Information terminals, communication systems, information processing methods, and programs

Abstract

To provide information terminals and other devices that enable users to more efficiently build networks with a cluster structure. [Solution] The information terminal 30 includes a detection unit 322 that performs detection processing of communication nodes 20, and a registration unit 323 that registers a first communication network composed of a plurality of communication nodes 20 detected by the detection processing each time the detection processing is performed. The plurality of communication nodes 20 that constitute the first communication network include a specific node 20a. After the plurality of first communication networks are registered, the specific node 20a belonging to each of the plurality of first communication networks constitute a second communication network. When the detection processing is performed when the number of registered plurality of first communication networks has reached the upper limit, the registration unit 323 registers the communication node 20 detected by the detection processing as an additional node that communicates with a specific node 20a belonging to any of the registered plurality of first communication networks.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information terminal, a communication system, an information processing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Techniques for forming a mesh network using communication devices such as lighting fixtures having a wireless communication function are known. Patent Document 1 discloses a mesh network having lighting devices as nodes.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As a configuration of a mesh network, a mesh network composed of a plurality of clusters can be considered, in which a plurality of nodes form clusters and, among the plurality of nodes, relay nodes relay communication between the clusters. When constructing a mesh network having such a configuration, when there is an upper limit to the number of clusters, there is a problem that nodes cannot be added after the number of clusters reaches the upper limit.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an information terminal, a communication system, an information processing method, and a program that enable a user to more efficiently construct a network having a cluster structure.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One embodiment of an information terminal relating to this disclosure comprises a detection unit that performs a detection process for communication nodes, and a registration unit that, each time the detection process is performed, registers a first communication network composed of a plurality of communication nodes detected by the detection process, wherein the plurality of communication nodes constituting the first communication network include a specific node, and after a plurality of the first communication networks have been registered, the specific node belonging to each of the plurality of the first communication networks constitutes a second communication network, and when the detection process is performed when the number of registered plurality of the first communication networks has reached an upper limit, the registration unit registers the communication node detected by the detection process as an additional node that communicates with the specific node belonging to any of the registered plurality of first communication networks.

[0007] Furthermore, one embodiment of the communication system relating to this disclosure comprises a plurality of communication nodes and the above-mentioned information terminal.

[0008] Furthermore, one aspect of the information processing method relating to this disclosure is an information processing method executed by an information terminal, comprising: a detection step of performing a detection process for communication nodes; and a registration step of registering a first communication network composed of a plurality of communication nodes detected by the detection process each time the detection process is performed, wherein the plurality of communication nodes constituting the first communication network include a specific node, and after the plurality of first communication networks have been registered, the specific node belonging to each of the plurality of first communication networks constitutes a second communication network, and in the registration step, if the detection process is performed when the number of registered plurality of first communication networks has reached an upper limit, the communication node detected by the detection process is registered as an additional node that communicates with the specific node belonging to any of the registered plurality of first communication networks.

[0009] Furthermore, this disclosure can be implemented not only as the above-mentioned information processing method, but also as a program that causes a computer to execute the above-mentioned information processing method. Moreover, it can also be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium that stores the program. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the information terminal, communication system, information processing method, and program related to this disclosure, users can more efficiently construct a network having a cluster structure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a network diagram of the communication system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the information terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows the first registration operation according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows the second registration operation according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of a screen displayed on the information terminal when the communication node according to the embodiment cannot be registered. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] (Embodiment) The embodiments of the information terminal, communication system, information processing method, and program relating to this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are all preferred examples of the present disclosure. The numerical values, components, arrangement and connection configurations of components, steps, and the order of steps shown in the following embodiments are examples only and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Furthermore, components in the following embodiments that are not described in an independent claim will be described as any component constituting a preferred configuration.

[0013] Please note that each figure is a schematic diagram and not necessarily a strictly accurate representation. Furthermore, in each figure, substantially identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations may be omitted or simplified.

[0014] [composition] First, the configuration of the communication system according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the communication system 10 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 10 comprises a plurality of communication nodes 20 and an information terminal 30.

