Information terminal, communication system, setting

Abstract

To provide an information terminal capable of determining a relay node.SOLUTION: An information terminal 30 includes: an information processing unit 34 that detects a relay node included in multiple nodes constituting a wireless mesh network; and a wireless communications unit 33 that communicates with each of the multiple nodes via the detected relay node. The information processing unit 34 is configured to perform a series of determination processes to determine a part of the multiple nodes as the relay node based on communication area information showing the communication area of each of multiple nodes and multiple positioning information that indicates the positioning of multiple nodes. Setting information for operating some of the nodes in the multiple as relay nodes is transmitted to a part of the multiple nodes using the wireless communications unit 33.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information terminal used in a communication system. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a technique for forming a mesh network using communication devices such as lighting fixtures that have wireless communication functions. Patent Document 1 discloses a mesh network in which lighting devices serve as nodes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-163573 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to allow nodes constituting a mesh network to communicate with devices outside the mesh network, it is conceivable to configure some of the nodes as relay nodes, which have the function of communicating with the devices. In such a configuration, there is room for consideration as to which nodes should be selected as relay nodes.

[0005] The present invention provides an information terminal or the like that can automatically determine a relay node. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an information processing unit that detects relay nodes included in a plurality of nodes that constitute a wireless mesh network, and a wireless communication unit that communicates with each of the plurality of nodes via the detected relay nodes, and the information processing unit performs a decision process to decide some of the plurality of nodes as relay nodes based on communication area information indicating the communication area of ​​each of the plurality of nodes and placement information indicating the placement of the plurality of nodes, and transmits configuration information for operating some of the plurality of nodes as relay nodes to some of the plurality of nodes using the wireless communication unit.

[0007] A communication system according to one aspect of the present invention includes the information terminal and the plurality of nodes.

[0008] A setting method according to one aspect of the present invention is a setting method executed by an information terminal, in which the information terminal detects a relay node included in a plurality of nodes constituting a wireless mesh network and communicates with each of the plurality of nodes via the detected relay node, and the setting method includes a step of performing a determination process to determine some of the plurality of nodes as the relay nodes based on communication area information indicating the communication area of ​​each of the plurality of nodes and placement information indicating the placement of the plurality of nodes, and a step of transmitting setting information to some of the plurality of nodes to cause the some of the plurality of nodes to operate as the relay nodes.

[0009] A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program for causing the information terminal to execute the setting method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, an information terminal or the like that can automatically determine a relay node is realized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a mesh network. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of the initial setting operation. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a first sequence diagram of the initial setting operation. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a second sequence diagram of the initial setting operation. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the initial setting screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement of relay nodes. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the relay node determination operation. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process for determining a relay node. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen showing the placement of relay nodes. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of a display screen showing the placement of relay nodes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection forms, steps, and step order shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components not recited in independent claims will be described as optional components.

[0013] It should be noted that the drawings are schematic diagrams and are not necessarily strict illustrations. In addition, in the drawings, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions may be omitted or simplified.

[0014] (Embodiment) [composition] First, the configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, a communication system 10 includes a plurality of lighting devices 20 and an information terminal 30.

[0015] In the communication system 10, each of the lighting fixtures 20 has a wireless communication function, and the lighting fixtures 20 form a wireless mesh network (hereinafter also simply referred to as a mesh network). The wireless mesh network is an example of a wireless communication network.

[0016] Figure 2 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a mesh network. Each circle in Figure 2 corresponds to a lighting fixture 20 (in other words, a communication node). In a mesh network, when information is transmitted from one communication node (also referred to as a first communication node) to another communication node (also referred to as a second communication node), the information is transmitted, for example, by a routing method, but may also be transmitted by other methods such as a flooding method.

[0017] The information transmitted through the mesh network is, for example, control information for controlling the turning on, turning off, or dimming of lighting fixtures 20. In addition, if an environmental sensor is included in the mesh network as described below, the measurement values ​​(sensing information) of the environmental sensor may also be transmitted.

