Communication system, control terminal, control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a communication system and the like capable of more easily separating a communication device from a mesh network.SOLUTION: The communication system 10 includes a plurality of devices 20 that constitute a mesh network 40 and perform wireless communication of a first wireless communication scheme in the mesh network 40, and a control terminal 30, and the control terminal 30 is connected to a first device among the plurality of devices 20 by wireless communication of a second wireless communication scheme different from the first wireless communication scheme. A separation request signal for separating a second apparatus different from a first apparatus among a plurality of apparatuses 20 from a mesh network 40 is transmitted to the first apparatus, and the second apparatus separates from the mesh network 40 when receiving the separation request signal from the first apparatus via the mesh network 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication system, a control terminal, a control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for causing a communication device that has already joined a mesh network to leave the mesh network. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-121394 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When multiple communication devices are to be removed from a mesh network, it is necessary to identify the communication devices to be removed and communicate with them, which takes time and effort.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a communication system, a control terminal, a control method, and a program that enable communication devices to more easily leave a mesh network. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of a communication system according to the present disclosure comprises a mesh network, a plurality of devices that communicate wirelessly in the mesh network using a first wireless communication method, and a control terminal, wherein the control terminal connects to a first device among the plurality of devices via wireless communication using a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method, and transmits a withdrawal request signal to the first device to cause a second device among the plurality of devices that is different from the first device to withdraw from the mesh network, and the second device withdraws from the mesh network when it receives the withdrawal request signal from the first device via the mesh network.

[0007] Furthermore, one aspect of a control terminal according to the present disclosure includes a wireless communication unit and a control unit, and the control unit uses the wireless communication unit to connect a first device among a plurality of devices that constitute a mesh network and that perform wireless communication using a first wireless communication method in the mesh network via wireless communication using a second wireless communication method that is different from the first wireless communication method, and transmits a withdrawal request signal to the first device to cause a second device among the plurality of devices that is different from the first device to withdraw from the mesh network.

[0008] Furthermore, one aspect of a control method according to the present disclosure includes a step in which a control terminal connects to a first device among a plurality of devices constituting a mesh network, the first device performing wireless communication using a first wireless communication method in the mesh network, via wireless communication using a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method; a step in which the control terminal transmits a withdrawal request signal to the first device to cause a second device among the plurality of devices, the second device being different from the first device, to withdraw from the mesh network when the second device receives the withdrawal request signal from the first device via the mesh network.

[0009] Furthermore, one aspect of the control method according to the present disclosure is a control method executed by a control terminal, and includes the steps of connecting a first device among a plurality of devices constituting a mesh network, the first device performing wireless communication using a first wireless communication method in the mesh network, via wireless communication using a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method, and transmitting a withdrawal request signal to the first device to cause a second device among the plurality of devices different from the first device to withdraw from the mesh network.

[0010] The present disclosure can be realized not only as the above-described control method, but also as a program for causing a computer to execute the control method, and further as a computer-readable recording medium storing the program. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The communication system, control method, and program according to the present disclosure enable communication devices to more easily leave a mesh network. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [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 network diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the first operation example of the control terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the second operation example of the control terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a modified example of the control terminal according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] (Embodiment) Hereinafter, embodiments of a communication system, a control terminal, a control method, and a program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that each of the embodiments described below represents a preferred specific example of the present invention. The numerical values, components, component placement and connection configurations, 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 constituting a preferred embodiment.

[0014] 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.

[0015] [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 10 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the communication system 10 includes a plurality of devices 20 and a control terminal 30.

[0016] In the communication system 10, each of the plurality of devices 20 has a wireless communication function, and the plurality of communication devices constitute a mesh network 40. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the network of the communication system 10 according to the embodiment. Each circle in FIG. 2 corresponds to one device 20 (in other words, a communication node). In the mesh network 40, 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] In the mesh network 40, a communication path is set in advance that allows information to be distributed to the communication nodes belonging to the mesh network 40. When the first communication node unicasts information including the address information (destination information) of the second communication node based on the set communication path, other communication nodes belonging to the same mesh network 40 as the first communication node that receive the information further unicast the received information based on the set communication path. In other words, the other communication nodes relay the information. By repeating this relay of information within the same mesh network 40, the second communication node can receive the information transmitted by the first communication node.

[0018] The first communication node may broadcast information including the address information (destination information) of the second communication node, and other communication nodes that receive the information and belong to the same mesh network 40 as the first communication node may relay the received information and further broadcast it. By repeating this relay of information within the same mesh network 40, the information transmitted by the first communication node reaches all communication nodes that belong to the same mesh network 40 as the first communication node. Therefore, the second communication node can receive the information transmitted by the first communication node.

