EP0903709A1 - Telemetry system and communication apparatus for use in the same - Google Patents
Telemetry system and communication apparatus for use in the same Download PDFInfo
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- EP0903709A1 EP0903709A1 EP98111219A EP98111219A EP0903709A1 EP 0903709 A1 EP0903709 A1 EP 0903709A1 EP 98111219 A EP98111219 A EP 98111219A EP 98111219 A EP98111219 A EP 98111219A EP 0903709 A1 EP0903709 A1 EP 0903709A1
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- data
- unit
- communication unit
- radio communication
- radio
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- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
- G08C17/00—Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
- G08C17/02—Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link using a radio link
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- This invention relates to a data telemetering system for telemetering data generated in a plurality of distributed data generating sources in a center unit and a communication unit for use in the same system.
- data telemetering system for telemetering data generated in a plurality of data generating sources distributed in physical region in a center unit includes a system for telemetering data by transmitting the data to a data telemetering unit through a public telephone line as shown in FIG. 1.
- plural external units 711-71N (N: natural number) disposed as data generating source have data communication units 721-72N for transmitting data.
- These data communication units 721-72N are connected to a public telephone network 81 which is an external communication network through a public telephone line.
- This public telephone network 81 connects a data communication unit 92 having a center unit 91 for storing data through the public telephone line.
- data generated in the plurality of the external units 711-71N is transmitted from each of the data communication units 721-72N through the public telephone network 81 to the data communication unit 92 and stored in the center unit 91.
- the conventional data telemetering system has the following problems. That is, upon installation of the data communication units, a new public telephone line must be placed. Further, mutual communication between the data communication units must be carried out through a telephone network and further in a case when radio channel is used, the half-duplex system in which transmitting and receiving are changed over alternately must be used.
- an object of the present invention is to provide a data telemetering system capable of telemetering data effectively without placing a new public telephone line and not through a telephone network for carrying out data communication between the communication units and a transmitting and receiving unit for use in the same system.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a data telemetering system capable of telemetering data effectively from each of the communication units to the center unit without placing a new public telephone line and not through a telephone network for carrying out data communication between the communication units and a transmitting and receiving unit for use in the same system.
- Still another object of the present invention is to provide a data telemetering system capable of notifying the data telemetering unit that a trouble occurs in an external unit and a transmitting and receiving unit for use in the same system.
- a further object of the present invention is to provide a data telemetering system capable of telemetering data securely from each of the communication units to the data telemetering unit by changing a data transmission route without increasing a number of the communication units when a trouble occurs in the communication unit, a transmitting and receiving unit for use in the same system and a method thereof.
- a data telemetering system comprising: a plurality of data generating sources for generating a predetermined data; and a data accumulating unit for accumulating the predetermined data generated by this data generating source, for telemetering the predetermined data generated by the data generating source in the data accumulating unit, the data telemetering system further comprising a radio communication unit installed corresponding to the data generating source and the data accumulating unit and having a communication mode for communicating between terminals using a radio channel not through a public telephone network, the radio communication unit having: a radio connecting means for connecting between a radio communication unit and the other radio communication unit by the communication mode; and a data transmission means for connecting between a radio communication unit provided corresponding to the data generating source and a radio communication unit provided corresponding to the data accumulating unit by the connecting means and for transmitting the predetermined data generated in each of the data generating sources to the data accumulating unit.
- a known first radio communication unit having the communication mode enabling direct communication between terminals using a radio channel not through a public telephone network is provided at each data generation source and a known second radio communication unit having the communication mode is provided at the data telemetering unit so that they are constructed with a simple configuration.
- a radio channel in the communication mode is formed between the first and second radio communication units so that data generated in each data generation source is transferred to the data telemetering unit in bare data communication method through this radio channel.
- a radio communication unit for use in a data telemetering system comprising: a plurality of data generating sources for generating a predetermined data; and a data accumulating unit for accumulating the predetermined data generated by this data generating source, for telemetering the predetermined data generated by the data generating source in the data accumulating unit, the data communication unit comprising: a radio connecting means for connecting between a radio communication unit and the other radio communication unit by communication mode for communicating between terminals not through a public telephone network; and a data transmission means for connecting between radio communication units provided corresponding to each data generating source by the radio connecting means and for transmitting a predetermined data generated in each of the data generating sources.
- a radio channel is established with the first radio communication units in the communication mode enabling direct communication between terminals using a radio channel not through a public telephone network and data generated in each data generation source is accumulated in the data telemetering unit.
- a radio communication unit for use in a data telemetering system comprising: a plurality of data generating sources for generating a predetermined data; and a data accumulating unit for accumulating the predetermined data generated by the data generating source, for telemetering the predetermined data generated by the data generating source in the data accumulating unit, the data communication unit comprising: a radio connecting means for connecting between a radio communication unit and the other radio communication unit by communication mode for communicating between terminals not through a public telephone network; a data transmission means for connecting between a radio communication unit provided corresponding to a data generating source and a radio communication unit provided corresponding to the data accumulating unit by the radio connecting means and for transmitting a predetermined data generated in each of the data generating sources to the data accumulating unit.
- a data telemetering system comprising: a plurality of data generating sources for generating a predetermined data; and a data accumulating unit for accumulating the predetermined data generated by this data generating source, for telemetering the predetermined data generated by the data generating source in the data accumulating unit, the data telemetering system further comprising: a first radio communication unit having a first communication mode for communicating not through a public telephone network and provided corresponding to each of the data generating sources; a second radio communication unit having the first communication mode and a public communication mode for communicating through public telephone network, disposed in a radio zone formed by a base station connected to the public telephone network and installed corresponding to the data accumulating unit; and a center unit connected to the public telephone network through the base station, the second radio communication unit having: a radio connecting means for connecting between the first radio communication unit and the second radio communication unit using the first communication mode and for connecting between the second radio communication unit and the center unit through the base station
- the first radio communication units and the second radio communication unit are connected to each other through the first radio channel using the first communication mode, so that data generated in the data generation sources connected to the first radio communication units is telemetered in the second radio communication unit.
- the first communication mode is changed to the public mode so that the second radio communication unit is connected to the base station through the second radio channel using the public mode and the telemetry data is transmitted to the center unit connected to the public network.
- the second radio communication unit is capable of telemetering data generated from the data generation source rapidly and effectively with few errors without placing a new public line to the first radio communication unit. Further, by transferring this telemetry data to the center unit, the center unit is capable of managing data generated in the plurality of the data generation sources synthetically.
