Radio data communication equipment

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to a wireless data communication device.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, a control device 50 such as a personal computer and a master station 51 are connected, and terminal devices 52, 53 and slave stations 54, 55 are connected, respectively, and the master station 51 and a child are connected. There is a communication system that wirelessly communicates with stations 53 and 54.

【0003】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, in such a conventional communication system, it seems that there is a shield such as a wall between the master station 51 and the slave station 55 and direct communication cannot be performed, or the communication distance is too far. In such a case, it is necessary to install a relay station 56 between them, but the conventional relay station 56 is composed of a communication device dedicated to relay.

【0004】

Therefore, for example, the data of a plurality of terminal devices 52, 53 arranged spatially distributed is transmitted to the master station 51 via a plurality of individually corresponding slave stations 54, 55 to be transmitted to the control device. In a system that collects data at 50, even if a terminal device is placed near the relay station 56, the relay station 56 cannot capture and transmit the data of the terminal device, and the data cannot be transmitted separately. , It is necessary to newly arrange a slave station, and it is necessary to secure an installation space by that amount, and there is a drawback that space efficiency is poor.

【0005】

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless data communication device that can be used as both a slave station and a relay station and has improved space efficiency.

【0006】

[Means for solving problems]

In the present invention, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, it is configured as follows.

【0007】

That is, the wireless data communication device of the present invention according to claim 1 includes a slave station function that operates as a slave station and a relay function that operates as a relay station.

【0008】

The wireless data communication device of the present invention according to claim 2 operates as a slave station or a relay station in the wireless data communication device according to claim 1.

【0009】

The wireless data communication device of the present invention according to claim 3 is a storage means in which network information including a partner station to be line-connected to its own station is stored in advance in the wireless data communication device according to claim 2, and received wireless data. As a means for determining whether or not the final destination of the network information is the own station, and when it is determined that the final destination is not the own station, the determination means for determining whether or not the final destination is the other station of the network information. When it is determined that the final transmission destination is its own station, it operates as a slave station, and when it is determined that it is the other station, it operates as a relay station.

【0010】

The wireless data communication device of the present invention according to claim 4 is the wireless data communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the relay station receives wireless data in one of two bands having different frequencies. It performs a duplex operation that transmits wireless data in the other band.

【0011】

The wireless data communication device of the present invention according to claim 5 has a master station function that operates as a master station, and can select and set the master station function in place of the slave station function and the relay function by a setting operation. Is.

【0012】

According to the present invention of claim 1, since it can operate as a slave station and also as a relay station, it is space efficient as compared with a conventional example in which a slave station and a relay station of different models are separately installed. Since one model can be used as both a slave station and a relay station, production or inventory management becomes easy.

【0013】

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it can automatically operate as a slave station or a relay station based on the received radio data.

【0014】

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since network information indicating a partner station to be line-connected to the own station is stored in advance, when the final destination of the received wireless data is the own station, it is used as a slave station. When it operates and the final transmission destination is the other station, it operates as a relay station, so that it can efficiently operate as a relay station without erroneously communicating with another station.

【0015】

According to the present invention of claim 4, the relay station performs a duplex operation in which radio data is transmitted in the other band while receiving radio data in one band of two bands having different frequencies, so that the carrier can perform the duplex operation. It can efficiently operate as a relay station without collision.

【0016】

According to the present invention of claim 5, since it can be operated as a master station by a setting operation, it can be operated as a slave station, a relay station and a master station with one model, and production or inventory management is further improved. It will be easy.

【0017】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

【0018】

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

【0019】

The communication system of this embodiment includes a master station 3 composed of a wireless data communication device of the present invention connected to a control device 1 of a personal computer or the like via an RS-232C cable 2, and a terminal device 4.₁~4₃Slave station 5 consisting of the wireless data communication device of the present invention connected to each via RS-232C cable 2₁~5₃And master station 3 and slave station 4₃It is placed between and the terminal device 4₄A slave station 5 consisting of the wireless data communication device of the present invention, which is connected to the device via an RS-232C cable 2 and also operates as a relay station as described later.₄And master station 3 and slave station 4₂A slave station consisting of the wireless data communication device of the present invention, which is arranged between and operates exclusively for a relay station 5₅In this communication system, for example, a terminal device 4 such as a vending machine 4₁~4₄Sales data of each slave station 5₁~5₅And it is collected in the control device 1 via the master station 3.

