Communication system, transmission / reception method for communication system, first device, and second device

Abstract

To provide a communication system, a communication system transmission / reception method, a first device, and a second device that can keep down power consumption during communication.SOLUTION: A communication system 1 communicates between a detection device 10 and a security device 20, and intermittently supplies power to a communication unit 11 of the detection device 10 and a communication unit 21 of the security device 20. The detection device 10 includes a device control unit 13 that generates a message containing an indication that communication is a call origination communication, a request to start a session, and a request to end the session, when making a call origination communication to the security device 20, and transmits the message generated by the device control unit 13 to the security device 20 through the communication unit 11. The security device 20 receives the message through the communication unit 21, starts a session, and after starting the session, transmits an ACK signal indicating that the message has been received through the communication unit 21 to the detection device 10, and ends the session.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication system, a transmission / reception method for the communication system, a first device, and a second device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a communication system has been proposed in which a detection device such as a gas alarm or fire alarm is wirelessly connected to a safety device such as a gas meter or a shutoff valve to transmit and receive information (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This communication system supplies power intermittently to the wireless receiving circuits of the detection device and the safety device in order to reduce power consumption. When transmitting information (for example, an alarm signal), the communication system first transmits a reception standby signal to have the other party receive it. This causes the other party to transition from an intermittent power supply state to an extended power supply state and continue to supply power to the receiving circuit until the alarm signal is received. When the other party receives the alarm signal, it transmits a reception confirmation signal to the sender. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3153013 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the communication system described in Patent Document 1 does not sufficiently reduce power consumption.

[0005] For example, in the current communication method, when a detection device transmits a message including a session start request, the security device that receives the message starts the session and returns a receipt confirmation signal indicating that the message has been received to the detection device. The security device then executes processing according to the message from the detection device. The security device then transmits a message including a session termination request to the detection device. When the detection device receives the termination request, it returns a receipt confirmation signal indicating that the message has been received to the security device. The security device that receives the receipt confirmation signal terminates the session.

[0006] As described above, when communication is initiated from the detection device, the security device must transmit information twice and cannot end the session from the start until it receives the final acknowledgement signal, so it is necessary to maintain power supply during this time, which is by no means sufficient to reduce power consumption. This problem is also true for detection devices when communication is initiated from the security device. In other words, the detection device must also transmit information twice and cannot end the session from the start until it receives the final acknowledgement signal, which is by no means sufficient to reduce power consumption.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve these conventional problems, and its purpose is to provide a communication system, a transmission and reception method for the communication system, a first device, and a second device that can reduce power consumption during communication. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The communication system of the present invention communicates between a first device, which is one of a detection device such as a gas alarm or a fire alarm and a safety device such as a gas meter or a shut-off valve, and a second device, which is the other of the first device and supplies intermittent power to a first communication unit of the first device and a second communication unit of the second device, wherein the first device, when making a call communication to the second device, is provided with a message generation unit that generates a message including an indication that the call communication is the call communication, a session start request that requests the second device to start a session, and a session end request that requests the second device to end the session, and the message generated by the message generation unit is transmitted to the second device by the first communication unit, and the second device receives the message by the second communication unit and initiates the session, and after the session has started, transmits a receipt confirmation signal to the first device indicating that the message has been received by the second communication unit, thereby ending the session.

[0009] The transmission and reception method for a communication system of the present invention communicates between a first device, which is one of a detection device such as a gas alarm or a fire alarm and a safety device such as a gas meter or a shut-off valve, and a second device, which is the other of the first device, and intermittently supplies power to a first communication unit of the first device and a second communication unit of the second device, wherein the first device, when making a call communication to the second device, has a message generation step of generating a message including an indication that the call communication is the call communication, a session start request to request the second device to start a session, and a session end request to request the second device to end the session, and a first transmission step of transmitting the message generated in the message generation step to the second device, and the second device has a session initiation step of receiving the message transmitted in the first transmission step and starting the session, a second transmission step of transmitting a receipt confirmation signal to the first device after the session initiation step, indicating that the message has been received, and a session end step of ending the session after the second transmission step.

[0010] The first device of the communication system of the present invention communicates between the first device, which is one of a detection device that is a gas alarm or a fire alarm, and a safety device that is a gas meter or a shut-off valve, and the second device, which is the other, and supplies power intermittently to a first communication unit of the first device and a second communication unit of the second device, and when making a call communication to the second device, it has a message generation unit that generates a message including an indication that it is a call communication, a session start request that requests the second device to start a session, and a session end request that requests the second device to end the session, and the first communication unit transmits the message generated by the message generation unit to the second device.