- a radio communication unit for use as a second radio communication unit in a data telemetering system comprising: a plurality of data generating sources for generating a predetermined data; a data accumulating unit for accumulating the predetermined data generated by the data generating sources; a first radio communication unit provided corresponding to each of the plurality of the data generating sources, having a first communication mode for communicating not through a public telephone network; a second radio communication unit disposed in a radio zone formed by the base station connected to the public telephone network and provided corresponding to the data accumulating unit, having the first communication mode and a public communication mode for communicating through public telephone network; and a center unit connected to the base station through public telephone network, the radio communication unit having: a first radio connecting means for connecting between the first radio communication unit and the second radio communication unit using the first communication mode; a second radio connecting means for connecting between the base station and the second communication unit using the public communication mode; an accumulation control means for connecting between the first radio communication
- the center unit is capable of telemetering data effectively through a single access.
- a data telemetering system comprising: a plurality of radio communication units installed corresponding to the plurality of the distributed data generating units, wherein data telemetering is carried out in a predetermined order between the radio communication units using the communication mode enabling direct communication between terminals using a radio channel not through a public telephone network, and in a region in which at least one of the plurality of the radio communication units is capable of communicating with in the communication mode, at least a first radio communication unit to which the radio communication unit transmits data next and a second radio communication unit to which the first radio communication unit transmits next are allocated.
- the plurality of the radio communication units having the communication mode enabling direct communication between terminals using a radio channel not through a public telephone network are provided on the plurality of the data generating units.
- at least one radio communication unit is capable of communicating in the communication mode
- at least the first radio communication unit to which that radio communication unit transmits data next and the second radio communication unit to which this first radio communication unit transmits data next are disposed so that the respective radio communication units are connected to each other through a radio channel using the communication mode. Then, data generated in each corresponding data generating unit is telemetered.
- data can be transmitted without placing a new telephone line. If a trouble occurs in the first radio communication unit during data transmission, data can be transmitted to the second radio communication unit belonging to a predetermined transmitting order in a region allowing communication in the communication mode enabling direct communication between terminals using a radio channel not through a public telephone network without adding the other first radio communication unit than the first radio communication unit belonging to the predetermined transmitting order. As a result, data generated in each data generation source can be telemetered securely and economically.
- a communication method for a data telemetering system for telemetry data in a predetermined order using the communication mode enabling direct communication between terminals using a radio channel not through a public telephone network among the radio communication units installed corresponding to a plurality of distributed data generating units, comprising the steps of: in a region which at least one of the plurality of the radio communication units is capable of communicating with in the communication mode, allocating at least a first radio communication unit to which the radio communication unit transmits data next and a second radio communication unit to which the first radio communication unit transmits data next; and executing communication between the allocated radio communication units.
- a transmitting and receiving unit comprising: a data generating unit for generating a predetermined data; and a radio communication unit installed corresponding to the data generating unit and capable of communicating in the communication mode enabling direct communication between terminals using a radio channel not through a public telephone network, wherein the data generating unit comprises memory means for storing at least a first transmission route to a first radio communication unit to which the radio communication unit transmits data next and a second transmission route to a second radio communication unit to which the first radio communication unit transmits data next, wherein
- the first communication route to the first radio communication unit to which the radio communication unit will transmit data next and the second communication route to the second communication unit to which the first radio communication unit will transmit data next are stored in the memory means of the data generating unit.
- the radio communication unit connects itself to the other radio communication unit through a radio channel using the communication mode enabling direct communication between terminals using a radio channel not through a public telephone network by referring to the transmission route stored in the memory means and transmits data generated in the data generating unit to the other radio communication unit.
- the transmission route can be changed to the second radio communication unit so that data can be sent to the data telemetering unit securely.
- FIG. 3 is a system block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
- reference numerals 111-11N denote external units, for example, automatic vending machines which are distributed in physical region.
- These external units 111-11N are provided with PHS data communication units 121-12N (hereinafter referred to as slave PHS data communication units 121-12N) which have communication mode (hereinafter referred to as sub-unit direct communication mode) enabling direct communication between terminals using a radio channel not through a public telephone network and have a function for carrying out data transmission to other PHS data communication unit by this sub-unit direct communication mode.
- the standard of the PHS data communication unit is defined in Personal handy phone system RCR-STSNDARD-28 published by Research & Development Center for Radio Systems in Japan.
- These external units 111-11N have PHS data communication units 121-12N which function as a slave having a sub-unit direct communication mode.
- the external units 111-11N are connected to the PHS data communication units 121-12N through a RS232C cable.
- the external units 111-11N set communication functioning portions in the PHS data communication units 121-12N to sub-unit direct communication mode regulated under the RCRSTD28 through the external connection functioning portion in the PHS data communication units 121-12N by a serial command.
- the external units 111-11N executes data communication using LAP-P operating mode or Piafs (PHS internet access forum standard) operating mode through the PHS data communication units 121-12N.
- the Piafs mentioned herein refers to error correction retransmitting procedure specified by end-to-end of the transmitting/receiving radio terminal in data communication between a transmitting radio terminal and a receiving radio terminal, which are both connected by radio line through a base station.
- Data communication speed of the Piafs operation mode is about 32 Kbps.
- the LAP-P is an error correction retransmitting procedure specified between a radio terminal and a base station in data communication between a transmitting radio terminal and a receiving radio terminal, which are both connected by radio line through a base station.
- Data communication speed at LAP-P operation mode is 14.4 Kbps.
- Reference numeral 21 denotes a base station, which forms radio zone for the physical region.
- a PHS data communication unit (hereinafter referred to as master PHS data communication unit 31) is disposed, which has sub-unit direct communication mode and public mode and has a telemetering function to collect data transmitted from the other PHS data communication units in sub-unit communication mode and to transmit telemetry data through the public telephone network.
- An external unit 32 such as an automatic vending machine and personal computer is connected to this PHS data communication unit 31.
- the public mode mentioned herein refers to mode for carrying out radio communication through a public network managed by communication enterprise.
- the base station 21 is connected to a public network 43 which is an external communication network through a cable line and a center unit 51 is connected to this public network 43.
- the center unit 51 comprises a modem 511 and a data storage unit 512.
- the slave PHS data communication units 121-12N are connected to each other or the master PHS data communication unit 31 through a radio channel using the sub-unit direct communication mode.
- the PHS data communication unit 31 is connected to the base station 21 through a radio channel using the public mode.
- the PHS data communication unit 31 gains access to the plural PHS data communication units 121-12N successively by polling method and connects it through a radio channel according to the sub-unit direct communication mode so as to execute data communication.
- the PHS data communication unit 31 temporarily stores data generated in each of the external units 111-11N in a memory.