[0015] In the communication system 10, each of the multiple communication nodes 20 has wireless communication capabilities. The multiple communication nodes 20 constitute a hierarchical wireless mesh network (a mesh network that constructs a cluster structure) by having a user perform initial network setup using an information terminal 30. Hereinafter, the hierarchical wireless mesh network will also be simply referred to as the mesh network 40. The user is, for example, a company that installs and configures the communication nodes 20. Note that the construction of a hierarchical mesh network by performing initial setup is just one example; other methods, such as constructing a mesh network from the configured communication nodes 20, are also conceivable.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a network diagram of the communication system 10 according to the embodiment. The circled marks in FIG. 2 correspond to one communication node 20 in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the mesh network 40 includes a plurality of clusters 41.

[0017] In the example of FIG. 2, each of the clusters 41 is composed of a plurality of communication nodes 20 (a specific node 20a and child nodes 20b). One or more specific nodes 20a and a plurality of child nodes 20b belong to the cluster 41. The inter-cluster network is composed of the specific nodes 20a belonging to each of the plurality of clusters 41. The specific node 20a can be rephrased as a relay node, a bridge node, a backbone node, or a gateway node, etc. Note that the number of clusters 41 included in the mesh network 40 is not particularly limited. The number of hierarchical levels in the mesh network 40 is also not particularly limited. Also, in the example of FIG. 2, a plurality of child nodes 20b belong to the cluster 41, but one child node 20b may belong, or no child node 20b may belong.

[0018] In the cluster 41, when transmitting information from one node (also referred to as the first communication node) to another node (also referred to as the second communication node), the information is transmitted, for example, in a routing manner.

[0019] Specifically, in the cluster 41, a communication path is set that can pre-distribute information to the communication nodes 20 belonging to the cluster 41. When the first communication node unicast-transmits 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 cluster 41 as the first communication node that received this further unicast-transmit the received information based on the set communication path. That is, the other communication nodes relay the information. By repeating such information relaying within the same cluster 41, the second communication node can receive the information transmitted by the first communication node.

[0020] The routing method is an example of the method used for the transmission of information within cluster 41. In the transmission of information within cluster 41, other methods such as the flooding method may be adopted. In the flooding method, when the first communication node broadcasts and transmits information including the address information (destination information) of the second communication node, each of the other communication nodes belonging to the same cluster 41 as the first communication node that received this information further broadcasts and transmits the received information. That is, each of the other communication nodes relays the information. By repeating such information relay within the same cluster 41, the above information transmitted by the first communication node reaches all the nodes belonging to the same cluster 41 as the first communication node. Therefore, the second communication node can receive the information transmitted by the first communication node.

[0021] When transmitting information from the first communication node to the third node belonging to another cluster 41, the information is relayed by the specific node 20a. That is, the transmission of information through the inter-cluster network is performed. The specific node 20a is provided with at least one in, for example, one cluster 41. The method used for the transmission of information within the inter-cluster network may be any of the routing method, the flooding method, and other methods.

[0022] If it is assumed that all nodes belong to the same mesh network, when transmitting information, all nodes perform information relay, so the communication volume per unit time increases. On the other hand, in a mesh network having a cluster structure as shown in FIG. 2, when transmitting information within a certain cluster 41, in other clusters 41, the relay of the information is not performed. In a mesh network having a cluster structure, information is transmitted from one cluster 41 to another cluster 41 via the specific node 20a only when necessary. Therefore, according to the mesh network having a cluster structure, by suppressing the communication volume per unit time, the robustness of the system can be improved.

[0023] The information transmitted through the mesh network 40 may include, for example, control information for controlling the lighting fixtures (on / off, dimming, color temperature, color control, or light distribution) if multiple communication nodes 20 include lighting fixtures. In some cases, if multiple communication nodes 20 include environmental sensors, the measured values ​​(sensing information) from the environmental sensors may also be transmitted through the mesh network 40. If multiple communication nodes 20 include cameras, speakers, or other devices, video, images, audio, other information, or control values ​​may also be transmitted.

[0024] Furthermore, for example, the information transmitted through the mesh network 40 is configuration information sent by the information terminal 30. The configuration information includes information for identifying the cluster 41 to which the communication node 20 belongs. In addition, the configuration information includes control group configuration information, control scene configuration information, network information, etc. The control group configuration information indicates a group of communication nodes 20 that perform the same control, and the control scene configuration information indicates the content of the control performed by the communication node 20. The network information is information necessary for the communication node 20 to communicate within the mesh network 40. The network information includes the network ID of the mesh network 40 and address information of the communication node 20 used for communication within the mesh network 40.

