings of the multiple nodes 20, but the settings of the multiple nodes 20 are not changed very frequently. Therefore, in the communication system 10, while giving priority to communication between the multiple nodes 20 using the first communication protocol, the relay function is enabled only in the gateway node so that the information terminal 30 and the multiple nodes 20 can communicate with each other when necessary.

[0040] [Example of relay function switching behavior] In the communication system 10, a requirement for each of the multiple nodes 20 to be able to communicate with the information terminal 30 is that the relay function of that node 20 is enabled or that that node 20 is able to communicate with other nodes 20 whose relay function is enabled.

[0041] As described above, in a configuration in which the relay function is basically set to be enabled only in the gateway node among the multiple nodes 20, if the gateway node fails or is powered off, normal nodes other than the gateway node cannot communicate with the information terminal 30. In other words, there will be normal nodes whose settings cannot be changed using the information terminal 30.

[0042] Therefore, in the communication system 10, when an abnormality occurs in communication with a gateway node, a normal node sets the relay function of the normal node to be active. FIG. 3 is an example of a flowchart of the switching operation of the relay function of a normal node. In the following description of FIG. 3, the normal node is also referred to as the first node, and the gateway node is also referred to as the second node. In the following description of FIG. 3, the processing performed by the first node is realized by an information processing unit 22 included in the first node executing a computer program stored in a storage unit 23, but a detailed description of this point is omitted.

[0043] A first node, which is a node 20 (normal node) other than a gateway node, basically has its relay function disabled (S11). The first node determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the communication state with a second node, which is a gateway node (node ​​20 with the relay function enabled) (S12). For example, the first node determines that there is an abnormality in the communication state with the second node when at least one of the following requirements (1) to (6) is satisfied.

[0044] (1) If communication with the second node is not possible for a certain period of time (2) If communication with the second node is not possible for a certain number of times (3) If the beacon signal sent by the second node cannot be received for a certain period of time. (4) If the beacon signal sent by the second node cannot be received a certain number of times. (5) If the indicator regarding the received signal strength indicates that there is an abnormality in the communication status (6) When the indicator regarding interference wave strength indicates that there is an abnormality in the communication status

[0045] The following provides further details on each requirement. The certain period in (1) may be determined empirically or experimentally as appropriate. The "certain number of times communication has been unsuccessful" in (2) refers to the occurrence of a certain number of times communication has been unsuccessful despite planned communication. The certain number of times may be determined empirically or experimentally as appropriate.

[0046] The beacon signals in (3) and (4) are beacon signals transmitted by the second node when communicating using the second communication protocol. When (3) and (4) are requirements, the first node temporarily attempts to receive the beacon signal for the determination. The certain period in (3) and the certain number of times in (4) may be appropriately determined empirically or experimentally.

[0047] (5) A case where the index related to the received radio wave strength indicates that there is an abnormality in the communication state is, for example, a case where the received signal strength of the signal received by the first node from the second node is equal to or lower than a threshold value.

[0048] In addition, the case where the index related to the interference wave strength in (6) indicates that there is an abnormality in the communication state is, for example, the case where the index calculated based on the interference wave strength is larger than the threshold value.

[0049] In order to perform the determination in step S12, the first node needs to attempt communication with the second node, but this communication may be communication that is periodically performed to check whether the communication network is alive or dead, or may be communication for transmitting actual data (information). The first node and the second node are nodes 20 that belong to the same lower mesh network.

[0050] When the first node determines that the communication state with the second node is normal, it leaves the relay function disabled (S11) and performs the determination in step S12 again after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0051] On the other hand, if the first node determines that there is an abnormality in the communication state with the second node (Yes in S12), it sets the relay function of the first node to be enabled (S13) and performs the determination of step S12 again after a predetermined time has elapsed, etc. The first node with the relay function set to be enabled transmits a beacon signal using the second communication protocol between communications using the first communication protocol.