[0011] The second device of the communication system of the present invention communicates between a first device, which is one of a detection device that is a gas alarm or a fire alarm and a safety device that is a gas meter or a shut-off valve, and a second device, which is the other, and supplies power intermittently to a first communication unit of the first device and a second communication unit of the second device, and when it receives a message indicating that it is a call communication, a session start request requesting the second device to start a session, and a session end request requesting the second device to end the session, it starts a session, and after the session has started, it sends a receipt confirmation signal to the first device indicating that it has received the message, and ends the session. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a communication system, a transmission / reception method for the communication system, a first device, and a second device that can further reduce power consumption during communication. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing details of a message. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a communication state according to a comparative example. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state of communication (call communication) according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of a security device of the communication system according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention will be described below in accordance with preferred embodiments. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, in the embodiments shown below, some components are omitted from illustration and description, but it goes without saying that publicly known or well-known technologies are applied as appropriate to the details of the omitted technologies within the scope of the content described below.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 1 shown in Fig. 1 performs wireless communication between a plurality of detection devices (first devices) 10 and a security device (second device) 20.

[0016] The detection device 10 is, for example, a gas alarm or a fire alarm. A gas alarm detects abnormally high concentrations of target gases such as city gas, LP gas, and carbon monoxide, and issues an alert to that effect. A fire alarm detects whether heat, smoke, carbon monoxide, etc. correspond to fire symptoms, and issues an alert if they do.

[0017] The safety devices 20 are gas meters and shutoff valves. A gas meter measures the amount of gas used by a consumer and has a built-in shutoff valve that closes to cut off the flow of gas in the event of a gas leak, ensuring safety. A shutoff valve is installed directly on the gas flow path leading to the consumer, and closes to cut off the flow of gas in the event of a gas leak, ensuring safety.

[0018] Each of the plurality of detection devices 10 includes a communication unit (first communication unit) 11, a power control unit 12, a device control unit (message generation unit) 13, and a storage unit .

[0019] The communication unit 11 communicates with the safety device 20. The power control unit 12 controls the power supply to the communication unit 11. The power control unit 12 is basically configured to reduce power consumption by intermittently supplying power to the communication unit 11, and to extend the power supply state when necessary.

[0020] The device control unit 13 controls the entire detection device 10. This device control unit 13 also has the function of generating a telegram to be transmitted to the security device 20. Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the details of the telegram. As shown in Figure 2, the telegram D is composed of a mark signal D1, a control unit D2, a data unit D3, and a checksum D4. The mark signal D1 is a signal indicating the beginning of the telegram. The control unit D2 and the data unit D3 constitute the substance of the telegram D. The checksum D4 is an error detection code for detecting data corruption.

[0021] The control section D2 has a control code D21, a source address D22, and a destination address D23. The control code D21 is a section that indicates the type of destination or source device, the packet number, the type of communication, etc. The types of communication include call communication that does not require a reply in the form of a message from the other party, and polling communication that requires a reply in the form of a message from the other party. Furthermore, the control code D21 also includes a session start request that requests the start of a session, and a session end request that requests the end of a session. The source address D22 is a section that indicates the address value of the sender, and the destination address D23 is a section that indicates the address value of the device that is the other party to which the message D is to be delivered.

[0022] The data section D3 includes a data property D31, an operation code D32, an operand D33, and data D34. The data property D31 is composed of a so-called business entity code. The operation code D32 is a section that indicates whether the message D is a request message or a response message. The operand D33 is a section that indicates the message number. The data D34 is a section that indicates the actual content, such as whether it is a gas leak alarm or a CO alarm.

[0023] 1 generates the above-described electronic message D. The electronic message D generated by the device control unit 13 is transmitted to the security device 20 by the communication unit 11.

[0024] The storage unit 14 stores programs and the like for the operation of the detection device 10, as well as various types of information required for communication.

[0025] The protection device 20 includes a communication unit (second communication unit) 21, a power control unit 22, a device control unit 23, and a storage unit 24.

[0026] The communication unit 21 communicates with the detection device 10. The power control unit 22 controls the power supply to the communication unit 21. The power control unit 22 is basically configured to reduce power consumption by intermittently supplying power to the communication unit 21, and to extend the power supply state when necessary.

[0027] The device control unit 23 controls the entire security device 20. The device control unit 23 has a function of generating a message D to be transmitted to the detection device 10. The details of the message D are as described with reference to FIG. 2. The message D generated by the device control unit 23 is transmitted to the detection device 10 by the communication unit 21.