[0025] In the communication system 10, wireless communication (hereinafter also simply referred to as communication) between multiple communication nodes 20 is performed, for example, according to a first communication protocol for a mesh network 40. The first communication protocol is, for example, Bluetooth® mesh.

[0026] On the other hand, an information terminal 30 that does not belong to the mesh network 40 cannot communicate with multiple communication nodes 20 using the first communication protocol. However, the information terminal 30 is equipped with a communication function using a second communication protocol for one-to-one communication. The second communication protocol is a different communication protocol from the first communication protocol, and is, for example, BLE (Bluetooth® Low Energy). Note that the first and second communication protocols may be communication protocols that use the same frequency band (for example, the 2.4 GHz band).

[0027] The communication node 20 and information terminal 30 will be described below with reference to Figure 1.

[0028] First, let's explain the communication node 20. The communication node 20 can be any device that can communicate with other devices, such as a lighting fixture. Alternatively, the communication node 20 may be a lighting remote controller, an AC relay, or other lighting-related device, or it may be a device not directly related to lighting, such as an environmental sensor, camera, motion sensor, or air conditioner. The device that becomes the communication node 20 may be a device that has two or more of the individual functions of the devices mentioned above, and the type of device that becomes the communication node 20 is not particularly limited.

[0029] Communication node 20 is configured with network information by information terminal 30 and joins mesh network 40. Network information for belonging to mesh network 40 is stored in communication node 20. Network information includes the network ID of mesh network 40 and the address information of communication node 20 used for communication within mesh network 40.

[0030] Furthermore, a lighting fixture, which is an example of a communication node 20, will be described. The lighting fixture is a base light or the like, installed on the ceiling of an indoor space to illuminate the indoor space. As described above, each of the multiple lighting fixtures, which are multiple communication nodes 20, has a wireless communication function. The multiple lighting fixtures join the mesh network (more specifically, a wireless mesh network) and constitute the mesh network 40. The form of the lighting fixture is not particularly limited and may be a ceiling light, downlight, spotlight, etc. Specifically, the communication node 20 comprises a communication unit 21, an information processing unit 22, a storage unit 23, and a functional unit 24.

[0031] The communication unit 21 is a wireless communication circuit that enables communication nodes 20 to communicate wirelessly with other communication nodes 20 and information terminals 30. After a communication node 20 joins the mesh network 40, the communication unit 21 can communicate via the mesh network 40. Before a communication node 20 joins the mesh network 40, the communication unit 21 periodically transmits beacon signals (sometimes called advertisement signals, etc.) and communicates wirelessly individually with information terminals 30 that receive the beacon signals. The communication standards used for wireless communication by the communication unit 21 are specifically BLE or Bluetooth® mesh, etc.

[0032] The information processing unit 22 performs information processing and other operations necessary for the operation of the communication node 20. The information processing unit 22, for example, uses the communication unit 21 to realize the transmission of information within the mesh network 40. The information processing unit 22 operates the communication node 20 by controlling the functional unit 24, for example. The information processing unit 22 is implemented by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be implemented by a processor or dedicated circuit. The functions of the information processing unit 22 are realized by the execution of computer programs (software) stored in the storage unit 23 by the hardware such as the microcomputer or processor that constitutes the information processing unit 22. Specifically, the information processing unit 22 includes an acquisition unit 221, a control unit 222, and an output unit 223.

[0033] The acquisition unit 221 acquires setting information from the information terminal 30. The acquisition unit 221 also acquires control information transmitted, for example, through the mesh network 40.

[0034] The control unit 222 executes control based on the control information acquired by the acquisition unit 221 and the setting information stored in the storage unit 23.

[0035] The output unit 223 transmits the control information acquired by the acquisition unit 221 to other communication nodes 20 via the mesh network 40.

[0036] The memory unit 23 is a storage device that stores various information necessary for the operation of the communication node 20, such as the configuration information of the mesh network 40. The memory unit 23 stores the configuration information set by the information terminal 30. The memory unit 23 is implemented, for example, by semiconductor memory.

