Relay and communication system

Abstract

To provide a relay and communication system making it possible to designate a requirement for communication at an external device.SOLUTION: A relay 1 includes a first communication unit 16 that wirelessly communicates with an external measurement instrument, which transmits measurement data, and an external designation unit, which transmits communication designation data concerning a requirement for communication, according to a predetermined wireless communication protocol, a second communication unit 17 that transmits measurement data, which is received from the external measurement instrument, to a data management device according to a wireless communication protocol different from that of the first communication unit, a memory unit 18 that stores the measurement data and communication designation data, and a communication control block 151 that controls wireless communications by the first communication unit 16 and second communication unit 17 on the basis of the communication designation data stored in the memory unit 18.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a relay device and a communication system. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an equipment monitoring and control device that connects equipment to a client PC that monitors the equipment via an Internet line (for example, see Patent Document 1, etc.). In Patent Document 1, an equipment monitoring and control device has multiple communication ports for connecting to equipment devices, and is equipped with an identification information adding means for adding identification information to data received from one of the multiple communication ports. This makes it possible to connect to multiple facility devices without changing the processor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5027445 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, in a relay device such as that described in Patent Document 1, there is a demand for communication conditions such as the frequency of data communication to be set by a device such as a smartphone. However, in Patent Document 1, the device is not configured to be connectable to a device that transmits communication setting data, such as a smartphone, and therefore there is a problem in that communication conditions cannot be set by an external device.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a relay device and a communication system in which communication conditions can be set by an external device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The relay device of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a first communication unit that performs wireless communication with an external measuring device that transmits measurement data using a predetermined wireless communication standard, and an external setting device that transmits communication setting data related to communication conditions, a second communication unit that transmits the measurement data received from the external measuring device to an external device using a wireless communication standard different from that of the first communication unit, a memory unit that stores the measurement data and the communication setting data, and a communication control unit that controls wireless communication by the first communication unit and the second communication unit based on the communication setting data stored in the memory unit.

[0007] In the present invention, a first communication unit that performs wireless communication with an external setting device that transmits communication setting data related to communication conditions is provided, and a communication control unit controls wireless communication by the first communication unit and the second communication unit based on the communication setting data received via the first communication unit. Therefore, communication conditions such as the frequency of data communication can be set using an external setting device such as a smartphone. Furthermore, in the present invention, the relay device, the external measurement device, the external setting device, and the external device are connected by wireless communication, so there is no need to connect them with wired wiring. Therefore, the work of laying wiring can be omitted.

[0008] In the relay device of the present invention, it is preferable to include an operation unit operated by an operator, and a mode switching unit that switches between a first mode in which wireless communication is established between the external measurement device and the first communication unit and a second mode in which wireless communication is established between the external setting device and the first communication unit, depending on an operation applied to the operation unit. In this configuration, a mode switching unit is provided that switches between the first mode and the second mode in response to an operation applied to the operating unit, so that the operator can set the first mode and the second mode at any timing desired.

[0009] The relay device of the present invention preferably further comprises a mode display unit that displays the mode set by the mode switching unit. In this configuration, since a mode display unit that displays the operation mode is provided, the operator can easily check the operation mode that has been set.

[0010] In the relay device of the present invention, it is preferable that the mode display section is configured to include a plurality of display lamps. In this configuration, since the mode display unit is configured with multiple indicator lights, the configuration of the mode display unit can be simplified compared to when the operating mode is displayed by, for example, an LCD screen, etc. Therefore, the amount of power consumption related to the mode display unit can be reduced.

[0011] In the relay device of the present invention, it is preferable that the communication control unit sequentially performs wireless communication between the plurality of external measurement devices and the first communication unit based on the communication setting data stored in the storage unit. In this configuration, the communication control unit sequentially controls wireless communication between the multiple external measurement devices and the first communication unit, so that one relay device can receive measurement data from multiple external measurement devices, thereby reducing the number of relay devices.

[0012] In the relay device of the present invention, it is preferable that the communication control unit activates the first communication unit and the second communication unit at a predetermined time based on the communication setting data stored in the memory unit, thereby enabling wireless communication between the external measurement device and the first communication unit, and also between the external device and the second communication unit. In this configuration, measurement data can be communicated from the external measurement device to the external device at a predetermined time.

[0013] In the relay device of the present invention, it is preferable that the communication control unit activates the first communication unit and the second communication unit in response to an operation applied to the operation unit, thereby causing wireless communication between the external measurement device and the first communication unit, and causing wireless communication between the external device and the second communication unit. In this configuration, wireless communication is established between the external measuring device and the first communication unit in response to an operation applied to the operating unit, and wireless communication is also established between the external device and the second communication unit, so that measurement data can be communicated from the external measuring device to the external device at any timing desired by the operator.