[0018] First, the lighting fixture 20 will be described. The lighting fixture 20 is a base light or the like that is installed on the ceiling of an indoor space and illuminates the indoor space. As described above, each of the multiple lighting fixtures 20 has a wireless communication function, and the multiple lighting fixtures 20 form a mesh network. Note that the form of the lighting fixture 20 is not particularly limited, and it may be a ceiling light, a downlight, a spotlight, or the like. Specifically, the lighting fixture 20 includes a wireless communication unit 21, a light source 22, and a memory unit 23.

[0019] The wireless communication unit 21 is a wireless communication circuit that enables the lighting fixture 20 to communicate wirelessly (more specifically, via radio waves) with other lighting fixtures 20 and with the information terminal 30. After the lighting fixture 20 joins the mesh network, the wireless communication unit 21 communicates via the mesh network. Before the lighting fixture 20 joins the mesh network, the wireless communication unit 21 periodically transmits a beacon signal (also referred to as an advertisement signal) and individually communicates wirelessly with the information terminal 30 that receives the beacon signal. Specifically, the wireless communication unit 21 performs wireless communication in accordance with a communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy (BLE) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) mesh.

[0020] Light source 22 emits white light into the indoor space so that lighting fixture 20 can illuminate the indoor space. Light source 22 is realized by, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) element, but may also be realized by other light-emitting elements such as a semiconductor laser, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence), or an inorganic EL.

[0021] Storage unit 23 is a storage device that stores various information necessary for operating lighting device 20, such as setting information described below. Storage unit 23 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0022] Next, the configuration of the information terminal 30 will be described. The information terminal 30 is an information terminal that a user uses to configure the mesh network (initial configuration and setting changes) and control multiple lighting fixtures 20. The information terminal 30 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). The information terminal 30 may be a dedicated remote controller used in the communication system 10. Specifically, the information terminal 30 includes an operation reception unit 31, a display unit 32, a wireless communication unit 33, an information processing unit 34, and a storage unit 35.

[0023] The operation reception unit 31 receives operations from a user. Specifically, the operation reception unit 31 is realized by a touch panel or the like.

[0024] The display unit 32 displays various images and is realized by a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel.

[0025] Wireless communication unit 33 is a wireless communication circuit that enables information terminal 30 to perform wireless communication (more specifically, radio wave communication) with each of multiple lighting fixtures 20. Specifically, wireless communication unit 33 performs wireless communication in accordance with a communication standard such as BLE.

[0026] The information processing unit 34 performs information processing in response to a user operation received by the operation receiving unit 31. The information processing unit 34 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor or a dedicated circuit. The functions of the information processing unit 34 are realized by hardware such as a microcomputer or processor constituting the information processing unit 34 executing a computer program (software) stored in the storage unit 35.

[0027] The storage unit 35 is a storage device that stores information necessary for information processing, such as a computer program executed by the information processing unit 34. The storage unit 35 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory. The computer programs stored in the storage unit 35 include dedicated application programs (also referred to as dedicated apps) for operating the information terminal 30 as either a setting terminal or a control terminal.

[0028] [Initial setting operation] The information terminal 30 can establish a mesh network by performing an initial setup operation. The initial setup operation will now be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an overview of the initial setup operation. As shown in FIG. 3, the initial setup operation includes a detection phase S10, an identification and registration phase S20, and a setup phase S30, in this order. Specific processing performed in each phase will be described below with reference to sequence diagrams. FIGS. 4A and 4B are sequence diagrams of the initial setup operation. The initial setup operation shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B is performed, for example, after an installer has installed multiple lighting fixtures 20 on a ceiling.

[0029] First, the processing performed in the detection phase S10 will be described. The operation accepting unit 31 of the information terminal 30 accepts a start operation from the user instructing the start of an initial setup operation (S10a). Before joining the mesh network, each of the plurality of lighting devices 20 periodically transmits a beacon signal (also called an advertisement signal) (S10b). When the start operation in step S10a is accepted, the wireless communication unit 33 of the information terminal 30 receives the beacon signal. The beacon signal emitted by each of the plurality of lighting devices 20 includes identification information for that lighting device 20. The identification information is, for example, a Media Access Control (MAC) address, but any identification information may be used as long as it can uniquely identify the lighting device 20.

