Communication device

Abstract

Reduce the power consumption of communication devices. [Solution] A communication device 100 is provided, comprising a wireless communication module 120 for communicating with a center 400 via a base station 300, and a microcomputer 110. In PSM (Power Saving Mode) mode, the wireless communication module enters a sleep state after connecting with the base station. In PSM mode, the microcomputer turns off the wireless communication module after connecting with the base station when predetermined conditions are met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technology of communication devices, and particularly to the technology of communication devices for transmitting predetermined information to a center via a base station by wireless communication.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, communication devices that upload inspection results, measurement results, and other information to a center via a base station by wireless communication have been known. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-37358 (Patent Document 1) discloses an observation system, a relay device, and an observation data reception method. According to Patent Document 1, observation data is intermittently received from an observation station that observes observation data of an observation target and transmits it at a predetermined cycle. When the wireless reception unit fails to receive the observation data, the currently set reception cycle is changed to a reception cycle in which at least one of the reception pause time or the reception time of the intermittent reception in the wireless reception unit is set to a time different from the current reception pause time or the current reception time, and the next reception operation is performed. When the wireless reception unit can receive the observation data, the next reception operation is performed with a basic reception cycle corresponding to a predetermined transmission cycle in which the reception pause time and the reception time of the intermittent reception in the wireless reception unit are set to a preset basic reception pause time and basic reception time.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to reduce the power consumption of a communication device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to one aspect of this invention, a communication device is provided comprising a wireless communication module for communicating with a center via a base station, and a microcomputer. In Power Saving Mode (PSM) mode, the wireless communication module enters a sleep state after connecting with the base station. In PSM mode, the microcomputer turns off the wireless communication module after connecting with the base station when certain conditions are met. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] As described above, the present invention makes it possible to reduce the power consumption of communication devices. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is an image diagram showing the overall configuration of the network system 1 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an illustrative diagram showing the communication process in the first PSM mode. [Figure 3] This is an illustrative diagram showing the communication process for the second PSM mode. [Figure 4] This is a sequence diagram showing the information processing of network system 1 in the first PSM mode. [Figure 5] This is a sequence diagram showing the information processing of network system 1 in the second PSM mode. [Figure 6] This is a sequence diagram showing the information processing of the network system 1 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a sequence diagram showing the information processing of the network system 1 according to the fifth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, identical parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions of them will not be repeated. <First Embodiment> <Overall configuration of Network System 1>

[0009] First, referring to Figure 1, the network system 1 according to this embodiment mainly includes a communication device 100, a meter 200, a base station device 300, a center device 400, and a server 500.

[0010] Meter 200 is used to measure gas and water usage. Meter 200 transmits the measurement results to communication device 100.

[0011] The communication device 100 is connected to the meter 200 and acquires the measurement value from the meter 200, transmitting the measurement value and measurement date and time to the base station device 300 via wireless communication such as LTE (Long Term Evolution). Furthermore, the communication device 100 in this embodiment can be retrofitted to the meter 200 and is powered by a battery 150.

[0012] The base station device 300 constitutes the end of a mobile communication network built by various communication carriers and performs wireless communication such as LTE with multiple communication devices 100. In this embodiment, the base station device 300 transmits data from the communication devices 100 to the center device 400 via the carrier network or the internet.

[0013] Server 500 provides an IP address to communication device 100. This allows communication device 100 to use the acquired IP address to connect with and exchange data with the meter operating company's center device 400.

[0014] The central device 400 acquires the meter reading results of the meters 200 from a plurality of communication devices 100 used in various services such as water supply and gas via the Internet or carrier networks, stores them in a database, or calculates the usage fees for each user. <Configuration of the communication device 100>

[0015] Next, the configuration of the communication device 100 will be described. The communication device 100 mainly includes a microcomputer 110, an external interface 130, a communication module 120, a wireless interface 121, and a battery 150.

[0016] The microcomputer 110 includes a memory 112 for storing programs and data, a processor 111 for controlling each part of the communication device 100 according to the program, a timer 113 for measuring the current time and elapsed time, and the like.

[0017] The external interface 130 is connected to a cable or the like and performs data communication with the meter 200. The external interface 130 delivers the data acquired from the meter 200 to the processor 111 of the microcomputer 110.