[0014] A communication system according to the present invention includes the relay device, the external measuring device, and the external device. In the present invention, the same effects as those described above can be obtained. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing an outline of the relay device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view showing a main part of the relay device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a relay device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a method for setting an operation mode of the relay device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a method for setting an operation mode of the relay device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a method for setting an operation mode of the relay device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] [Embodiment] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication system 100 according to this embodiment. The communication system 100 according to this embodiment is a system for communicating measurement data measured by an external measurement device 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 100 includes a relay device 1, an external measuring device 2, a data management device 3, and an external setting device 4.

[0017] [Repeater 1] Fig. 2 is a front view showing an outline of the relay device 1, Fig. 3 is an enlarged front view showing a main part of the relay device 1, and Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the relay device 1. The relay device 1 of this embodiment is configured as a so-called base station capable of wireless communication with an external measuring device 2. The relay device 1 is also configured to be capable of communicating with a data management device 3 via a network such as an Internet line or an LPWA (Low Power Wide Area-network). Furthermore, the relay device 1 is configured to be capable of communicating with an external setting device 4 via wireless communication. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the relay device 1 includes an operation unit 11, a mode display unit 12, a timer unit 13, a power supply unit 14, a control unit 15, a first communication unit 16, a second communication unit 17, and a memory unit 18.

[0018] [Operation unit 11] The operation unit 11 is for operating the relay device 1. Specifically, the operation unit 11 is used as an input unit for turning the power on or off and changing setting values. In this embodiment, the operation unit 11 includes a first operation button 111 and a second operation button 112. Details of operations performed by the operation unit 11 will be described later.

[0019] [Mode display section 12] The mode display unit 12 is configured as a display unit that displays the operation mode set in the relay device 1. In this embodiment, the mode display unit 12 includes a first mode indicator light 121, a second mode indicator light 122, and a third mode indicator light 123 that are configured as LED indicator lights. That is, in this embodiment, the mode display unit 12 is configured to include a plurality of indicator lights. As described above, in this embodiment, since the mode display unit 12 that displays the operation mode is provided, the operator can easily check the set operation mode. Furthermore, since the mode display unit 12 is configured with a plurality of indicator lights, the configuration of the mode display unit 12 can be simplified compared to, for example, a case where the operation mode is displayed by a liquid crystal screen or the like. Therefore, the amount of power consumption related to the mode display unit 12 can be reduced.

[0020] [Timer section 13] The timer unit 13 is configured to be able to output a start-up signal P to the control unit 15 at a predetermined time based on the communication setting data stored in the storage unit 18. In this embodiment, for example, the timer unit 13 is configured to be able to switch the start-up signal P from Low to High every hour on the hour. Furthermore, the timer unit 13 is independently supplied with power from the power supply unit 14. That is, even if the control unit 15 is in a stopped state, power is supplied to the timer unit 13 from the power supply unit 14.

[0021] [Power supply section 14] The power supply unit 14 is configured to be capable of supplying power to the timer unit 13, the control unit 15, etc. In this embodiment, the power supply unit 14 is configured as a so-called battery such as a primary battery or a secondary battery. Note that the power supply unit 14 is not limited to the above configuration, and may be configured to be capable of supplying power from an external source, for example.

[0022] [Control Unit 15] The control unit 15 is configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and the CPU executes a program stored in the storage unit 18 to perform processing. In this embodiment, the control unit 15 includes a communication control unit 151 and a mode switching unit 152.

[0023] The communication control unit 151 is configured to control wireless communication by the first communication unit 16 and the second communication unit 17 in response to the communication setting data stored in the storage unit 18 and the operation applied to the operation unit 11. More specifically, the communication control unit 151 is configured to control the power supply from the power supply unit 14 to the first communication unit 16 and the second communication unit 17, so as to set the first communication unit 16 and the second communication unit 17 in an activated state or a stopped state. The control of the first communication unit 16 and the second communication unit 17 by the communication control unit 151 will be described in detail later.

[0024] The mode switching unit 152 is configured to switch the operation mode of the relay device 1 in response to an operation applied to the operation unit 11. Specifically, the mode switching unit 152 is configured to be capable of switching among a first mode in which the external measuring device 2 and the data management device 3 communicate wirelessly with the relay device 1, a second mode in which the external setting device 4 communicates wirelessly with the relay device 1, a third mode in which the data management device 3 communicates wirelessly with the relay device 1, and a fourth mode in which the relay device 1 is in a low power consumption state. The details of each operation mode will be described later.