[0052] When the first node, whose relay function has been enabled, determines that there is an abnormality in the communication state with the second node (Yes in S12), it leaves the relay function enabled (S13) and performs the determination in step S12 again, for example, after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0053] Furthermore, if the first node with the relay function enabled determines that the communication status with the second node is normal (No in S12), it disables the relay function (S11) and performs the determination in step S12 again after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0054] In this way, in the communication system 10, when an ordinary node (first node) determines that there is an abnormality in the communication state with a gateway node (second node), the relay function of the ordinary node is automatically enabled. As a result, even if a failure or the like occurs in the gateway node, the relay function setting of the ordinary node is enabled, so it is possible to prevent the occurrence of ordinary nodes that cannot communicate with the information terminal 30. In other words, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of ordinary nodes that cannot change the setting using the information terminal 30.

[0055] According to this operation example, in a mesh network including one gateway node and n (n≧2) normal nodes, if one gateway node fails, the relay function settings of the n normal nodes are enabled. However, as described above, if the number of normal nodes with the relay function enabled increases too much, the stability of communication within the mesh network may decrease.

[0056] Therefore, an algorithm may be adopted that enables the relay function setting of one ordinary node when one gateway node fails, etc. For example, if priority information indicating the priority of the own node and other nodes is stored in advance in each of n ordinary nodes, the following processing can be realized based on the priority information.

[0057] When one of the gateway nodes fails, each of the n normal nodes enables the relay function of its own node according to the above operation example. After that, when each of the n normal nodes determines that the communication status with a normal node with a higher priority than the own node is normal through alive check communication or the like, it disables the relay function of its own node. As a result, the relay function of the normal node with the highest priority is finally enabled, and the relay functions of the other normal nodes are disabled.

[0058] In this method, the relay function of n ordinary nodes is enabled once, and then the relay function of n-1 ordinary nodes is disabled. In contrast, as a method for enabling the relay function of one ordinary node from the beginning, a method in which the ordinary node (first node) changes the requirements for enabling the relay function of the ordinary node in step S12 of the above operation example can be considered.

[0059] Specifically, in step S12, the ordinary node (first node) determines that there is an abnormality in the communication state with the gateway node (second node) and enables the relay function under the condition that there is no ordinary node with a higher priority than the own node among the ordinary nodes communicating normally with the own node. In other words, even if the ordinary node (first node) determines that there is an abnormality in the communication state with the gateway node (second node) in step S12, if there is an ordinary node with a higher priority than the own node among the ordinary nodes communicating normally with the own node, the ordinary node does not enable the relay function.

[0060] In this way, if an algorithm is adopted that enables the relay function setting of a normal node with the highest priority in the event that one gateway node fails, etc., it is possible to prevent a decrease in the stability of communications within the mesh network.

[0061] The priority of each of the multiple normal nodes indicated by the priority information is set to a higher priority for the normal node installed closer to the gateway node, for example, but may be appropriately determined empirically or experimentally. The user can set priority information for multiple normal nodes using the information terminal 30.

[0062] [Modification of the second node] In the above operation example, the second node in which the relay function is enabled has been described as a gateway node, but it may be a normal node (CN in FIG. 2) other than a gateway node. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which the relay functions of some of multiple normal nodes are enabled in advance, and the CN surrounded by a double circle in Fig. 4 corresponds to a normal node in which the relay function is enabled in advance.

[0063] For example, in a case where a plurality of nodes 20 are arranged in a vast indoor space, it is desirable to arrange the nodes 20 with the relay function set to enabled so that the information terminal 30 can communicate with the node 20 with the relay function set to enabled no matter where in the indoor space the information terminal 30 is. When the gateway nodes are not enough nodes 20 with the relay function set to enabled in advance, the user can use the information terminal 30 to set the relay function to enabled in advance for some of the plurality of ordinary nodes.

[0064] Furthermore, while the gateway node is communicatively connected to one information terminal 30 using the second communication protocol, it cannot communicate with other information terminals 30 using the second communication protocol. As a result, even when the communication system 10 includes multiple information terminals 30 and the multiple information terminals 30 are used simultaneously, the gateway node may not be enough as the node 20 for which the relay function is enabled in advance. In such a case, the user can use the information terminal 30 to enable the relay function in advance for some of the multiple normal nodes.