[0018] The wireless interface 121 includes an antenna for wireless communication and the like, and transmits and receives various data to and from the base station device 300 while being controlled by the wireless communication module 120. The communication module 120 controls the wireless interface 121 to exchange data with the base station device 300. For example, the communication module 120 periodically or at a predetermined timing executes TAU (Tracking Area Update) with respect to the base station device 300 to identify the currently communicable base station device 300, register the communication device 100 for service, or acquire accurate current time information from the base station device 300. Further, the communication module 120 transmits and receives data of various application layers or data of the IP (Internet Protocol) layer to and from the base station device 300 using the wireless interface 121 according to the instructions of the microcomputer 110. In the present embodiment, the communication module 120 acquires an IP address from the server 500 (attachment process) via the wireless interface 121 and exchanges data with the center device 400 by using the IP address.

[0019] The battery 150 supplies power to each part of the communication device 100, such as the microcomputer 110 and the communication module 120.

[0020] The communication device 100 according to the present embodiment has a PSM (Power Saving Mode) mode. As shown in FIG. 2, when the microcomputer 110 sets the PSM mode, the communication module 120 performs intermittent reception for a predetermined time and then waits in a sleep state for several hours or several tens of hours. In particular, in the present embodiment, when only a short sleep period is permitted from the base station, as shown in FIG. 3, after performing intermittent reception for a predetermined time, the microcomputer 110 turns off the communication module 120. Thereby, power consumption can be suppressed more than before. <Data communication flow of the network system 1>

[0021] The following describes the information processing flow in the network system 1 according to this embodiment, with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

[0022] First, in normal PSM mode, as shown in Figure 4, the microcontroller 110 of the communication device 100 requests the communication module 120 to connect to the base station (step S102). For example, the communication module 120 requests an IP address from the server 500 via the base station device 300 by using the wireless interface 121. At this time, the microcontroller 110 sends a request to the base station device 300 via the communication module 120 to set the sleep period to 30 hours.

[0023] The communication module 120 receives data from the base station device 300 indicating a successful connection using the wireless interface 121 and notifies the microcontroller 110 (step S104). At this time, the communication module 120 accepts the sleep period specification from the base station device 300. If the same time as the requested sleep period is specified, the following processing is performed.

[0024] In other words, as shown in Figure 2, the communication module 120 performs intermittent reception for a predetermined time, and then sleeps for a period specified by the base station device 300 (step S106).

[0025] The communication module 120 sleeps for a specified period, then wakes up for a predetermined time to perform a TAU (Tracking Area Update) on the base station device 300 (step S108). During this time, the communication module performs intermittent reception.

[0026] Subsequently, the communication module 120 repeatedly sleeps for a period specified by the base station equipment 300 (step S110), or wakes up for a predetermined time and performs a TAU on the base station equipment 300 (step S112).

[0027] Subsequently, when the microcontroller 110 needs to send or receive data with the center device 400, it activates the communication module 120 and sends or receives data with the center device 400 (steps S114, S116).

[0028] After the necessary data communication is complete, the communication module 120 repeatedly sleeps for a period of time specified by the base station equipment 300 (step S122), or wakes up for a predetermined time and performs a TAU (Time Operation Unit) on the base station equipment 300 (step S124).

[0029] On the other hand, if a time different from the requested sleep period is specified, the communication device 100 executes the process shown in Figure 5.

[0030] When the microcontroller 110 recognizes that it has received a sleep period different from the sleep period it requested, it causes the communication module 120 to perform intermittent reception for a predetermined time, as shown in Figure 3, and then turns off the communication module 120 (step S126).

[0031] Subsequently, the microcontroller 110 activates the communication module 120 when it is necessary to send or receive data with the center device 400 (step S128). The microcontroller 110 then performs the attachment process with the center device 400 via the communication module 120 (steps S130, S132).

[0032] Then, the microcontroller 110 sends and receives data with the center device 400 (steps S134, S136).

[0033] Then, as in Figure 3 and step S126, the microcontroller 110 causes the communication module 120 to perform intermittent reception for a predetermined time, and then turns off the communication module 120 (step S138). <Information processing for communication devices>

[0034] In the following section, the information processing in the communication device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 6.