[0019] The information transmitted through the mesh network 40 is, for example, a withdrawal request signal for causing the device 20 to withdraw from the mesh network 40. Furthermore, for example, if the device 20 is a lighting fixture, the information transmitted through the mesh network 40 is control information for controlling the lighting fixture to turn on, turn off, or dim. Furthermore, if the mesh network 40 includes an environmental sensor, the measurement value (sensing information) of the environmental sensor may be transmitted.

[0020] In the communication system 10, wireless communication (hereinafter also simply referred to as communication) between the multiple devices 20 is performed in accordance with, for example, a first communication protocol for the mesh network 40. The first communication protocol is, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) mesh. The first communication protocol is an example of a first wireless communication method.

[0021] On the other hand, the control terminal 30 indicated by a square in FIG. 2 does not belong to the mesh network 40 and cannot communicate with multiple devices 20 using the first communication protocol. However, the control terminal 30 has a communication function using 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 (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy). Note that the first communication protocol and the second communication protocol may be communication protocols that use the same frequency band (for example, the 2.4 GHz band). The second communication protocol is an example of a second wireless communication method.

[0022] First, a description will be given of the device 20. The device 20 may be, for example, a lighting fixture, as long as it is capable of communicating with devices other than the device 20. Furthermore, the device 20 may be, for example, a scheduler, an environmental sensor, a camera, or the like.

[0023] Next, a lighting fixture will be described as an example of device 20. A lighting fixture 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 lighting fixtures that are the multiple devices 20 has a wireless communication function. The multiple lighting fixtures join a mesh network 40 (more specifically, a wireless mesh network) to form the mesh network 40. Note that the type of lighting fixture is not particularly limited, and may be a ceiling light, a downlight, a spotlight, or the like.

[0024] Specifically, the device 20 includes a wireless communication unit 21, an information processing unit 22, a storage unit 23, and a function realization unit 24.

[0025] The wireless communication unit 21 is a wireless communication circuit that enables the device 20 to perform wireless communication with other devices 20 and the control terminal 30. After the device 20 joins the mesh network 40, the wireless communication unit 21 can perform communication via the mesh network 40. Before the device 20 joins the mesh network 40, the wireless communication unit 21 periodically transmits a beacon signal (sometimes referred to as an advertisement signal, etc.) and performs wireless communication individually with the control terminal 30 that receives the beacon signal. The communication standard for the wireless communication performed by the wireless communication unit 21 is specifically BLE, Bluetooth (registered trademark) mesh, etc.

[0026] The information processing unit 22 executes information processing and the like for the operation of the device 20. The information processing unit 22 operates the device 20 by controlling the function realization unit 24. The information processing unit 22 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor or a dedicated circuit. The functions of the information processing unit 22 are realized by hardware such as a microcomputer or processor constituting the information processing unit 22 executing a computer program (software) stored in the storage unit 23. Specifically, the information processing unit 22 includes an acquisition unit 221, a control unit 222, and an output unit 223.

[0027] The acquisition unit 221 acquires the withdrawal request signal and the like.

[0028] The control unit 222 controls the device 20 based on the separation request signal and the like acquired by the acquisition unit 221.

[0029] The output unit 223 transmits the withdrawal request signal acquired by the acquisition unit 221 to the other device 20.

[0030] The storage unit 23 is a storage device that stores information necessary for information processing, such as computer programs executed by the information processing unit 22. The storage unit 23 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory. The computer programs stored in the storage unit 23 include a dedicated application program for causing the device 20 to transmit a leave request signal via the mesh network 40.

[0031] The function realization unit 24 is a device for realizing the functions of the device 20 when the device 20 operates. The function realization unit 24 is controlled by the information processing unit 22. For example, if the device 20 is a lighting device, the function realization unit 24 is a light source. The light source irradiates white light into an indoor space so that the lighting device 20 can illuminate the indoor space. The light source 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) element, or an inorganic EL element.

[0032] Next, the control terminal 30 will be described. The control terminal 30 is an information terminal used by a user to construct a mesh network 40 with a plurality of devices 20 by having the devices 20 join or leave the mesh network 40. The control terminal 30 is also used by a user to configure the plurality of devices 20 that make up the mesh network 40. The control terminal 30 is also used by a user to control the plurality of devices 20 that make up the mesh network 40. The user here is, for example, an installer who installed the plurality of devices 20, but may also be a user other than the installer. The user may also be, for example, an administrator of the communication system 10.