[0065] In the above operation example, a normal node whose relay function has been enabled by determining that there is an abnormality in the communication state with the gateway node disables the relay function of the normal node when it determines that the communication state with the gateway node is normal. In contrast, a normal node whose relay function has been enabled by an operation on the information terminal 30 (hereinafter also referred to as a third node) does not disable the relay function of the normal node, but keeps it enabled, even if it determines that the communication state with the gateway node is normal.

[0066] [Modification of communication network] In the above embodiment, the communication network configured by the plurality of nodes 20 has been described as a two-layer hierarchical mesh network, but the communication network configured by the plurality of nodes 20 may be a single-layer mesh network. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of such a single-layer mesh network. As shown in Fig. 5, in a single-layer mesh network, since there is no gateway node, the relay function of at least one normal node is set to be enabled in advance.

[0067] Furthermore, the communication network formed by a plurality of nodes 20 may be a tree-type network in which a plurality of mesh networks communicate via a root node. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of such a tree-type network. As shown in FIG. 6, the tree-type network is the same as a hierarchical mesh network in that each of the plurality of mesh networks includes a gateway node. However, the gateway nodes do not communicate directly with each other, and the gateway nodes communicate with other gateway nodes via the root node (RN in FIG. 6). In this case, the relay function of the root node is enabled in advance.

[0068] Although not shown, the communication network formed by a plurality of nodes 20 may be a hierarchical mesh network having three or more layers.

[0069] [Modification of communication protocol] In the above embodiment, it has been described that the first communication protocol used in the communication between the plurality of nodes 20 and the second communication protocol used in the communication between the node 20 in which the relay function is enabled and the information terminal 30 are different communication protocols. However, the first communication protocol and the second communication protocol may be the same.

[0070] In this case, the information terminal 30 can receive the signal transmitted by the node 20, but cannot understand the contents of the signal due to reasons such as different encryption keys. The node 20 with the relay function enabled periodically transmits a beacon signal using a common encryption key, and the information terminal 30 can start communication connection processing with multiple nodes 20 by receiving the beacon signal.

[0071] [Other Modification 1] In the above operation example, a first node among the multiple nodes 20, in which the relay function is set to disabled, sets the relay function of the first node to enabled when it is determined that there is an abnormality in the communication state with a second node in which the relay function is set to enabled. However, the first node may set the relay function of the first node to enabled when there is no second node in which the relay function is set to enabled.

[0072] An example of a case where there is no second node with the relay function enabled is when, during a process of sequentially having multiple nodes 20 join a mesh network, the normal node has already joined but the gateway node has not.

[0073] In such a case, a normal node that has already joined the mesh network can automatically enable its relay function until the gateway node joins, allowing the normal node that has already joined to communicate with the information terminal 30 even if the gateway node has not yet joined.

[0074] Furthermore, as described above, the above operation examples may be interpreted as operation examples performed after the mesh network is constructed (after operation of the communication system 10 begins), or as operation examples performed while the mesh network is being constructed (before operation of the communication system 10 begins).

[0075] [Other Modifications 2] In the hierarchical mesh network described in the above embodiment, the relay function is turned on only in the gateway node, and the relay function of the normal node is turned off. A method for constructing such a hierarchical mesh network will now be described in more detail.

[0076] For example, all the nodes 20 constituting a certain lower mesh network join the lower mesh network with the relay function set to enabled. After all the nodes 20 join the lower mesh network, the relay function of only the normal nodes among the gateway nodes and the normal nodes is set to disabled. By performing such processing when constructing other lower mesh networks, the hierarchical mesh network of the above embodiment can be constructed.

[0077] As another method, the following method may be considered. For example, all the nodes 20 constituting the hierarchical mesh network join the hierarchical mesh network with the relay function set to enabled. After all the nodes 20 have joined the hierarchical mesh network, the relay function of only the normal nodes among the gateway nodes and the normal nodes is set to disabled. The hierarchical mesh network of the above embodiment can also be constructed by such a method.