[0028] The storage unit 24 stores programs and the like for the operation of the security device 20, as well as various types of information required for communication.

[0029] Before describing the outline of the transmission and reception method of the communication system 1 according to this embodiment, the outline of the transmission and reception method of a communication system according to a comparative example will be described below. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the state of communication according to the comparative example. In the comparative example below, components with the same names as those in this embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.

[0030] As shown in the comparative example, when communication is performed from the detection device 10 to the security device 20, the device control unit 13 of the detection device 10 first generates a message D including a session start request. Next, the communication unit 11 of the detection device 10 transmits the message D generated by the device control unit 13 to the security device 20 (see symbol t11). Note that the power control unit 12 of the detection device 10 supplies power to the communication unit 11 when transmitting the message D.

[0031] Meanwhile, the security device 20 receives the message D at the timing when power is intermittently supplied to the communication unit 21. At this time, the power control unit 22 of the security device 20 extends the power supply state to the communication unit 21, and the device control unit 23 starts a session based on the received message D (see reference symbol t12).

[0032] Then, the communication unit 21 transmits a reception confirmation signal (hereinafter referred to as an ACK signal) indicating that the electronic message D has been received (see reference symbol t13). The ACK signal is not a transmission signal that specifies a particular destination, but is a signal that is emitted into the surrounding area. Therefore, the ACK signal transmitted from the security device 20 is also received by the detection device 10 that transmitted the electronic message D (see reference symbol t14). This allows the detection device 10 to confirm that the electronic message D has been received.

[0033] Thereafter, the device control unit 23 of the security device 20 executes processing based on the electronic message D. After executing the processing, the device control unit 23 generates the electronic message D including a session termination request. Then, the communication unit 21 of the security device 20 transmits the electronic message D generated by the device control unit 23 (see reference symbol t15).

[0034] Next, the communication unit 11 of the detection device 10 receives a message D including a session termination request (see reference symbol t16). Then, the communication unit 11 of the detection device 10 transmits an ACK signal indicating that the message D has been received (see reference symbol t17). Upon receiving the ACK signal from the detection device 10, the security device 20 terminates the session, and the power control unit 22 terminates the supply of power to the communication unit 21 (see reference symbol t18).

[0035] As described above, in the comparative example, when communication is initiated from the detection device 10, the security device 20 transmits information twice, as shown at symbols t13 and t15. Furthermore, the security device 20 cannot end the session from the start of the session until it receives the final ACK signal (from symbols t12 to t18), and must continue to maintain power supply during this time. Therefore, the comparative example does not achieve sufficient reduction in power consumption.

[0036] Next, an overview of the transmission and reception method of the communication system 1 according to this embodiment will be described. First, there is a type of communication called outgoing communication. Here, the inventors of the present invention have found that, since outgoing communication does not require a reply in the form of a message, it is not necessary to perform the communication shown in FIG. 3, and that power consumption can be further reduced by performing the communication method shown in FIG. 4.

[0037] 4 is a schematic diagram showing communication (call communication) according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, when a call communication is made from the detection device 10 to the security device 20, the device control unit 13 generates a message D indicating that it is a call communication, including a session start request and a session end request. In this way, when a call communication is made in this embodiment, a message D including both the start and end of the session is generated. Then, the communication unit 11 of the detection device 10 transmits the generated message D to the security device 20 (see symbol t21).

[0038] Thereafter, the communication unit 21 of the security device 20 receives the telegram D at the timing when power is intermittently supplied. At this time, the power control unit 22 extends the power supply to the communication unit 21, and the device control unit 23 starts a session (see reference symbol t22).

[0039] Then, the device control unit 23 transmits an ACK signal indicating that it has received the message D, and after transmitting this ACK signal, ends the session (see reference symbol t23). That is, the device control unit 23 will not transmit any information other than the ACK signal from the start of the session until the end of the session. When the session ends, the power control unit 22 also ends the supply of power to the communication unit 21. When the detection device 10 confirms that it has received an ACK signal, it also ends the session (see reference symbol t24).

[0040] As described above, in this embodiment, when a call is made from the detection device 10, the security device 20 only needs to transmit information once, as indicated by reference symbol t23. Furthermore, the security device 20 only needs to maintain a power supply state for the period from reference symbol t22 to reference symbol t23, and does not need to maintain a power supply state for a long period of time. Therefore, in this embodiment, power consumption can be reduced.

[0041] 4, when it is necessary to execute processing based on the telegram D, the device control unit 23 of the security device 20 executes the processing after the session ends (see reference symbol t25). This reduces the time for which power is supplied to the communication unit 21 compared to when the processing is executed first and then the session ends, thereby further reducing power consumption.