[0033] The control terminal 30 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). The control terminal 30 may also be a dedicated remote controller used in the communication system 10. Specifically, the control terminal 30 includes a wireless communication unit 31, an information processing unit 32, a storage unit 33, an operation reception unit 34, and a display unit 35.

[0034] The wireless communication unit 31 is a communication circuit for the control terminal 30 to communicate (more specifically, wirelessly communicate) with the device 20. The communication standard for the communication performed by the wireless communication unit 21 is, for example, BLE.

[0035] The information processing unit 32 performs information processing in response to a user operation received by the control terminal 30 via the operation receiving unit 34. The information processing unit 32 performs information processing, for example, regarding a process of causing the device 20 to leave the mesh network 40. Here, the process of causing the device 20 to leave the mesh network 40 is, for example, a process of changing or deleting setting information stored in the memory unit 23 of the device 20 when the device 20 joins the mesh network 40. The setting information is information necessary for communication on the mesh network 40. The information processing unit 32 is realized, for example, by a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor or a dedicated circuit. The functions of the information processing unit 32 are realized by hardware such as a microcomputer or processor constituting the information processing unit 32 executing a computer program (software) stored in the memory unit 33. Specifically, the information processing unit 32 includes an acquisition unit 321, a control unit 322, and an output unit 323.

[0036] The acquisition unit 321 acquires the user's operation etc. accepted by the operation acceptance unit 34 .

[0037] The control unit 322 executes information processing and the like to cause the control terminal 30 to remove the device 20 from the mesh network 40 .

[0038] The output unit 323 outputs a withdrawal request signal.

[0039] The storage unit 33 is a storage device that stores information necessary for information processing, such as a computer program executed by the information processing unit 32. The storage unit 33 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory. The computer programs stored in the storage unit 33 include a dedicated application program for causing the control terminal 30 to transmit a withdrawal request signal for withdrawing the device 20 from the mesh network 40.

[0040] The operation reception unit 34 receives operations from the user and is realized by, for example, a touch panel.

[0041] The display unit 35 displays various images. The various images are, for example, images necessary for the process of having the device 20 join the mesh network 40 and the process of having the device 20 leave the mesh network 40. The display unit 35 is realized by, for example, a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel.

[0042] [Operation] Next, the operation of the communication system 10 according to the embodiment will be described. Generally, in order to cause a device 20 to leave the mesh network 40, the control terminal 30 establishes a communication connection with the device 20 to be left using the second wireless communication method, transmits a leave request signal to the device 20, and then releases the communication connection with the device 20. In such a general operation, when it is desired to release multiple devices 20, it is necessary to repeatedly establish and release the communication connection, which takes time.

[0043] In contrast, in the communication system 10, the control terminal 30, while communicatively connected to any one of the devices 20 using the second wireless communication method, transmits a withdrawal request signal from the one device as a starting point to the target device 20 via the mesh network 40. This allows the user to withdraw the device 20 from the mesh network 40 without directly connecting to the device 20 to be withdrawn using the second wireless communication method.

[0044] First, the operation of device 20 when transmitting a withdrawal request signal will be described below. Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of device 20 according to the embodiment.

[0045] First, the acquisition unit 221 of the device 20 acquires a withdrawal request signal (S01). The withdrawal request signal is a signal for causing the device to withdraw from the mesh network 40, and includes information for identifying the device to withdraw, for example, an identification number of the device to withdraw. The device to withdraw is an example of a second device.

[0046] When the acquisition unit 221 acquires the leave request signal, the control unit 222 of the device 20 determines whether the target (destination) of the acquired leave request signal is the device 20 (S02). For example, the control unit 222 determines whether the target of the acquired leave request signal is the device 20 by comparing the identification number of the device to be left, which is included in the leave request signal, with the identification number of the device 20.

[0047] If it is determined that the target of the withdrawal request signal is the device 20 (Yes in S02), that is, if it is determined that the device to be withdrawn is the device 20, the control unit 222 causes the device 20 to withdraw from the mesh network 40.

[0048] When the device 20 leaves the mesh network 40, the output unit 223 transmits a departure success signal to the control terminal 30 via the mesh network 40 (S03), and the control unit 222 deletes the network information stored in the storage unit 23 (S04). The network information deleted here includes the network ID of the mesh network 40 and address information of the device 20 used for communication within the mesh network 40. The network information deleted may further include information used for the device to operate within the mesh network 40, such as control group setting information indicating a group of predetermined devices 20 to be controlled together with the device to be left, and control pattern setting information indicating the operation content when a predetermined control signal is acquired.