[0037] The functional unit 24 implements the functions of the communication node 20 in the operation of the communication node 20. For example, if the communication node 20 is a lighting device, the functional unit 24 is a light source. The light source irradiates the indoor space with white light so that the communication node 20, which is a lighting device, can illuminate the indoor space. The light source is implemented by, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) element, but may also be implemented by other light-emitting elements such as a semiconductor laser, organic EL (Electro Luminescence), or inorganic EL.

[0038] Next, the information terminal 30 will be described. The information terminal 30 is an information terminal used by a user to build a mesh network 40 with multiple communication nodes 20 by adding or removing communication nodes 20 from the mesh network 40. The information terminal 30 is also used by a user to configure the multiple communication nodes 20 that make up the mesh network 40. Furthermore, the information terminal 30 is also used by a user to control the multiple communication nodes 20 that make up the mesh network 40. The user here is, for example, the installer who performed the installation work of the multiple communication nodes 20, but it may also be another user other than the installer. The user may be, for example, the administrator of the communication system 10.

[0039] The information terminal 30 is, for example, a mobile device such as a smartphone, tablet, or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). Alternatively, the information terminal 30 may be a dedicated remote controller used in the communication system 10. Specifically, the information terminal 30 comprises a communication unit 31, an information processing unit 32, a storage unit 33, an operation reception unit 34, and a display unit 35.

[0040] The communication unit 31 is a communication circuit for the information terminal 30 to communicate (more specifically, wirelessly) with the communication node 20. The communication standard used for communication by the communication unit 31 is, for example, BLE.

[0041] The information processing unit 32 performs information processing in response to user operations received by the information terminal 30 via the operation reception unit 34. For example, the information processing unit 32 performs information processing related to the process of allowing the communication node 20 to join the mesh network 40. Here, the process of allowing the node to join is, for example, the process of storing network information in the storage unit 23 of the communication node 20. The network information is information necessary for communication in the mesh network 40. The information processing unit 32 is implemented by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be implemented by a processor or dedicated circuit. The functions of the information processing unit 32 are realized by the execution of a computer program (software) stored in the storage unit 33 by the hardware such as the microcomputer or processor that constitutes the information processing unit 32. Specifically, the information processing unit 32 includes an acquisition unit 321, a detection unit 322, and a registration unit 323.

[0042] The acquisition unit 321 acquires user operations and other information received by the operation reception unit 34.

[0043] The detection unit 322 performs detection processing for the communication node 20. For example, the detection unit 322 detects the communication node 20 by receiving a beacon signal that is periodically transmitted by the communication node 20. In this embodiment, the communication node 20 that transmits the beacon signal is a specific node 20a or an unregistered node, but a child node 20b may also transmit the beacon signal. The beacon signal is an example of a detection signal.

[0044] Each time the detection process is performed by the detection unit 322, the registration unit 323 sends configuration information to each of the multiple communication nodes 20 detected by the detection process and stores the configuration information in the storage unit 23, thereby allowing the multiple communication nodes 20 to join the mesh network 40. Simultaneously, it registers the cluster 41 composed of the multiple communication nodes 20. Registering the cluster 41 means that the registration unit 323 stores information about the cluster 41 in the storage unit 33. The information about the cluster 41 includes information for identifying specific nodes 20a and child nodes 20b belonging to the cluster 41.

[0045] The memory unit 33 is a storage device that stores information related to the mesh network 40. This information includes the configuration of the mesh network 40 and information related to the cluster 41. The memory unit 33 also stores information necessary for information processing, such as computer programs executed by the information processing unit 32. The memory unit 33 is implemented, for example, by a semiconductor memory. The computer programs stored in the memory unit 33 include dedicated application programs used to construct the mesh network 40.

[0046] The operation reception unit 34 receives user input. The operation reception unit 34 is implemented, for example, by a touch panel or the like.

[0047] The display unit 35 displays various images. These images are, for example, necessary for the process of allowing the communication node 20 to join the mesh network 40. The display unit 35 is implemented by a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel.

[0048] [Operation] When constructing a mesh network 40 consisting of multiple clusters 41, one possible method is to register multiple communication nodes 20 detected in a single scan as a single cluster 41.

[0049] This registration method allows multiple communication nodes 20 located in positions that can deliver beacon signals to the information terminal 30, in other words, multiple communication nodes 20 that can be estimated to be located relatively close to each other, to be registered in the same cluster 41. Therefore, this registration method makes it possible to efficiently construct a mesh network 40 with a cluster structure.