[0025] [First Communication Section 16] The first communication unit 16 is configured to perform wireless communication with the external measurement device 2 and the external setting device 4. In this embodiment, the first communication unit 16 is configured to perform wireless communication with the external measurement device 2 and the external setting device 4 by Bluetooth (registered trademark). The wireless communication between the first communication unit 16 and the external measuring device 2 and the external setting device 4 will be described in detail later.

[0026] [Second Communication Section 17] The second communication unit 17 is configured to transmit the measurement data received from the external measuring device 2 to the data management device 3 by a wireless communication standard different from that of the first communication unit 16. In this embodiment, the second communication unit 17 is configured to transmit the measurement data to the data management device 3 by LPWA (Low Power Wide Area-network).

[0027] The memory unit 18 is composed of non-volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or an SD card, and is configured to store the measurement data received from the external measurement device 2 and the communication setting data received from the external setting device 4.

[0028] [External measuring device 2] Returning to Fig. 1, the external measuring device 2 is configured to be able to measure a physical quantity and transmit the measured measurement data to the relay device 1. In this embodiment, the external measuring device 2 is configured as a pressure gauge and configured to measure the pressure at a measurement point. The external measuring device 2 is configured to transmit the measured pressure data to the first communication unit 16 of the relay device 1 via Bluetooth. The external measuring device 2 is not limited to the above configuration and may be configured, for example, to measure the flow rate of a fluid flowing through a pipeline and transmit flow rate data, as long as it is configured to be able to transmit measurement data of a physical quantity.

[0029] [Data management device 3] The data management device 3 is a device for storing the measurement data transmitted via the relay device 1 as data and monitoring the data. The data management device 3 is an example of an external device of the present invention. In this embodiment, the data management device 3 includes a server device 31 and a client device 32. The server device 31 is configured with a so-called server and stores the measurement data. The client device 32 is configured with a so-called personal computer and is configured to be able to output and display the measurement data stored in the server device 31.

[0030] [External setting device 4] The external setting device 4 is configured as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, and is configured to transmit communication setting data related to communication conditions to the relay device 1. In this embodiment, the external setting device 4 is configured to transmit, as the communication setting data, identification information of the external measuring device 2 with which the relay device 1 wirelessly communicates, the communication interval between the relay device 1 and the external measuring device 2, the timing at which the timer unit 13 outputs the start signal P, and the like.

[0031] [How to set the operation mode] Next, a method for setting the operation mode of the relay device 1 will be described. 5 to 7 are diagrams illustrating a method for setting the operation mode of the relay device 1. In FIG. 5, in the fourth mode in which the relay device 1 is in a low power consumption state, the first mode indicator lamp 121, the second mode indicator lamp 122, and the third mode indicator lamp 123 are turned off. Note that, in the state in which the relay device 1 is set in the fourth mode, power is not supplied to the control unit 15, the first communication unit 16, and the second communication unit 17 in order to reduce power consumption.

[0032] When the first operation button 111 is pressed and held in this state, the first mode indicator light 121 lights up. When the first operation button 111 is pressed and held, power supply from the power supply unit 14 to the control unit 15 begins. When the second operation button 112 is subsequently pressed and held, the first mode indicator light 121 goes into a flashing state, and the mode switching unit 152 sets the first mode. Note that in this embodiment, a long press means that the first operation button 111 or the second operation button 112 is pressed for two seconds or more.

[0033] When the first mode is set, based on a start-up signal P output from the timer unit 13 at a predetermined time, the communication control unit 151 starts the supply of power from the power supply unit 14 to the first communication unit 16 and the second communication unit 17. Then, based on the communication setting data stored in the storage unit 18, the communication control unit 151 wirelessly communicates between the first communication unit 16 and the external measuring device 2, receives pressure data as measurement data from the external measuring device 2, and stores it in the storage unit 18.

[0034] Furthermore, the communication control unit 151 wirelessly communicates between the second communication unit 17 and the data management device 3, and transmits the pressure data stored in the memory unit 18 to the data management device 3. Then, when the communication control unit 151 has completed transmitting the pressure data to the data management device 3, it stops the supply of power from the power supply unit 14 to the first communication unit 16 and the second communication unit 17. As described above, in this embodiment, when the relay device 1 is set to the first mode, the relay device 1 activates the control unit 15, the first communication unit 16, and the second communication unit 17 at each predetermined time to receive pressure data from the external measuring device 2 and transmit the pressure data to the data management device 3. Therefore, the measurement data can be communicated from the external measuring device 2 to the data management device 3 at the predetermined time.