[0049] Although the process of step S04 is executed after the process of step S03, the process of step S03 and the process of step S04 may be executed simultaneously.

[0050] If it is determined that the target of the leave request signal is another device (No in S02), that is, if it is determined that the device to be left is not the device 20, the output unit 223 transmits the leave request signal via the mesh network 40 (S05). The output unit 223 transmits the leave request signal acquired by the acquisition unit 221 via the mesh network 40.

[0051] According to the above operation, the device 20 can transmit a withdrawal request signal to all devices 20 that make up the mesh network 40. This allows the withdrawal request signal to be transmitted to the device to be withdrawn via the mesh network 40, allowing the user to more easily withdraw the device 20 from the mesh network 40.

[0052] Furthermore, if the device 20 is unable to communicate with the control terminal 30 due to the device to be removed from the mesh network 40, the device 20 attempts to reconstruct the mesh network 40 so that communication with the control terminal 30 is possible. Such a device 20 can help the mesh network 40 maintain a state in which information from the control terminal 30 can be transmitted to all devices 20 included in the mesh network 40.

[0053] [Example 1] As described above, the device 20 can transmit a withdrawal request signal via the mesh network 40. Using this function, the control terminal 30 transmits the withdrawal request signal by two wireless communication methods: communication via the mesh network 40 and communication by direct connection. Such a control terminal 30 can cause the device 20 to withdraw from the mesh network 40 more quickly and reliably. An operation example 1 of such a control terminal 30 will be described below. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the operation example 1 of the control terminal 30 according to the embodiment.

[0054] First, the control terminal 30 connects to an arbitrary device 20 via the wireless communication unit 31 (S11). The arbitrary device 20 connected to the control terminal 30 is an example of a first device. The wireless communication unit 31 of the control terminal 30 communicates with the wireless communication unit 21 of the arbitrary device 20 using the second wireless communication method.

[0055] Next, the output unit 323 of the control terminal 30 transmits a withdrawal request signal to the device to be removed (S12). The withdrawal request signal transmitted by the output unit 323 is transmitted to the device to be removed via the wireless communication unit 31, the wireless communication unit 21 of the first device, and the mesh network 40. The device to be removed is an example of a second device. The device to be removed is a device that the user attempts to remove from the mesh network 40. The withdrawal request signal is a signal for removing the device to be removed from the mesh network 40, and includes information for identifying the device to be removed.

[0056] Next, the control unit 322 determines whether or not the removal of the removal target device has been successful (S13). When the acquisition unit 321 acquires the removal success signal, the control unit 322 determines that the removal of the removal target device has been successful.

[0057] Here, if the output unit 223 of the device 20 that relayed the withdrawal request signal does not receive a withdrawal success signal from the device to be withdrawn, it transmits a withdrawal failure signal to the control terminal 30 via the mesh network 40, indicating that the device to be withdrawn has failed to withdraw from the mesh network 40. If the control unit 322 of the control terminal 30 receives the withdrawal failure signal, it determines that the device to be withdrawn has failed to withdraw.

[0058] Note that the control unit 322 may determine that the separation has failed if the acquisition unit 321 does not acquire a separation success signal even after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. The predetermined period of time is, for example, twice the time required for the separation request signal to propagate throughout the mesh network 40.

[0059] If it is determined that the removal of the removal target device has failed (No in S13), the control terminal 30 connects to the wireless communication unit 21 of the removal target device via the wireless communication unit 31 using the second wireless communication method (S14). Note that the connection of the control terminal 30 to the removal target device using the second wireless communication method may be executed automatically, or may be executed after obtaining user confirmation via the operation reception unit 34.

[0060] The output unit 323 transmits a withdrawal request signal to the device to be removed (S15). The withdrawal request signal is transmitted to the device to be removed via the wireless communication units 31 and 21. Since the control terminal 30 is connected to the device to be removed using the second wireless communication method, the control terminal 30 can reliably cause the device to be removed to receive the withdrawal request signal.

[0061] That is, the user can reliably cause the device to leave the mesh network 40 by connecting the control terminal 30 and the device to leave using the second wireless communication system and transmitting a leave request signal.

[0062] Next, the control unit 322 determines whether the separation operation is complete (S16). For example, the control unit 322 determines that the separation operation is complete when it receives a separation operation completion instruction. The control unit 322 displays a screen on the display unit 35 that prompts the user to select whether the separation operation is complete, and receives the user's selection through the operation reception unit 34, thereby receiving the separation operation completion instruction. For example, when the user has separated all of the devices 20 that the user wishes to separate from the mesh network 40, the user taps an icon displayed on the display unit 35 to input the separation operation completion instruction. Alternatively, for example, the control unit 322 may receive in advance from the user the selection of all of the separation target devices that the control unit 322 wishes to separate from the mesh network 40, and determines that the separation operation is complete when it receives separation success signals from all of the separation target devices.