【0020】

Master station 3 or each slave station 5 of this communication system₁~5₅The wireless data communication device of the present invention constituting the device is provided with an antenna and a main body, and when the cover on the front surface of the main body is removed, various setting switches can be operated as shown in FIG. ..

【0021】

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 6 denotes a 2-digit unit number setting switch for selectively setting whether to operate the wireless data communication device as a master station or a slave station having a relay function. In this embodiment, when "00" is set by the unit No. setting switch 6, it operates as a master station, and when "01" to "60" is set, it operates as a slave station having a relay function.

【0022】

A communication channel setting switch 8 for setting the channel used for communication is provided on the right side of this unit No. setting switch 6. When "0" is set with this setting switch 8, MCA (multi-channel access method) is provided. If you set "1" to "9", fixed communication will be performed on the specified channel. A specification setting switch 9 consisting of a plurality of DIP switches for setting specifications such as RS-232C transmission speed and character configuration is provided on the lower side of the unit number setting switch 6 and the communication channel setting switch 8, and on the upper side. , An operation mode setting switch 10 for setting an operation mode is provided. In addition, an ID set button 11 for registering a slave station that communicates with the master station is arranged on the left side of the unit No. setting switch 6, and a power switch 12 is arranged below the ID set button 11. An ID set LED 13 indicating that the slave station registration operation is in progress is arranged on the upper side of the switch 12.

【0023】

On the upper side of the operation mode setting switch 10, there is a power LED 14 that lights up when the power is turned on, an operation mode LED 15 that displays the operation mode, an error LED 16 that lights up when an error occurs in the wireless section, and data transmission or data in the wireless section. The communication data LED17 that lights up when receiving and the reception level LED18 that displays the reception level are arranged.

【0024】

In this embodiment, when the slave station is selected and set by the unit No. setting switch 6, the slave station can be operated as a slave station and can also be operated as a relay station as follows. doing.

【0025】

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a master station 20 composed of a wireless data communication device in which unit No. "0" is set, and a wireless data communication device in which unit numbers "1" to "6" are set, respectively. This will be described by applying it to the case of configuring a network having a plurality of slave stations 21 to 26. Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to such a network configuration.

【0026】

First, at the time of initial installation when this system is configured, network information indicating the network configuration is registered in advance in each station 20 to 26, and the partner station to be connected to the line in the own station's network. Unit No. etc. are stored.

【0027】

For example, as shown in Table 1 below, this network information is composed of an ID unique to each device 20 to 26, a set unit No., and a connection destination unit No., and each station. In 20 to 26, the necessary part of the network table in Table 1, that is, the information of the network of the own station including the unit number of the partner station to which the own station should be connected to the line is registered in advance at the time of initial installation. Is.

【0028】

[table 1]

<img file="JPH10233726A_D0001.tif" />【0029】

ID registration at the time of initial installation causes communication between the two stations to be registered (for example, between the master station 20 and the slave station 21 of unit No. "1"), and the operation mode of each station. By operating the setting switch 10 and the ID set button 11, the network information is sequentially performed between the stations, whereby the network information related to the own station in the network information in Table 1 is stored in each station 20 to 26. become.

【0030】

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a packet frame used for the communication of this embodiment, in which the packet frame has a source ID 27, a destination ID 28, a transmission start station unit No. 29, and a final destination. It is composed of unit No. 30, control frame 31, and user data 32.

【0031】

Therefore, in the network configuration of FIG. 3, for example, when the master station 20 transmits data to the slave station 22 of the unit No. 2, the slave station 21 of the unit No. 1 is relayed. Therefore, as shown in Table 1 above, the master station 20 describes "000000000000" indicating the master station as the source ID 27, and describes "111111111111" indicating the slave station 21 as the relay station as the destination ID 28. Further, "0" indicating the master station 20 is described as the transmission start station unit No. 29, and "2" indicating the slave station of the final transmission destination is described as the final transmission destination unit No. 30 for transmission.