[0035] First, the microcontroller 110 of the communication device 100 starts PSM mode (step S152).

[0036] The microcontroller 110 uses the communication module 120 to perform connection processing to the base station device 300 (step S154). At this time, the microcontroller 110 requests a predetermined sleep period.

[0037] The microcontroller 110 receives data from the base station device 300 via the communication module 120 indicating that the connection process was successful, as well as a specification of the sleep period (step S156).

[0038] The microcontroller 110 determines whether the sleep time it requested matches the sleep period specified by the base station device 300 (step S158).

[0039] If both conditions match (if the answer is YES in step S158), the communication module 120 performs intermittent reception for a predetermined time (step S160). After that, the communication module 120 goes into sleep mode for a period specified by the base station device 300 (step S162).

[0040] If data to be sent to the center device 400 is generated (if the answer is YES in step S164), the microcontroller 110 activates the communication module 120 (step S166).

[0041] The microcontroller 110 instructs the communication module 120 to transmit the data to the center device 400 via the base station device 300 (step S168).

[0042] If the two do not match (the answer is NO in step S158), the communication module 120 performs intermittent reception for a predetermined time (step S172). After that, the microcontroller 110 turns off the communication module 120 (step S174).

[0043] If data to be sent to the center device 400 is generated (if the answer is YES in step S176), the microcontroller 110 activates the communication module 120 (step S178).

[0044] The microcontroller 110 connects to the base station device 300 via the communication module 120 (step S180).

[0045] The microcontroller 110 instructs the communication module 120 to transmit the data to the center device 400 via the base station device 300 (step S182).

[0046] The communication module 120 performs intermittent reception for a predetermined period of time (step S184). After that, the microcontroller 110 turns off the communication module 120 (step S186). <Second Embodiment>

[0047] In the above embodiment, if the sleep period requested by the communication device 100 is permitted by the base station device 300, the normal PSM mode is executed, and if the sleep period requested by the communication device 100 is not permitted by the base station device 300, the communication module 120 is turned OFF. However, the configuration is not limited to this.

[0048] Referring to Figure 6, you may determine whether the sleep period specified by the base station device 300 is equal to or greater than the sleep time you requested (step S158).

[0049] If the sleep period specified by the base station device 300 is greater than or equal to the sleep time requested by the communication module 120 (if the answer is YES in step S158), the communication module 120 performs intermittent reception for a predetermined time (step S160). After that, the communication module 120 sleeps for the duration of the sleep period (step S162).

[0050] If the sleep period specified by the base station device 300 is less than the sleep time requested by the communication module 120 (the answer is NO in step S158), the communication module 120 performs intermittent reception for a predetermined time (step S172). After that, the microcontroller 110 turns off the communication module 120 (step S174). <Third Embodiment>

[0051] Alternatively, it may be determined whether the sleep period specified by the base station device 300 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (step S158).

[0052] If the sleep period specified by the base station device 300 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (if the answer is YES in step S158), the communication module 120 performs intermittent reception for a predetermined time (step S160). After that, the communication module 120 sleeps for the duration of the sleep period (step S162).

[0053] If the sleep period specified by the base station device 300 is less than a predetermined value (if the answer is NO in step S158), the communication module 120 performs intermittent reception for a predetermined time (step S172). After that, the microcontroller 110 turns off the communication module 120 (step S174). <Fourth Embodiment>

[0054] Alternatively, you can determine whether the carrier you are currently using is the designated carrier (step S158).

[0055] If the carrier currently in use is the designated carrier (if the answer is YES in step S158), the communication module 120 performs intermittent reception for a predetermined period of time (step S160). After that, the communication module 120 sleeps for the duration of the sleep period (step S162).

[0056] If the carrier currently being used is not the designated carrier (if the answer is NO in step S158), the communication module 120 performs intermittent reception for a predetermined period of time (step S172). After that, the microcontroller 110 turns off the communication module 120 (step S174).

[0057] Alternatively, if the carrier being used is not the designated carrier (if the answer is NO in step S158), the communication module 120 performs intermittent reception for a predetermined period of time (step S160). After that, the communication module 120 sleeps for the duration of the sleep period (step S162).