[0030] The information processing unit 34 displays icons of the lighting fixtures 20 that transmitted the received beacon signals on the display unit 32 (S10c). Figure 5 shows an example of a display screen (initial setup screen) for the icons of the lighting fixtures 20. As shown in Figure 5, the initial setup screen displays multiple icons 32a corresponding to the multiple lighting fixtures 20 that transmitted the beacon signals, arranged in a horizontal row.

[0031] A map image 32m is also displayed on the display screen in Fig. 5. Map image 32m is a top view of an area in which multiple lighting fixtures 20 are installed, and in the example of Fig. 5, installation positions P1 to P6 of lighting fixtures 20 are indicated by circles. In other words, map image 32m is an image that shows the installation positions of multiple lighting fixtures 20. Map image 32m is stored in advance in storage unit 35.

[0032] At the time of step S10c, it is known how the lighting devices 20 are arranged, but it is not known which lighting devices 20 are located in which locations. In other words, at the time of step S10c, the installation locations of the lighting devices 20 have not been associated with the identification information of the lighting devices 20.

[0033] The processing of steps S10a to S10c explained above is the processing carried out in the detection phase S10. Next, the processing carried out in the identification and registration phase S20 will be explained.

[0034] The operation receiving unit 31 receives a selection operation of one of the plurality of icons 32a from the installer (S20a). The selection operation is, for example, a tap operation on one of the plurality of icons 32a. Based on the selection operation received by the operation receiving unit 31, the information processing unit 34 establishes a communication connection between the wireless communication unit 33 and the lighting device 20 corresponding to the selected icon 32a (hereinafter also referred to as the target lighting device 20) (S20b), and starts individual communication (one-to-one communication) with the target lighting device 20. The information processing unit 34 causes the wireless communication unit 33 to transmit a blinking command (S20c). The blinking command is transmitted, for example, when a tap operation on the blinking icon 32b is received after the selection operation.

[0035] The blink command is a signal for selectively blinking the target lighting device 20. When the target lighting device 20 receives the blink command, it blinks (S20d). This allows the user to identify the target lighting device 20.

[0036] The user visually confirms the actual installation location of the blinking target lighting fixture 20 (S20e) and specifies the installation location of the blinking target lighting fixture 20 on map image 32m (for example, one of installation locations P1 to P6). The operation receiving unit 31 receives from the user an operation to specify the installation location of the lighting fixture 20 on map image 32m (S20f). In response, the information processing unit 34 associates the identification information indicated by the icon 32a selected in step S20a with the installation location (coordinates) specified in step S20f, and stores the association in the storage unit 35 (S20g). The information processing unit 34 also cancels the display of the icon 32a for which the association has been completed (S20h). That is, the number of icons 32a displayed in step S10c is reduced by one. The information processing unit 34 then cancels the communication connection with the target lighting fixture 20 (S20i).

[0037] The processing of steps S20a to S20i is repeated until all of the icons 32a (identification information) displayed in step S10c have been associated with their installation locations. As a result, storage unit 35 stores correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the identification information of multiple lighting devices 20 and their installation locations. In other words, multiple lighting devices 20 are registered in information terminal 30.

[0038] The processing of steps S20a to S20i described above is the processing performed in the identification and registration phase S20. Next, the processing performed in the setting phase S30 will be described. The processing performed in the setting phase S30 is processing also called provisioning or the like.

[0039] Based on an operation to designate one of the lighting fixtures 20 accepted by operation accepting unit 31, information processing unit 34 establishes a communication connection between the designated lighting fixture 20 and wireless communication unit 33 (S30a) and starts individual communication with the designated lighting fixture 20. Information processing unit 34 then causes wireless communication unit 33 to transmit setting information to the designated lighting fixture 20 (S30b). The lighting fixture 20 receives the setting information and stores it in memory unit 23 provided within the lighting fixture 20 (S30c).