[0078] [Effects, etc.] Hereinafter, examples of inventions that can be obtained from the disclosure of this specification will be given, and the effects and the like that can be obtained from the inventions will be described.

[0079] Invention 1 is a communication system 10 including a plurality of nodes 20 constituting a communication network, each of which can set a relay function of communication between the communication network and another communication network to enabled or disabled, and a first node included in the plurality of nodes 20 and having its relay function set to disabled sets the relay function of the first node to enabled when (a) the plurality of nodes 20 does not include a second node for which the relay function is set to enabled, or (b) it is determined that there is an abnormality in the communication state with a second node included in the plurality of nodes 20 and having its relay function set to enabled. The communication network is, for example, a mesh network based on a first communication protocol and constituted by a plurality of nodes, and the other communication network is, for example, a network based on a second communication protocol and including an information terminal 30.

[0080] Such a communication system 10 can stabilize the communication between the communication network and other communication networks.

[0081] Invention 2 is the communication system 10 of Invention 1, in which the first node, when determining that there is an abnormality in the communication state with the second node, sets the relay function of the first node to be valid.

[0082] In such a communication system 10, even if a failure or the like occurs in the second node in which the relay function is enabled, the relay function of the first node is automatically enabled, thereby stabilizing communication between the communication network and other communication networks.

[0083] Invention 3 is a communication system 10 of Invention 2, in which the first node determines that there is an abnormality in the communication status with the second node if the first node is unable to communicate with the second node for a certain period of time or if the first node is unable to communicate with the second node a certain number of times.

[0084] In such a communication system 10, a first node can determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the communication status with a second node based on the length of time during which the first node was unable to communicate with the second node, or the number of times that the first node was unable to communicate with the second node.

[0085] Invention 4 is the communication system 10 of Invention 2, in which the first node determines that there is an abnormality in the communication status with the second node if the first node is unable to receive a beacon signal transmitted by the second node for a certain period of time, or if the first node is unable to receive a beacon signal a certain number of times.

[0086] In such a communication system 10, the first node can determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the communication state with the second node based on the length of the period during which the first node was unable to receive a beacon signal or the number of times the first node was unable to receive a beacon signal.

[0087] Invention 5 is the communication system 10 of Invention 2, in which the first node determines that there is an abnormality in the communication state with the second node when an indicator related to the received radio wave strength or the jamming wave strength indicates that there is an abnormality in the communication state.

[0088] In such a communication system 10, the first node can determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the state of communication with the second node, based on an index relating to the received radio wave strength or the jamming wave strength.

[0089] Invention 6 is a communication system 10 of any of Inventions 2 to 5, in which a first node, whose relay function has been enabled because it has determined that there is an abnormality in the communication state with the second node, disables the relay function of the first node when it has determined that the communication state with the second node is normal.

[0090] In such a communication system 10, when the second node returns to normal, the relay function of the first node can be automatically set to be invalid (returned to the original state).

[0091] Invention 7 is the communication system 10 of Invention 6, in which the first mesh network to which the first node and the second node belong includes a third node whose relay function is enabled by a predetermined setting process, and the third node does not disable the relay function of the third node even if it determines that the communication state with the second node is normal. The predetermined setting process is a setting process by operating the information terminal 30, etc.

[0092] In such a communication system 10, when the second node returns to normal, the relay function of the third node, whose relay function has been set to be enabled by a predetermined setting process, can be maintained as enabled.

[0093] Invention 8 is a communication system 10 of any of Inventions 2 to 7, in which the communication network includes a plurality of first mesh networks and a second mesh network configured by at least one gateway node included in each of the plurality of first mesh networks, the first node and the second node belong to the same first mesh network, and the second node is a gateway node included in the first mesh network.

[0094] In such a communication system 10, even if a failure or the like occurs in a gateway node in which the relay function is enabled, the relay function of the normal node is automatically enabled, thereby stabilizing communication between the communication network and other communication networks.