- the PHS data communication unit 31 collects telemetry data generated in each of the external units 111-11N and then changes over to the public mode so as to connect to the base station 21. This telemetry data is transmitted to the center unit 51 together with its own data accumulated in the external unit 32 connected to the PHS data communication unit 31, so that the transmitted data is stored in the data storage unit 512.
- FIG. 4 shows the aforementioned slave PHS data communication units 121-12N in detail.
- each of the PHS data communication units 121-12N comprises a radio portion 12a having an antenna 12a1, a modem portion 12b, a TDMA (time division multiple access) portion 12c, an error correction portion 12d, an external connection interface 12e and a control portion 12f.
- TDMA time division multiple access
- An arriving radio frequency signal which is received by the antenna 12a1, is inputted to a receiving portion 12a3 through a high frequency switch 12a2 of the radio portion 12a.
- the aforementioned received radio frequency signal is mixed with a receiving local oscillation signal generated from a frequency synthesizer 12a4 so that the signal is converted to a reception intermediate frequency signal.
- the local oscillation frequency generated from the aforementioned frequency synthesizer 12a4 is instructed by the control portion 12f depending on the radio channel frequency.
- the radio portion 12a includes a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) portion 12a5. This RSSI portion 12a5 detects a received signal strength of the radio frequency signal arriving at the antenna 12a1 and notifies the control portion 12f of the detected value.
- RSSI received signal strength indicator
- the reception intermediate frequency signal outputted from the aforementioned receiving portion 12a3 is inputted to a demodulation portion 12b1 of the modem portion 12b.
- digital demodulation of the aforementioned reception intermediate frequency signal is carried out and then non-restricted digital data (hereinafter referred to as bare data) is reproduced according to Version 2 prepared by expanding the RCRSTD28 standardized for voice communication, for data communication.
- a TDMA decoding portion 12c1 of a TDMA portion 12c extracts bare data from a time slot allocated thereto according to an instruction of the control portion 12f and inputs this extracted bare data into an error correction portion 12d.
- the error correction portion 12d acts corresponding to the LAP-P operation mode and Piafs operation mode upon bare data communication.
- the error detection, correction of an error up to 2 bits and automatic retransmitting request (hereinafter referred to as ARQ) of requesting retransmitting of a frame in which the error is detected are carried out.
- ARQ automatic retransmitting request
- Data corrected in the error correction portion 12d is accumulated in the external unit 11 (111-11N) through an external connection interface 12e.
- Data generated in the external unit 11 is supplied to a TDMA encoding portion 12c2 of the TDMA portion 12c through the external connection interface 12e and error correction portion 12d.
- the TDMA encoding portion 12c2 inserts digital data to be transmitted into a time slot instructed by the control portion 12f and supplies it to a modulation portion 12b2.
- carrier signal is digitally modulated according to the aforementioned digital data and this modulated carrier signal is inputted to a transmitting portion 12a6.
- the aforementioned modulated carrier signal is mixed with a transmitting local oscillation signal generated from the frequency synthesizer 12a4 so that it is frequency converted to a radio channel frequency instructed by the control portion 12f and further amplified to a predetermined transmitting power level. Then, a radio frequency signal outputted from this transmitting portion 12a6 is transmitted from the antenna 12a1 through the high frequency switch 12a2.
- the control portion 12f contains, for example, a microcomputer as its main control section, so as to synthetically control respective circuits.
- the control portion 12f contains a sub-unit direct communication control means 12f1 and a data transmitting/receiving control means 12f2.
- the sub-unit direct communication control means 12f1 is a means for controlling a selective connection of the PHS data communication units 121-12N with each other or with the PHS data communication unit 31 through a radio channel using the sub-unit direct communication mode.
- the data transmitting/receiving control means 12f2 is a means for controlling data transmitting/receiving between the external units.
- the control portion 12f contains a monitoring means 12f5 for monitoring a state of the external units 111-11N corresponding to itself during a waiting period for data transmission.
- the control portion 12f contains an alarm information transmitting means 12f6 for, if this monitoring means detects an error in the external units 111-11N, transmitting an alarm information to the PHS data communication unit 31 through a radio channel which is set between the PHS data communication units 121-12N and the master PHS data communication unit 31 based on the sub-unit direct communication mode directly or through other slave.
- the control portion 12f also contains a variable setting means 12f7 for varying data telemetering execution timing depending on a time zone of a day.
- control portion 12f contains a timer 12f8 for counting a waiting time taken until a response is received since a signal is sent to a correspondent, so that if no response is received even if a predetermined time zone elapses, it is determined that the mating PHS data communication unit is in trouble.
- FIG. 5 shows a detail of the master side PHS data communication unit 31.
- a memory 31a is connected to the control portion 12f.
- the control portion 12f of the PHS data communication unit 31 contains a data accumulation control means 12f3 and a public mode communication control means 12f4.
- the PHS data communication unit 31 is connected to an external unit 32 through an external connection interface 12e.
- a data accumulation control means 12f3 of the control portion 12f stores data in the memory 31a. Further, the data accumulation control means 12f3 also stores data generated in the external unit 32 in the memory 31a.
- the public mode communication control means 12f4 changes its own unit to public mode and connect itself to the base station 21. If the PHS data communication unit 31 is connected to the base station 21, the data accumulation control means 12f3 reads telemetry data and self data generated in the external unit 32 from the memory 31a and transmits them to the center unit 51 through the base station 21 and public network 43.
- FIGS. 6-8 are flow charts showing operations of the PHS data communication units 121-12N, PHS data communication unit 31 and center unit 51.
- FIG. 6 shows operations of the slave PHS data communication units 121-12N and master PHS data communication unit 31.
- Each of the PHS data communication units 121-12N and the PHS data communication unit 31 set sub-unit direct communication mode by the sub-unit direct communication control means 12f1 of each control portion 12f in steps S11, S21, S31 and carry out waiting operation for direct communication between the sub-units.
- the PHS data communication unit 31 dispatches a signal to the PHS data communication unit 121 by the sub-unit direct communication control means 12f1 of the control portion 12f.
- the PHS data communication unit 121 receives a call in step S12, it transmits back a response to the PHS data communication unit 31 and then communication is being done.
- step S13 the PHS data communication unit 121 reads information (data) possessed by the external unit 111 through the external connection interface 12e and transmits it to the PHS data communication unit 31 by the data transmitting/receiving control means 12f2.
- the error correction portion 12d for this transmitting, data communication having an excellent transmission quality can be provided.
- the PHS data communication unit 31 receives data sent from the PHS data communication unit 121 by the data transmitting/receiving control means 12f2 at step S33, the received data is stored in the memory 31a by the data accumulation control means 12f3 at step S34. If data storage is completed, communication path is cut off at steps S14, S35 so that the data communication is terminated.