[0063] If it is determined that the leaving operation has not been completed (No in S16), the process returns to step S11, and the control terminal 30 connects to any device 20 via the wireless communication unit 31 using the second wireless communication method (S11). Thereafter, a leaving request signal is transmitted to the other devices to be left via the mesh network 40. If it is determined that the leaving operation has been completed (Yes in S16), the control terminal 30 ends its operation.

[0064] If it is determined that the removal of the removal target device has been successful (Yes in S13), it is determined whether the removal procedure has been completed (S17). If it is determined that the removal procedure has not been completed (No in S17), the process returns to step S12, and the output unit 323 of the control terminal 30 transmits a removal request signal to the other removal target devices (S12). If it is determined that the removal procedure has been completed (Yes in S17), the wireless communication unit 31 of the control terminal 30 cuts off communication with any of the devices 20 (S18), and the control terminal 30 ends its operation.

[0065] According to the first operational example, the control terminal 30 transmits a leave request signal by two wireless communication methods: communication via the mesh network 40 and communication by direct connection. The communication system 10 allows the user to more reliably leave the device 20 from the mesh network 40.

[0066] Furthermore, when multiple devices 20 are removed via the mesh network 40, depending on the order in which they are removed, there is a problem that the devices 20 may become isolated from the mesh network 40. However, with this type of communication system 10, the isolated devices 20 can be directly connected to the second wireless communication method and removed.

[0067] [Example 2] In a situation where a user attempts to cause multiple devices 20 to leave the mesh network 40, the control terminal 30 can reduce the number of times the control terminal 30 and the devices 20 are connected via the second wireless communication method by storing the identification numbers of the devices 20 that have attempted to leave via the mesh network 40 but failed. A second operational example of such a control terminal 30 will now be described. Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the second operational example of the control terminal 30 according to the embodiment.

[0068] First, the control terminal 30 connects to an arbitrary device 20 via the wireless communication unit 31 (S21). The wireless communication unit 31 of the control terminal 30 communicates with the wireless communication unit 21 of the arbitrary device 20 using the second wireless communication system.

[0069] Next, the output unit 323 of the control terminal 30 transmits a detachment request signal to the device to be detached (S22). The detachment request signal transmitted by the output unit 323 is transmitted to the device to be detached via the wireless communication unit 31, the wireless communication unit 21 of the first device, and the mesh network 40. The detachment request signal includes information for identifying the device to be detached, and the information for identifying the device to be detached is, for example, the identification number of the device to be detached.

[0070] Next, the control unit 322 determines whether or not the removal of the removal target device has been successful (S23). For example, when the acquisition unit 321 acquires a removal success signal, the control unit 322 determines that the removal of the removal target device has been successful, and when the acquisition unit 321 acquires a removal failure signal, the control unit 322 determines that the removal of the removal target device has failed.

[0071] If it is determined that the removal of the removal target device has failed (No in S23), the control unit 322 stores the identification number of the removal-failed device in the storage unit 33 (S24). The removal-failed device is a device among the removal target devices that has failed to remove in response to a removal request signal transmitted via the mesh network 40.

[0072] When it is determined that the detachment of the detachment target device has been successful (Yes in S23), or when the identification number of the detachment failed device has been stored, the control unit 322 determines whether or not a detachment request signal has been transmitted to all of the detachment target devices via the mesh network 40 (S25). For example, the control unit 322 determines whether or not a detachment request signal has been transmitted to all of the detachment target devices by displaying a screen on the display unit 35 that prompts the user to select whether or not a detachment request signal has been transmitted to all of the detachment target devices and having the operation reception unit 34 receive the user's selection. Also, for example, the control unit 322 receives in advance from the user a selection of all of the detachment target devices to be detached from the mesh network 40, and determines whether or not a detachment request signal has been transmitted to all of the detachment target devices via the mesh network 40 based on the selection.

[0073] If it is determined that the leave request signal has not been transmitted to all devices to be left (No in S25), the process returns to step S22, and the leave request signal is transmitted to the devices to be left via the mesh network 40.

[0074] If it is determined that the disconnection request signal has been transmitted to all the disconnection target devices (Yes in S25), the wireless communication unit 31 of the control terminal 30 disconnects from any of the devices (S26).

[0075] Next, the wireless communication unit 31 of the control terminal 30 connects to the wireless communication unit 21 of one of the one or more disconnection failed devices using the second wireless communication system (S27).

