Communication system, control device, and control method for communication system

Abstract

To provide a robust communication network.SOLUTION: A communication system includes a plurality of communication devices capable of forming a mesh network, and a control device. The control device includes control means for controlling the plurality of communication devices. The control means includes request acquisition means for acquiring a request from a communication device that has received a scan signal from a new terminal attempting to newly connect to the mesh network, and update means for updating one or more communication paths included in the mesh network in response to the request.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication system, a control device, and a control method for a communication system for a mesh network that communicates over a directional communication medium. [Background technology]

[0002] In the field of communication networks, there is a demand for communication technologies that can realize large capacity and low latency. As one of such communication technologies, communication technologies using directional communication media such as millimeter waves and light in the visible light band are being developed. In addition, systems in which a control device controls multiple communication terminals forming a communication network are also being developed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an optical access system in which a control device controls a network in which multiple accommodation stations are connected by optical paths. In addition, Patent Document 2 discloses a wireless communication system in which a hopping node, which is a communication device that performs millimeter wave wireless communication, connects to a connection destination based on information about the connection destination notified by a communication management device that manages the hopping node. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-134641 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-161372 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Directional communication media are expected to realize high-capacity, low-latency communications due to their high frequency, but because they are directional, they are susceptible to the effects of obstructions and external disturbances.

[0005] In order to ensure robustness of communication while using a directional communication medium, it is preferable to have a configuration that allows adaptive changes including node addition to the network, node position change, etc. However, even if the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are used, such a configuration cannot be realized.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and one example of a purpose of the present invention is to provide a technique for realizing a robust communication network using a directional communication medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of communication devices capable of forming a mesh network, and a control device that controls the plurality of communication devices, each of which includes one or more communication means configured to transmit and receive a directional communication medium, an identification means for identifying one or more connection partner candidates by performing a scan using the one or more communication means, and a connection establishment means for establishing a connection between the one or more connection partner candidates identified by the identification means, and the control device is equipped with a control means that controls the plurality of communication devices, and the control means is equipped with a request acquisition means for acquiring a request from a communication device that has received a scan signal from a new terminal attempting to newly connect to the mesh network, and an update means for updating one or more communication paths included in the mesh network in response to the request.

[0008] A control method for a communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention is a control method for a communication system including a plurality of communication devices capable of forming a mesh network and a control device that performs control over the plurality of communication devices, wherein each of the plurality of communication devices performs a scan using one or more communication means configured to transmit and receive a directional communication medium, thereby identifying one or more connection partner candidates, and establishing a connection with the identified one or more connection partner candidates, and the control device performs control over the plurality of communication devices, wherein the control device performing control over the plurality of communication devices includes the control device acquiring a request from a communication device that has received a scan signal from a new terminal attempting to newly connect to the mesh network, and updating one or more communication paths included in the mesh network in response to the request. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a robust communication network using a directional communication medium can be realized. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication system according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a flow chart showing the flow of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment 3 of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment 3 of the present invention. [Figure 7]FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment 4 of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment 4 of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a first example of a processing flow from scanning to connection establishment in a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment 4 of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a second example of the processing flow from scanning to connection establishment in a communication system according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a third example of a processing flow from scanning to connection establishment in a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment 4 of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a fourth example of the processing flow from scanning to connection establishment in a communication system according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control device according to an exemplary embodiment 4 of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of a state in which a new terminal is attempting to connect to a mesh network in exemplary embodiment 4 of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of a state in which a new terminal is attempting to connect to a mesh network in exemplary embodiment 4 of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of a state in which a new terminal is attempting to connect to a mesh network in exemplary embodiment 4 of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of a state in which a new terminal is attempting to connect to a mesh network in exemplary embodiment 4 of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of a state in which a new terminal is attempting to connect to a mesh network in exemplary embodiment 4 of the present invention. [Figure 19]FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a state in which a line disconnection occurs in a mesh network in exemplary embodiment 4 of the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a state in which a line disconnection occurs in a mesh network in exemplary embodiment 4 of the present invention. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a computer that is an example of an implementation of a communication device according to each exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Example 1 A first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This exemplary embodiment is a basic form of the exemplary embodiments described later.

[0012] (Configuration of communication system 1) The configuration of a communication system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the communication system 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the communication system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment includes a plurality of communication devices 10 and a control device 20.

[0013] A plurality of communication devices 10 can configure a mesh network. As an example, the mesh network includes a first communication device 10-1, a second communication device 10-2, a third communication device 10-3, and a fourth communication device 10-4, as shown in FIG. 1, and is configured by connecting these communication devices to each other. Note that the configuration example shown in FIG. 1 is merely an example. A configuration including five or more communication devices, or a configuration including three or less communication devices, may be used. The first communication device 10-1, the second communication device 10-2, the third communication device 10-3, and the fourth communication device 10-4 shown in FIG. 1 have the same configuration. Therefore, in the following, one communication device will be taken up and described as the communication device 10.

[0014] (Communication device 10) 1, the communication device 10 includes a communication unit 11, a determination unit 12, and a connection establishment unit 13. The communication unit 11, the determination unit 12, and the connection establishment unit 13 are examples of the communication means, the determination means, and the connection establishment means in the claims.

[0015] The communication unit 11 is configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving a directional communication medium. The number of communication units 11 included in the communication device 10 does not limit the present exemplary embodiment, and the communication device 10 may be configured to include one or more communication units 11.

[0016] Each communication unit 11 is configured to be able to transmit and receive a directional communication medium as described above. Here, the specific configuration of the communication unit 11 does not limit this exemplary embodiment. As an example, the communication unit 11 includes a transmitting unit that transmits the directional communication medium and a receiving unit that receives the directional communication medium. The communication unit 11 may be configured to include an integrated transmitting / receiving unit that transmits and receives the directional communication medium.

[0017] In addition, the specific example of the directional communication medium used by the communication unit 11 for communication does not limit the exemplary embodiment. As an example, electromagnetic waves in a high frequency range having a frequency of about 10 GHz or more can be given. Electromagnetic waves in this frequency range can include millimeter waves, submillimeter waves, infrared light, visible light, ultraviolet light, etc.

[0018] As an example, the communication unit 11 directs and transmits electromagnetic waves in the above frequency range within a predetermined angle range, thereby using the electromagnetic waves as the above-mentioned directional communication medium for communication. Here, the specific configuration for the communication unit 11 to direct the electromagnetic waves in the above frequency range does not limit this exemplary embodiment. As an example, the communication unit 11: A beamforming antenna that directs and transmits millimeter and sub-millimeter waves within a specified angle range. Collimators for collimating infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light Laser oscillators that generate infrared, visible, or ultraviolet laser light The configuration may include the following.

[0019] By directing and transmitting electromagnetic waves in the above frequency range, which are the communication medium, from the communication unit 11, the energy density of the communication medium increases, making it possible to communicate with a communication partner at a greater distance using the communication medium.

[0020] (Specific part 12) The identifying unit 12 identifies one or more connection partner candidates by scanning using the communication unit 11. In other words, the identifying unit 12 identifies one or more connection partner candidates by transmitting or receiving a scan beam using the communication unit 11.

[0021] Here, in the scan using the communication unit 11, a scan using the above-mentioned directional communication medium is executed. Also, in this exemplary embodiment, the scan refers to a search executed to identify one or more connection partner candidates, for example. The term "scan" is not intended to specify a specific scan order or the like.

[0022] In addition, the scanning by the identification unit 12 using the communication unit 11 includes the following steps: Transmitting a scan beam from the communication unit 11 to the scan range Transmitting a scan beam from the communication unit 11 to the scan range and receiving a response beam in response to the scan beam; and The communication unit 11 receives a scan beam transmitted from another device. The communication unit 11 receives a scan beam transmitted from another device and transmits a response beam in response to the scan beam. At least one of the above is included.

[0023] The scan by the identification unit 12 includes, for example, a search for a connection partner candidate whose position is not known in advance. More specifically, for example, the scan by the identification unit 12 includes a search for a connection partner candidate whose direction from the communication device 10 is not known in advance. In other words, the scan includes a search for a connection partner candidate whose at least one of the azimuth angle, the elevation angle, and the depression angle from the communication device 10 is not known in advance.

[0024] When searching for one or more connection partner candidates whose positions are not known in advance as described above, the identification unit 12 identifies the positions of the one or more connection partner candidates by scanning using the communication unit 11. More specifically, as an example, the identification unit 12 identifies the direction of the one or more connection partner candidates from the communication device 10 as a starting point by scanning using the communication unit 11. In other words, the identification unit 12 identifies at least one of the azimuth angle, the elevation angle, and the depression angle from the communication device 10 as a starting point by scanning using the communication unit 11 for the one or more connection partner candidates.

[0025] Furthermore, the one or more connection partner candidates identified by the identification unit 12 are not limited to communication devices included in the scan range of the scan using the communication unit 11. The identification unit 12 can also refer to a response signal from a communication device included in the scan range of the scan using the communication unit 11 and identify a communication device that is identified by the response signal and is outside the scan range as a connection partner candidate.

[0026] As an example, by referring to a response signal from communication device A that was included in the scanning range of a scan using communication unit 11, communication device B whose position is identified by the response signal but is outside the scanning range can be identified as a candidate connection partner.

[0027] (Connection establishment unit 13) The connection establishment unit 13 establishes a connection with one or more connection partner candidates identified by the identification unit 12. Here, the connection establishment by the connection establishment unit 13 may use, among one or more communication units 11 included in the communication device 10, the same communication unit or units as the one or more communication units 11 used by the identification unit 12 for scanning, or may use communication units that are partially or entirely different from the one or more communication units 11 used by the identification unit 12 for scanning.

[0028] In either case, the connection establishment unit 13 establishes a connection between one or more connection partner candidates identified by the identification unit 12 using a directional communication medium via one or more communication units 11 provided in the communication device 10.

[0029] Although the specific connection establishment process by the connection establishment unit 13 does not limit this exemplary embodiment, an example includes the following process A.

[0030] (Process A): The communication unit 11 of the communication device 10 transmits a directional communication medium to the connection partner candidate identified by the identification unit 12. Furthermore, the connection establishment process may be configured to include the following process B in addition to the process A.

[0031] (Process B): In response to the transmission in Process A, the connection partner candidate transmits a directional communication medium to the communication device 10, and the communication unit 11 of the communication device 10 receives the directional communication medium. In addition, in process A, the communication unit 11 of the communication device 10 may be configured to transmit connection start information for starting a connection according to a specific protocol to a connection partner candidate via a directional communication medium, and in process B, the communication unit 11 of the communication device 10 may be configured to receive connection acceptance information according to a specific protocol from a connection partner candidate via a directional communication medium.

[0032] In addition, the above connection start information may be configured to include identification information for identifying the communication device 10 from other devices, and the above connection approval information may be configured to include identification information for identifying the connection partner candidate from other devices.

[0033] Furthermore, the connection establishment process may include the following processes C and D in addition to the processes A and B.

[0034] (Process C): The connection start information transmitted by the communication unit 11 of the communication device 10 via the directional communication medium in Process A is referred to by the connection partner candidate, and the connection partner candidate registers the identification information of the communication device 10 in a storage unit included in the connection partner candidate. (Process D): The communication device 10 refers to the connection acknowledgement information received by the communication unit 11 of the communication device 10 via the directional communication medium in Process B, and registers identification information of connection partner candidates in the storage unit provided in the communication device 10. Furthermore, the connection establishment process may include at least one of the following processes E and F in addition to the processes A, B, C, and D.