[0042] In this embodiment, the security device 20 does not transmit any other information except for the ACK signal from the start of the session until the end of the session, but this is not limited to this, and the security device 20 may transmit any other information as long as it does not interfere with reducing power consumption (as long as it can reduce power consumption more than the example shown in Figure 3).

[0043] Next, a detailed description will be given of the operation of the security device 20 of the communication system 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the security device 20 of the communication system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0044] 5, first, the device control unit 23 of the security device 20 determines whether or not the mark signal D1 has been received (S1). If the mark signal D1 has not been received (S1: NO), this process is repeated until the mark signal D1 is received.

[0045] On the other hand, if mark signal D1 is received (S1: YES), device control unit 23 starts packet processing (S2). Then, device control unit 23 determines whether the model code in control code D21 of electronic message D matches its own value (S3). If the model code does not match its own value (S3: NO), device control unit 23 determines that electronic message D was not sent to itself and discards the packet (S4), and the processing shown in Fig. 5 ends.

[0046] If the model code matches its own value (S3: YES), the device control unit 23 determines whether the destination address D23 matches its own value (S5). If the destination address D23 does not match its own value (S5: NO), the device control unit 23 determines that the message D was not sent to itself and discards the packet (S4), and the process shown in FIG. 5 ends.

[0047] If the destination address D23 matches its own value (S5: YES), the device control unit 23 determines whether the session start of the control code D21 is ON, i.e., whether a session start request is included (S6). If a session start request is not included (S6: NO), the device control unit 23 discards the packet because it does not include an instruction to start a session (S4), and the processing shown in FIG. 5 ends.

[0048] If a session start request is included (S6: YES), device control unit 23 determines whether the session end of control code D21 is ON, i.e., whether a session end request is included (S7). If a session end request is not included (S7: NO), device control unit 23 performs the conventional communication sequence (see FIG. 3) since no instruction to end the session is included (S8). Thereafter, the processing shown in FIG. 5 ends.

[0049] If a session termination request is included (S7: YES), the device control unit 23 determines whether the current telegram D is for a call communication (S9). If the current telegram D is not for a call communication (S9: NO), the device control unit 23 determines that telegram D is corrupted or the like because the telegram D includes both a session start request and a session termination request even though it is not for a call communication, and discards the packet (S4), and the processing shown in Fig. 5 ends.

[0050] On the other hand, if the current message D is for a call communication (S9: YES), the device control unit 23 starts a session (S10) and returns an ACK signal (S11). Next, the device control unit 23 ends the session (S12). After the session ends, the device control unit 23 executes processing based on the message D (S13). Thereafter, the processing shown in FIG. 5 ends.

[0051] Thus, according to the communication system 1 and the transmission / reception method thereof of this embodiment, when the detection device 10 performs a call communication, it transmits a message D that indicates that the call communication is being performed and includes both a request to start and a request to end the session, and the security device 20 transmits an ACK signal after the session starts and ends the session. Therefore, when performing communication that does not require a reply in the form of a message, such as a call communication, the security device 20 only needs to supply power to the communication unit 21 for a relatively short period of time from starting the session and transmitting the ACK signal until the session ends. This makes it possible to further reduce power consumption during communication.

[0052] In particular, communication confirmation (call communication) is performed between the detection device 10 and the safety device 20 to ensure reliable communication in emergencies, etc. This communication confirmation is performed every few minutes, and if the safety device 20 is a gas meter, it will be performed tens of thousands of times over a 10-year period of use. Therefore, if it is only necessary to supply power for a relatively short time for one communication confirmation, as described above, it will be possible to significantly reduce power consumption over a 10-year period.

[0053] Furthermore, the security device 20 does not transmit any other information except for the ACK signal from the start of the session until the end of the session, thereby suppressing an increase in power consumption due to the transmission of other information, thereby further reducing power consumption.

[0054] Furthermore, since the security device 20 executes processing based on the message D sent from the detection device 10 after the session ends, the time for which power is supplied to the communication unit 21 is reduced compared to when the session is ended after processing, thereby further reducing power consumption.

[0055] Furthermore, the detection device 10 and the security device 20 according to this embodiment can contribute to the construction of a communication system 1 that can further reduce power consumption during communication.

[0056] The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and techniques from the embodiments and other techniques may be combined as appropriate within the scope of the spirit of the present invention.

[0057] For example, in the above embodiment, the detection device 10 and the security device 20 communicate wirelessly, but this is not a limitation and wired communication may also be used.