[0050] However, in general, in a mesh network 40 having such a cluster structure, there is a limit to the number of clusters 41 that can be allowed by the system design of the mesh network 40. Therefore, with this registration method, there is a problem that once the number of clusters 41 reaches the upper limit, it becomes impossible to allow communication nodes 20 to join the mesh network 40.

[0051] In the communication system 10 according to this embodiment, when adding a communication node 20 to the mesh network 40 after the number of clusters 41 has reached its upper limit, the communication node 20 can be added to one of the registered clusters 41. In other words, even when the number of registered clusters 41 has reached its upper limit, a new communication node 20 can be added to the mesh network 40 without changing the network settings of the registered communication node 20. Therefore, according to the communication system 10 according to this embodiment, the user can build a network with a cluster structure more efficiently.

[0052] The operation of this communication system 10 will be described below. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information terminal 30 according to the embodiment.

[0053] First, the detection unit 322 detects an unregistered node (S11). Here, an unregistered node means a communication node 20 that does not belong to the mesh network 40. The unregistered node periodically transmits a beacon signal. The detection unit 322 performs a detection process to detect an unregistered node by receiving the beacon signal. An unregistered node detected by the detection process is an unregistered node in which an information terminal 30 is located within the range of the beacon signal transmitted by that unregistered node.

[0054] For example, the user takes the information terminal 30 to an area where an unregistered node is expected to be installed. Next, the user uses the operation reception unit 34, for example, to tap the icon displayed on the display unit 35 for receiving a beacon signal. This triggers the detection process by the detection unit 322.

[0055] When an unregistered node is detected, the registration unit 323 determines whether the number of clusters 41 is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold (S12). The predetermined threshold is, for example, 31. The registration unit 323 determines whether the number of clusters 41 is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold based, for example, on information indicating the configuration of the mesh network 40 stored in the storage unit 33. The information indicating the configuration of the mesh network 40 includes, for example, information for identifying clusters 41.

[0056] The predetermined threshold may be an upper limit on the number of clusters 41 on the system, determined according to the design of the mesh network 40, or it may be a value arbitrarily set by the user. The predetermined threshold may also be determined according to the number of communication nodes 20 to be assigned to the mesh network 40. Here, the value of the predetermined threshold is not particularly limited.

[0057] If it is determined that the number of clusters 41 is less than a predetermined threshold (No in S12), the registration unit 323 performs registration in the first registration operation (S13). Specifically, the registration unit 323 registers the clusters 41 composed of multiple communication nodes 20 detected by the detection process in S11. For example, the registration unit 323 allows each of the detected communication nodes 20 to join the mesh network 40 by sending configuration information to each of the multiple communication nodes 20 and storing it in the storage unit 23. The configuration information includes information for identifying the cluster 41 to which the communication node 20 belongs. Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the first registration operation according to the embodiment.

[0058] As shown in Figure 4, user 50 receives beacon signals transmitted by unregistered nodes 20c by operating the information terminal 30. In step S11, multiple (six in Figure 4) unregistered nodes 20c from which the information terminal 30 was able to receive beacon signals are shown.

[0059] In the first registration operation, the registration unit 323 registers the multiple communication nodes 20 detected by the detection process as a single cluster 41. At this time, the registration is performed so that at least one specific node 20a is included among the multiple communication nodes 20 that constitute the cluster 41. The specific node 20a belongs to the inter-cluster network and relays information transmitted within the mesh network 40 by communicating with specific nodes 20a belonging to other clusters 41.

[0060] The specific node 20a is determined, for example, based on the signal strength of the beacon signal received by the detection unit 322. Specifically, among a plurality of unregistered nodes 20c, the unregistered node 20c with the highest signal strength of the beacon signal is set to communicate as the specific node 20a. The specific node 20a may also be determined based on input from the user 50, or based on information indicating the type of device included in the beacon signal.

[0061] When the unregistered node 20c is registered as a new cluster 41 by the first registration operation, the registration unit 323 determines whether or not to continue the registration process (S14).