[0076] The output unit 323 transmits a leave request signal to the leave failed device (S28). The leave request signal is transmitted to the leave failed device via the wireless communication unit 31 and the wireless communication unit 21. Because the control terminal 30 is connected to the leave failed device using the second wireless communication method, the leave request signal can be reliably received by the leave failed device.

[0077] That is, the user can reliably cause the separation-failed device to separate from the mesh network 40 by connecting the control terminal 30 and the separation-failed device using the second wireless communication method and transmitting a separation request signal.

[0078] After the removal-failed devices have been removed, the control unit 322 determines whether all the removal-failed devices have been removed (S29). For example, the control unit 322 determines whether all the removal-failed devices have been removed by referring to the identification numbers of the removal-failed devices stored in the storage unit 33.

[0079] If it is determined that all of the devices that have failed to be detached have not been detached (No in S29), the process returns to step S27, and a connection is made to one of the devices that have failed to be detached using the second wireless communication method.

[0080] If it is determined that all of the devices for which removal has failed have been removed (Yes in S29), the control terminal 30 ends the operation.

[0081] If there is no device for which removal has failed, the control terminal 30 ends the operation without executing the processes from step S27 to step S29.

[0082] According to the second operational example, the control terminal 30 stores the identification information of the devices 20 that have failed to leave, and after transmitting a leave request signal to the devices 20 via the mesh network 40, can directly connect to each of the devices 20 that have failed to leave and transmit the leave request signal to them. According to the communication system 10, the user can more easily cause the devices 20 to leave the mesh network 40.

[0083] [Variations] The control terminal 30 can receive in advance from the user a selection of multiple devices to be removed from the mesh network 40. When multiple devices to be removed are to be removed, if a device 20 that is directly connected to multiple devices to be removed is included among the devices, once that device 20 has removed from the mesh network 40, it will be impossible to remove the other devices to be removed via the mesh network 40. Below, we will explain the operation of a modified example of the control terminal 30 that can more easily remove devices 20 from the mesh network 40 even in such a situation.

[0084] Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a modified example of the control terminal 30 according to the embodiment. Fig. 6 shows the operation executed when the control terminal 30 receives a selection of multiple devices to be removed from the user and the multiple devices to be removed include a device 20 that is directly connected to the devices. First, the control terminal 30 performs the process of step S21 in Fig. 5. That is, the control terminal 30 connects to an arbitrary device 20 via the wireless communication unit 31.

[0085] Next, the control unit 322 determines the order in which to transmit one or more leave request signals so that the leave request signal for the currently connected device 20 is transmitted last (S31).

[0086] 5 in accordance with the order of transmitting the leave request signals determined by the control unit 322. That is, the output unit 323 transmits leave request signals to the device to be left in accordance with the order of transmitting the leave request signals determined by the control unit 322. In this case, the process of step S26, that is, the process of the wireless communication unit 31 of the control terminal 30 disconnecting from the arbitrary device 20, is not executed because the arbitrary device 20 (directly connected device 20) has left the mesh network 40 before proceeding to step S26.

[0087] In the above modification, step S21 in Fig. 5 may be read as step S11 in Fig. 4, and step S22 in Fig. 5 may be read as step S12 in Fig. 4. In this case, when it is determined that the removal of the removal target device in response to the removal request signal via the mesh network 40 has failed (No in S13 in Fig. 4), the control terminal 30 connects to the removal target device via the wireless communication unit 31 using the second wireless communication method (S14 in Fig. 4), so that the control terminal 30 removes the connected device 20 from the mesh network 40 by transmitting a removal request signal to the connected device 20 before disconnecting the connection with the connected device 20.

[0088] According to the above operation, it is possible to prevent a device 20 that is not directly connected to the control terminal 30 from being unable to be disconnected via the mesh network 40 due to the control terminal 30 disconnecting a connected device 20, thereby reducing the number of times the control terminal 30 and any device 20 are directly connected via the second wireless communication method. Therefore, the user can more easily disconnect a device 20 from the mesh network 40.

[0089] [Effects, etc.] The technologies derived from the disclosure of this specification are, for example, the following technologies. Below, the technologies derived from the disclosure of this specification will be described together with the effects and the like obtained by the technologies.

[0090] Technology 1 is a communication system 10 that configures a mesh network 40 and includes a plurality of devices 20 that perform wireless communication in a first wireless communication method in the mesh network 40, and a control terminal 30, wherein the control terminal 30 connects to a first device among the plurality of devices 20 via wireless communication in a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method, and transmits a withdrawal request signal to the first device to cause a second device among the plurality of devices 20 that is different from the first device to withdraw from the mesh network 40, and when the second device receives the withdrawal request signal from the first device via the mesh network 40, it withdraws from the mesh network 40.