【0032】

As described later, the slave station 21 of the unit No. "1" that has received this radio data confirms that the received radio data is addressed to its own station, and the final destination is not its own station but its own station. Since it is the slave station 22 of the unit No. "2" existing in the network of, the relay operation is performed, and in the above packet frame, the slave station 21 of the unit No. "1" is indicated as the source ID 27 "111111111111". Is described, and "222222222222" indicating the slave station 22 of the unit No. "2" is described as the destination ID 28, and the other data from the master station 20 is transmitted as it is.

【0033】

In this way, the slave station 22 of the unit No. "2" receives the radio data from the master station 20 via the slave station 21 as a relay station.

【0034】

The same applies to the case where wireless data is transmitted from the slave stations 22 to 26 to the master station 20 via the relay stations 21 and 24.

【0035】

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the above slave stations.

【0036】

First, when a wireless packet is received (step n1), it is determined whether or not the destination ID is the own station (step n2), and if it is not the own station, the received data is discarded as if it is addressed to another station. Do nothing (step n3), and if it is your own station, determine whether the final destination is your own station (step n4), and if it is your own station, operate as a slave station as there is no need for relay. (Step n5).

【0037】

Further, in step n4, when the final destination is not the own station, it is determined whether or not the final destination exists in the network of the own station shown in Table 1 above (step n6), and does not exist. Sometimes, it is regarded as incorrect data, the received data is discarded and nothing is done (step n7), and when it is the network of the own station, it operates as a relay station for the slave station of the final destination. There is (step n8).

【0038】

In step n6 described above, for example, in the case of the network configuration shown in FIG. 3, the slave station 21 of the unit No. 1 is itself if the unit No. of the final destination is 2 or 3. It is determined that it is a partner station that exists in the network of the station, and when the unit number of the final destination is "5" or "6", it is determined that it does not exist in the network of the own station.

【0039】

As described above, each slave station automatically operates as a slave station or relays as a relay station based on the ID of the final destination of the received wireless data and the network information of its own station stored in advance. It is the one that performs the operation.

【0040】

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the wireless data communication device 7 having the above configuration, in which 33 is the control device 1 or the terminal device 4.₁~4₄RS-232C connector for connecting via RS-232C cable 2, 34 is a conversion circuit that converts RS-232C signals to TTL level, 35 controls each part, and controls according to the above flowchart. CPU to perform, 36 is non-volatile memory as a storage means to store network information, 37 is communication memory, 38, 39 are various setting switches and LEDs shown in Fig. 2 above, 40 is filter and binary value The circuit, 41 is the RF section that sends and receives data, and 42 is the constant voltage power supply.

【0041】

The wireless data communication device of this embodiment performs full-duplex communication using two types of bands, a high band and a low band, and includes a high band type that receives in the low band and transmits in the high band. There are two models, a low-band type that receives in the high band and transmits in the low band. Therefore, the RF unit 41 has a configuration corresponding to each type.

【0042】

When configuring the system, the high band type and the low band type are arranged alternately. For example, in FIG. 3, if the master station 20 is a high band type (or low band type), the unit No. " The slave stations 21 and 24 of "1" and "4" are low band type (or high band type), and the slave stations 22 to 26 of unit numbers "2", "3", "5" and "6" are high. It becomes a band type (or low band type).

【0043】

As a result, for example, the slave station 21 of the unit No. "1" wirelessly receives the radio data from the master station 20 in the high band (or low band) to the slave station 22 of the unit No. "2". It performs a duplex operation in which data is transmitted simultaneously in the low band (or high band).

【0044】

As another embodiment of the present invention, either type may be selected and set as one model that can be used for both the high band type and the low band type.

【0045】

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the above relay operation.