[0035] (Process E): The connection partner candidate transmits the identification information of the communication device 10 registered in Process C to the control device 20. (Process F): The communication device 10 transmits to the control device 20 identification information of the connection partner candidate registered in process D. (Control device 20) The control device 20 controls a plurality of communication devices 10 .

[0036] The control of the multiple communication devices 10 by the control device 20 is performed, for example, by exchanging signals, information, instructions, and the like between the control device 20 and the communication devices 10 via a wired or wireless local area network or global network, or a combination of these. These networks may include the mesh network of the communication system 1.

[0037] 1, the control device 20 connects to a mesh network via a second communication device 10-2 and controls a plurality of communication devices 10 via the mesh network. In addition to controlling a plurality of communication devices 10 via the mesh network, the control device 20 may also control a plurality of communication devices 10 via another communication path.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 1, the control device 20 includes a control unit 21. The control unit 21 is one example of the control means defined in the claims.

[0039] (Control unit 21) The control unit 21 performs control related to the multiple communication devices 10.

[0040] As an example, the control unit 21 refers to the information managed by the control unit 21 as described above, Monitoring of each communication device 10 (especially boundary terminals) Control of line connections between communication devices 10 - Update communication routes (including updating the priority of communication routes) etc.

[0041] Although not limiting the present exemplary embodiment, as an example, the purpose of control regarding the multiple communication devices 10 may be as follows: Support for connecting a new communication device 10 to a mesh network -Reconnecting a disconnected line - Update communication routes to prevent deterioration of communication quality or disconnection of lines etc.

[0042] As an example, and not limiting of the present exemplary embodiment, the control unit 21 performs control regarding the multiple communication devices 10 based on the following information: -Network status regarding backbone links and access links Relevant information regarding each communication device 10 (location information, load status, number of established connections, number of identified connection candidates, connection status of the connections involved, etc.) Reference information (weather information, sensor information, etc.) The control unit 21 may obtain this information, for example, from each communication device 10 or an external device (not shown).

[0043] Here, the access link refers mainly to a connection path used for data exchange between edge terminals included in the communication system 1. Also, the backbone link refers mainly to a connection path used for data exchange between communication devices other than the edge terminals included in the communication system 1. Even a backbone link may function as an access link depending on the situation.

[0044] Although this is not intended to limit the present exemplary embodiment, as an example, the control unit 21 controls the multiple communication devices 10 at the following timings. The timing at which a new communication device 10 scans for connection to a mesh network The timing when the connection status between the communication devices 10 in the mesh network changes Timing for predicting deterioration of line quality or line disconnection between communication devices 10 in a mesh network The control unit 21 may detect these timings, for example, by monitoring each communication device 10. Furthermore, the control unit 21 may control the multiple communication devices 10 based on the monitoring results of each communication device 10 at appropriate times, rather than at specific timings.

[0045] (Effects of communication system 1) As described above, the communication system 1 includes a plurality of communication devices (for example, a first communication device 10-1, a second communication device 10-2, a third communication device 10-3, and a fourth communication device) and a control device 20. One or more communication units 11 configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving a directional communication medium; A determination unit 12 that performs a scan using one or more communication units 11 to determine one or more connection partner candidates; a connection establishment unit 13 that establishes a connection with one or more connection partner candidates identified by the identification unit 12; The control device 20 includes: A control unit 21 that controls a mesh network formed by connecting multiple communication devices 10 to each other The configuration includes the following.

[0046] According to the communication system 1 configured as above, each communication device 10 can identify a connection partner candidate, even if the location is not known in advance, by executing a scan using the communication unit 11. Then, communication can be established between the identified connection partner candidate.

[0047] Generally, while a directional communication medium can realize high-capacity and low-latency communication, due to its directionality, it has an aspect of being susceptible to the effects of obstructions, disturbances, etc. According to the communication device 10 according to this exemplary embodiment, in a network using a directional communication medium, adaptive changes including addition of communication devices and change of positions can be made, so that a network that is less susceptible to the effects of obstructions, disturbances, etc. can be configured.

[0048] Furthermore, the control device 20 performs control related to a plurality of communication devices 10, thereby improving the stability of the network.

[0049] That is, according to the communication system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment, a robust communication network using a directional communication medium can be realized.

[0050] (Effect of the control device 20) In addition, the control device 20 according to this exemplary embodiment is a control device 20 that controls a plurality of communication devices 10 capable of forming a mesh network, and each of the plurality of communication devices includes one or more communication means configured to transmit and receive a directional communication medium, an identification means for identifying one or more connection partner candidates by performing a scan using the one or more communication means, and a connection establishment means for establishing a connection between the one or more connection partner candidates identified by the identification means, and the control device is configured to include a control means for controlling the plurality of communication devices.

[0051] The control device 20 configured as described above controls the plurality of communication devices 10 that can configure a mesh network. Each of the plurality of communication devices 10 can identify a connection partner candidate, even if the location is not known in advance, by executing a scan using the communication unit 11. Then, each of the plurality of communication devices 10 can establish communication with the identified connection partner candidate. By controlling such a plurality of communication devices 10, the control device 20 can improve the stability of the mesh network.

[0052] Therefore, according to the control device 20 according to this exemplary embodiment, a robust communication network using a directional communication medium can be realized, similarly to the communication system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment.

[0053] (Control method of communication system 1) A control method for the communication system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a flow diagram showing the control method for the communication system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the control method for the communication system 1 includes steps S12 and S13 executed by the communication device 10, and step S21 executed by the control device 20. As described above, the communication system 1 includes a plurality of communication devices 10 capable of configuring a mesh network, and a control device 20 that controls the plurality of communication devices 10.

[0054] (Step S12) First, in step S12, the identification unit 12 identifies one or more connection partner candidates by executing a scan using the communication unit 11. Here, in the scan using the communication unit 11, a scan using the above-mentioned directional communication medium is executed. The specific processing contents by the identification unit 12 have been described above, and therefore will not be described here.

[0055] (Step S13) Next, in step S13, the connection establishment unit 13 establishes a connection with one or more connection partner candidates identified by the identification unit 12. Here, the connection establishment by the connection establishment unit 13 may use, among one or more communication units 11 included in the communication device 10, the same communication unit or units as the one or more communication units 11 used for scanning by the identification unit 12, or may use communication units that are partially or entirely different from the one or more communication units 11 used for scanning by the identification unit 12. The specific processing contents by the connection establishment unit 13 have been described above, and therefore description thereof will be omitted here.

[0056] (Step S21) Step S21 is performed before or after steps S12 and S13, or in parallel with steps S12 and S13. In step S21, the control unit 21 controls the multiple communication devices 10. The specific processing contents by the control unit 21 have been described above, and therefore will not be described here.

[0057] (Effects of the control method of communication system 1) As described above, the control method of the communication system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment includes each of the multiple communication devices 10 identifying one or more connection partner candidates by performing a scan using a directional communication medium (S12) and establishing a connection with the identified one or more connection partner candidates (S13), and the control device 20 controlling the multiple communication devices 10 (S21).

[0058] According to the control method of the communication system 1 configured as described above, each of the multiple communication devices 10 can identify a connection partner candidate whose location is not known in advance by executing a scan using the communication unit 11. Then, each of the multiple communication devices 10 can establish communication with the identified connection partner candidate. Then, the control device 20 controls the multiple communication devices 10, thereby improving the stability of the mesh network.

[0059] Therefore, according to the control method of the communication system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment, a robust communication network using a directional communication medium can be realized, similar to the communication system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment.

[0060] Exemplary embodiment 2 A second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same functions as those described in the first exemplary embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0061] (Configuration of communication system 1) The configuration of a communication system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the communication system 1. As shown in Fig. 3, the communication system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment includes a plurality of communication devices 10 and a control device 20A.

[0062] (Communication device 10) The first communication device 10-1, the second communication device 10-2, the third communication device 10-3, and the fourth communication device 10-4 shown in FIG. 3 are similar to the first communication device 10-1, the second communication device 10-2, the third communication device 10-3, and the fourth communication device 10-4 shown in FIG. 1.

[0063] (Control device 20A) The control device 20A controls a plurality of communication devices 10.

[0064] Moreover, the control device 20A includes a control unit 21A as shown in Fig. 3. The control unit 21A is one example of the realization of the control means in the claims.

[0065] (Control unit 21A) The control unit 21A controls the multiple communication devices 10.

[0066] As an example, the control unit 21A refers to the information managed by the control unit 21 described above, Monitoring of each communication device 10 (especially boundary terminals) Control of line connections between communication devices 10 - Update communication routes (including updating the priority of communication routes) etc.

[0067] Although not limiting the present exemplary embodiment, as an example, the purpose of control regarding the multiple communication devices 10 may be as follows: Support for connecting a new communication device 10 to a mesh network -Reconnecting a disconnected line - Update communication routes to prevent deterioration of communication quality or disconnection of lines etc.

[0068] The control unit 21A includes a related information acquisition unit 22, a connection request acquisition unit 23, a determination unit 24, and an instruction unit 25. The related information acquisition unit 22, the connection request acquisition unit 23, the determination unit 24, and the instruction unit 25 are examples of the related information acquisition means, the connection request acquisition means, the determination means, and the instruction means in the claims.

[0069] (Related information acquisition unit 22) The related information acquisition unit 22 acquires related information related to one or more communication devices 10 included in the mesh network.

[0070] (Connection request acquisition unit 23) The connection request acquisition unit 23 acquires a connection request from a new terminal 10-A that is to newly connect to the mesh network. In this exemplary embodiment, the connection request is acquired by the connection request acquisition unit 23 from the new terminal 10-A using an existing line. In this exemplary embodiment, the connection request includes location information of the new terminal 10-A.

[0071] (Decision Unit 24) The determination unit 24 refers to the related information and determines the communication device 10 to which the new terminal 10-A should be connected. In this exemplary embodiment, the determination unit 24 refers to the related information acquired by the above-mentioned related information acquisition unit 22 and the location information of the new terminal 10-A included in the connection request.

[0072] (Instruction section 25) The instruction unit 25 instructs the communication device 10 determined by the determination unit 24 to execute a scan for the new terminal 10-A. In this exemplary embodiment, the instruction unit 25 instructs the communication device 10 determined by the determination unit 24 regarding the direction of a scan beam.

[0073] (Effects of communication system 1) As described above, the communication system 1 includes a plurality of communication devices (for example, a first communication device 10-1, a second communication device 10-2, a third communication device 10-3, and a fourth communication device) and a control device 20A. One or more communication units 11 configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving a directional communication medium; A determination unit 12 that performs a scan using one or more communication units 11 to determine one or more connection partner candidates; a connection establishment unit 13 that establishes a connection with one or more connection partner candidates identified by the identification unit 12; The control device 20A includes: A control unit 21A that controls a mesh network formed by connecting multiple communication devices 10 to each other The control unit 21A includes: a related information acquisition unit 22 that acquires related information related to one or more communication devices 10 included in the mesh network; a connection request acquisition unit 23 that acquires a connection request from a new terminal 10-A that is attempting to newly connect to the mesh network; A determination unit 24 that refers to the related information and determines a communication device to be connected to the new terminal 10-A; an instruction unit 25 that instructs the communication device 10 determined by the determination unit 24 to execute a scan for the new terminal 10-A; The configuration includes the following.