[0040] The setting information is information for lighting fixture 20 to join the mesh network. The setting information includes the network ID of the mesh network to which lighting fixture 20 belongs and address information (unicast address) of lighting fixture 20 used for communication within the mesh network. The setting information also includes, as necessary, a security passcode (authentication information) used for communication within the mesh network, information related to the frequency channel of wireless communication, and identification information of information terminal 30 that performed the initial setting operation. A lighting fixture 20 whose setting information is stored in storage unit 23 can join the mesh network.

[0041] Once lighting device 20 has finished storing the setting information, it transmits a setting completion notification to information terminal 30 (S30d). When wireless communication unit 33 of information terminal 30 receives the setting completion notification, information processing unit 34 of information terminal 30 terminates the communication connection with lighting device 20 established in step S30a (S30e).

[0042] The processing of steps S30a to S30e is repeated until all lighting devices 20 have joined the mesh network. Once a lighting device 20 has joined the mesh network, it stops periodically transmitting a beacon signal that it had been doing before joining.

[0043] The processing of steps S30a to S30e described above is the processing performed in the setting phase S30 (also referred to as setting processing).

[0044] The process of step S20i and the process of step S30a may be omitted. That is, the process of steps S30b to S30e may be performed without releasing the communication connection in step S20i.

[0045] As described above, information terminal 30 can allow multiple lighting devices 20 to participate in a mesh network by performing an initial setup operation. In other words, information terminal 30 can build a mesh network.

[0046] [Communication function with information terminals (relay function)] As described above, in the communication system 10, the lighting fixtures 20 form a mesh network, for example, as shown in FIG. 2. Wireless communication (hereinafter simply referred to as "communication") between the lighting fixtures 20 is performed, for example, according to a first communication protocol for the mesh network. The first communication protocol is, for example, Bluetooth® mesh.

[0047] On the other hand, the information terminal 30 does not belong to a mesh network and cannot communicate with multiple lighting fixtures 20 using the first communication protocol. However, the information terminal 30 has a communication function that uses a second communication protocol for one-to-one communication. The second communication protocol is a communication protocol different from the first communication protocol, such as BLE. Note that the first communication protocol and the second communication protocol are communication protocols that use, for example, the same frequency band (e.g., the 2.4 GHz band).

[0048] In communication system 10, each of the lighting fixtures 20 can be set to enable or disable a communication function using the second communication protocol (hereinafter also referred to as a relay function), and the relay function is set to enabled in advance for only some of the lighting fixtures 20. Hereinafter, these lighting fixtures 20 will also be referred to as relay nodes. Relay nodes may also be called proxy nodes.

[0049] The relay node communicates using a first communication protocol (for the mesh network) while preparing for communication with the information terminal 30 using a second communication protocol. Specifically, the relay node alternately (time-shared) between communication using the first communication protocol and communication using the second communication protocol, and transmits a beacon signal during communication using the second communication protocol. In other words, the relay node transmits a beacon signal between communications using the first communication protocol. The information processing unit 34 of the information terminal 30 detects the relay node by receiving the beacon signal transmitted by the relay node, and the wireless communication unit 33 establishes a communication connection with the relay node based on the second communication protocol, and can communicate with each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 20 via the relay node.

[0050] If there are many lighting fixtures 20 with the relay function enabled, for example, the period during which communication based on the first communication protocol is performed may become shorter, resulting in a loss of information transmitted through the communication (a reception error), which may require retransmission or other follow-up. In other words, the stability of communication based on the first communication protocol may decrease.

[0051] Information terminal 30 needs to communicate with multiple lighting fixtures 20 when changing the settings of the multiple lighting fixtures 20, but changes to the settings of the multiple lighting fixtures 20 are not made very frequently. Therefore, in communication system 10, while priority is given to communication between the multiple lighting fixtures 20 using the first communication protocol, the relay function is enabled for only some of the multiple lighting fixtures 20 and they transmit beacon signals so that information terminal 30 can communicate with the multiple lighting fixtures 20 when necessary.