[0058] If the carrier currently being used is the designated carrier (if the answer is YES in step S158), the communication module 120 performs intermittent reception for a predetermined period of time (step S172). After that, the microcontroller 110 turns off the communication module 120 (step S174). <Fifth Embodiment>

[0059] In the above embodiment, even when the microcontroller 110 turns off the communication module 120, if data to be transmitted to the central device 400 is generated, the communication module 120 is turned on and the base station device 300 performs the attachment process. However, the configuration is not limited to this.

[0060] Referring to Figure 7, the microcontroller 110 may turn on the communication module 120 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the communication module 120 was turned OFF (step S276). The predetermined time may be a value set in advance, or it may be the value of the sleep period requested from the base station device 300 by the microcontroller 110 or the communication module 120 in step S154. <Summary>

[0061] In the above embodiment, a communication device is provided comprising a wireless communication module for communicating with a center via a base station, and a microcomputer. In PSM (Power Saving Mode), the wireless communication module enters a sleep state after connecting with the base station. In PSM mode, the microcomputer turns off the wireless communication module after connecting with the base station when predetermined conditions are met.

[0062] Preferably, in PSM mode, the microcomputer turns off the wireless communication module if the sleep interval included in the response from the base station to the connection request including a sleep period differs from the request, assuming that a predetermined condition has been met.

[0063] Preferably, in PSM mode, the microcomputer turns off the wireless communication module if the sleep interval included in the response from the base station to the connection request including a sleep period is shorter than the request, assuming that a predetermined condition has been met.

[0064] Preferably, in PSM mode, the microcomputer turns off the wireless communication module if the sleep period for the response from the base station is shorter than a predetermined time, assuming that a predetermined condition has been met.

[0065] Preferably, in PSM mode, the microcomputer turns off the wireless communication module if a predetermined condition is met when the communication carrier being used is a predetermined one.

[0066] Preferably, the microcomputer turns off the wireless communication module, and then turns on the wireless module and performs the connection process with the base station if there is data to be sent to the center.

[0067] Preferably, the microcomputer turns off the wireless communication module, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, turns on the wireless module and performs the connection process with the base station.

[0068] Preferably, the microcomputer turns off the wireless communication module, and then, after the sleep period requested from the base station has elapsed, turns on the wireless module and performs the connection process with the base station.

[0069] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0070] 1: Network System 100: Communication device 110: Microcontroller 111: Processor 112: Memory 113: Timer 120: Wireless communication module 121: Wireless Interface 130: External Interface 150: Battery 200: Meter 300:Base station equipment 400: Center device 500: Server

Claims

1. A wireless communication module for communicating with the center via a base station, A communication device comprising a microcomputer, In Power Saving Mode (PSM), the aforementioned wireless communication module enters a sleep state after connecting with the base station. The microcomputer is a communication device that, in the PSM mode, turns off the wireless communication module after connecting to the base station when predetermined conditions are met.

2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the microcomputer, in the PSM mode, turns off the wireless communication module if the sleep interval included in the response from the base station when a connection request including a sleep period is made to the base station differs from the request, as the predetermined condition has been met.

3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the microcomputer, in the PSM mode, turns off the wireless communication module if the sleep interval included in the response from the base station when a connection request including a sleep period is made to the base station is shorter than the request, as the predetermined condition has been met.

4. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the microcomputer, in the PSM mode, turns off the wireless communication module if the sleep period for the response from the base station is shorter than a predetermined time, as the predetermined condition has been met.

5. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the microcomputer, in the PSM mode, turns off the wireless communication module if the communication carrier to be used is a predetermined one, as the predetermined conditions have been met.

6. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the microcomputer turns off the wireless communication module and then turns on the wireless module to perform connection processing with the base station if there is data to be transmitted to the center.

7. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the microcomputer turns on the wireless communication module after a predetermined time has elapsed since the wireless communication module was turned OFF and then performs the connection process with the base station.

8. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the microcomputer turns off the wireless communication module, and after a sleep period requested from the base station has elapsed, turns on the wireless module and performs connection processing with the base station.

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