[0074] According to the communication system 1 configured as above, each communication device 10 can identify a connection partner candidate, even if the location is not known in advance, by executing a scan using the communication unit 11. Then, communication can be established between the identified connection partner candidate.

[0075] Generally, while a directional communication medium can realize high-capacity and low-latency communication, due to its directionality, it has an aspect of being susceptible to the effects of obstructions, disturbances, etc. According to the communication device 10 according to this exemplary embodiment, in a network using a directional communication medium, adaptive changes including addition of communication devices and change of positions can be made, so that a network that is less susceptible to the effects of obstructions, disturbances, etc. can be configured.

[0076] In addition, the control device 20A can improve the stability of the network by controlling the multiple communication devices 10. According to the control device 20A according to this exemplary embodiment, based on a connection request from a new terminal attempting to newly connect to the mesh network, it is possible to determine a communication device to be connected to the new terminal and establish communication between the communication device and the new terminal.

[0077] That is, according to the communication system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment, a robust communication network using a directional communication medium can be realized.

[0078] (Effect of the control device 20A) In addition, the control device 20A according to this exemplary embodiment is equipped with a control means for controlling a plurality of communication devices capable of constituting a mesh network, each of the plurality of communication devices including one or more communication means configured to transmit and receive a directional communication medium, an identification means for identifying one or more connection partner candidates by performing a scan using the one or more communication means, and a connection establishment means for establishing a connection between the one or more connection partner candidates identified by the identification means, and the control means is configured to include a related information acquisition means for acquiring related information related to one or more communication devices included in the mesh network from the communication devices, a connection request acquisition means for acquiring a connection request from a new terminal attempting to newly connect to the mesh network, a determination means for determining a communication device to be connected to the new terminal by referring to the related information, and an instruction means for instructing the communication device determined by the determination means to perform a scan for the new terminal.

[0079] The control device 20A configured as described above controls the plurality of communication devices 10 that can configure a mesh network. Each of the plurality of communication devices 10 can identify a connection partner candidate, even if the location is not known in advance, by executing a scan using the communication unit 11. Then, each of the plurality of communication devices 10 can establish communication with the identified connection partner candidate. The control device 20A can improve the stability of the mesh network by controlling such a plurality of communication devices 10.

[0080] In addition, according to the control device 20A of this exemplary embodiment, based on a connection request from a new terminal attempting to newly connect to the mesh network, it is possible to determine a communication device to which the new terminal should be connected, and to establish communication between the communication device and the new terminal.

[0081] Therefore, according to the control device 20A according to this exemplary embodiment, a robust communication network using a directional communication medium can be realized, similarly to the communication system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment.

[0082] (Control method of communication system 1) A control method for the communication system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flow diagram showing the control method for the communication system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the control method for the communication system 1 includes steps S12 and S13 executed by the communication device 10, and step S21A executed by the control device 20A.

[0083] (Steps S12 and S13) Steps S12 and S13 performed by the communication device 10 are as described in the above exemplary embodiment 1.

[0084] (Step S21A) Step S21A is performed before or after steps S12 and S13, or in parallel with steps S12 and S13. In step S21A, control unit 21A performs control related to a plurality of communication devices 10. Step S21A includes steps S21A-1, S21A-2, S21A-3, and S21A-4.

[0085] (Step S21A-1) First, in step S21A-1, the related information acquisition unit 22 acquires related information related to one or more communication devices 10 included in the mesh network.

[0086] (Step S21A-2) Next, in step S21A-2, the connection request acquisition unit 23 acquires a connection request from a new terminal 10-A (FIG. 3) that is attempting to newly connect to the mesh network.

[0087] (Step S21A-3) Next, in step S21A-3, the determination unit 24 refers to the related information and determines the communication device 10 to which the new terminal 10-A should be connected.

[0088] (Step S21A-4) Next, in step S21A-4, the instruction unit 25 instructs the determined communication device 10 to execute a scan for the new terminal 10-A.

[0089] (Effects of the control method of communication system 1) As described above, the control method of the communication system 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes each of the multiple communication devices 10 performing a scan using a directional communication medium to identify one or more connection partner candidates (S12), establishing a connection with the identified one or more connection partner candidates (S13), and the control device 20A controlling the multiple communication devices 10 (S21A). In addition, the control device 20A controlling the multiple communication devices 10 (S21A) includes the control device 20A acquiring related information related to the communication device from one or more communication devices included in the mesh network (S21A-1), acquiring a connection request from a new terminal that is to newly connect to the mesh network (S21A-2), and referring to the related information, determining a communication device to be connected to the new terminal (S21A-3), and instructing the determined communication device to perform a scan for the new terminal (S21A-4).

[0090] According to the control method of the communication system 1 configured as described above, each of the multiple communication devices 10 can identify a connection partner candidate whose location is not known in advance by performing a scan using the communication unit 11. Then, each of the multiple communication devices 10 can establish communication with the identified connection partner candidate. Then, the control device 20A can improve the stability of the mesh network by controlling the multiple communication devices 10. Also, the control device 20A can determine a communication device to be connected to the new terminal based on a connection request from a new terminal that is attempting to newly connect to the mesh network, and establish communication between the communication device and the new terminal.

[0091] Therefore, according to the control method of the communication system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment, a robust communication network using a directional communication medium can be realized, similar to the communication system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment.

[0092] Exemplary embodiment 3 The third exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same functions as those described in the first exemplary embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0093] (Configuration of communication system 1) The configuration of a communication system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the communication system 1. As shown in Fig. 5, the communication system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment includes a plurality of communication devices 10 and a control device 20B.

[0094] (Communication device 10) The first communication device 10-1, the second communication device 10-2, the third communication device 10-3, and the fourth communication device 10-4 shown in FIG. 5 are similar to the first communication device 10-1, the second communication device 10-2, the third communication device 10-3, and the fourth communication device 10-4 shown in FIG. 1.

[0095] (Control device 20B) The control device 20B controls a plurality of communication devices 10.

[0096] Moreover, the control device 20B includes a control unit 21B as shown in Fig. 5. The control unit 21B is one example of the realization of the control means in the claims.

[0097] (Control unit 21B) The control unit 21B controls the multiple communication devices 10.

[0098] As an example, the control unit 21B refers to the information managed by the control unit 21 described above, Monitoring of each communication device 10 (especially boundary terminals) Control of line connections between communication devices 10 - Update communication routes (including updating the priority of communication routes) etc.

[0099] Although not limiting the present exemplary embodiment, as an example, the purpose of control regarding the multiple communication devices 10 may be as follows: Support for connecting a new communication device 10 to a mesh network -Reconnecting a disconnected line - Update communication routes to prevent deterioration of communication quality or disconnection of lines etc.

[0100] The control unit 21B includes a request acquisition unit 26 and an update unit 27. The request acquisition unit 26 and the update unit 27 are examples of the request acquisition means and the update means in the claims.

[0101] (Request Acquisition Unit 26) The request acquisition unit 26 acquires a request from a communication device that has received a scan signal from a new terminal 10-A that is attempting to newly connect to the mesh network. In this exemplary embodiment, the request acquisition unit 26 acquires a request signal from one or more communication devices that have received a scan beam emitted by the new terminal 10-A.

[0102] (Updated part 27) The update unit 27 updates one or more communication paths included in the mesh network in response to a request. In this exemplary embodiment, the update unit 27 updates the communication paths based on the request signal and related information acquired by the request acquisition unit 26. Specifically, similarly to the control unit 21 in the above-described exemplary embodiment 1, - Update communication routes (including updating the priority of communication routes) Execute.

[0103] As an example, the update unit 27 updates the communication path based on the following information. -Network status regarding backbone links and access links Relevant information regarding each communication device 10 (location information, load status, number of established connections, number of identified connection candidates, connection status of the connections involved, etc.) As an example, the update unit 27 updates so as to optimize one or more communication paths included in the mesh network formed by the communication devices used for data transmission of the new terminal 10-A.

[0104] (Effects of communication system 1) As described above, the communication system 1 includes a plurality of communication devices (for example, a first communication device 10-1, a second communication device 10-2, a third communication device 10-3, and a fourth communication device) and a control device 20B. One or more communication units 11 configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving a directional communication medium; A determination unit 12 that performs a scan using one or more communication units 11 to determine one or more connection partner candidates; a connection establishment unit 13 that establishes a connection with one or more connection partner candidates identified by the identification unit 12; The control device 20B includes: A control unit 21B that controls a mesh network formed by connecting multiple communication devices 10 to each other The control unit 21B includes: A request acquisition unit 26 that acquires a request from a communication device 10 that has received a scan signal from a new terminal 10-A that is attempting to newly connect to the mesh network; and an update unit 27 that updates one or more communication paths included in the mesh network in response to the request. The present invention employs a configuration including the above.

[0105] According to the communication system 1 configured as above, each communication device 10 can identify a connection partner candidate, even if the location is not known in advance, by executing a scan using the communication unit 11. Then, communication can be established between the identified connection partner candidate.

[0106] Generally, while a directional communication medium can realize high-capacity and low-latency communication, due to its directionality, it has an aspect of being susceptible to the effects of obstructions, disturbances, etc. According to the communication device 10 according to this exemplary embodiment, in a network using a directional communication medium, adaptive changes including addition of communication devices and change of positions can be made, so that a network that is less susceptible to the effects of obstructions, disturbances, etc. can be configured.

[0107] Furthermore, the control device 20B can improve the stability of the network by controlling the multiple communication devices 10. According to the control device 20B according to this exemplary embodiment, the communication path can be updated in response to a request from the communication device 10 that has received a scan signal from the new terminal 10-A. As an example, one or more communication paths included in the mesh network through which the new terminal 10-A has passed can be optimized.

[0108] That is, according to the communication system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment, a robust communication network using a directional communication medium can be realized.

[0109] (Effect of the control device 20B) In addition, the control device 20B in this exemplary embodiment is equipped with a control means for controlling a plurality of communication devices capable of constituting a mesh network, and each of the plurality of communication devices includes one or more communication means configured to transmit and receive a directional communication medium, an identification means for identifying one or more connection partner candidates by performing a scan using the one or more communication means, and a connection establishment means for establishing a connection between the one or more connection partner candidates identified by the identification means, and the control means is configured to include a request acquisition means for acquiring a request from a communication device that has received a scan signal from a new terminal attempting to newly connect to the mesh network, and an update means for updating one or more communication paths included in the mesh network in response to the request.

[0110] The control device 20B configured as described above controls the plurality of communication devices 10 that can configure a mesh network. Each of the plurality of communication devices 10 can identify a connection partner candidate, even if the location is not known in advance, by executing a scan using the communication unit 11. Then, each of the plurality of communication devices 10 can establish communication with the identified connection partner candidate. The control device 20B can improve the stability of the mesh network by controlling such a plurality of communication devices 10.

[0111] Furthermore, according to the control device 20B according to this exemplary embodiment, the communication path can be updated based on a request from a communication device that has received a scan signal from a new terminal attempting to newly connect to the mesh network.

[0112] Therefore, according to the control device 20B according to this exemplary embodiment, a robust communication network using a directional communication medium can be realized, similarly to the communication system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment.