[0095] Invention 9 is the communication system 10 of Invention 8, in which the first mesh network to which the first node and the second node belong includes a third node that is not a gateway node and has a relay function set to enabled by a predetermined setting process, and the third node does not set the relay function of the third node to disabled even if it determines that the communication state with the second node is normal. The predetermined setting process is a setting process by operating the information terminal 30, etc.

[0096] In such a communication system 10, when the second node returns to normal, the relay function of the third node, whose relay function has been set to be enabled by a predetermined setting process, can be maintained as enabled.

[0097] Invention 10 is a communication system 10 of any of Inventions 2 to 7, in which the communication network includes a plurality of first mesh networks and a second mesh network configured by at least one gateway node included in each of the plurality of first mesh networks, and the first node and the second node belong to the same first mesh network and are neither a gateway node.

[0098] In such a communication system 10, even if a failure or the like occurs in a normal node whose relay function is enabled, the relay function of other normal nodes is automatically enabled, thereby stabilizing communication between the communication network and other communication networks.

[0099] An eleventh aspect of the present invention is the communication system 10 of any one of the second to tenth aspects, in which a predetermined node among the plurality of nodes 20 has a relay function set to be valid in advance.

[0100] In such a communication system 10, by previously setting the relay function of a predetermined node to be valid, communication between the communication network and other communication networks can be realized.

[0101] Invention 12 is the communication system 10 of Invention 11, in which the communication network includes a plurality of first mesh networks and a second mesh network configured by at least one gateway node included in each of the plurality of first mesh networks, and the specified node is a gateway node.

[0102] In such a communication system 10, by previously setting the relay function of the gateway node to be valid, communication between the communication network and other communication networks can be realized.

[0103] Invention 13 is the communication system 10 of invention 11, in which the communication network includes a plurality of first mesh networks and a root node that relays communication between the plurality of first mesh networks, and the predetermined node is the root node.

[0104] In such a communication system 10, by previously setting the relay function of the root node to be valid, communication between the communication network and other communication networks can be realized.

[0105] Invention 14 is the communication system 10 of any of Inventions 1 to 13, in which a communication protocol used in the communication network is different from a communication protocol used in another communication network.

[0106] Such a communication system 10 can stabilize communication between a communication network and another communication network that employs a communication protocol different from that of the communication network.

[0107] Invention 15 is the communication system 10 of any of Inventions 1 to 13, in which the communication protocol used in the communication network is the same as the communication protocol used in the other communication network.

[0108] Such a communication system 10 can stabilize communication between a communication network and another communication network that employs the same communication protocol as that of the communication network.

[0109] Invention 16 is the communication system 10 of any one of Inventions 1 to 15, in which at least one of the plurality of nodes is a lighting fixture.

[0110] Such a communication system 10 can operate as a lighting system.

[0111] Invention 17 is a setting method executed by a first node with its relay function set to disabled, which is included in a plurality of nodes 20 constituting a communication network, each of which can set a relay function for communication between the communication network and another communication network to enabled or disabled, and which sets the relay function of the first node to enabled when (a) the plurality of nodes 20 does not include a second node with its relay function set to enabled, or (b) it is determined that there is an abnormality in the communication state with a second node included in the plurality of nodes 20 with its relay function set to enabled.

[0112] Such a setting method can stabilize communications between a communication network made up of a plurality of nodes 20 and other communication networks.

[0113] Invention 18 is a program for causing a computer to execute the setting method of Invention 17.

[0114] According to such a program, the computer can stabilize communications between a communication network made up of a plurality of nodes 20 and other communication networks.

[0115] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0116] For example, in the above embodiment, the process executed by a specific processing unit may be executed by another processing unit. Also, the order of multiple processes may be changed, or multiple processes may be executed in parallel.

[0117] In the above embodiment, components such as the control unit may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or a processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

[0118] Furthermore, components such as the control unit may be realized by hardware. For example, components such as the control unit may be circuits (or integrated circuits). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or each may be a separate circuit. Furthermore, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0119] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be realized as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0120] For example, the present invention may be realized as the communication system or lighting system of the above-described embodiment, as a node (communication device or lighting fixture), or as a method executed by the node. The present invention may be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute such a method, or as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium having such a program recorded thereon.