[0052] [Relay node determination operation] It is desirable to determine the number of relay nodes so that the proportion of the area in which information terminal 30 can communicate with any of the relay nodes (hereinafter also referred to as the coverage rate of the communication area) in a space where multiple lighting fixtures 20 are installed (or a desired area corresponding to a part of the space) is as large as possible, and the number of relay nodes is as small as possible. However, it is difficult for a user to determine relay nodes so that these conditions are met. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the placement of relay nodes.

[0053] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a top view of a space in which multiple lighting fixtures 20 are arranged. The rectangular frame in Fig. 6 corresponds to the outline of the space, and the small circles correspond to lighting fixtures 20. Among the small circles, black circles represent relay nodes, and the hatched circular areas surrounding the black circles represent the reach of beacon signals emitted by the relay nodes. In other words, the hatched areas in Fig. 6 represent the communication area.

[0054] In the example of FIG. 6, the number of relay nodes is two, which is a small number, but the coverage rate of the communication area is low, and there are few areas where the information terminal 30 can communicate with the relay nodes, which is a problem.

[0055] In the communication system 10, the information terminal 30 automatically determines a relay node in order to achieve both an increase in coverage rate and a decrease in the number of relay nodes. The operation of determining a relay node will be described below. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of determining a relay node.

[0056] The information processing unit 34 of the information terminal 30 acquires communication area information, placement information, and scale information that are pre-stored in the storage unit 35 (S41). The communication area information is information that indicates the communication area of ​​each of the multiple lighting fixtures 20, and is, for example, information that indicates a general radio wave reachable range (e.g., 15 m) of wireless communication based on the second communication protocol. In other words, the communication area information is information that indicates the approximate reachable range of a beacon signal. The communication area information is determined in advance by a designer of the communication system 10 or the like and stored in the storage unit 35, but may also be determined by the user. Note that if the communication areas of the multiple lighting fixtures 20 differ in size, the communication area information may indicate the communication area of ​​each of the multiple lighting fixtures 20 individually.

[0057] The arrangement information is information indicating the arrangement of a plurality of lighting fixtures 20, and specifically, is the map image 32m. As described above, the map image 32m is stored in the storage unit 35 in advance.

[0058] The scale information is information for converting coordinates on the map image 32m into actual size. When the installation positions (coordinates) are specified in pixel values ​​in the placement information, the scale information is information for converting the pixel values ​​into actual size. The scale information is determined in advance by a designer of the communication system 10 or the like and stored in the memory unit 35. Note that when the placement information specifies the coordinates of multiple lighting fixtures 20 in actual size (when the placement information includes the scale information), it is not necessary to prepare the scale information.

[0059] Next, the information processing unit 34 determines some of the lighting devices 20 as relay nodes based on the acquired communication area information, placement information, and scale information (S42). Figure 8 shows an example of the process of determining relay nodes in step S42.

[0060] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a top view of a space in which multiple lighting fixtures 20 are arranged, where the rectangular frame in FIG. 8 corresponds to the outline of the space and the small circles correspond to the lighting fixtures 20. The information processing unit 34 first determines any one lighting fixture 20 as a relay node ((a) in FIG. 8). In FIG. 8, black circles represent relay nodes.

[0061] Here, the information processing unit 34 can identify the communication range of the determined relay node (the hatched area in (a) of FIG. 8) based on the communication area information, placement information, and scale information. The information processing unit 34 determines a lighting fixture 20 (also referred to as a target fixture) located outside the communication area of ​​the existing relay node as a new relay node ((b) of FIG. 8). The new relay node may be any lighting fixture 20 located outside the communication area, but may also be determined based on a predetermined priority, such as giving priority to lighting fixtures 20 located in the upper row of FIG. 8, and, if in the same row, giving priority to lighting fixtures 20 located to the left.

[0062] The information processing unit 34 repeats the process of determining, as new relay nodes, target devices located outside the communication areas of existing relay nodes, until there are no target devices among the plurality of lighting devices 20. In this way, the information processing unit 34 can determine some of the plurality of lighting devices 20 as relay nodes ((c) of FIG. 8).