[0035] Next, as shown in Fig. 6, when the first operation button 111 is pressed for a long time while the fourth mode is set, the first mode indicator light 121 lights up as described above, and power supply from the power supply unit 14 to the control unit 15 starts. Next, when the second operation button 112 is pressed for a short time, the second mode indicator light 122 lights up. When the second operation button 112 is pressed for a long time in this state, the second mode indicator light 122 starts to flash, and the mode switching unit 152 sets the second mode. Note that in this embodiment, a short press means a state in which the first operation button 111 or the second operation button 112 is pressed for less than two seconds.

[0036] When the second mode is set, the communication control unit 151 starts supplying power from the power supply unit 14 to the first communication unit 16. Then, the communication control unit 151 wirelessly communicates between the first communication unit 16 and the external setting device 4, receives communication setting data related to communication conditions from the external setting device 4, and stores it in the storage unit 18.

[0037] In this manner, in this embodiment, the first communication unit 16 is provided for wireless communication with the external setting device 4 that transmits communication setting data related to communication conditions, and the communication control unit 151 is configured to control wireless communication by the first communication unit 16 and the second communication unit 17 based on the communication setting data received via the first communication unit 16. Therefore, communication conditions such as the frequency of data communication can be set using the external setting device 4 such as a smartphone. Also, in this embodiment, the relay device 1, the external measurement device 2, the data management device 3, and the external setting device 4 are connected by wireless communication, so there is no need to connect them with wired wiring. Therefore, the work of laying wiring can be omitted.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a mode switching unit 152 is provided that switches between the first mode and the second mode in response to an operation applied to the operating unit 11, so that the first mode and the second mode can be set at any timing desired by the operator.

[0039] Next, as shown in Fig. 7, when the first operation button 111 is pressed for a long time while the fourth mode is set, the first mode indicator light 121 lights up as described above, and power supply from the power supply unit 14 to the control unit 15 starts. Next, when the second operation button 112 is pressed for a short time, the second mode indicator light 122 lights up. Furthermore, when the second operation button 112 is pressed for a short time in this state, the third mode indicator light 123 lights up. Then, when the second operation button 112 is pressed for a long time in this state, the third mode indicator light 123 starts to flash, and the mode switching unit 152 sets the third mode.

[0040] When the third mode is set, the communication control unit 151 starts the supply of power from the power supply unit 14 to the first communication unit 16. Then, the communication control unit 151 wirelessly communicates between the first communication unit 16 and the external measuring device 2 to receive pressure data, which is measurement data, from the external measuring device 2 and store it in the storage unit 18. Next, the communication control unit 151 starts the supply of power from the power supply unit 14 to the second communication unit 17. Then, the communication control unit 151 wirelessly communicates between the second communication unit 17 and the data management device 3, and transmits the pressure data, which is the measurement data stored in the storage unit 18, and the communication setting data to the data management device 3.

[0041] In this manner, in this embodiment, wireless communication is established between the external measuring device 2 and the first communication unit 16 in response to operations applied to the operation unit 11, and wireless communication is established between the data management device 3 and the second communication unit 17, so that measurement data and communication setting data can be transmitted to the data management device 3 at any timing desired by the operator.

[0042] [Effects of this embodiment] The present embodiment as described above can provide the following effects. (1) In this embodiment, a first communication unit 16 is provided that wirelessly communicates with an external setting device 4 that transmits communication setting data related to communication conditions, and a communication control unit 151 controls wireless communication by the first communication unit 16 and the second communication unit 17 based on the communication setting data received via the first communication unit 16. Therefore, communication conditions such as the frequency of data communication can be set using an external setting device 4 such as a smartphone. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the relay device 1 is connected to the external measuring device 2, the data management device 3, and the external setting device 4 by wireless communication, so there is no need to connect them with wired wiring. Therefore, the work of laying wiring can be omitted.

[0043] (2) In this embodiment, a mode switching unit 152 is provided that switches between the first mode, the second mode, the third mode, and the fourth mode in response to an operation applied to the operation unit 11. Therefore, the operator can set the operating mode at any timing desired.

[0044] (3) In this embodiment, the mode display unit 12 that displays the operation mode is provided, so that the operator can easily check the operation mode that has been set.

[0045] (Effect of claim 4) (4) In this embodiment, since the mode display unit 12 is configured to include a plurality of indicator lights, the configuration of the mode display unit 12 can be simplified compared to a case where the operating mode is displayed by, for example, an LCD screen, etc. Therefore, the amount of power consumption related to the mode display unit 12 can be reduced.