[0113] (Control method of communication system 1) A control method for the communication system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flow diagram showing the control method for the communication system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, the control method for the communication system 1 includes steps S12 and S13 executed by the communication device 10, and step S21B executed by the control device 20B.

[0114] (Steps S12 and S13) Steps S12 and S13 performed by the communication device 10 are as described in the above exemplary embodiment 1.

[0115] (Step S21B) Step S21A is performed before or after steps S12 and S13, or in parallel with steps S12 and S13. In step S21B, control unit 21B controls a plurality of communication devices 10. Step S21B includes steps S21B-1 and S21B-2.

[0116] (Step S21B-1) First, in step S21B-1, the request acquisition unit 26 acquires a request from the communication device 10 that has received a scan signal from a new terminal 10-A that is attempting to newly connect to the mesh network. In this exemplary embodiment, the new terminal that is attempting to newly connect to the mesh network transmits communication device request information to the control device 20B. As a result, the request acquisition unit 26 acquires the request information.

[0117] (Step S21B-2) Next, in step S21B-2, the update unit 27 updates one or more communication routes included in the mesh network in response to the request. In this exemplary embodiment, the update unit 27 updates one or more communication routes included in the mesh network in response to the request information acquired by the request acquisition unit 26. As an example, the request information includes related information regarding the new terminal 10-A. The update unit 27 refers to the related information regarding the new terminal 10-A to update one or more communication routes included in the mesh network through which the new terminal 10-A has passed so as to optimize the communication routes.

[0118] (Effects of the control method of communication system 1) As described above, the control method of the communication system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment includes each of the multiple communication devices 10 performing a scan using a directional communication medium to identify one or more connection partner candidates (S12), establishing a connection with the identified one or more connection partner candidates (S13), and the control device 20B controlling the multiple communication devices 10 (S21B). In addition, the control device 20B controlling the multiple communication devices 10 (S21B) includes the control device 20B acquiring a request from a communication device that has received a scan signal from a new terminal that is attempting to newly connect to the mesh network (S21B-1), and updating one or more communication paths included in the mesh network in response to the request (S21B-2).

[0119] According to the control method of the communication system 1 configured as described above, each of the multiple communication devices 10 can identify a connection partner candidate whose location is not known in advance by performing a scan using the communication unit 11. Then, each of the multiple communication devices 10 can establish communication with the identified connection partner candidate. Then, the control device 20B can improve the stability of the mesh network by controlling the multiple communication devices 10. Furthermore, the control device 20B can update one or more communication paths included in the mesh network in response to a request from a communication device that has received a scan signal from a new terminal.

[0120] Therefore, according to the control method of the communication system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment, a robust communication network using a directional communication medium can be realized, similar to the communication system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment.

[0121] Exemplary embodiment 4 A fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same functions as those described in the first exemplary embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0122] (Example of communication system configuration) Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a communication system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment. In the example shown in Fig. 7, the communication system 1 includes a control device 200 and a plurality of communication devices (communication devices 100-0 to 100-8 in Fig. 7). These communication devices 100-0 to 100-8 have the same configuration. Therefore, in the following, one communication device will be taken up and described as the communication device 100.

[0123] In Fig. 7, the dotted lines indicate connections that have already been established. Also, in Fig. 7, the symbol "Cxy" (x and y are numbers) indicates a connection established between the communication device 100-x and the communication device 100-y. For example, C12 indicates a connection established between the communication device 100-1 and the communication device 100-2.

[0124] As shown in FIG. 7, the communication devices included in the communication system 1 configure a mesh network having communication paths spread out in a mesh-like pattern.

[0125] In addition, in FIG. 7, any of communication devices 100-0 to 100-8 may be configured to function as an edge terminal, and communication system 1 may be configured to include, in addition to the communication devices shown in FIG. 8, one or more edge terminals connected to any of the communication devices.

[0126] In this specification, an edge terminal refers to a terminal that is an end of an access link in the mesh network of the communication system 1. As an example, an edge terminal may be a communication terminal that connects to a network other than the communication system 1, or a user terminal used by a user.

[0127] (Configuration of communication device 100) The configuration of the communication device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the communication device 100.

[0128] 8, the communication device 100 includes a first communication unit 110, a second communication unit 120, a control unit 130, a memory 140, and a storage unit 150. Here, the first communication unit 110 is an example of a communication means in the claims.

[0129] (First communication unit 110) The first communication unit 110 is configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving a directional communication medium. As an example, the first communication unit 110 is configured by a plurality of communication units such as a communication unit 110-1, a communication unit 110-2, ... as shown in Fig. 8.

[0130] Each of the communication units 110-1, 110-2, ... is configured to be able to transmit and receive a directional communication medium as described above. Here, the specific configuration of each of the communication units 110-1, 110-2, ... does not limit this exemplary embodiment, but as an example, each of the communication units 110-1, 110-2, ... includes a transmitter that transmits the directional communication medium and a receiver that receives the directional communication medium. Each of the communication units 110-1, 110-2, ... may be configured to include an integrated transmitter / receiver that transmits and receives the directional communication medium.

[0131] Furthermore, a specific example of a directional communication medium used by the first communication unit 110 for communication is not limited to the exemplary embodiment, but as an example, electromagnetic waves in a high frequency region having a frequency of approximately 10 GHz or more can be given as an example, similar to exemplary embodiment 1. Electromagnetic waves in this frequency region can include millimeter waves, submillimeter waves, infrared light, visible light, ultraviolet light, and the like.

[0132] As an example, the first communication unit 110 directs and transmits electromagnetic waves in the above frequency range within a predetermined angle range, thereby using the electromagnetic waves as the above-mentioned directional communication medium for communication. Here, the specific configuration for directing the electromagnetic waves in the above frequency range by the first communication unit 110 does not limit this exemplary embodiment. As an example, the individual communication units 110-1, 110-2, ... constituting the first communication unit 110, as in the exemplary embodiment 1, A beamforming antenna that directs and transmits millimeter and sub-millimeter waves within a specified angle range. Collimators for collimating infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light Laser oscillators that generate infrared, visible, or ultraviolet laser light The configuration may include the following.

[0133] Furthermore, the individual communication units 110-1, 110-2, ... constituting the first communication unit 110 may be oriented to cover different ranges. For example, communication unit 110-1 may be oriented to cover a range of azimuth angles from 0° to 90° for transmission and reception, communication unit 110-2 may be oriented to cover a range of azimuth angles from 90° to 180° for transmission and reception, communication unit 110-3 may be oriented to cover a range of azimuth angles from 180° to 270° for transmission and reception, and communication unit 110-4 may be oriented to cover a range of azimuth angles from 270° to 360° for transmission and reception.

[0134] (Second communication unit 120) The second communication unit 120 is configured to communicate using a communication medium other than the directional communication medium used for communication by the first communication unit 110. As an example, the second communication unit 120 communicates with other devices via a wired or wireless local area network or a global network. As an example, the second communication unit 120 may communicate with the control device 200.

[0135] (Control unit 130) 8, the control unit 130 includes an acquisition unit 131, a communication management unit 132, and a memory management unit 133. The communication management unit 132 is an example of the specification unit and the connection establishment unit in the claims.

[0136] (Acquisition part 131) The acquisition unit 131 acquires related information related to a communication partner of the first communication unit 110. Here, the communication partner of the first communication unit 110 includes: One or more connection partner candidates identified by a scan using the first communication unit 110 by the communication management unit 132 described later A connection partner with which a connection has been established by the communication management unit 132 among one or more identified connection partner candidates. At least one of the above is included.

[0137] The related information acquired by the acquisition unit 131 will be described later.

[0138] (Communications Management Unit 132) The communication management unit 132 manages communication processing using the first communication unit 110. As an example, the communication management unit 132 Scanning using the first communication unit 110 Establishing a connection using the first communication unit 110 Disconnection using the first communication unit 110 Switching of connection using the first communication unit 110 A specific example of the process performed by the communication management unit 132 will be described later.

[0139] (Storage Management Department 133) The memory management unit 133 manages the storage process in the memory unit 150. As an example, the memory management unit 133 stores the related information acquired by the acquisition unit 131 in the memory unit 150. In addition, the memory management unit 133 reads out various types of information stored in the memory unit 150 and provides the information to each part of the control unit 130.

[0140] (Flow from scanning to establishing a connection) Next, a process flow from the execution of a scan by the communication management unit 132 using the first communication unit 110 to the establishment of a connection will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0141] (Example 1 of the flow from scanning to establishing a connection) 9 is a sequence diagram showing a first example of a process flow from scanning to connection establishment using the first communication unit 110 by the communication management unit 132. This example is an example of a case where the communication device 100 first transmits a scan beam and establishes a connection with a connection partner candidate present within a scan target range.

[0142] (Step S101-1) In step S101-1, the communication management unit 132 transmits a scan beam within a predetermined scan range using the first communication unit 110. The transmitted scan beam reaches connection partner candidates that exist within the scan range.

[0143] (Step S101-2) In step S101-2, a connection partner candidate existing within the above-mentioned scan range returns a response beam to the communication device 100 in response to the scan beam. The returned response beam reaches the communication device 100.

[0144] Note that the specific configuration for the connection partner candidate to return a response beam is not limited to this exemplary embodiment. As an example, the connection partner candidate may be configured to include a corner cube reflector, reflect the scan beam by the corner cube reflector, and return the reflected scan beam to the communication device 100 as a response beam. As another example, the connection partner candidate may be configured to include a receiving device that receives the scan beam and a transmitting device that transmits a response beam in the direction of the received scan beam.

[0145] (Step S102-1) In step S102-1, the communication management unit 132 identifies a communication partner candidate by referring to a response beam received from the connection partner candidate.

[0146] As an example, the communication management unit 132 identifies the position of the connection partner candidate based on the direction of the received reply beam. More specifically, the communication management unit 132 identifies the direction of the connection partner candidate as seen from the communication device 100 based on the direction of the received reply beam. In other words, the communication management unit 132 identifies at least one of the azimuth angle, elevation angle, and depression angle of the connection partner candidate as seen from the communication device 100 based on the direction of the received reply beam.

[0147] (Step S103-1) In step S103-1, the communication management unit 132 transmits a connection request beam to the connection partner candidate identified in step S102-1. The connection request beam may be configured to include, as an example, information requesting a connection, as well as identification information for identifying the communication device 100 from other devices. The connection request beam may also be configured to include related information managed by the memory management unit 133, which is related information regarding the communication device 100 and other communication devices.

[0148] (Step S102-2) In step S102-2, the connection partner candidate receives the connection request beam transmitted in step S103-1. The connection partner candidate also identifies the communication device 100 by referring to the connection request beam transmitted in step S103-1. As an example, the connection partner candidate identifies the position of the communication device 100 based on the direction of the received connection request beam. More specifically, the connection partner candidate identifies the direction of the communication device 100 as seen from the connection partner candidate based on the direction of the received connection request beam. In other words, the connection partner candidate identifies at least one of the azimuth angle, elevation angle, and depression angle of the communication device 100 as seen from the connection partner candidate based on the direction of the received connection request beam.

[0149] (Step S103-2) In step S103-2, the connection partner candidate transmits a connection approval beam to the communication device 100. The connection approval beam may be configured to include identification information for identifying the connection partner candidate from other devices, along with information indicating approval of the connection. The connection approval beam may also be configured to include related information regarding the connection partner candidate and other communication devices.

