Communication system

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to a communication system using PHS-UUS, UUI (user / user information) and the like.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, in a remote communication system using a PHS terminal or an ISDN public line, a method of connecting lines and performing communication using protocols such as circuit switching (PIAFS) and no procedure, and UUI (user) before the line is connected. -There is a method of disconnecting by sending only a small amount of data using user information). Further, when it is necessary to operate these remote communication systems for a long time with a battery, such as an automatic meter reading system such as a gas or water meter, it is necessary to perform an intermittent standby operation to suppress power consumption.

【0003】

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, in a communication system using a PHS terminal, when connecting by circuit switching (PIAFS), the PHS terminal performs an intermittent standby operation in a public mode (step 101). The center adjusts the timing or makes several calls (step 102), and the PHS terminal connects to the center and communicates by PIAFS or the like (step 103). After the communication is completed, the operation returns to the intermittent standby operation (step 104).

【0004】

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, when PHS-UUS is used in a communication system using a PHS terminal, the PHS terminal performs an intermittent standby operation in the public mode (step 111), and the center adjusts the timing. The call is made several times (step 112), the PHS terminal is connected to the center, and communication is performed using PHS-UUS or the like (step 113). If the communication telegram is exchanged many times, disconnect the call once and then reconnect the call.

【0005】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, when connecting by circuit switching (PIAFS) as shown in FIG. 5, there is a charge of at least 10 yen even if the data transmission is completed in a short time because the line is connected (step 106). Also, when using PHS-UUS, UUI (user / user information), etc. as shown in Fig. 6, the communication charge will be cheaper, but the connection will be cut off each time data is transmitted, so for example, let's transmit next. At that time (step 114), the sleep time of intermittent operation may be entered and communication may not be successful (step 115). In this way, in the case of intermittent standby, it takes time to connect, so it takes time to end communication.

【0006】

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a power consumption-reduced communication system in which communication costs and communication times are reduced.

【0007】

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is a communication system in which a center and a terminal device are connected by a line, and the terminal device normally performs an intermittent standby operation, and the terminal device is connected from the center. When calling, the terminal device is a communication system characterized in that a signal indicating the presence or absence of communication continuation is sent, and when there is a communication continuation signal, the terminal device continuously performs a standby operation.

【0008】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 1 has a center 3, an ISDN public line 5, a DSU (in-home data circuit-terminating equipment) 7, a P-NCU (network control unit) 8, a microcomputer meter 9, and the like. The center 3 and P-NCU8 are connected by an ISDN public line 5. The P-NCU8 and the microcomputer meter 9 are connected by wire. The microcomputer meter 9 is a gas meter. The present invention can be applied not only to gas meters but also to meters for electricity, water, etc., as well as general information terminals. 6 indicates the consumer.

【0009】

In the present embodiment, communication is performed between the center 3 and the P-NCU 8 on the terminal side using UUI (user / user information) via the ISDN public line 5. The P-NCU8 on the terminal side performs intermittent operation to reduce power consumption. When continuously exchanging messages between the center 3 and the P-NCU8 on the terminal side, the center 3 sets the information with continuous messages in the UUI (user / user information) and calls the P-NCU8. By doing so, the P-NCU8 on the terminal side detects that an incoming call will occur again, does not enter the intermittent operation, and performs continuous standby.

【0010】

Such a calling operation from the center 3 side and a receiving operation of the P-NCU 8 on the terminal side of the present embodiment will be described. Figure 2 shows the timing of the call operation from the center 3 side and the reception operation of the P-NCU8 on the terminal side. As shown in FIG. 2, the P-NCU8 normally performs an intermittent standby operation at predetermined time intervals (step 201).

【0011】

When exchanging telegrams continuously, the center 3 sets the information with continuous telegrams in the UUI and performs a calling operation (step 202). The P-NCU8 performs a reception operation and communicates with the center 3 using UUI (user / user information) (step 203). When the information with continuous telegram is set in the call from the center 3, the P-NCU8 does not return to the intermittent operation and performs continuous standby (step 204). Next, the P-NCU8 immediately responds to the call from the center 3 (step 205) and communicates (step 206).

【0012】

When the message ends, the information of the end message is set in the UUI included in the call from the center 3 and the call operation is performed (step 207). The P-NCU8 performs a reception operation and communicates with the center 3 (step 208). If the end message information is set in the call from the center 3, the P-NCU8 returns to the intermittent standby operation (step 209).

【0013】

Next, the communication sequence when the P-NCU8 on the terminal side is called from the center 3 side of the present embodiment to perform continuous communication will be described in detail. FIG. 3 shows a communication sequence when the P-NCU8 on the terminal side is called from the center 3 side to perform continuous communication.