[0046] (5) In this embodiment, measurement data can be communicated from the external measuring device 2 to the data management device 3 at a predetermined time. Pressure data, which is measurement data, can be communicated from the external measuring device 2 to the data management device 3 at a predetermined time.

[0047] (Effect of claim 7) (6) In this embodiment, wireless communication is established between the external measuring device 2 and the first communication unit 16 in response to an operation applied to the operation unit 11, and wireless communication is also established between the data management device 3 and the second communication unit 17. Therefore, pressure data, which is measurement data, can be transmitted from the external measuring device 2 to the data management device 3 at any timing desired by the operator.

[0048] [Variations] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications and improvements within the scope of the present invention that can achieve the object of the present invention are included in the present invention. In the above embodiment, the relay device 1 is configured to wirelessly communicate with one external measurement device 2, but is not limited to this. For example, the relay device may be configured to wirelessly communicate with a plurality of external measurement devices. Furthermore, in this case, the communication control unit may be configured to sequentially wirelessly communicate between the multiple external measurement devices and the first communication unit based on the communication setting data stored in the storage unit. With this configuration, the communication control unit sequentially wirelessly communicates between the multiple external measurement devices and the first communication unit, so that one relay device can receive measurement data from the multiple external measurement devices. Therefore, the number of relay devices can be reduced.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the first communication unit 16 is configured to perform wireless communication with the external measurement device 2 and the external setting device 4 via Bluetooth, but is not limited thereto. For example, the first communication unit may be configured to perform wireless communication with the external measurement device and the external setting device via a wireless LAN such as Wi-Fi.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the second communication unit 17 is configured to transmit the measurement data to the data management device 3 via a Low Power Wide Area-network (LPWA), but is not limited thereto. For example, the second communication unit may be configured to transmit the measurement data to the data management device via a communication line such as an Internet line. Furthermore, the second communication unit may be configured to receive data such as communication setting data from the data management device.

[0051] In the embodiment, the first communication unit 16 is configured to receive communication setting data from the external setting device 4 via wireless communication, but is not limited thereto. For example, the first communication unit may be configured to transmit measurement data and a set operation mode to the external setting device via wireless communication.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the mode display unit 12 is configured to include a plurality of indicator lights, but is not limited to this. For example, the mode display unit may be configured to include a liquid crystal screen, and may be configured to be able to display the set operation mode. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1...relay device, 2...external measuring device, 3...data management device (external device), 4...external setting device, 11...operation unit, 12...mode display unit, 13...timer unit, 14...power supply unit, 15...control unit, 16...first communication unit, 17...second communication unit, 18...memory unit, 31...server device, 32...client device, 100...communication system, 111...first operation button, 112...second operation button, 121...first mode indicator light, 122...second mode indicator light, 123...third mode indicator light, 151...communication control unit, 152...mode switching unit.

Claims

1. a first communication unit that wirelessly communicates with an external measurement device that transmits measurement data and an external setting device that transmits communication setting data related to communication conditions, using a predetermined wireless communication standard; a second communication unit configured to transmit the measurement data received from the external measurement device to an external device using a wireless communication standard different from that used by the first communication unit; a storage unit that stores the measurement data and the communication setting data; a communication control unit that controls wireless communication by the first communication unit and the second communication unit based on the communication setting data stored in the storage unit. A relay device comprising:

2. 2. The relay device according to claim 1, An operation unit operated by an operator; a mode switching unit that switches between a first mode in which the external measurement device and the first communication unit communicate wirelessly and a second mode in which the external setting device and the first communication unit communicate wirelessly in response to an operation applied to the operation unit. A relay device comprising:

3. 3. The relay device according to claim 2, a mode display unit that displays the mode set by the mode switching unit; A relay device comprising:

4. The relay device according to claim 3 . The mode display unit is configured to include a plurality of indicator lights. A relay device comprising:

5. 2. The relay device according to claim 1, The communication control unit sequentially controls wireless communication between the plurality of external measurement devices and the first communication unit based on the communication setting data stored in the storage unit. A relay device comprising:

6. 2. The relay device according to claim 1, The communication control unit starts up the first communication unit and the second communication unit at a predetermined time based on the communication setting data stored in the storage unit, and causes wireless communication between the external measurement device and the first communication unit and causes wireless communication between the external device and the second communication unit. A relay device comprising:

7. 3. The relay device according to claim 2, The communication control unit activates the first communication unit and the second communication unit in response to an operation applied to the operation unit, thereby causing wireless communication between the external measurement device and the first communication unit and causing wireless communication between the external device and the second communication unit. A relay device comprising:

8. The relay device according to claim 1 ; The external measurement device; The external device. A communication system comprising:

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