【0046】

In the figure, first, the primary station 45 transmits the radio packet A shown in the packet frame configuration described above to the relay station 46 in a high band, for example, and after confirming that the relay station 46 is addressed to its own station. , Packet A is transmitted to the secondary station 47, for example, in the low band, based on the final destination and network information. At this time, the primary station 45 simultaneously transmits the next packet B to the relay station 46, and the relay station 46 transmits the packet A while receiving the packet B. The secondary station 47 only receives the packet A and does not perform the transmission operation including the carrier transmission, and similarly transmits the packets B and C to the secondary station 47.

【0047】

The transmission permission information of the secondary station 47 is described in the packet C, and the secondary station 47 starts transmitting the packet D in the high band, for example, in response to the transmission permission information. At this time, in order to prevent the carriers of the primary station 45 and the secondary station 47 from colliding with each other, the primary station 45 stops transmitting the carrier at the same time as the packet C is transmitted.

【0048】

The transmission to the primary station 45 is the same as the case of the transmission to the secondary station 47 described above, and the packet D includes the transmission data and ACK / for the packets A, B, C received by the secondary station 47. NAK information is described.

【0049】

As described above, the stations 45 and 47 at both ends perform a simplex operation, and the relay station 46 performs a duplex operation.

【0050】

Further, in this embodiment, the network information shown in Table 1 above is configured as follows so that the network information can be collectively initialized to the factory default state.

【0051】

In this embodiment, "99" is set by a predetermined series of operations, that is, the unit No. setting switch 6 shown in FIG. 2, the operation mode setting switch 10 is set as a set, and the ID set button 11 is set. In response to a series of switch operations of turning on the power switch 12 while pressing, the above-mentioned CPU35 as the initialization means uses the network information as setting data, that is, the UNIT No., ID, and connection destination UNIT in Table 1. It initializes NO. In a batch.

【0052】

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of such initialization.

【0053】

When the power is turned on (step n1), it is determined whether the unit number setting switch is set to "99" (step n2), and when it is set, the operation mode setting switch 10 is set to the set. Determine if it is (step n3), if it is set, determine if the ID set button 11 is on (step n4), and if it is on, initialize the network information (step n4). Step n5), in other cases, the normal operation is started (step n6).

【0054】

Since the network information as the setting data can be initialized in a batch in this way, the initialization work when the system is configured by a large number of communication devices becomes easy.

【0055】

In addition, the unit No. setting switch 6 is normally set only up to "60" as described above, and the network information as setting data is initialized by a sequence that is not normally operated in this way. There is no need to accidentally initialize the setting data, and there is no need to install a special reset button that is difficult to press, so there is no cost increase.

【0056】

In the above-described embodiment, the master station and the control device are connected, but as another embodiment of the present invention, a telephone line is connected via a circuit-terminating equipment (DCE) such as a general modem to a remote location. It may be possible to communicate with the control device of.

【0057】

Needless to say, the setting data to be initialized all at once is not limited to the above-mentioned network information.

【0058】

[Effect of the invention]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the slave station and the relay station can be used together, the space efficiency can be improved as compared with the conventional example in which the slave station and the relay station of different models are separately installed. At the same time, since one model can be used as both a slave station and a relay station, production or inventory management can be facilitated and costs can be reduced, and based on network information and the final destination of received wireless data. Since it operates as a slave station or a relay station, it does not accidentally communicate with other stations, and it is possible to perform full-duplex communication using two bands with different frequencies. One model can be operated as a slave station, relay station and master station, further facilitating production or inventory management.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

It is a block diagram of the communication system which concerns on this invention.

[Figure 2]

It is a front view of the state where the cover of the main body of the wireless data communication device of FIG. 1 is removed.

[Fig. 3]

It is a figure which shows the network structure of one Embodiment of this invention.

[Fig. 4]

It is a figure which shows the frame structure of a wireless packet.

[Fig. 5]

It is a flowchart used for the operation explanation of a slave station.

[Fig. 6]

It is a block diagram of the wireless data communication apparatus which concerns on this invention.

[Fig. 7]

It is a figure for demonstrating the relay operation.

[Fig. 8]

It is a flowchart which provides the operation explanation of the initialization.

[Fig. 9]

It is a block diagram of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

3,20 Master station Five₁~5₅, 21 ~ 26 Substation 35 CPU 36 Non-volatile memory 41 RF section