[0063] In step S42, one or more relay nodes may be determined based on the acquired communication area information, placement information, and scale information so that there are no areas (areas not hatched in FIG. 8) outside the communication range of the relay node (or the area is as small as possible). In other words, other algorithms may be used in the process of determining the relay node in step S42.

[0064] Next, information processing unit 34 transmits setting information for causing some of the plurality of lighting fixtures 20 to operate as relay nodes to some of the plurality of lighting fixtures 20 using wireless communication unit 33 (S43).

[0065] The processes of steps S41 and S42 are performed as part of the initial setting operation, for example, after the identification phase and before the configuration phase. In step S30b of the configuration phase, configuration information for operating lighting device 20 as a relay node is transmitted to lighting device 20 determined to be a relay node. In other words, the process of step S43 corresponds to the process of step S30b of the configuration phase.

[0066] The processes of steps S41 to S43 may be performed separately from the initial setting operation. For example, the processes of steps S41 to S42 may be performed when map image 32m exists (the layout of multiple lighting fixtures has been determined) but multiple lighting fixtures 20 have not actually been installed, and the process of step S43 may be performed after multiple lighting fixtures 20 have actually been installed.

[0067] As described above, information terminal 30 can automatically determine a relay node without requiring the user to specify the relay node. Lighting device 20 determined to be a relay node transmits a beacon signal based on the second communication protocol between communications using the first communication protocol. According to the determination method of step S42, information terminal 30 can simultaneously improve the coverage rate of the communication area and reduce the number of relay nodes.

[0068] After step S42 and before step S43, the information processing unit 34 may display the placement of the relay nodes determined in step S42 on the display unit 32. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen showing the placement of the relay nodes.

[0069] The display screen of FIG. 9 displays the arrangement of multiple lighting fixtures 20, the positions of relay nodes among the multiple lighting fixtures 20, and the communication coverage areas. The display screen of FIG. 9 also displays icon 32c for setting (confirming) the arrangement of the relay nodes, and transmission of the setting information (processing of step S43) is executed based on an operation on icon 32c. In other words, by displaying a display screen such as that of FIG. 9, information terminal 30 can confirm the automatically determined relay nodes with the user's approval. The display screen of FIG. 9 also displays icon 32d for correcting the arrangement of the relay nodes, and the user can manually correct the arrangement of the relay nodes by operating icon 32d.

[0070] Furthermore, after step S43, the information processing unit 34 may display the placement of the relay nodes determined in step S42 on the display unit 32. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing another example of a display screen showing the placement of the relay nodes.

[0071] The display screen of Fig. 10 displays the arrangement of multiple lighting fixtures 20, the positions of relay nodes among the multiple lighting fixtures 20, and the communication coverage area. The display screen of Fig. 10 is automatically displayed after the processing of step S43, for example, but may also be displayed when a predetermined operation is performed by the user on operation reception unit 31. When a display screen like that of Fig. 10 is displayed, the user can check the current arrangement of relay nodes and the communication coverage area.

[0072] [Variations] In the above embodiment, the communication area of ​​lighting device 20 displayed on display 32 of information terminal 30 is circular. However, depending on the specifications of lighting device 20, the communication area may be elliptical or fan-shaped. In such cases, the communication area of ​​lighting device 20 displayed on display 32 may be elliptical or fan-shaped. The communication area may be displayed in any geometric shape.

[0073] In addition, if the communication area has an asymmetric shape such as an oval or a sector, if the installation information (map image 32m) or the like includes information that associates the orientation of lighting device 20 with the orientation of the communication area, information processing unit 34 can display the communication area of ​​lighting device 20 in the correct orientation based on the information.

[0074] Furthermore, it is not essential that a frame (boundary) is displayed around the communication-enabled area of ​​lighting device 20 displayed on display unit 32, and the communication-enabled area may be displayed using, for example, a gradation.

[0075] In the above embodiment, each of the multiple nodes constituting the mesh network is a lighting fixture 20, but it does not have to be a lighting fixture 20. The multiple nodes may include lighting fixtures 20 and other devices, or may not include lighting fixtures 20 and only include other devices.