[0062] For example, the registration unit 323 displays an icon on the display unit 35 to terminate the registration process, and determines to continue the registration process as long as the operation reception unit 34 has not received input from the user 50 to tap the icon. Alternatively, for example, the registration unit 323 may receive input from the user 50 in advance regarding the number of communication nodes 20 to be assigned to the mesh network 40, and determines to continue the registration process if the number of communication nodes 20 belonging to the mesh network 40 stored in the storage unit 33 has not reached the number of nodes that was input.

[0063] If it is determined that the registration process should continue (Yes in S14), the process returns to step S11, and the information terminal 30 continues to operate. At this time, the user moves the information terminal 30 to the area where an unregistered node 20c is expected to be located, and then causes the detection unit 322 to perform the detection process.

[0064] When it is determined that the registration process is complete (No in S14), the information terminal 30 terminates its operation.

[0065] If it is determined that the number of clusters 41 is above a predetermined threshold (Yes in S12), the registration unit 323 determines whether there are any available clusters 41 that have been detected (S15). Having available clusters 41 means that the number of communication nodes 20 belonging to cluster 41 has not reached the upper limit.

[0066] The upper limit on the number of communication nodes 20 that can belong to cluster 41 is, for example, 20, but it may also be 40. Here, the upper limit on the number of communication nodes 20 that can belong to cluster 41 is not particularly limited and can be changed as appropriate depending on the design of the mesh network 40.

[0067] Here, a specific node 20a periodically transmits a beacon signal to maintain a state where communication between the mesh network 40 and the information terminal 30 is possible. The detection unit 322 performs a detection process to detect the specific node 20a by receiving the beacon signal. The specific node 20a detected by the detection process is a specific node 20a in which the information terminal 30 is located within the range of the beacon signal transmitted by that specific node 20a.

[0068] In this way, the detection unit 322 detects the specific node 20a. In other words, it detects the registered existing cluster 41 to which the detected specific node 20a belongs.

[0069] If it is determined that there is an available slot in the detected existing cluster 41 (Yes in S15), the registration unit 323 performs registration in the second registration operation (S16). Specifically, the registration unit 323 registers the communication node 20 detected by the detection process as an additional node that communicates with a specific node 20a belonging to one of the multiple registered clusters 41. The additional node operates as a child node 20b belonging to the cluster 41 to which the specific node 20a that communicates belongs. For example, the registration unit 323 sends configuration information to the detected communication node 20 and stores it in the storage unit 23, thereby making the communication node 20 belong to the cluster 41 to which the specific node 20a belongs. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the second registration operation according to the embodiment.

[0070] As shown in Figure 5, user 50 uses information terminal 30 to receive beacon signals transmitted by unregistered node 20c. Figure 5 shows one unregistered node 20c from which information terminal 30 was able to receive a beacon signal as a result of the detection process in step S11.

[0071] In the second registration operation, the registration unit 323 registers the communication node 20 detected by the detection process as an additional node that communicates with the specific node 20a detected in the process of step S15.

[0072] Here, if there are two or more specific nodes 20a that transmitted the beacon signal received by the detection unit 322, the registration unit 323 registers additional nodes to communicate with the specific node 20a with the highest beacon signal strength.

[0073] For example, in the example shown in Figure 5, among the multiple specific nodes 20a, the specific node 20a belonging to cluster 411 is set to the location closest to the information terminal 30. Also, the radio wave strength of the beacon signal decreases as the transmission distance increases. Therefore, it can be said that the unregistered node 20c is highly likely to be registered as an additional node to communicate with the specific node 20a belonging to cluster 411.

[0074] When the unregistered node 20c is registered as an additional node in the existing cluster 41 through the second registration operation, the process proceeds to step S14, and the registration unit 323 determines whether or not to continue the registration process.

[0075] If it is determined that there are no available slots in the detected existing cluster 41 (No in S15), the information processing unit 32 displays a warning about the maximum number of units on the display unit 35 (S17). The warning about the maximum number of units is a notification that the communication node 20 detected by the detection process cannot be registered as an additional node. Figure 6 shows an example of the screen displayed on the information terminal 30 when the communication node 20 according to the embodiment cannot be registered.

[0076] As shown in Figure 6, the display unit 35 of the information terminal 30 displays a warning 60 that reads, "No more communication devices can be registered to the detected cluster." The specific form of the warning 60 is not particularly limited, as long as it indicates that the communication node 20 detected by the detection process cannot be registered as an additional node.