[0058] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, after the start of the session, the security device 20 ends the session without intervening in the transmission of any other information other than the ACK signal, but this is not particularly limited, and it is also possible to intervene in the reply of other information as long as it is possible to reduce power consumption compared to the communication method according to the comparative example shown in Figure 3.

[0059] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example of outgoing call communication from the detection device 10 to the security device 20 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be applied to outgoing call communication from the security device 20 to the detection device 10. In this case, the device control unit 23 of the security device 20 generates a message D including a message indicating that it is outgoing call communication, a session start request, and a session end request.

[0060] Additionally, in the above embodiment, the detection device 10 and the safety device 20 each have a built-in communication unit 11, 21, but this is not particularly limited, and the communication unit 11, 21 may be externally attached to both or either one of the detection device 10 and the safety device 20. For this reason, for example, the safety device 20 may be configured by externally attaching a repeater (communication unit 21) to a gas meter without a communication function. With regard to external attachment, the gas meter without a communication function and the repeater may be connected via a communication line, or the terminals of the repeater may be directly connected to terminal portions such as a terminal block of the gas meter without a communication function, thereby forming a connection without an intermediate communication line. The same applies to the detection device 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1: Communication Systems 10: Detection device (first device (second device)) 11: Communication unit (first communication unit (second communication unit)) 12: Power control section 13: Device control unit (message generation unit) 14: Storage section 20: Security device (second device (first device)) 21: Communication unit (second communication unit (first communication unit)) 22: Power control section 23: Device control unit ((message generation unit)) 24: Storage section D: Telegram

Claims

1. A communication system in which communication is performed between a first device, which is one of a detection device that is a gas alarm or a fire alarm, and a safety device that is a gas meter or a shutoff valve, and a second device, which is the other of the first device, and which intermittently supplies power to a first communication unit of the first device and a second communication unit of the second device, The first device is a message generating unit that generates, when making a call communication to the second device, a message including an indication that the call communication is the call communication, a session start request that requests the second device to start a session, and a session end request that requests the second device to end the session; transmitting the electronic message generated by the electronic message generation unit to the second device via the first communication unit; The second device is The second communication unit receives the message to start a session, and after the session starts, the second communication unit transmits to the first device a reception confirmation signal indicating that the message has been received, thereby ending the session. A communication system comprising:

2. The second device receives the message by the second communication unit to start a session, and then ends the session without transmitting any information other than a reception confirmation signal.

2. The communication system according to claim 1.

3. The second device executes a process based on the message transmitted from the first device after the session ends.

2. The communication system according to claim 1.

4. A transmission and reception method for a communication system in which communication is performed between a first device, which is one of a detection device that is a gas alarm or a fire alarm, and a safety device that is a gas meter or a shutoff valve, and a second device, which is the other of the first device and the second device, and power is intermittently supplied to a first communication unit of the first device and a second communication unit of the second device, The first device is a message generating step of generating, when making a call communication to the second device, a message including an indication that the call communication is the call communication, a session initiation request requesting the second device to start a session, and a session termination request requesting the second device to terminate the session; a first transmission step of transmitting the electronic message generated in the electronic message generation step to the second device, The second device is a session initiation step of receiving the message transmitted in the first transmission step and initiating a session; a second transmission step of transmitting, after the session initiation step, to the first device a reception confirmation signal indicating that the electronic message has been received; a session termination step of terminating the session after the second transmission step. A transmission and reception method for a communication system.

5. A first device of a communication system that communicates between a first device, which is one of a detection device that is a gas alarm or a fire alarm, and a safety device that is a gas meter or a shutoff valve, and a second device, which is the other of the first device and that intermittently supplies power to a first communication unit of the first device and a second communication unit of the second device, a message generating unit that generates, when making a call communication to the second device, a message including an indication that the call communication is the call communication, a session start request that requests the second device to start a session, and a session end request that requests the second device to end the session; The first communication unit transmits the electronic message generated by the electronic message generation unit to the second device. A first device comprising:

6. A second device of a communication system that communicates between a first device, which is one of a detection device that is a gas alarm or a fire alarm, and a safety device that is a gas meter or a shutoff valve, and a second device, which is the other of the first device, and that intermittently supplies power to a first communication unit of the first device and a second communication unit of the second device, When receiving a message indicating that the communication is an outgoing call, a session initiation request requesting the second device to initiate a session, and a session termination request requesting the second device to terminate the session, the session is initiated, and after the session is initiated, a reception confirmation signal indicating that the message has been received is transmitted to the first device, thereby terminating the session. A second device.

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