[0091] Such a communication system 10 can transmit a leave request signal to multiple devices 20 via the mesh network 40 while remaining connected to any one device 20. In other words, a leave request signal can be transmitted via the mesh network 40 to devices 20 that are not directly connected to the control terminal 30. Therefore, such a communication system 10 can make it easier for devices 20 to leave the mesh network 40.

[0092] Technology 2 is the communication system 10 of Technology 1, in which the control terminal 30 connects to the second device via wireless communication using the second wireless communication method when the second device fails to leave the mesh network 40, and transmits a leave request signal to the second device.

[0093] In this communication system 10, the control terminal 30 transmits a leave request signal by two wireless communication methods: communication via the mesh network 40 and communication by direct connection. With this communication system 10, the user can more reliably leave the device 20 from the mesh network 40.

[0094] Technique 3 is the communication system 10 of technique 1 or 2, in which the control terminal 30 stores identification information of the second device when the second device fails to leave the mesh network 40.

[0095] In a situation where a user attempts to cause multiple devices 20 to leave the mesh network 40, if the devices 20 fail to leave in response to a leave request signal transmitted via the mesh network 40, the communication system 10 stores the identification information of the devices 20 that failed to leave, and then transmits a leave request signal to the multiple devices 20 via the mesh network 40, and then directly connects to each of the devices 20 that failed to leave and transmits the leave request signal to them. With the communication system 10, the user can more easily cause the devices 20 to leave the mesh network 40.

[0096] Technique 4 is a communication system 10 according to any one of techniques 1 to 3, in which each of the multiple devices 20 reconstructs the mesh network 40 so as to be able to communicate with the control terminal 30 when the second device leaves the mesh network 40 and communication with the control terminal 30 becomes impossible.

[0097] Such a communication system 10 can help the mesh network 40 maintain a state in which information from the control terminal 30 can be transmitted to all devices 20 included in the mesh network 40 .

[0098] Technique 5 is the communication system 10 of any one of techniques 1 to 4, further characterized in that the control terminal 30 transmits a first device removal request signal for removing the first device from the mesh network by wireless communication using the second wireless communication method. According to this communication system 10, the device 20 directly connected to the control terminal 30 can be removed from the mesh network 40.

[0099] Technique 6 is the communication system 10 of Technique 5, in which when transmitting a first device disconnection request signal, if there is a second device that the control terminal 30 wants to disconnect, the control terminal 30 transmits the disconnection request signal before transmitting the first device disconnection request signal.

[0100] According to such a communication system 10, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a device 20 that is not directly connected to the control terminal 30 cannot be disconnected via the mesh network 40 by disconnecting the device 20 to which the control terminal 30 is connected.

[0101] Technique 7 is the communication system 10 of any one of techniques 1 to 6, in which the plurality of devices 20 includes lighting devices having wireless communication functions.

[0102] According to such a communication system 10, the user can remove the lighting device from the mesh network 40 more easily.

[0103] Technique 8 is a control terminal 30 that includes a wireless communication unit 31 and a control unit 322. The control unit 322 uses the wireless communication unit 31 to connect to a first device among a plurality of devices 20 that constitute a mesh network 40 and that perform wireless communication using a first wireless communication method in the mesh network 40 via wireless communication using a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method, and transmits a withdrawal request signal to the first device to cause a second device among the plurality of devices 20 that is different from the first device to withdraw from the mesh network 40.

[0104] Such a control terminal 30 allows the user to remove the device 20 from the mesh network 40 more easily.

[0105] Technique 9 is a control method including the steps of: a control terminal 30 connecting to a first device among a plurality of devices 20 constituting a mesh network 40, the plurality of devices 20 communicating wirelessly in the mesh network 40 using a first wireless communication method, via wireless communication using a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method; a control terminal 30 transmitting a withdrawal request signal to the first device to cause a second device among the plurality of devices 20, different from the first device, to withdraw from the mesh network 40; and a step in which the second device withdraws from the mesh network 40 when the second device receives the withdrawal request signal from the first device via the mesh network 40.

[0106] This control method can transmit a withdrawal request signal to a device 20 that is not directly connected to the control terminal 30 via the mesh network 40. Therefore, this control method allows the user to more easily withdraw the device 20 from the mesh network 40.

[0107] Technique 10 is a program for causing the control terminal 30 and the second device to execute the control method of technique 9.