[0121] In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art may think of, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0122] 10. Communication Systems 20 nodes 21, 33 Wireless Communication Department 22, 34 Information Processing Section 23, 35 Storage section 30 Information terminal 31 Operation reception section 32 Display section

Claims

1. A communication network is provided with a plurality of nodes, Each of the plurality of nodes can set a relay function of communication between the communication network and another communication network to be enabled or disabled; A first node included in the plurality of nodes and having the relay function set to disabled sets the relay function of the first node to enabled when (a) the plurality of nodes does not include a second node for which the relay function is set to enabled, or (b) when it is determined that there is an abnormality in a communication state with a second node included in the plurality of nodes and having the relay function set to enabled. Communication systems.

2. When the first node determines that there is an abnormality in the communication state with the second node, the first node sets the relay function of the first node to be valid. The communication system according to claim 1 .

3. When the first node is unable to communicate with the second node for a certain period of time, or when the first node is unable to communicate with the second node a certain number of times, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the communication state with the second node. The communication system according to claim 2 .

4. When the first node is unable to receive a beacon signal transmitted by the second node for a certain period of time, or when the first node is unable to receive the beacon signal a certain number of times, the first node determines that there is an abnormality in the communication state with the second node. The communication system according to claim 2 .

5. The first node determines that there is an abnormality in the communication state with the second node when an index related to the received radio wave strength or the interference wave strength indicates that there is an abnormality in the communication state. The communication system according to claim 2 .

6. The first node, whose relay function has been set to enabled by determining that a communication state with the second node is abnormal, sets the relay function of the first node to disabled when determining that the communication state with the second node is normal. A communication system according to any one of claims 2 to 5.

7. A first mesh network to which the first node and the second node belong includes a third node in which the relay function is enabled by a predetermined setting process; The third node does not disable the relay function of the third node even if it determines that the communication with the second node is normal.

7. The communication system according to claim 6.

8. The communication network includes a plurality of first mesh networks and a second mesh network including at least one gateway node included in each of the plurality of first mesh networks; The first node and the second node belong to the same first mesh network, and the second node is the gateway node included in the first mesh network. A communication system according to any one of claims 2 to 5.

9. The first mesh network to which the first node and the second node belong includes a third node that is not the gateway node and has the relay function enabled by a predetermined setting process; The third node does not disable the relay function of the third node even if it determines that the communication with the second node is normal.

9. The communication system according to claim 8.

10. The communication network includes a plurality of first mesh networks and a second mesh network including at least one gateway node included in each of the plurality of first mesh networks; The first node and the second node belong to the same first mesh network, and neither of them is the gateway node. A communication system according to any one of claims 2 to 5.

11. The relay function is enabled in advance for a predetermined node among the plurality of nodes. A communication system according to any one of claims 2 to 5.

12. The communication network includes a plurality of first mesh networks and a second mesh network including at least one gateway node included in each of the plurality of first mesh networks; The predetermined node is the gateway node.

12. The communication system of claim 11.

13. The communication network includes a plurality of first mesh networks and a root node that relays communications between the plurality of first mesh networks; The predetermined node is the root node.

12. The communication system of claim 11.

14. A communication protocol used in the communication network is different from a communication protocol used in the other communication network. A communication system according to any one of claims 2 to 5.

15. The communication protocol used in the communication network is the same as the communication protocol used in the other communication network. A communication system according to any one of claims 2 to 5.

16. At least one of the plurality of nodes is a lighting fixture. A communication system according to any one of claims 2 to 5.

17. A setting method executed by a first node, which is included in a plurality of nodes constituting a communication network and each of which can set a relay function of a communication between the communication network and another communication network to be enabled or disabled, the first node having the relay function set to disabled, comprising: (a) when the plurality of nodes does not include a second node for which the relay function is set to be enabled, or (b) when it is determined that there is an abnormality in a communication state with a second node included in the plurality of nodes and for which the relay function is set to be enabled, the relay function of the first node is set to be enabled. How to set it up.

18. A program for causing a computer to execute the setting method according to claim 17.

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