[0150] (Step S104-1) In step S104-1, the communication management unit 132 receives the connection approval beam transmitted in step S103-2.

[0151] (Step S105-1) In step S105-1, the memory management unit 133 refers to the connection approval beam received in step S104-1 and registers the connection partner candidate as a connection partner. As an example, the memory management unit 133 stores identification information of the connection partner candidate included in the connection approval beam in a memory unit. As an example, this step establishes a connection from the communication device 100 to the connection partner candidate.

[0152] (Step S104-2) In step S104-2, the connection partner candidate refers to the connection request beam received in step S102-2 and registers the communication device 100 as a connection partner. As an example, the connection partner candidate stores the identification information of the communication device 100 included in the connection request beam in a storage unit provided in the connection partner candidate. As an example, a connection from the connection partner candidate to the communication device 100 is established by this step.

[0153] (Example 2 of the flow from scanning to establishing a connection) 10 is a sequence diagram showing a second example of the process flow from scanning to connection establishment using the first communication unit 110 by the communication management unit 132. This example is an example of a case where a connection partner candidate first transmits a scan beam and establishes a connection with the communication device 100 that is present within the scan target range.

[0154] As shown in Fig. 10, the process flow from scanning to connection establishment according to this example is the same as the process of connecting communication device 100 and a connection partner candidate described with reference to Fig. 9, except that communication device 100 and the connection partner candidate are interchanged. The process in each step shown in Fig. 10 is clear with reference to Fig. 9, and therefore a detailed description will be omitted here.

[0155] (Example 3 of the flow from scanning to establishing a connection) 11 is a sequence diagram showing a third example of a process flow from scanning to connection establishment using the first communication unit 110 by the communication management unit 132. This example is an example in which the communication device 100 first transmits a scan beam and establishes a connection with a connection partner candidate present within a scan target range.

[0156] (Step S121-1) In step S121-1, the communication management unit 132 transmits a scan beam within a predetermined scan range using the first communication unit 110. The transmitted scan beam reaches connection partner candidates that exist within the scan range.

[0157] The scan beam transmitted in this step may be configured to include, for example, information requesting a connection as well as identification information for identifying the communication device 100 from other devices. Also, the scan beam may be configured to include related information managed by the memory management unit 133, which is related to the communication device 100 and other communication devices.

[0158] (Step S121-2) In step S121-2, the connection partner candidate identifies communication device 100 with reference to the scan beam transmitted in step S121-1. As an example, the connection partner candidate identifies the position of communication device 100 based on the direction of the scan beam transmitted in step S121-1. More specifically, the connection partner candidate identifies the direction of communication device 100 as seen from the connection partner candidate based on the direction of the received scan beam. In other words, the connection partner candidate identifies at least one of the azimuth angle, elevation angle, and depression angle of communication device 100 as seen from the connection partner candidate based on the direction of the received scan beam.

[0159] In addition, in this step, the connection partner candidate may be configured to specify the communication device 100 by further referring to the identification information of the communication device 100 included in the scan beam.

[0160] (Step S122-2) In step S122-2, the connection partner candidate transmits a response beam to the communication device 100 in response to the scan beam transmitted in S121-2. The transmitted response beam reaches the communication device 100.

[0161] The response beam transmitted in this step may include, for example, information indicating that the connection is accepted, as well as identification information for identifying the connection partner candidate from other devices. The response beam may also include related information managed by the connection partner candidate, which is related to the connection partner candidate and other communication devices.

[0162] (Step S122-1) In step S122-1, the communication management unit 132 refers to the response beam transmitted in step S122-2 and identifies connection partner candidates.

[0163] As an example, the communication management unit 132 identifies the position of the connection partner candidate based on the direction of the received reply beam. More specifically, the communication management unit 132 identifies the direction of the connection partner candidate as seen from the communication device 100 based on the direction of the received reply beam. In other words, the communication management unit 132 identifies at least one of the azimuth angle, elevation angle, and depression angle of the connection partner candidate as seen from the communication device 100 based on the direction of the received reply beam.

[0164] In addition, in this step, the communication management unit 132 may be configured to further refer to the identification information of the connection partner candidate included in the response beam to identify the connection partner candidate.

[0165] (Step S123-1) In step S123-1, the memory management unit 133 refers to the response beam received from the connection partner candidate and registers the connection partner candidate as a connection partner. As an example, the memory management unit 133 stores the identification information of the connection partner candidate included in the response beam in a memory unit. As an example, this step establishes a connection from the communication device 100 to the connection partner candidate.

[0166] (Step S123-2) In step S123-2, the connection partner candidate refers to the scan beam received from the communication device 100 and registers the communication device 100 as a connection partner. As an example, the connection partner candidate stores the identification information of the communication device 100 included in the scan beam in a storage unit provided in the connection partner candidate. As an example, a connection from the connection partner candidate to the communication device 100 is established by this step.

[0167] (Example 4 of the flow from scanning to establishing a connection) 12 is a sequence diagram showing a fourth example of the process flow from scanning to connection establishment using the first communication unit 110 by the communication management unit 132. This example is an example of a case where a connection partner candidate first transmits a scan beam and establishes a connection with the communication device 100 that is present within the scan target range.

[0168] As shown in Fig. 12, the process flow from scanning to connection establishment according to this example is the same as the process of connecting communication device 100 and a connection partner candidate described with reference to Fig. 11, except that communication device 100 and the connection partner candidate are interchanged. The process in each step shown in Fig. 12 is clear with reference to Fig. 11, and therefore detailed description will be omitted here.

[0169] Although an example of the process flow from scanning to connection establishment has been described above, the above example does not limit this embodiment.

[0170] For example, in the above-mentioned second example, communication device 100 may establish a connection with a communication partner candidate (conveniently referred to as communication partner candidate B) different from the communication partner candidate that transmitted the scan beam (conveniently referred to as communication partner candidate A). In such a case, as an example, communication device 100 may be configured to refer to related information included in the connection request beam transmitted in step S113-2, identify communication partner candidate B, and establish a connection with the identified communication partner candidate B.

[0171] Similarly, in the above-described fourth example, communication device 100 may establish a connection with a communication partner candidate (for convenience, referred to as communication partner candidate B) different from the communication partner candidate that transmitted the scan beam (for convenience, referred to as communication partner candidate A). In such a case, as an example, communication device 100 may be configured to refer to related information included in the scan beam transmitted in step S131-2, identify communication partner candidate B, and establish a connection with the identified communication partner candidate B.

[0172] (Related information) The acquisition unit 131 included in the communication device 100, for example, acquires related information regarding a device that is a communication partner of the communication device 100, and the memory management unit 133 included in the communication device 100 stores and manages the related information acquired by the acquisition unit 131 in the memory unit 150. Here, the communication partner of the communication device 100 includes at least one or more connection partner candidates identified by the communication management unit 132, and at least one or more connection partners with which a connection has been established by the communication management unit 132.

[0173] The memory management unit 133 can also be configured to store related information relating to the communication device 100 in the memory unit 150 and manage it.

[0174] In the following, one of the multiple communication devices is referred to as communication device A, and the contents of the related information of communication device A will be described in a case where communication devices B, C, and D exist as communication partners of communication device A. Communication devices A, B, C, and D are, as an example, any of communication devices 100-0 to 100-8 shown in FIG.

[0175] First, the related information of communication device A includes the following: Location information of communication device A, and - Load status of communication device A the number of established connections involving communication device A, The number of identified connection candidates involving communication device A, -Connection status of communication device A or the connection involved Number of hops from communication device A to the connection reference point At least one of the above is included.

[0176] Here, specific examples of the location information of the communication device A do not limit the present exemplary embodiment. For example, the location information may be coordinate information given by a predetermined location specification system such as a GPS, location identification information such as an address given in advance within the target communication area, or information indicating the direction of the communication device A as seen from communication devices around the communication device A.

[0177] Furthermore, the specific indicator of the load status of the communication device A is not limited to this exemplary embodiment. For example, the indicator may be information indicating the operation rate of a processor such as a control unit included in the communication device A, or information indicating the operation rate of a specific task by a processor such as a control unit included in the communication device A.

[0178] Furthermore, the connection involving communication device A includes at least one of a connection that starts or ends at communication device A, and a connection that passes through communication device A. Therefore, in the above example, the connection involving communication device A includes at least one of a connection between communication device A and communication device B, a connection between communication device A and communication device C, and a connection between communication device A and communication device D.

[0179] In addition, the connection status of the connection involving the above-mentioned communication partner A is as follows: - The line quality of the connection involving communication device A, and - Number of disconnections involving communication device A At least one of the above is included.

[0180] Here, specific indicators relating to the line quality of the connection involving communication device A are not limited to this exemplary embodiment, but as an example, include any indicator of the delay in communication due to the connection, the information loss rate in communication due to the connection, etc.

[0181] In addition, the specific indicator regarding the number of disconnections of a connection involving communication device A is not limited to this exemplary embodiment, but as an example, it includes an indicator regarding the number of disconnections per unit time of communication via that connection.

[0182] In addition, the related information of communication device A includes Information about environmental influences on connections involving communication device A The configuration may include the following.

[0183] Here, the information regarding the influence of the environment on the connection involving the communication device A includes, for example, - The effect of sunlight on the connection between communication device A and communication device B - The effect of sunlight on the connection between communication device A and communication device C - The effect of sunlight on the connection between communication device A and communication device D At least one of the above is included.

[0184] Furthermore, the degree of influence of sunlight on a certain connection can be expressed, for example, by the angle of the sun's direction based on the direction along the certain connection. For example, when the angle between the direction along the certain connection and the sun's direction is close to 90°, the influence information indicates that the influence of sunlight on the connection is relatively small. Also, for example, when the angle between the direction along the certain connection and the sun's direction is close to 0°, the influence information indicates that the influence of sunlight on the connection is relatively large.

[0185] As another example, the information on the environmental influence on the connection involving the communication device A may be configured to include information indicating the influence of reflection or absorption on the directional communication medium used by the communication unit of the communication device A. For example, when the directional communication medium used by the communication unit of the communication device A propagates through the air, the information may include information on the transparency of the air and information on buildings near the propagation path.

[0186] (Control device configuration) The configuration of the control device 200 according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control device 200. As shown in Fig. 13, the control device 200 according to this exemplary embodiment includes a control unit 210, a memory 220, a storage unit 230, and a communication unit 240.

[0187] (Control unit 210) 13, the control unit 210 includes an acquisition unit 211, a communication management unit 212, a memory management unit 213, and an instruction unit 214. The acquisition unit 211 is an example of an acquisition unit in the claims. The memory management unit 213 is an example of a storage unit in the claims.

[0188] (Acquisition section 211) The acquisition unit 211 acquires, from each communication device 100, related information related to each communication device 100. In this exemplary embodiment, the acquisition unit 211 acquires the related information acquired by the acquisition unit 131 of the control unit 130 included in each communication device 100.

[0189] As exemplified above, the related information related to each communication device 100 may include at least any of the following related information: Location information of the communication device 100 Load status of the communication device 100 Number of established connections involving the communication device 100 The connection status of the connection involving the communication device 100 Line quality of the connection involving the communication device 100 The number of disconnections involving the communication device 100 Information regarding environmental influences on connections involving the communication device 100 Scanning of the communication device 100 by other communication devices 100.