- the master side PHS data communication unit 31 repeats the procedures of steps S36-S39 as shown in FIG. 7 until it receives data sent from all the slave side PHS data communication units 121-12N. Because the procedures of steps S36-S39 are the same as those of the steps S32-S35, a description thereof is omitted. Further, because the procedures of steps S22-S24 of the PHS data communication unit 12N corresponding to the last access are the same as those of the steps S12-S14, a description thereof is omitted.
- the PHS data communication unit 31 receives and stores data generated in all the slaves 1-n (corresponding to PHS data communication units 121-12N) in the memory 31a and stores data generated in the external unit 32 connected to its own unit in the memory 31a, and then in step S40, sets its own unit to the public mode by the public mode communication control means 12f4.
- FIG. 8 shows operations of the master side PHS data communication unit 31 and the center unit 51.
- the PHS data communication unit 31 set in public mode transmits a call to the center unit 51 through the base station 21 by the public mode communication control means 12f4 at step S41. If the center unit 51 receives the call and responds at step 51, communication is established.
- the PHS data communication unit 31 reads slave data collected and its own data collected from the external unit 32 from the memory 31a and transmits them to the center unit 51 by the data transmitting/receiving control means 12f2. Because the PHS data communication unit 31 uses the error correction portion 12d for transmitting data at this time also, data communication having an excellent transmission quality can be provided. After that, at step S52, the center unit 51 receives data generated in the PHS data communication unit 31 and accumulates it in the data storage unit 512, and then the data communication is terminated.
- the PHS data communication unit 31 completes data communication, it cuts off at step S43 so as to terminate data communication with the center unit 51.
- FIG. 9 shows a time chart of communication in polling method.
- TP indicates a time for the PHS data communication unit 31 to communicate with the PHS data communication units 121-12N in polling method.
- TW indicates a waiting time taken until the PHS data communication unit 31 executes next transmission by polling method after it gains access to the PHS data communication units 121-12N.
- T2-TN indicate a time taken for the PHS data communication unit 31 to get access to the PHS data communication units 121-12N so as to collect data.
- FIG. 10 is a flow chart for explaining an operation of the master side PHS data communication unit 31 by the polling method. This operation is controlled by the control portion 12f in the PHS data communication unit 31.
- an access to the PHS data communication unit 121 is made.
- the PHS data communication unit 31 makes an access to the PHS data communication unit 121 at step S63 so as to transmit a request for data telemetering.
- step S64 data sent from the PHS data communication unit 121 is received and at step 65, the received data is transferred to the memory 31a and stored therein.
- the PHS data communication unit 31 repeats the procedures of steps S62-S65 for the PHS data communication units 121-12N.
- step S66 In a case when the PHS data communication unit 31 collects data up to the PHS data communication unit 12N at step S66 (YES), idle period (TW) mode (waiting mode) is started at step S67. If the idle period is terminated at step S68 (YES), this processing is returned to the aforementioned step S61.
- TW idle period
- FIG. 11 is a flow chart for explaining an operation of the PHS data communication units 121-12N of the slave side in the polling method. This operation is controlled by the control portion 12f of the PHS data communication units 121-12N. This procedure will be described about the PHS data communication unit 121 here.
- the PHS data communication unit 121 goes into wait mode.
- the PHS data communication unit 121 receives a call from the PHS data communication unit 31 of the master side (YES)
- the PHS data communication unit 121 transmits data generated in the external unit 111 to the PHS data communication unit 31 at step S71.
- the PHS data communication unit 121 goes into the wait mode at step S69.
- the PHS data communication unit 121 executes data communication with the PHS data communication unit 31, if there is information to be stored in the external unit 111, that information is stored in the external unit although this is omitted on the aforementioned flow chart.
- FIG. 12 shows a second example of arrangement of a plurality of the PHS data communication unit 31, 121-12N and the external units 111-11N.
- the PHS data communication unit 121 is connected to the PHS data communication unit 122 capable of communicating on sub-unit direct communication mode. After that, relay connection is carried out successively between the respective units in the order of 2-N in sub-unit direct communication mode.
- the PHS data communication unit 12N which is last unit of the aforementioned relay connection is connected to the PHS data communication unit 31 of the master side through radio channel of sub-unit direct communication mode.
- Data generated in the external unit 111 is brought by the PHS data communication units 121-12N successively and transmitted to the PHS data communication unit 31 by the relay method so that it is accumulated in the memory 31a of the external unit 32.
- This accumulated data is provided with data generated in the respective external units 111-11N in the relay process. Because the operation of the accumulation in the memory 31a of the external unit 32 is the same as the system based on the polling method shown in FIG. 3, a description thereof is omitted.
- FIG. 13 shows a time chart for communication in the relay method.
- T indicates a data transmitting period of the external units 111-11N and R indicates a data receiving period of the external units 112-11N.
- the external unit 111 After transmitting data to the external unit 112, the external unit 111 goes into waiting period TW. After the waiting period terminates, data is sent to the external unit 112 again. Then, data generated in the external unit 111 passes through the external units 112-11N successively and finally reaches the memory 31a of the external unit 32. This external unit 32 collects accumulative data sent through the external units 111-11N and then goes into waiting mode.
- FIG. 14 is a flow chart for explaining an operation of the PHS data communication units 121-12N of the slave side based on the relay method. This operation is controlled by the control portion 12f of the PHS data communication units 121-12N.
- the PHS data communication units 121-12N determines whether it is a first external unit of the slave side according to information stored in a memory of the external unit, for example.
- the PHS data communication unit 121 has a first external unit 111 (YES)
- it calls the next PHS data communication unit 122 at step S82.
- it executes data communication with the PHS data communication unit 122 and at step S84, transmits its own data to the PHS data communication unit 122.
- step S85 the PHS data communication unit 121 goes into the idle period mode (waiting mode) at step S86 and if the idle period is terminated at step S87 (YES), the processing is returned to the aforementioned step S82.
- step S81 is, for example, PHS data communication unit 123 (NO)
- step S88 if it is set to the wait mode at step S88 and there is a call from a preceding number (YES) at step S89, data communication is executed with the PHS data communication unit 122 having the external unit 112 of the preceding number at step 90.
- step S91 data generated in the external units 111, 112 is accumulated in the memory of its own external unit 113. If data communication with the preceding number unit is terminated at step S92 (YES), whether or not there is an external unit of a next number is determined according to information stored in the memory of the external unit.