[0108] Such a program may assist in allowing devices 20 to leave mesh network 40 more easily.

[0109] Technique 11 is a control method executed by a control terminal 30, and includes the steps of: connecting a first device among a plurality of devices 20 constituting a mesh network 40 that perform wireless communication using a first wireless communication method in the mesh network 40 to the first device via wireless communication using a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method; and transmitting a withdrawal request signal to the first device to cause the second device among the plurality of devices 20 that is different from the first device to withdraw from the mesh network 40.

[0110] In this control method, the control terminal 30 can transmit a disconnection request signal to the device 20 that is not directly connected via the mesh network 40. Therefore, according to this control method, the user can use the control terminal 30 to disconnect the device 20 from the mesh network 40 more easily.

[0111] The twelfth aspect is a program for causing a computer to execute the control method of the eleventh aspect.

[0112] Such a program can help the user to more easily remove the device 20 from the mesh network 40 using the control terminal 30.

[0113] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0114] The communication method between the devices described in the above embodiment is merely an example, and is not particularly limited to this.

[0115] In the above-described embodiment, the processing performed by a specific processing unit may be performed by another processing unit. The order of multiple processing operations may be changed, or multiple processing operations may be performed in parallel.

[0116] 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.

[0117] 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.

[0118] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized as a system, device, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Also, the present invention may be realized as any combination of a system, device, method, integrated circuit, computer program, and recording medium. For example, the present invention may be realized as the communication system or information terminal of the above-described embodiments, or as an information processing method executed by an information terminal. The present invention may be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute such an information processing method, or as a non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded. Such programs include application programs for causing a computer, such as a general-purpose information terminal, to function as the information terminal of the above-described embodiments.

[0119] 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 that does not deviate from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0120] 10. Communication Systems 20 Equipment (communication equipment) 30 Control Terminal 31 Radio Communication Department 322 Control Unit 40 Mesh Network

Claims

1. a plurality of devices that configure a mesh network and perform wireless communication in a first wireless communication system in the mesh network; a control terminal; The control terminal connecting a first device among the plurality of devices by wireless communication using a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method; transmitting a withdrawal request signal to the first device to cause a second device, different from the first device, among the plurality of devices to withdraw from the mesh network; When the second device receives the withdrawal request signal from the first device via the mesh network, the second device withdraws from the mesh network. Communication system.

2. When the second device fails to leave the mesh network, the control terminal connects to the second device by wireless communication in the second wireless communication method and transmits the leave request signal to the second device. The communication system of claim 1 .

3. the control terminal stores identification information of the second device when the second device fails to leave the mesh network; 3. A communication system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. When the second device leaves the mesh network and communication with the control terminal becomes impossible, each of the plurality of devices reconstructs the mesh network so as to enable communication with the control terminal.

3. A communication system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. Furthermore, the control terminal transmits a first device withdrawal request signal for causing the first device to withdraw from the mesh network via wireless communication in the second wireless communication system.

3. A communication system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. When transmitting the first device disconnection request signal, if there is a second device to be disconnected, the control terminal transmits the disconnection request signal before transmitting the first device disconnection request signal. The communication system according to claim 5 .

7. The plurality of devices include lighting devices having wireless communication capabilities.

3. A communication system according to claim 1 or 2.

8. A wireless communication unit and a control unit are provided, The control unit uses the wireless communication unit to a first device among a plurality of devices constituting a mesh network and performing wireless communication using a first wireless communication method in the mesh network is connected to the first device by wireless communication using a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method; transmitting a withdrawal request signal to the first device to cause a second device, which is different from the first device, among the plurality of devices to withdraw from the mesh network; Control terminal.

9. a step in which a control terminal connects to a first device among a plurality of devices constituting a mesh network and performing wireless communication in a first wireless communication system in the mesh network, by wireless communication in a second wireless communication system different from the first wireless communication system; a step of the control terminal transmitting a withdrawal request signal to the first device to cause a second device different from the first device among the plurality of devices to withdraw from the mesh network; and when the second device receives the leave request signal from the first device via the mesh network, the second device leaves the mesh network. Control method.

10. A program for causing the control terminal and the second device to execute the control method according to claim 9.

11. A control method executed by a control terminal, comprising: a step of connecting a first device among a plurality of devices constituting a mesh network and performing wireless communication in a first wireless communication system in the mesh network by wireless communication in a second wireless communication system different from the first wireless communication system; transmitting a withdrawal request signal to the first device to cause a second device, different from the first device, among the plurality of devices to withdraw from the mesh network. Control method.

12. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 11.

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