[0077] At this time, it is not possible to allow the unregistered node 20c to join the mesh network 40.

[0078] Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S14, where the registration unit 323 determines whether or not to continue the registration process.

[0079] According to the above operation, the information terminal 30 registers clusters 41 in the first registration operation until the number of registered clusters 41 reaches the upper limit, and after the sum of registered clusters 41 reaches the upper limit, it registers additional nodes in the second registration operation.

[0080] As a result, when the information terminal 30 wants to add a communication node 20 to the mesh network 40 after the number of clusters 41 has reached its limit, it can register the communication node 20 as an additional node that communicates with a specific node 20a belonging to one of the registered clusters 41. In other words, even when the number of registered clusters 41 has reached its limit, the information terminal 30 can add a new communication node 20 to the mesh network 40 without changing the network settings of the registered communication node 20.

[0081] Therefore, according to the communication system 10 of the embodiment, the user 50 can more efficiently construct a network having a cluster structure.

[0082] [Effects, etc.] The technologies derived from the disclosures in this specification include, for example, the following. The technologies derived from the disclosures in this specification will be described below, along with the effects obtained by such technologies.

[0083] Technology 1 is an information terminal 30 comprising a detection unit 322 that performs detection processing of communication nodes 20, and a registration unit 323 that registers a first communication network composed of a plurality of communication nodes 20 detected by the detection processing each time the detection processing is performed, wherein the plurality of communication nodes 20 that constitute the first communication network include a specific node 20a, and after the plurality of first communication networks are registered, the specific node 20a belonging to each of the plurality of first communication networks constitute a second communication network, and when the detection processing is performed when the number of registered plurality of first communication networks has reached the upper limit, the registration unit 323 registers the communication node 20 detected by the detection processing as an additional node that communicates with a specific node 20a belonging to any of the registered plurality of first communication networks. The cluster 41 in the above embodiment is an example of a first communication network. The inter-cluster network in the above embodiment is an example of a second communication network.

[0084] Such an information terminal 30 can allow a new communication node 20 to join the mesh network 40 without changing the network settings of the registered communication node 20 when the number of registered clusters 41 reaches its limit. Therefore, with such an information terminal 30, the user 50 can build a clustered network more efficiently.

[0085] Technology 2 is an information terminal 30 of Technology 1, in which a detection unit 322 receives a detection signal transmitted by a specific node 20a, and a registration unit 323 registers additional nodes to communicate with the specific node 20a that transmitted the detection signal received by the detection unit 322. The beacon signal in the above embodiment is an example of a detection signal.

[0086] Such an information terminal 30 registers additional nodes to communicate with a specific node 20a from which a beacon signal has been received by the detection unit 322. In other words, both the specific node 20a and the additional nodes are located within range of the information terminal 30, allowing the beacon signal to reach them. Therefore, such an information terminal 30 can register additional nodes to communicate with a specific node 20a from which stable communication with the additional nodes is expected.

[0087] Technology 3 is an information terminal 30 of Technology 2 in which the registration unit 323 registers additional nodes to communicate with the specific node 20a with the highest radio wave intensity of the detection signal when there are two or more specific nodes 20a that have transmitted the detection signal received by the detection unit 322.

[0088] Such an information terminal 30 can register additional nodes to communicate with the specific node 20a with the highest radio signal strength, in other words, with the specific node 20a where communication with the additional nodes is expected to be more stable.

[0089] Technology 4 is an information terminal 30 of any of Technologies 1 to 3, further comprising a display unit 35 that performs a detection process when the number of registered first communication networks reaches the upper limit, and displays a notification 60 indicating that the communication node 20 detected by the detection process cannot be registered as an additional node when the number of communication nodes 20 communicating with a specific node 20a has reached the upper limit.

[0090] Such an information terminal 30 can display a notification 60 to the user 50 indicating that the communication node 20 cannot be registered as an additional node. Therefore, such an information terminal 30 can prevent the user 50 from repeatedly attempting to register a communication node 20 that cannot be registered.

[0091] Technology 5 is a communication system 10 comprising multiple communication nodes 20 and an information terminal 30 that is one of technologies 1 to 4.

[0092] Such a communication system 10 can allow new communication nodes 20 to join the mesh network 40 when the number of registered clusters 41 reaches its limit. Therefore, with such a communication system 10, users 50 can build networks with a cluster structure more efficiently.