- the PHS data communication unit 123 calls the PHS data communication unit 124 having the next number external unit 114 at step S94 and executes data communication at step S95. At this time, the PHS data communication unit 123 transmits data of the first-preceding numbers and its own data to the PHS data communication unit 124. If data communication is terminated at step S97 (YES), the PHS data communication unit 123 goes into the waiting mode mentioned at step S88. After that, the processing from the step S88 is repeated for the PHS data communication unit of the next number.
- the PHS data communication unit 12N calls the PHS data communication unit 31 of the master side at step 98 and executes data communication at step S99. At step S100, it transmits data of N-2 external units and its own data to the PHS data communication unit 31. If data communication is terminated at step S101 (YES), the PHS data communication unit 12N goes into the waiting mode mentioned at the step S88.
- FIG. 15 is a flow chart for explaining an operation of the PHS data communication unit 31 of the master side based on the relay method. This operation is controlled by the control portion 12f of the PHS data communication unit 31.
- the PHS data communication unit 31 has been in the waiting mode at step S102 and if it receives a call from the PHS data communication unit 12N having a final external unit 11N in terms of relay connection order (YES), it executes data communication with this PHS data communication unit 12N at step S104. At step S105, data of the external units 111-11N is accumulated in the memory 31a. Then, if data communication with the PHS data communication unit 12N is terminated at step S106 (YES), the PHS data communication unit 31 goes into the waiting mode mentioned at step S102 again.
- FIGS. 16 and 17 show examples of arrangement of the master and slaves.
- the PHS data communication unit 31 of the external unit 32 makes access to the PHS data communication units 121-123 of the external units 111-113 of the slave side successively by the polling method so that they are connected with each other through a radio channel using the sub-unit direct communication mode.
- the PHS data communication units 124, 125 of the external units 114, 115 are connected to each other in the relay method and finally connected to the PHS data communication unit 123 of the external unit 113.
- data of the external units 114, 115 is collected in the external unit 113 in the order of the external units 114, 115 and 113. Because the external unit 32 collects data generated in the external units 111-113 by the polling method, all data of the external units 111-115 can be collected.
- data of the external units 114, 115 are collected in the external unit 112 by the polling method.
- the external unit 32 is capable of collecting all data of the external units 111-115 because it collects data in the relay method in the order of the external units 113, 112, 111.
- the known PHS data communication units 121-12N having the sub-unit direct communication mode are provided on the external units 111-11N and the known PHS data communication unit 31 having the sub-unit direct communication mode is provided on the external unit 32, so that the object of the invention is achieved with this simple structure.
- These PHS data communication units 31, 121-12N are connected to each other by radio channel based on the sub-unit direct communication mode and data generated in the external units 111-11N is transmitted to the external unit 32 through this radio channel with bare data communication.
- the master side PHS data communication unit 31 collects data in the polling method from the external units 111-11N with which it is capable of communicating on the sub-unit direct communication mode and collects data mode in the relay method from the external units 111-11N out of such a range in which it is capable of communicating on the sub-unit direct communication. As a result, highly efficient data communication and data collection corresponding to the arrangement of the external units 111-11N can be achieved.
- the PHS data communication units 121-12N are connected to the PHS data communication unit 31 through a radio channel using the sub-unit direct communication mode.
- the PHS data communication unit 31 is capable of communicating with the PHS data communication units 121-12N without placing a public telephone line and not through the public network 43 quickly with few errors and further collecting data generated in the external units 111-11N efficiently.
- the PHS data communication unit 31 changes the sub-unit direct communication mode to the public mode when carrying out data communication with the center unit 51, so that it is connected to the base station 21 through a radio channel using the public mode.
- Data collected from the external units 111-11N is transmitted to the center unit 51 connected to the public network 43.
- the center unit 51 is capable of managing data generated in the external units 111-11N synthetically.
- the PHS data communication unit 31 contains the memory 31a for telemetry data generated in the external units 111-11N and the public mode communication control means 12f4 and transmits collected data to the center unit 51 connected to the public network 43 using the public mode.
- the center unit 51 is capable of telemetering data through only one access highly efficiently.
- data communication between the respective communication units can be carried out by the sub-unit direct communication mode. Further data communication from each communication unit to the center unit can be carried out by changing the communication unit from the sub-unit direct communication mode to the public mode so as to execute data communication on the public mode.
- the present invention is capable of providing a data telemetering system capable of telemetering data generated in each communication unit to the center unit effectively and quickly without an error, without placing a new public telephone line and using the public network in data communication between the respective communication units, and a communication unit for use in this system.
- the PHS data communication unit 31 accumulates data generated in the external units 111-11N in the memory 31a, it is permissible to use the external unit 32 as a data telemetering unit by accumulating data in the memory of the external unit 32.
- the private mode mentioned herein refers to a mode for executing radio communication with a private branch exchange.
- reference numerals 411-41N denote external units of, for example, automatic vending machines distributed in physical region, which are provided with cordless sub communication units 421-42N for use in PHS. These cordless sub communication units 421-42N are connected to a cordless main communication unit 61 through a radio channel using the private mode. A data telemetering unit 62 for collecting data generated in the external units 411-41N is connected to the cordless main communication unit 61.
- the cordless main communication unit 61 is connected to the network 43 which is an external communication network through a cable network.
- the center unit 51 for managing data through the cable network is connected to the network 43.
- the network 43 may be public switched telephone network (PSTN) or integrated service digital network (ISDN) or the like.
- the cordless sub communication units 421-42N transmit data generated in a corresponding external unit 411-41N to the cordless main communication unit 61 through a radio channel using the private mode.
- the cordless main communication unit 61 accumulates data arriving from the cordless sub communication units 421-42N in the data telemetering unit 62. After that, the cordless main communication unit 61 transmits data accumulated in the data telemetering unit 62 to the center unit 51 through the public network 43.
- FIG. 19 shows a detail of the above mentioned cordless main communication unit 61.
- the cordless main communication unit 61 comprises a radio portion 61a having an antenna 61a1, a modem portion 61b, a TDMA portion 61c, an interface portion 61d and a control portion 61e.
- a radio frequency signal arriving from the cordless sub communication units 421-42N is received by the antenna 61a1 and inputted to a receiving portion 61a1 through a high frequency switch 61a2 of a radio portion 61a.
- the aforementioned received radio frequency signal is mixed with a receiving local oscillation signal generated from a frequency synthesizer 61a4 so that the signal is converted to a reception intermediate frequency signal.
- the local oscillation frequency generated from the aforementioned frequency synthesizer 61a4 is instructed by the control portion 61e depending on the radio channel frequency.
- the radio portion 61a includes a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) portion 61a5. This RSSI portion 61a5 detects a received signal strength of the radio frequency signal arriving at the antenna 61a1 and notifies the control portion 61e of the detected value.