【0014】

As shown in Fig. 3, the center first sets the activation message A in the UUI (user / user information) of the SETUP message and sends it to the P-NCU8 on the terminal side via the ISDN public line 5 (step). 301, step 302). The ISDN public line 5 returns a CALL-PROC (in response processing) message to center 3 (step 303). When the P-NCU8 receives the start-up message A, it returns a CALL-PROC (during response process) message as a response (step 304) and sends the start-up message A to the microcomputer meter 9 (step 305). The P-NCU8 returns an ALERT message to the center 3 via the ISDN public line 5 (step 306, step 307).

【0015】

When the microcomputer meter 9 receives the start-up message A, it transmits meter reading data or the like to the P-NCU 8 as a response (step 308). The P-NCU8 sets a meter reading response such as meter reading data in the UUI (user / user information) of the DISC message, and transmits the DISC message to the center 3 via the ISDN public line 5 (step 309, step 310). ..

【0016】

Next, if there is a continuous message, the center 3 sets the information of the continuous message 28 in the REL21 (release) message and sends it to the P-NCU8 (step 311, step 312).

【0017】

FIG. 4 is a format diagram of the REL message 21. As shown in FIG. 4, header information is set in the header 23. REL (release) is set in REL25. In UUI27, if there is a continuous telegram, 28 with a continuous telegram is set, and if it is an end telegram, the information of the end telegram 29 is set.

【0018】

When the information of 28 with continuous message is set in UUI27 of the received REL21 (release) message, P-NCU8 determines that there is continuous message, does not return to the intermittent standby operation, and performs continuous standby operation. .. Further, the P-NCU 8 sends an X message to the microcomputer meter 9 (step 313) to avoid a timeout, and REL-COMP (release completed) to the center 3 via the ISDN public line 5. ) Reply the message (step 314, step 315). When the microcomputer meter 9 receives the X telegram, it returns the Y telegram to the P-NCU8 as a response (step 316).

【0019】

Next, the center 3 performs the following calling operation. Center 3 sets the meter transmission message in the UUI of the SETUP message, and transmits the SETUP message to the P-NCU8 via the ISDN public line 5 (step 317, step 318). The ISDN public line 5 returns a CALL-PROC (in response processing) message to center 3 (step 319). When the P-NCU8 receives the meter transmission message, it returns a CALL-PROC (response processing) message (step 320) and sends the downlink meter message to the microcomputer meter 9 (step 321). The P-NCU8 returns an ALERT message to the center 3 via the ISDN public line 5 (step 322, step 323).

【0020】

When the microcomputer meter 9 receives the downlink meter message, it sends an uplink meter message to the P-NCU 8 as a response (step 324). The P-NCU8 sets the meter received message in the UUI (user / user information) of the DISC message, and transmits the DISC message to the center 3 via the ISDN public line 5 (step 325, step 326).

【0021】

Next, in the case of the end message, the center 3 sets the information of the end message 29 in the REL21 (release) message) and sends it to the P-NCU8 (step 327, step 328).

【0022】

When the information of the end message 29 is set in UUI27 of the received REL21 (release) message, the P-NCU8 sends the end message to the microcomputer meter 9 (step 329), and the center via the ISDN public line 5 Reply a REL-COMP (release complete) message to 3 (step 330, step 331). Then, the P-NCU8 returns from the continuous standby operation to the normal intermittent standby operation.

【0023】

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a message is continuously exchanged between the center 3 and the P-NCU8 on the terminal side, the center 3 has a continuous message in the UUI (user / user information) 28. The information of P-NCU8 is set and sent to P-NCU8, and P-NCU8 on the terminal side detects that an incoming call will occur again, does not enter intermittent operation, and performs continuous standby to perform UUI ( Even when communication is performed using (user / user information), the communication time does not have to be long, and the communication charge can be reduced as compared with the case of communication by circuit switching.

【0024】

In the above-described embodiment, a case where communication is performed between the center 3 and the P-NCU8 on the terminal side using UUI (user / user information) via the ISDN public line 5 is taken as an example. However, the present invention can also be used in the case where communication is performed between the center and the PHS terminal using PHS-UUS.

【0025】

[Effect of the invention]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a low power consumption communication system in which communication costs and communication times are reduced.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

Schematic configuration of communication system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention [Figure 2]

The figure which shows the timing of the call operation from the center 3 side and the reception operation of P-NCU8 which is a terminal side. [Fig. 3]

The figure which shows the communication sequence when P-NCU8 of a terminal side is called from a center 3 side and continuous communication is performed. [Fig. 4]

Format diagram of REL message 21 [Fig. 5]

The figure which shows the timing of the reception operation of a PHS terminal and the call operation from a center when connecting by circuit switching (PIAFS) in a communication system using a conventional PHS terminal. [Fig. 6]

The figure which shows the timing of the reception operation of the PHS terminal and the call operation from the center when PHS-UUS is used in the communication system using the conventional PHS terminal. [Explanation of symbols]

1 ......... Communication system 3 ......... Center 5 ......... ISDN public line 6 ......... Consumer 7 ......... DSU 8 ......... P-NCU 9 ......... Microcomputer meter 21 ......... REL message 23 ......... Header 25 ......... REL 28 ......... There is a continuous telegram 29 ......... End telegram