[0076] Examples of the other devices include a lighting remote controller operated by a user to control lighting fixture 20, a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) dimmer, a scheduler, and an AC (Alternating Current) relay.

[0077] A PWM dimmer is a device that can dim the lighting fixture 20 attached to the PWM dimmer. A scheduler is a device that turns on, off, or dims the lighting fixture 20 according to a preset schedule.

[0078] AC relays include the following two types: a first AC relay and a second AC relay. The first AC relay is a device that is attached to a wiring duct and can turn on and off one device attached to the wiring duct by turning on and off the AC power to that device. The second AC relay is a device that is attached to the base of the wiring duct and can turn on and off all devices attached to the wiring duct by turning on and off the supply of AC power to that wiring duct. The AC relay may also be a wirelessly controlled switch that does not use a wiring duct.

[0079] The other devices may also be devices not directly related to lighting, such as an air conditioner, a ventilation system, a camera, a speaker, a motion sensor, or an environmental sensor. The environmental sensor may include a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a carbon dioxide concentration sensor, and a PM (Particle Matter) sensor.

[0080] [Effects, etc.] Hereinafter, examples of inventions that can be obtained from the disclosure of this specification will be given, and the effects and the like that can be obtained from these inventions will be explained.

[0081] Invention 1 is an information terminal 30 comprising an information processing unit 34 that detects relay nodes included in multiple nodes that constitute a wireless mesh network, and a wireless communication unit 33 that communicates with each of the multiple nodes via the detected relay nodes, wherein the information processing unit 34 performs a decision process to decide some of the multiple nodes as relay nodes based on communication area information that indicates the communication area of ​​each of the multiple nodes and placement information that indicates the placement of the multiple nodes, and transmits setting information for operating some of the multiple nodes as relay nodes to some of the multiple nodes using the wireless communication unit 33.

[0082] Such an information terminal 30 can automatically determine the relay node.

[0083] Invention 2 is the information terminal 30 of Invention 1, in which the information processing unit 34 performs an initial setting operation, and the initial setting operation includes a process of associating the identification information of multiple nodes with the installation locations of the multiple nodes, and a determination process.

[0084] Such an information terminal 30 can automatically determine a relay node during the initial setting operation.

[0085] Invention 3 is an information terminal 30 of Invention 1 or 2, in which, in the determination process, the information processing unit 34 determines a target node among the plurality of nodes that is located outside the communication area of ​​an existing relay node as a new relay node, by repeating the process until there are no target nodes among the plurality of nodes, thereby determining some of the plurality of nodes as relay nodes.

[0086] Such an information terminal 30 can improve the coverage rate of the communication area and reduce the number of relay nodes by determining a node located outside the communication area of ​​an existing relay node as a new relay node.

[0087] Invention 4 is the information terminal 30 of any one of Inventions 1 to 3, wherein the information processing unit 34 displays the determined arrangement of relay nodes on the display unit 32 before transmitting the setting information.

[0088] Such an information terminal 30 allows the user to check the placement of relay nodes before the settings are made.

[0089] Invention 5 is the information terminal 30 of any one of Inventions 1 to 4, wherein the information processing unit 34 displays the determined arrangement of relay nodes on the display unit 32 after transmitting the setting information.

[0090] Such an information terminal 30 allows the user to check the current placement of relay nodes.

[0091] A sixth aspect of the present invention is the information terminal 30 of the fourth or fifth aspect of the present invention, wherein the information processing unit 34 displays the placement of the determined relay nodes and the communicable areas of the determined relay nodes.

[0092] With such an information terminal 30, the user can check the area in which the information terminal 30 can communicate with the relay node.

[0093] A seventh invention is the information terminal 30 of any one of the first to sixth inventions, in which the plurality of nodes includes lighting fixtures 20.

[0094] Such an information terminal 30 can automatically determine a relay node in a wireless mesh network including the lighting fixture 20.

[0095] An eighth aspect of the present invention is a communication system 10 including an information terminal 30 according to any one of the first to seventh aspects of the present invention and a plurality of nodes.

[0096] In such a communication system 10, the information terminal 30 can automatically determine the relay node.