- RSSI received signal strength indicator
- the reception intermediate frequency signal outputted from the aforementioned receiving portion 61a3 is inputted to a demodulation portion 61b1.
- digital demodulation of the aforementioned reception intermediate frequency signal is carried out so as to reproduce a digital communication signal.
- a TDMA decoding portion 61c1 of a TDMA portion 61c disassembles the digital communication signal of each time slot according to an instruction of the control portion 61e and this disassembled digital communication signal is inputted to an error correction portion 61d1 of an interface portion 61d.
- the error correction portion 61d1 detects and corrects a data error caused during data transmission in bare data communication and supplies corrected data to a subscriber line interface 61d2.
- the subscriber line interface 61d2 demodulates the digital communication signal so as to reproduce a corresponding analog communication signal. Then, this analog communication signal is transmitted to the network 43 through a cable line.
- the analog communication signal arriving from the network 43 through the cable network is converted to a digital communication signal by the subscriber line interface 61d2.
- This digital communication signal undergoes error correction at the error correction portion 61d1 and then is inputted to the TDMA encoding portion 61c2.
- the digital communication signal is inserted into a desired time slot and multiplexed.
- This multiplexed digital communication signal is inputted to a demodulation portion 61b2.
- This demodulation portion 61b2 digital-demodulates a carrier signal by the aforementioned digital communication signal and this demodulated carrier signal is inputted to a transmitting portion 61a6.
- the aforementioned modulated carrier signal is mixed with a transmitting local oscillation signal generated from a frequency synthesizer 61a4 and converted to a radio channel frequency instructed by a control portion 61e. Further, it is amplified to a predetermined transmitting power level.
- a radio frequency signal outputted from this transmitting portion 61a6 is transmitted to each of the cordless sub communication units 421-42N from the antenna 61a1 through a high frequency switch 61a2.
- the control portion 61e contains, for example, a microcomputer as its main portion. Its control function contains a private mode communication control means 61e1, a data transmitting/receiving control means 61e2, a data accumulation control means 61e3, and a subscriber line communication control means 61e4.
- the private mode communication control means 61e1 is a means for connecting each of the cordless sub communication units 421-42N through a radio channel using the private communication mode.
- the data transmitting/receiving control means 61e2 is a means for controlling data transmitting/receiving between the external units 411-41N and the center unit 51, which reads out data accumulated in the data telemetering unit 61 and transmits it to the center unit 51 through the network 43.
- the data accumulation control means 61e3 accumulates data arriving from each of the cordless sub communication units 421-42N in the data telemetering unit 61 through a radio channel.
- the subscriber line communication control means 61e4 changes its own unit to subscriber line communication mode so as to connect to the center unit 51 when data collection is completed.
- FIG. 20 shows a detail of the aforementioned cordless sub communication units 421-42N.
- each of the cordless sub communication units 421-42N comprises a radio portion 42a having an antenna 42a1, a modem portion 42b, a TDMA portion 42c, an error correction portion 42d, an external interface 42e and a control portion 42f.
- radio portion 42a Because the aforementioned radio portion 42a, modem portion 42b and TDMA portion 42c have the same function as the radio portion 61a, modem portion 61b and TDMA portion 61c of the cordless main communication unit 61, a description thereof is omitted.
- the digital communication signal outputted from the TDMA decoding portion 42c1 is inputted to the error correction portion 42d.
- the error correction portion 42d detects a data error generated during data transmission in bare data communication and requests data retransmitting.
- Corrected data by the error correction portion 42d is accumulated in the external unit 41 (411-41N) through the external interface 42e. Further, data generated in the external unit 41 is digitally modulated through the external connection interface 42e, the error correction portion 42d and the modulation portion 42b2 and this modulated carrier signal is inputted to a transmitting portion 42a6.
- the aforementioned modulated carrier signal is mixed with a transmitting local oscillation signal generated from the frequency synthesizer 42a4 so that it is converted to a radio channel frequency instructed by the control portion 42f and further amplified to a predetermined transmitting power level. Then, the radio frequency signal outputted from this transmitting portion 42a6 is transmitted from the antenna 42a1 through the high frequency switch 42a2.
- the control portion 42f contains, a microcomputer as its main control portion so as to control the respective circuits synthetically.
- the control portion 42f comprises a private mode communication control means 42f1, a data transmitting/receiving control means 42f2, and a time counting means 42f5.
- the time counting means 42f5 is a timer for setting a transmitting timing for data generated in the external unit 41 corresponding to a control channel signal arriving from the cordless main communication unit 61 and has various count values. That is, the control portion 42f controls the respective circuits so as to transmit data generated in the external unit 41 to the cordless main communication unit 61 through a radio channel when the counting action of the time counting means 42f5 is terminated.
- FIGS. 21-23 are flow charts for explaining actions of the respective cordless sub communication units 421-42N, the cordless main communication unit 61 and the center unit 51.
- each of the cordless sub communication units 421-42N gets into waiting action for communication at steps S111, S121. Then, the center unit 51 transmits a data collection request to the cordless main communication unit 61 at step S141 and the cordless main communication unit 61 receives the data collection request at step S131 and then broadcasts information to the respective cordless sub communication units 421-42N by control channel signal at the same time.
- each timer is started by the time counting means 42f5 of the respective control units 42f.
- the timers terminate in order from the cordless sub communication unit 421.
- the cordless sub communication unit 421 dispatches a call to the cordless main communication unit 61 at step S114.
- the cordless sub communication unit 421 transmits data generated in the external unit 411 to the cordless main communication unit 61.
- the cordless main communication unit 61 accumulates data arriving from the cordless sub communication unit 421 in the data telemetering unit 62 by the data accumulation control means 61e3 of the control portion 61e.
- the cordless sub communication unit 421 When data is sent to the cordless main communication unit 61, the cordless sub communication unit 421 cuts off a radio channel connected to the cordless main communication unit 61 at step S116 of FIG. 22 and gets into waiting action at step S117.
- the cordless main communication unit 61 repeats actions of the above steps S112-S117 for the cordless sub communication units 422 and following units.
- the last cordless sub communication unit 42N when the timer terminates at step S123, dispatches a call to the cordless main communication unit 61 at step S124.
- the cordless sub communication unit 42N transmits data generated in the external unit 41N to the cordless main communication unit 61 at step S125.
- the cordless main communication unit 61 accumulates data arriving from the cordless sub communication unit 42N in the data telemetering unit 62 by the data accumulation control means 61e3 of the control portion 61e.
- the cordless sub communication unit 42N when it transmits data to the cordless main communication unit 61, cuts off a radio channel connected to the cordless main communication unit 61 at step S126 and gets into the waiting action again at step S127 of FIG. 23.