[0190] Here, the connection status of the connection involving the communication device 100 includes the following: The connection status of the access link involving the communication device 100 The connection status of the backbone link involving the communication device 100 Includes:

[0191] In addition, the information regarding the influence of the environment on the connection involving the communication device 100 includes the following: Effects of sunlight on connections involving the communication device 100 Effects of reflected light on connections involving the communication device 100 Contains information about:

[0192] The acquiring unit 211 may further acquire the following reference information. Weather information Sensor information.

[0193] As an example, the acquisition unit 211 may acquire weather information from a server device that provides external weather information. The acquisition unit 211 may also acquire sensor information from an external field sensor. As the field sensor, a general field sensor that senses the environment can be used, but it may also be one that senses, for example, the amount of sunlight, the air pressure, the temperature, etc.

[0194] (Communications management unit 212) The communication management unit 212 manages communication processing using the communication unit 240, and manages transmission and reception with the communication devices 100-0 to 100-8.

[0195] As an example, the communication management unit 212 may set a communication path. When communication is performed from the first communication device 100 to the second communication device 100, the communication management unit 212 sets a communication path from the first communication device 100 to the second communication device 100 by referring to the related information acquired by the acquisition unit 211, and instructs each communication device 100.

[0196] In addition, the communication management unit 212 may assign priorities to one or more communication paths included in the mesh network by referring to related information related to the communication devices 100 involved in the communication paths, and may perform control over the communication paths to which the priorities have been assigned in accordance with the priorities, such as reconfiguring the communication path from the first communication device 100 to the second communication device 100 to a communication path with a higher priority.

[0197] As another example, the communication management unit 212 may refer to the related information acquired by the acquisition unit 211 and monitor at least one communication device 100 among the multiple communication devices 100. In other words, the communication management unit 212 refers to the related information acquired by the acquisition unit 211 and detects an event that has occurred in at least one communication device 100 among the multiple communication devices 100 or in a connection involving the communication device 100.

[0198] Events detected by the communication management unit 212 include: Deterioration of line quality -Disconnection Detection of scanning by the novel communication device 100 Establishing a new connection etc.

[0199] Then, the communication management unit 212 performs the following in response to the monitoring result: Scanning using the communication device 100 Establishing a connection using the communication device 100 Disconnecting the connection using the communication device 100 Switching connections using the communication device 100 -Update communication paths The communication device 100 is instructed to carry out the above processing.

[0200] As an example, when the communication management unit 212 detects a deterioration in line quality, it may update the communication path to bypass the deteriorated line, and when it detects a line disconnection, it may instruct the communication device 100 to scan for reconnection and establish a connection.

[0201] As another example, when a scan by a new communication device 100 or the establishment of a new connection is detected, the communication device 100 may be instructed to update the communication path, disconnect or switch the connection, etc., in order to optimize the mesh network including the new communication device 100.

[0202] (Storage Management Department 213) The memory management unit 213 manages the storage process in the memory unit 230. The memory management unit 213 stores the related information acquired by the acquisition unit 211 in the memory unit 230. In addition, the memory management unit 213 reads out various types of information stored in the memory unit 230, and provides the information to each unit of the control unit 210.

[0203] In addition to storing the acquired related information, the memory management unit 213 causes the memory unit 230 to store reference information and correlation information, which will be described later.

[0204] (Instruction section 214) Based on the processing result of communication management section 212, instruction section 214 generates instruction information for controlling communication devices 100-0 to 100-8.

[0205] (Storage unit 230) The storage unit 230 stores the related information acquired by the acquisition unit 211 .

[0206] Moreover, the storage unit 230 further stores reference information.

[0207] The storage unit 230 further stores correlation information. The correlation information is information indicating a correlation between the above-mentioned reference information and related information of each communication device 100, in particular, the line quality of each communication device 100, the number of disconnections within a specified time, and the like.

[0208] (Communication unit 240) The communication unit 240 is configured to communicate using a communication medium other than the directional communication medium used by the first communication unit 110 (FIG. 8) of each communication device for communication with each other, and communicates with the second communication unit 120 (FIG. 8) of each communication device. The communication form of the communication unit 240 can be communication via a wired or wireless local area network, a global network, or the like.

[0209] (Example of control device processing) A specific example of processing (flow of a control method) by the control device 200 related to the communication system 1 will be described below.

[0210] (Control device processing example 1) As an example, the control unit 210 may refer to the related information acquired by the acquisition unit 211, monitor at least one of the multiple communication devices 100, and control the line connection depending on the monitoring result.

[0211] FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining an example of a state in which a new terminal is attempting to connect to the mesh network controlled by the control device 200. In FIG.

[0212] In the example shown in FIG. 14, a communication device 100-A is attempting to connect to a mesh network configured by communication devices 100-0 to 100-8.

[0213] At this time, the communication management unit 212 may assign priorities to the connection partner candidates identified by the communication management unit 132 of the new terminal (communication device 100-A) by referring to related information relating to each connection partner candidate, and control the connection by the communication management unit 132 of the communication device 100-A.

[0214] In one example, the communication management unit 212 performs a connection simulation when adding a new terminal (communication device 100-A) to the mesh network. As an example of the simulation, the communication management unit 212 may refer to the line quality of the connection from among the related information and lower the priority of a route with poor line quality. Then, the communication management unit 212 instructs the communication device 100-A to make a connection with a high priority (for example, a connection with the communication device 100-0). The instruction may be included in the scan information transmitted from the communication device 100-0 to the communication device 100-A. As a result, when establishing a connection with the new terminal, it is possible to establish a connection via a route with good line quality, and a smooth connection can be realized.

[0215] As another example of the simulation, the communication management unit 212 may set a priority setting according to the time for connections that are more susceptible to the effects of sunlight depending on the time. This makes it possible to select a line suitable for connection when establishing a connection with a new terminal (communication device), thereby realizing a smooth connection.

[0216] FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining an example of a state in which a new terminal is attempting to connect to the mesh network controlled by the control device 200. In FIG.

[0217] In the example shown in Fig. 15, another network controlled by the control device 200A is connected to a mesh network formed by the communication devices 100-0 to 100-8. Also, the communication device 100-A is attempting to connect to the mesh network formed by the communication devices 100-0 to 100-8. The other network is not particularly limited and may be an existing optical fiber network or the like.

[0218] 15, the communication devices 100-3, 100-6, and 100-7 are border terminals that exist on the border with another network (Network B). The communication management unit 212 may focus on monitoring such border terminals. This is because the communication devices that perform border connections are likely to have a high traffic load.

[0219] As an example, the communication management unit 212 simulates an increase in load on the border terminal when a new terminal (communication device 100-A) is added to the mesh network. For example, the communication management unit 212 estimates an increase in communication volume with other networks due to the addition of the communication device 100-A, and estimates an increase in load on the border terminal due to the increase in communication volume. Based on the increase in load on the border terminal, the communication management unit 212 may determine whether or not it is necessary to add a border terminal connected to another network, or to change the connection path, and instruct each communication device 100 to do so.

[0220] (Control device processing example 2) As an example, the control unit 210 may receive a connection request from a new terminal attempting to newly connect to the mesh network, and control the connection of the new terminal.

[0221] FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an example of a state in which a new terminal is attempting to connect to the mesh network controlled by the control device 200. In FIG.

[0222] A new terminal 100-A that is to newly connect to the mesh network notifies the control device 200 of a connection request including the terminal coordinates of the new terminal 100-A using an existing line CA different from the mesh network. As a result, the acquisition unit 211 of the control device 200 acquires the connection request including the terminal coordinates. That is, the acquisition unit 211 is one example of the realization of the connection request acquisition means in the claims.

[0223] Next, the communication management unit 212 identifies at least one communication device 100 (e.g., communication device 100-0) in the mesh network to which the new terminal should be connected, based on the related information and the like stored in the storage unit 230. As an example, the communication management unit 212 identifies a communication device 100-0 located near the new terminal 100-A, based on the related information and the like. That is, the communication management unit 212 is one example of realizing the determination means in the claims.

[0224] Next, the instruction unit 214 instructs the identified communication device 100 (for example, communication device 100-0) to connect. As an example, the instruction unit 214 instructs the identified communication device 100 including the terminal coordinates of the new terminal 100-A.

[0225] Next, upon receiving the connection request, the communication device 100 references the terminal coordinates of the new terminal 100-A and transmits a scan beam S0A in the direction of the new terminal.

[0226] Next, the new terminal 100-A receives the scan beam S0A, sends back a response beam, and establishes a connection with the communication device 100.

[0227] (Effects of this treatment example) According to the communication system of this exemplary embodiment, when a new terminal is added to the mesh network, the terminal coordinates of the new terminal are notified to the control device 200, and a scan beam can be emitted in the direction of the new terminal. This makes it possible to narrow the search range of the scan and complete the search in a short time.

[0228] (Control device processing example 3) As an example, the control unit 210 acquires a request from the communication device 100 that has received a scan signal from a new terminal attempting to newly connect to the mesh network, and updates the communication path.

[0229] FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining an example of a state in which a new terminal is attempting to connect to the mesh network controlled by the control device 200. In FIG.

[0230] A new terminal (communication device 100-A) attempting to newly connect to the mesh network transmits a scan beam S0A within a predetermined range.

[0231] The communication devices 100 (communication devices 100-0 and 100-8) that receive the scan beam S0A transmit communication device request information to the control device 200. As a result, the acquisition unit 211 acquires the request information. That is, the acquisition unit 211 is one example of a request acquisition means in the claims.

[0232] Next, the communication management unit 212 updates one or more communication paths included in the mesh network in response to the request information. As an example, the communication management unit 212 acquires related information related to the new terminal 100-A from the new terminal 100-A, and updates one or more communication paths included in the mesh network formed by the communication devices used for data transmission of the communication device 100-A, which is the new terminal, by referring to the related information stored in the storage unit 230. Optimizing a communication path means that, in a mesh network, when each communication device has a selection of multiple communication paths, a communication path is formed so that all communication devices can be connected and even if a disconnection occurs due to a failure or the like, data transmission of a user connected to the access network is possible through robust management and switching.

[0233] (Effects of this treatment example) According to the communication system of this exemplary embodiment, when a new terminal is added to the mesh network, the terminal coordinates of the new terminal are notified to the control device 200, thereby enabling optimal routing to be formed.

[0234] (Control device processing example 4) As an example, the control unit 210 may manage the number of connections that can be established and the number of connections that have already been established for each of one or more communication devices 100 included in the mesh network.

[0235] FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining an example of a state in which a new terminal is attempting to connect to the mesh network controlled by the control device 200. In FIG.

[0236] The communication management unit 212 performs the following for each of one or more communication devices included in the mesh network: The number of connections that can be established, and · Number of established connections Manage.

[0237] The number of connections that can be established is the total number (maximum number) of the number of lines where communication is not established but can be established and the number of lines where communication is established. The number of connections that can be established is also the number of connection partner candidates identified by the communication management unit 132 of the communication device 100. The number of established connections is the number of lines where communication is established.

[0238] In this exemplary embodiment, the communication management unit 212 updates one or more communication paths included in the mesh network so that the number of established connections for each of one or more communication devices included in the mesh network is equal to or less than the maximum number of connections that can be established minus 1. For example, when all of the connections that can be established have been established in each communication device 100 and are being used as communication paths, the communication management unit 212 updates one or more communication paths so that they do not go through the communication device 100, thereby controlling the number of established connections to be equal to or less than the maximum number of connections that can be established minus 1.