[0097] Invention 9 is a setting method executed by an information terminal 30, in which the information terminal 30 detects a relay node included in a plurality of nodes that constitute a wireless mesh network and communicates with each of the plurality of nodes via the detected relay node, and the setting method includes step S42 of performing a decision process to decide some of the plurality of nodes as relay nodes based on communication area information indicating the communication area of ​​each of the plurality of nodes and placement information indicating the placement of the plurality of nodes, and step S43 of transmitting setting information to some of the plurality of nodes to operate some of the plurality of nodes as relay nodes.

[0098] Such a setting method can automatically determine the relay node.

[0099] A tenth aspect of the present invention is a program for causing an information terminal 30 to execute the setting method of the ninth aspect of the present invention.

[0100] According to such a program, the information terminal 30 can automatically determine the relay node.

[0101] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0102] For example, in the above embodiment, a process executed by a specific processing unit may be executed by another processing unit. Also, the order of multiple processes may be changed, or multiple processes may be executed in parallel.

[0103] In the above-described embodiments, components such as the control unit may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0104] Furthermore, components such as the control unit may be realized by hardware. For example, components such as the control unit may be circuits (or integrated circuits). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or may be separate circuits. Furthermore, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0105] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0106] For example, the present invention may be realized as the communication system or information terminal of the above-described embodiments, or as a setting method executed by the information terminal. The present invention may be realized as a program for causing an information terminal (computer) to execute such a setting method, or as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded. The program is, in other words, a computer program product. Such a program includes an application program for causing a computer, such as a general-purpose information terminal, to function as the information terminal of the above-described embodiments.

[0107] In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art would think of, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 10. Communication Systems 20 Lighting fixtures 21, 33 Radio Communication Department 22 Light source 23, 35 Storage section 30 Information terminal 31 Operation reception section 32 Display section 32a, 32c, 32d icons 32b Flashing Icon 32m map image 34 Information Processing Department

Claims

1. an information processing unit that detects a relay node included in a plurality of nodes that configure a wireless mesh network; a wireless communication unit that communicates with each of the plurality of nodes via the detected relay node; The information processing unit performing a determination process for determining some of the plurality of nodes as the relay nodes based on communication area information indicating a communication area of ​​each of the plurality of nodes and placement information indicating a placement of the plurality of nodes; transmitting setting information for causing the part of the plurality of nodes to operate as the relay node to the part of the plurality of nodes using the wireless communication unit; Information terminal.

2. The information processing unit performs an initial setting operation, The initial setting operation includes a process of associating the identification information of the plurality of nodes with the installation positions of the plurality of nodes, and the determination process. The information terminal according to claim 1.

3. In the determination process, the information processing unit repeats a process of determining, as a new relay node, a target node among the plurality of nodes that is located outside a communication area of ​​the existing relay node, until the target node no longer exists among the plurality of nodes, thereby determining the part of the plurality of nodes as the relay nodes. The information terminal according to claim 1.

4. The information processing unit displays the determined arrangement of the relay nodes on a display unit before transmitting the setting information. The information terminal according to claim 1.

5. After transmitting the setting information, the information processing unit displays the determined arrangement of the relay nodes on a display unit. The information terminal according to claim 1.

6. The information processing unit displays the determined placement of the relay nodes and the communication area of ​​the determined relay nodes.

5. The information terminal according to claim 4.

7. The plurality of nodes includes a lighting fixture. The information terminal according to claim 1.

8. An information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 7; the plurality of nodes. Communication system.

9. A setting method executed by an information terminal, the information terminal detects a relay node included in a plurality of nodes constituting the wireless mesh network, and communicates with each of the plurality of nodes via the detected relay node; The setting method includes: performing a determination process of determining some of the plurality of nodes as the relay nodes based on communication area information indicating a communication area of ​​each of the plurality of nodes and placement information indicating a placement of the plurality of nodes; transmitting, to the part of the plurality of nodes, setting information for causing the part of the plurality of nodes to operate as the relay node. How to set it up.

10. A program for causing the information terminal to execute the setting method according to claim 9.

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