[0093] Technology 6 is an information processing method executed by an information terminal 30, comprising a detection step of performing a detection process for communication nodes 20, and a registration step of registering a first communication network composed of a plurality of communication nodes 20 detected by the detection process each time the detection process is performed, wherein the plurality of communication nodes 20 constituting the first communication network include a specific node 20a, and after the plurality of first communication networks are registered, the specific node 20a belonging to each of the plurality of first communication networks constitute a second communication network, and in the registration step, if the detection process is performed when the number of registered plurality of first communication networks has reached the upper limit, the communication node 20 detected by the detection process is registered as an additional node that communicates with a specific node 20a belonging to any of the registered plurality of first communication networks.

[0094] This information processing method allows a new communication node 20 to join the mesh network 40 when the number of registered clusters 41 reaches its limit. Therefore, using this information processing method, the user 50 can build a network with a cluster structure more efficiently.

[0095] Technology 7 is a program that causes the information terminal 30 to execute the information processing method of Technology 6.

[0096] Such a program can help user 50 build a clustered network more efficiently.

[0097] (Other embodiments) Although embodiments have been described above, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0098] For example, in the above embodiment, a process performed by a specific processing unit may be performed by another processing unit. Furthermore, the order of multiple processes may be changed, or multiple processes may be executed in parallel.

[0099] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, components such as the control unit may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may also 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.

[0100] Furthermore, components such as the control unit may be implemented 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 they may be separate circuits. Also, these circuits may be general-purpose circuits or dedicated circuits.

[0101] Furthermore, general or specific embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM. Alternatively, they may be implemented as any combination of a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, and recording medium.

[0102] For example, the present invention may be implemented as a communication system or information terminal as described in the above embodiment, or as an information processing method executed by an information terminal. The present invention may be implemented as a program for causing an information terminal (computer) to execute such an information processing method, or as a computer-readable non-temporary recording medium on which such a program is recorded. In other words, a program is 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 an information terminal as described in the above embodiment.

[0103] Furthermore, this disclosure also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art could conceive, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0104] 10 Communication Systems 20 communication nodes 20a Specific node 30 Information terminals 322 Detection Unit 323 Registration Department 35 Display section 41, 411 cluster (First Communication Network) 60 Warning (Notification)

Claims

1. A detection unit that performs detection processing for communication nodes, Each time the detection process is performed, the system includes a registration unit that registers a first communication network consisting of multiple communication nodes detected by the detection process, The plurality of communication nodes constituting the first communication network include a specific node, After multiple first communication networks have been registered, the specific nodes belonging to each of the multiple first communication networks constitute a second communication network. When the detection process is performed in a case where the number of registered first communication networks has reached its upper limit, the registration unit registers the communication node detected by the detection process as an additional node that communicates with the specific node belonging to any of the registered first communication networks. Information terminal.

2. The detection unit receives the detection signal transmitted by the specific node, The registration unit registers the additional node to communicate with the specific node that transmitted the detection signal received by the detection unit. The information terminal according to claim 1.

3. The registration unit registers the additional node to communicate with the specific node with the highest signal strength of the detection signal when there are two or more specific nodes that have transmitted the detection signal received by the detection unit. The information terminal according to claim 2.

4. Furthermore, the system includes a display unit that displays a notification indicating that the communication node detected by the detection process cannot be registered as an additional node if the number of registered first communication networks has reached its upper limit, and the detection process is performed when the number of communication nodes communicating with the specific node has reached its upper limit. An information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. Multiple communication nodes, The information terminal comprises the information terminal described in any one of claims 1 to 3. Communication system.

6. An information processing method performed by an information terminal, A detection step that performs the detection of communication nodes, Each time the detection process is performed, the system includes a registration step of registering a first communication network consisting of a plurality of communication nodes detected by the detection process. The plurality of communication nodes constituting the first communication network include a specific node, After multiple first communication networks have been registered, the specific nodes belonging to each of the multiple first communication networks constitute a second communication network. In the registration step, if the detection process is performed when the number of registered first communication networks has reached the upper limit, the communication node detected by the detection process is registered as an additional node that communicates with the specific node belonging to one of the registered first communication networks. Information processing methods.

7. A program for causing the information terminal to execute the information processing method described in claim 6.

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