[0239] In one example, the communication management unit 212 assigns a priority to one or more communication paths included in the mesh network by referring to related information related to communication devices involved in the communication path. The priority is assigned relatively based on the strength of the connection, the presence or absence of alternative communication paths and the number of paths, etc. Priority information associated with each communication path is stored in the storage unit 230 as reference information.

[0240] In one example, when updating a communication path, the communication management unit 212 may perform routing using a communication path with a high priority so that the number of established connections is equal to or less than the maximum number of connections that can be established minus 1.

[0241] This allows the unused line to be used to transmit a scan beam to a new terminal 100-A attempting to newly connect to the mesh network, while maintaining the mesh network, as shown in Figure 18.

[0242] Also, in one example, when a new terminal 100-A is attempting to connect to the mesh network and the number of established connections of the communication device 100 to which the new terminal 100-A is attempting to connect is the maximum number of connections that can be established, the communication management unit 212 may perform processing to disconnect a communication path with a relatively low priority among one or more communication paths included in the mesh network. This makes it possible to make the number of established connections equal to or less than the maximum number of connections that can be established minus 1. To disconnect a communication path with a relatively low priority, the communication management unit 212 instructs the communication device constituting the communication path to be disconnected via the instruction unit 214.

[0243] Explaining this with reference to FIG. 18, the communication management unit 212, for example, -Maximum number of connections that can be established is 4 The number of established connections is "4" (circuits C07, C05, C06, and C08 of connections established between the communication devices 100-7, 100-5, 100-6, and 100-8) When identified in this way, the communication management unit 212 refers to the reference information in the storage unit 230, compares the priorities of the lines C07, C05, C06, and C08, and identifies the line that is the relatively low communication path. In FIG. 18, the line C07 is identified as the communication path with a relatively low priority.

[0244] Next, the communication management unit 212 instructs the communication device 100-0 constituting the line C07 via the instruction unit 214 to disconnect the line C07.

[0245] Due to this disconnection, the communication device 100-0: -Maximum number of connections that can be established is 4 - Number of established connections is "3" This means that a connection that can be established but has not been established is generated as "1". This connection line is what is called an idle line.

[0246] By creating a free line in this way, as shown in FIG. 18, a scan beam is transmitted to a new terminal 100-A that is attempting to newly connect to the mesh network using the free line.

[0247] This provides one or more vacant lines on the established connection lines of each communication device, so that even if a connection is lost, the vacant line can be used again to ensure a connection, thereby realizing a robust mesh network.

[0248] Also, in one example, when a new terminal 100-A is attempting to connect to the mesh network and the number of established connections of the communication device 100 to which the new terminal 100-A is attempting to connect is the maximum number of connections that can be established, the communication management unit 212 may notify the administrator of the mesh network, etc., that a further new terminal (relay terminal) should be added so as to increase the maximum number of connections that can be established of one or more communication devices 100 included in the mesh network. As one example, the communication management unit 212 may simulate where to place an additional relay terminal and notify the administrator of the mesh network of the result.

[0249] This allows each communication device 100 to perform a scan and increase the maximum number of connections that can be established, so that the number of established connections can be kept equal to or less than the maximum number of connections that can be established minus 1.

[0250] For example, the communication management unit 212 determines, for the communication device 100-0, -Maximum number of connections that can be established is 3 - Number of established connections is "3" If the communication management unit 212 manages the communication device 100-A as above, it instructs the communication device 100-0 to rescan, and as a result, the connection line that can be established but has not been established in the communication device 100-0 becomes "1." The communication management unit 212 instructs the communication device 100-0 to establish a connection with a new communication device 100-A using the connection "1."

[0251] This makes it possible to reconnect even if an established connection is interrupted due to a failure or other reason, allowing the formation of a robust mesh network.

[0252] (Control device processing example 5) As an example, when one or more connections included in an established connection are disconnected, the control unit 210 may instruct one or more communication devices 100 involved in the disconnected connection to re-establish the connection.

[0253] FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining an example of a state in which a line disconnection occurs in the mesh network controlled by the control device 200. In FIG.

[0254] In one example, the communication management unit 212 is configured to manage the following of each communication device forming the mesh network: · Number of established connections is managed by.

[0255] The communication management unit 212 manages the number of established connections, and can therefore also manage whether one or more connections included in the established connections have been disconnected. When one or more connections included in the established connections are disconnected, the communication management unit 212 instructs one or more communication devices involved in the disconnected connections to re-establish the connections. The instruction to the communication devices itself is performed by the instruction unit 214.

[0256] In this way, the communication management unit 212 instructs one or more communication devices involved in the disconnected connection to re-establish the connection. Therefore, the communication management unit 212 manages communication paths so that each communication device can always be connected via two or more communication paths.

[0257] As an example, the communication management unit 212 manages the communication device 100-6 so that the communication device 100-6 is connected via a first system of circuits C13 and C36 and a second system of circuits C12, C25, C05, and C06.

[0258] In this state, when the communication management unit 212 determines that the circuit C36 has been disconnected, it instructs the communication device 100-6 to transmit a scan beam S63 using the second system, thereby attempting to reconnect the circuit C36. When instructing the communication device 100-6 to transmit the scan beam S63, the communication management unit 212 transmits the terminal coordinate information of the communication device 100-3 to the communication device 100-6. In this way, by specifying the terminal coordinate information of the communication device, reconnection is possible even if the connection is interrupted.

[0259] Furthermore, not only when only one connection is disconnected, but also when multiple connections within a certain range are disconnected, in which case the communication management unit 212 can also issue an instruction to reconnect.

[0260] In FIG. 19, when the communication management unit 212 identifies that the circuits C06, C89, C910, C011, and C1011 have been disconnected, the communication management unit 212 refers to the related information and calculates a connectable communication path.

[0261] Based on the calculation result, the communication management unit 212 sends a connection instruction via the instruction unit 214 to a communication device (eg, the communication device 100-0) for which a communication path has been secured.

[0262] The communication device 100-0 that has received the connection instruction transmits a scan beam S09 to the communication device 100-9 to establish a connection. The communication management unit 212 manages the terminal coordinates of each communication device. This allows the communication device 100-0 to transmit a scan beam to a communication device that is to be reconnected even if a disconnection occurs.

[0263] Furthermore, while communication device 100-0 is transmitting scan beam S09 to communication device 100-9, communication device 100-0 may also transmit a scan beam to communication device 100-11.

[0264] When reconnection with the communication device 100-9 becomes possible, the communication device 100-9 transmits a scan beam toward the communication device 100-10, and reconnects the circuit C910.

[0265] In this manner, the control device of this exemplary embodiment is capable of reconnecting one or more communication devices involved in a disconnected connection, thereby realizing a robust mesh network.

[0266] (Control device processing example 6) As an example, the control unit 210 may acquire related information relating to one or more communication devices included in the mesh network, and may also acquire reference information different from the related information, calculate a correlation between the related information and the reference information, and accumulate correlation information indicating the calculated correlation.

[0267] As an example, the acquisition unit 211 of the control unit 210 acquires the related information.

[0268] The related information acquired by the acquisition unit 211 is the line quality of the connection involving said communication device, and The number of disconnections involving the communication device may include at least one of the above.

[0269] Moreover, the acquisition unit 211 of the control unit 210 acquires reference information different from the related information.

[0270] The reference information acquired by the acquisition unit 211 is Weather information Sensor information acquired by one or more external sensors 300 The weather information is acquired by the acquisition unit 211 via a communication means different from the mesh network. The sensor 300 may be, for example, a general field sensor that senses the environment, but may also be one that senses the amount of sunlight, air pressure, temperature, etc. The sensor 300 transmits the sensor information to the control device 200 via the mesh network.

[0271] Also, as an example, the memory management unit 213 of the control unit 210 calculates the correlation between the related information and the reference information. The memory management unit 213 stores the correlation information in the storage unit 230.

[0272] There is no particular limitation on the method by which the memory management unit 213 calculates the correlation between the related information and the reference information. For example, the memory management unit 213 may be configured to calculate the correlation between the related information and the reference information using an algorithm such as regression analysis, a support vector machine, or principal component analysis.

[0273] The communication management unit 212 can predict various related information by referring to the reference information acquired by the acquisition unit 211 and the correlation information accumulated by the memory management unit 213, and can update (change) the communication path based on the prediction result. The communication management unit 212 may predict the time periodicity of the related information, etc.

[0274] For example, the communication management unit 212 The line quality of the connection involving each communication device 100, and The number of disconnections involving each communication device 100 The communication management unit 212 may predict the related information by referring to correlation information between the related information, which is at least any one of the above, and the reference information, and update (change) the communication path so as not to include a communication device 100 or connection for which deterioration of line quality or an increase in the number of interruptions is predicted. Additionally, the communication management unit 212 may update (change) the communication path based on the prediction result of related information such as the load status of each communication device 10. That is, the communication management unit 212 is one example of the realization of the update means in the claims.

[0275] As an example, the communication management unit 212 refers to the correlation information and predicts a decrease in line quality or a line disconnection.

[0276] As an example, the communication management unit 212 predicts a decrease in line quality or line disconnection for, for example, the communication device 100-0 by referring to the correlation information. As an example, a risk level (a higher risk level indicates a higher risk of disconnection) is given based on the predicted result. As an example, in FIG. 20, for multiple lines C05, C06, and C08 established with the communication device 100-0, for example, if the direction of sunlight irradiation and the direction of the communication medium are parallel, there is a high risk of communication being disconnected. When the risk level is configured based on this, the line C06 between the communication device 100-0 and the communication device 100-6 is predicted to have the highest risk level. Next, the line C08 between the communication device 100-0 and the communication device 100-8 is predicted to have a high risk level, and the line C05 between the communication device 100-0 and the communication device 100-5 is predicted to have the lowest risk level. Based on this prediction result, the communication management unit 212 updates (changes) the communication path so as to prioritize the communication path using the circuit C05.

[0277] In addition, in this exemplary embodiment, as an example, the communication management unit 212 refers to the prediction result, updates one or more communication paths included in the mesh network, and for each of one or more communication devices included in the mesh network, · Number of established connections Manage.

[0278] As an example, the instruction unit 214 instructs one or more communication devices involved in the disconnected connection to re-establish the connection. At this time, the instruction unit 214: References Correlation information Prediction results and instructs re-establishment of the connection.

[0279] Also, as an example, the communication management unit 212 refers to the correlation information to determine the timing for reconnecting a disconnected communication path, which is the timing for transmitting a scan beam.

[0280] (Effects of this treatment example) According to the communication system of this exemplary embodiment, a communication path is set for preferential connection, so that the continuity of communication can be improved and a robust mesh network can be realized.

[0281] [Software implementation example] Some or all of the functions of the communication devices 10, 10-1 to 10-4, 100, 100-0 to 100-11, and 100-A may be realized by hardware such as an integrated circuit (IC chip), or may be realized by software.

[0282] In the latter case, the communication devices 10, 10-1 to 10-4, 100, 100-0 to 100-8, and 100-A are realized by, for example, a computer that executes instructions of a program, which is software that realizes each function. An example of such a computer (hereinafter, referred to as computer C) is shown in FIG. 21. The computer C includes at least one processor C1 and at least one memory C2. The memory C2 stores a program P for operating the computer C as the communication devices 10, 10-1 to 10-4, 100, 100-0 to 100-8, and 100-A. In the computer C, the processor C1 reads and executes the program P from the memory C2, thereby realizing each function of the communication devices 10, 10-1 to 10-4, 100, 100-0 to 100-8, and 100-A.