- the cordless main communication unit 61 dispatches a call to the center unit 51 at step S135.
- the cordless main communication unit 61 reads telemetry data accumulated in the data telemetering unit 62 by the data transmitting/receiving control means 61e2 of the control unit 61e at step S136 and transmits it to the center unit 51 through the network 43.
- the center unit 51 receives telemetry data sent from the cordless main communication unit 61 at step S142 and manages the telemetry data.
- the cordless main communication unit 61 when it transmits the telemetry data to the center unit 51, cuts off the line connected to the center unit 51 at step S137 and the above procedure is terminated.
- FIG. 24 shows a case in which an exchange is provided in the above embodiment.
- FIG. 24 will be explained by attaching the same reference numerals to the same components as in FIG. 18. What is different from FIG. 18 is that a plurality of cordless main communication units 611-61N are provided and an exchange 63 is interposed between these cordless main communication units 611-61N and network 43.
- the exchange 63 contains a data telemetering unit 62 for accumulating data generated from the external units 411-41N and accommodates a plurality of the cordless main communication units 611-61N through a cable network.
- the exchange 63 accumulates data arriving from the plurality of the cordless main communication units 611-61N in the data telemetering unit 62. If the accumulation is completed, the telemetry data accumulated in the data telemetering unit 62 is transferred to the center unit 51 through the network 43.
- the cordless main communication unit 61 is capable of telemetering data generated in the external units 411-41N quickly and efficiently with few errors without placing a new public telephone line and not through the network 43.
- the cordless main communication units 61 temporarily accumulates data generated in the external units 411-41N in the data telemetering unit 62 before transmitting to the line, it is capable of transmitting data to the center unit 51 with a small traffic intensity. Further because the cordless main communication unit 61 can be occupied specially as a data telemetering system, there never occurs such a case in which radio line busy state occurs due to use by others like public PHS station, thereby reducing a possibility of call loss.
- the cordless main communication unit 61 is capable of dispatching a call to a cordless sub communication unit 422 while receiving a call from the other cordless sub communication unit 421 so that flexible system operation is enabled. Further because the cordless sub communication units 421-42N only have to receive a control channel transmitted intermittently from the cordless main communication unit 61, battery saving can be performed during the intermittent receiving so that power consumption can be minimized.
- the plurality of the cordless sub communication units 421-42N have time counting means 42f5 having different counting values and the cordless main communication unit 61 broadcasts information to the plurality of the cordless sub communication units 421-42N at the same time so as to actuate the time counting means 42f5.
- the counting operation terminates, data transmitting is started. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a concentrated occurrence of calls, so that data can be collected successively from the plurality of the cordless sub communication units 421-42N.
- the center unit 51 is capable of managing data of the external units 411-41N synthetically and the center unit 51 is capable of receiving telemetry data effectively from the cordless main communication unit 61 only with a single access treatment.
- the exchange 63 accommodates the plurality of the cordless main communication units 611-61N and contains the data telemetering unit 62, it is possible to collect data generated in the automatic vending machines or the like from a wide area and further reduce access treatment frequency of the center unit 51 by transmitting this telemetry data to the center unit 51.
- FIG. 25 is a flow chart for explaining a countermeasure taken if an emergency occurs in the external units 111-11N of the slave side PHS data communication units 121-12N which are actuated in the polling method (FIG. 3).
- a case in which an emergency occurs in the external unit 111 of the PHS data communication unit 121 is exemplified.
- step S162 when the PHS data communication unit 121 is in waiting mode at step S161 (YES), it calls the master PHS data communication unit 31 at step S163 and executes data communication with the PHS data communication unit 31 at step S164. At step S165, it transmits an alarm information to the PHS data communication unit 31. Then, if the data communication terminates at step S166 (YES), it returns to the waiting mode of step S161.
- step S162 In a case when no alarm occurs at the above step S162 (NO), the processing goes to step S167. If a call arrives from the PHS data communication unit 31 at step S167 (YES), the processing goes to steps 168, 169. At steps S168, 169, the same processing as steps S71, S72 of FIG. 11 is carried out. Therefore, a description thereof is omitted.
- FIG. 26 is a flow chart for explaining actions taken when an emergency occurs in the external unit 111 of the PHS data communication unit 121 which is actuated in the relay method (FIG. 12).
- steps S171-S174 and 177 of FIG. 26 the same processing as steps S82-S85 and S87 of FIG. 14 is carried out. Therefore, a description thereof is omitted.
- step S176 If an alarm occurs at step S176 when idle period mode is on at step S175 (YES), the PHS data communication unit 121 calls a next PHS data communication unit 122 at step S178 and executes data communication at step S179. At step S180, it transmits an alarm information to the PHS data communication unit 122. Then, if data communication with the PHS data communication unit 122 terminates at step S181 (YES), the processing returns to the idle period mode of the above step S175.
- FIG. 27 is a flow chart for explaining actions taken when an emergency occurs in the external units 112-11N of the PHS data communication units 122-12N which are actuated in the relay method (FIG. 12).
- a trouble occurs in the external unit 112 of the PHS data communication unit 122 will be described.
- step S192 If an alarm occurs at step S192 when the PHS data communication unit 122 is in idle period mode at step S191 (YES), it calls a next number PHS data communication unit 123 at step S193 and executes data communication at step S194 and transmits an alarm information to the next number PHS data communication unit 123 at step S195. Then, when data communication with the next number PHS data communication unit 123 terminates at step S196 (YES), the processing is returned to the idle period mode of the above step S191.
- step S192 the PHS data communication unit 122 executes processings of step S193 and following steps when no alarm occurs (NO). Because the processing of steps S193-S205 is the same as those of steps S89-S101 of FIG. 14, a description thereof is omitted. In a case when an emergency occurs in the PHS data communication unit 12N which is last in relay order, the PHS data communication unit 31 is notified of the alarm information.
- the PHS data communication units 121-12N when a trouble occurs in the respective external units 111-11N, notifies the master side PHS data communication unit 31 of an occurrence of the trouble.
- the PHS data communication unit 31 and external unit 32 are capable of grasping the trouble condition of the external units 111-11N and performing a processing for making access to the PHS data communication units 121-12N. Further, a countermeasure for recovering an external unit undergoing that trouble can be executed.
- the probability of the external unit 32's being idle drops as the number of the external units 111-11N increases.
- the external unit 32 and external units 111-11N share common time information and the external units 111-11N calls the external unit 32 when the external unit 32 is in waiting period in accordance with the common time information. Meanwhile, that probability can be expressed in expression 2.