[0283] The processor C1 may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphic processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a micro processing unit (MPU), a floating point number processing unit (FPU), a physics processing unit (PPU), a microcontroller, or a combination of these. The memory C2 may be, for example, a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a combination of these.

[0284] The computer C may further include a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the program P during execution and for temporarily storing various data. The computer C may further include a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from other devices. The computer C may further include an input / output interface for connecting input / output devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a display, and a printer.

[0285] Furthermore, the program P can be recorded on a non-transitory tangible recording medium M that can be read by the computer C. Such a recording medium M can be, for example, a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, or a programmable logic circuit. The computer C can obtain the program P via such a recording medium M. Furthermore, the program P can be transmitted via a transmission medium. Such a transmission medium can be, for example, a communication network or broadcast waves. The computer C can also obtain the program P via such a transmission medium.

[0286] [Additional Note 1] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. For example, embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the above-described embodiment are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0287] [Additional Note 2] Some or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as follows. However, the present invention is not limited to the following described aspects.

[0288] (Appendix 1) A mesh network is configured to include a plurality of communication devices and a control device that controls the plurality of communication devices. Each of the plurality of communication devices One or more communication means configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving a directional communication medium; A specifying means for specifying one or more connection partner candidates by performing a scan using the one or more communication means; a connection establishing means for establishing a connection with one or more connection partner candidates identified by the identifying means; Including, The control device includes: A control means for controlling the plurality of communication devices. Equipped with The control means related information acquisition means for acquiring related information related to one or more communication devices included in the mesh network from the communication devices; a connection request acquisition means for acquiring a connection request from a new terminal that is to newly connect to the mesh network; a determination means for determining a communication device to be connected to the new terminal by referring to the related information; an instruction means for instructing the communication device determined by the determination means to execute a scan for the new terminal; A communication system comprising:

[0289] According to the above configuration, a robust communication network using a directional communication medium can be realized.

[0290] (Appendix 2) A mesh network is configured to include a plurality of communication devices and a control device that controls the plurality of communication devices. Each of the plurality of communication devices One or more communication means configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving a directional communication medium; A specifying means for specifying one or more connection partner candidates by performing a scan using the one or more communication means; a connection establishing means for establishing a connection with one or more connection partner candidates identified by the identifying means; Including, The control device includes: A control means for controlling the plurality of communication devices. Equipped with The control means a request acquisition means for acquiring a request from a communication device that has received a scan signal from a new terminal that is attempting to newly connect to the mesh network; an update means for updating one or more communication paths included in the mesh network in response to the request; A communication system comprising:

[0291] According to the above configuration, the control means can control the communication network by referring to the related information related to the communication device.

[0292] (Appendix 3) The related information relating to the communication device includes: Access link connection status, and Backbone link connection status At least one of the following is included: 3. A communication system according to claim 1 or 2.

[0293] According to the above configuration, it is possible to control connection and disconnection between communication devices in a mesh network.

[0294] (Appendix 4) The related information relating to the communication device includes: location information of the communication device; and Load status of the communication device 4. A communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising at least one of the following:

[0295] According to the above configuration, it is possible to control connection and disconnection between communication devices in a mesh network.

[0296] (Appendix 5) The related information relating to the communication device includes: the number of established connections involving the communication device; and a connection status of a connection involving said communication device; 5. A communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising at least one of the following:

[0297] According to the above configuration, it is possible to control connection and disconnection between communication devices in a mesh network.

[0298] (Appendix 6) The connection status of a connection involving the communication device includes: the line quality of the connection involving the communication device; and The number of disconnections involving the communication device 6. The communication system of claim 5, comprising at least one of the following:

[0299] According to the above configuration, it is possible to control connection and disconnection between communication devices in a mesh network.

[0300] (Appendix 7) The related information relating to the communication device includes: Information regarding environmental influences on connections involving said communication device 7. The communication system of claim 1, further comprising:

[0301] According to the above configuration, it is possible to form routing that takes into account environmental influences, thereby improving the stability of the network.

[0302] (Appendix 8) The information regarding environmental influences on connections involving the communication device includes: The effect of sunlight on the connection 8. The communication system of claim 7, comprising information regarding

[0303] According to the above configuration, the communication path of the network can be controlled so that communication can be performed using routing that is less affected by sunlight. For example, if the direction of sunlight irradiation and the direction of the communication medium are parallel, there is a high risk of communication being cut off. Therefore, a risk level is configured based on this, and the network is controlled so that it is realized using a communication path with a low risk level. This can improve the stability of the network.

[0304] (Appendix 9) A control unit controls a plurality of communication devices that can configure a mesh network, Each of the plurality of communication devices One or more communication means configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving a directional communication medium; A specifying means for specifying one or more connection partner candidates by performing a scan using the one or more communication means; a connection establishing means for establishing a connection with one or more connection partner candidates identified by the identifying means; Including, The control means related information acquisition means for acquiring related information related to one or more communication devices included in the mesh network from the communication devices; a connection request acquisition means for acquiring a connection request from a new terminal that is to newly connect to the mesh network; a determination means for determining a communication device to be connected to the new terminal by referring to the related information; an instruction means for instructing the communication device determined by the determination means to execute a scan for the new terminal; A control device comprising:

[0305] According to the above configuration, a robust communication network using a directional communication medium can be realized.

[0306] (Appendix 10) A control unit controls a plurality of communication devices that can configure a mesh network, Each of the plurality of communication devices One or more communication means configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving a directional communication medium; A specifying means for specifying one or more connection partner candidates by performing a scan using the one or more communication means; a connection establishing means for establishing a connection with one or more connection partner candidates identified by the identifying means; Including, The control means a request acquisition means for acquiring a request from a communication device that has received a scan signal from a new terminal that is attempting to newly connect to the mesh network; an update means for updating one or more communication paths included in the mesh network in response to the request; A control device comprising:

[0307] According to the above configuration, a robust communication network using a directional communication medium can be realized.

[0308] (Appendix 11) A method for controlling a communication system including a plurality of communication devices capable of configuring a mesh network and a control device that controls the plurality of communication devices, comprising: Each of the plurality of communication devices performs a scan using one or more communication means configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving a directional communication medium, thereby identifying one or more connection partner candidates, and establishing a connection with the identified one or more connection partner candidates; and The control device controls the plurality of communication devices. Including, The control device controls the plurality of communication devices, The control device acquires, from one or more communication devices included in the mesh network, relevant information relating to the communication device, acquires a connection request from a new terminal attempting to newly connect to the mesh network, and determines a communication device to be connected to the new terminal by referring to the relevant information, and instructs the determined communication device to execute a scan for the new terminal. A method for controlling a communication system comprising:

[0309] According to the above configuration, a robust communication network using a directional communication medium can be realized.

[0310] (Appendix 12) A method for controlling a communication system including a plurality of communication devices capable of configuring a mesh network and a control device that controls the plurality of communication devices, comprising: Each of the plurality of communication devices performs a scan using one or more communication means configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving a directional communication medium, thereby identifying one or more connection partner candidates, and establishing a connection with the identified one or more connection partner candidates; and The control device controls the plurality of communication devices. Including, The control device controls the plurality of communication devices, The control device acquires a request from a communication device that has received a scan signal from a new terminal that is attempting to newly connect to the mesh network, and updates one or more communication paths included in the mesh network in response to the request. A method for controlling a communication system comprising:

[0311] According to the above configuration, a robust communication network using a directional communication medium can be realized.

[0312] [Additional Note 3] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-061074, filed on March 31, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. [Explanation of symbols]

[0313] 1. Communication Systems 10, 10-1 to 10-4 Communication equipment 11 Communication Department (Communication Means) 12 Specification part (specification means) 13 Connection establishment unit (connection establishment means) 20 Control device 21 Control section (control means) 22 Related information acquisition unit (related information acquisition means) 23 Connection request acquisition unit (connection request acquisition means) 24 Decision unit (decision means) 25 Indication unit (instruction means) 100-0~100-11, 100-A communication device 131 Acquisition Department 132 Communication management unit (identification means, connection establishment means) 133 Memory Management Department 150 Storage section 110-1, 110-2 First communication unit (communication means) 120 Second Communication Department 200 Control device 210 Control section (control means) 211 Acquisition unit (acquisition means, related information acquisition means, connection request acquisition means, request acquisition means) 212 Communication management section (determination means, storage means) 213 Memory management unit (storage means) 214 Instruction unit (instruction means) 230 Storage section

Claims

1. A mesh network is configured to include a plurality of communication devices and a control device that controls the plurality of communication devices. Each of the plurality of communication devices One or more communication means configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving a directional communication medium; A specifying means for specifying one or more connection partner candidates by performing a scan using the one or more communication means; a connection establishing means for establishing a connection with one or more connection partner candidates identified by the identifying means; Including, The control device includes: A control means for controlling the plurality of communication devices. Equipped with The control means a request acquisition means for acquiring a request from a communication device that has received a scan signal from a new terminal that is attempting to newly connect to the mesh network; an update means for updating one or more communication paths included in the mesh network in response to the request; A communication system comprising:

2. The update means updates the communication path based on related information related to the communication device. The communication system according to claim 1 .

3. The related information relating to the communication device includes: Access link connection status, and Backbone link connection status At least one of the following is included: The communication system according to claim 2 .

4. The related information relating to the communication device includes: location information of the communication device; and Load status of the communication device At least one of the following is included: A communication system according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The related information relating to the communication device includes: the number of established connections involving the communication device; and a connection status of a connection involving said communication device; At least one of the following is included: A communication system according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. The connection status of a connection involving the communication device includes: the line quality of the connection involving the communication device; and The number of disconnections involving the communication device At least one of the following is included:

6. The communication system according to claim 5.

7. The related information relating to the communication device includes: Information regarding environmental influences on connections involving said communication device Contains A communication system according to any one of claims 2 to 6.

8. The information regarding environmental influences on connections involving the communication device includes: The effect of sunlight on the connection Contains information about 8. The communication system according to claim 7.

9. A method for controlling a communication system including a plurality of communication devices capable of configuring a mesh network and a control device that controls the plurality of communication devices, comprising: Each of the plurality of communication devices performs a scan using one or more communication means configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving a directional communication medium, thereby identifying one or more connection partner candidates, and establishing a connection with the identified one or more connection partner candidates; and The control device controls the plurality of communication devices. Including, The control device controls the plurality of communication devices, The control device acquires a request from a communication device that has received a scan signal from a new terminal that is attempting to newly connect to the mesh network, and updates one or more communication paths included in the mesh network in response to the request. A method for controlling a communication system comprising:

10. A control unit controls a plurality of communication devices that can configure a mesh network, Each of the plurality of communication devices One or more communication means configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving a directional communication medium; A specifying means for specifying one or more connection partner candidates by performing a scan using the one or more communication means; a connection establishing means for establishing a connection with one or more connection partner candidates identified by the identifying means; Including, The control means a request acquisition means for acquiring a request from a communication device that has received a scan signal from a new terminal that is attempting to newly connect to the mesh network; an update means for updating one or more communication paths included in the mesh network in response to the request; A control device comprising:

Images