- the external unit 32 is sometimes capable of executing more effective data communication if the polling cycle and relay cycle can be varied depending on time zone of a day when it collects data generated in the respective external units 111-11N.
- the polling cycle and relay cycle can be expressed in expression 3.
- control portions 12f are provided each with a means 12f7 for variably setting an execution timing of collecting data generated in the slave side PHS data communication units 121-12N to the master side PHS data communication unit 31, depending on time zone of a day.
- PHS data communication units 31, 121-123 are distributed such that the PHS data communication units 122, 123 are disposed in a region in which the PHS data communication unit 121 is capable of communicating on sub-unit direct communication mode.
- the external unit 32 functions as a data telemetering unit. Because the other part is the same as the data telemetering system of FIG. 12, a description thereof is omitted.
- each of the external units 111-113 of this system is provided with a transmitting order memory means 11a and a transmitting route rewrite means 11b.
- the transmitting order memory means 11a is a table for storing the order of the PHS data communication units 121-123, 31 for transmitting data. If the PHS data communication unit 121 detects a trouble in the next PHS data communication unit 122 to which data is to be sent, the transmitting route rewrite means 11b rewrites a content of the transmitting order memory means 11a for the PHS data communication unit 121 so as to change its route to the PHS data communication unit 123 and then transmit data.
- PHS data communication units 122, 123 are disposed in area 1 (indicated by dotted line in the same figure) in which the PHS data communication unit 121 is capable of communicating in sub-unit direct communication mode. Then, PHS data communication units 123, 124 are disposed in area 2 (indicated by solid line in the same figure) in which the PHS data communication unit 122 is capable of communicating in sub-unit direct communication mode. Further, PHS data communication units 124, 31 are disposed in area 3 (indicated by dot and dash line in the same figure) in which the PHS data communication unit 123 is capable of communicating in sub-unit direct communication mode.
- PHS data communication units 121-124 are connected successively through a radio channel using the sub-unit direct communication mode in the order of the PHS data communication unit 121, PHS data communication unit 122, PHS data communication unit 123 and PHS data communication unit 124.
- the PHS data communication unit 124 which is last of this connection order is connected to the PHS data communication unit 31 of the aforementioned external unit 32.
- the plural PHS data communication units 121-124 monitor a status of a next PHS data communication unit with which data communication is to be carried out in the sub-unit direct communication mode. If a trouble is found in the PHS data communication unit 122 as shown in FIG. 31A, the PHS data communication unit 121 changes its transmission route to the PHS data communication unit 123 to which the PHS data communication unit 122 should transmit data, and transmits data thereto. Before transmitting this data, the transmitting route rewrite means 11b in the external unit 111 of the PHS data communication unit 121 rewrites a content of the transmitting order memory means 11a for the PHS data communication unit 121 to transmit data to the PHS data communication unit 123.
- the PHS data communication unit 122 changes its transmission route to the PHS data communication unit 124 to which the PHS data communication unit 123 should transmit data and then transmits data thereto.
- FIG. 32 is a flow chart indicating actions of the PHS data communication units 121-123 when a trouble occurs in the PHS data communication unit 122.
- the respective PHS data communication units 121-123 sets the sub-unit direct communication mode by the sub-unit direct communication control means 12f1 of each control unit 12f and get into waiting mode for the sub-unit direct communication.
- the PHS data communication unit 121 calls the PHS data communication unit 122 to which it should transmit data by referring to the transmitting order memory means 11a of the external unit 111.
- the PHS data communication unit 121 determines whether or not a response comes from the PHS data communication unit 122 according to a count value corresponding to a response waiting time of the timer 12f8 of the control portion 12f.
- the PHS data communication unit 121 executes connecting procedure to the PHS data communication unit 122 at step S214 and carries out data communication with the PHS data communication unit 122 through a normal route. If no response comes from the PHS data communication unit 122 (NO) and a predetermined response waiting time is exceeded at step S215 (YES), the PHS data communication unit 121 rewrites a content of the transmitting order memory means 11a so as to select the PHS data communication unit 123 by the transmitting route rewrite means 11b of the external unit 111 at step S216 and transmits data to the PHS data communication unit 123 by referring to the content of this transmitting route memory means 11a. If the response waiting time is not exceeded at step S215 (NO), the processing of the step 213 is repeated.
- the PHS data communication unit 123 receives a signal from the PHS data communication unit 121 at step S232, it transmits a response to the PHS data communication unit 121 and communication is executed.
- the PHS data communication unit 121 reads information (data) possessed by the external unit 111 by the external connection interface 12e at step S217 and transmits data to the PHS data communication unit 123. After the data transmission, the communication line is cut off at step S218.
- the PHS data communication unit 123 When the PHS data communication unit 123 receives data arriving from the PHS data communication unit 121 at step S233, it stores the data in the external unit 113. After the data is stored, the line is cut off at step S235 so as to terminate the data communication.
- the transmitting order memory means 11a and transmitting route rewrite means 11b may be provided not in the external unit but the control portion 21f.
- the PHS data communication units 122, 123 having a next number and a next number after the next respectively of a preliminarily set transmission order are disposed in the area in which the PHS data communication unit 121 is capable of communicating in the sub-unit direct communication mode, if a trouble occurs in the PHS data communication unit 122 of the next number, data can be sent to the PHS data communication unit 123 of the next number after the next without placing other PHS data communication unit than the PHS data communication units belonging to the preliminarily set transmitting order. As a result, the data can be collected in the external unit 32 from the external units 111, 113 of the PHS data communication units 121, 123 having no trouble without waiting for trouble recovery.
- FIG. 33 shows a system configuration of other embodiment of the present invention.
- the PHS data communication units 121-123 are referred to as group 1. Additionally, in regions in which the PHS data communication unit 31 is capable of communicating in sub-unit direct communication mode, group 2 containing the PHS data communication units 221-223 and group 3 containing the PHS data communication units 321-323 are disposed.
- the PHS data communication units 121-123 have corresponding external units 111-113 and are connected to each other successively in a specified order through a radio channel using the sub-unit direct communication mode. In this case, they are connected in the order of the PHS data communication unit 121, PHS data communication unit 122 and PHS data communication unit 123. Then, data generated in the external unit 111 is brought through the PHS data communication units 121, 122 and 123 in order and temporarily stored in the external unit 113. This data includes data generated in and attached by the external units 111-113.
- the PHS data communication units 221-223 have corresponding external units 211-213 and are connected to each other successively in a specified order through a radio channel using the sub-unit direct communication mode. In this case, they are connected in the order of the PHS data communication unit 221, PHS data communication unit 222 and PHS data communication unit 223. Then, data generated in the external unit 211 is brought through the PHS data communication units 221, 222 and 223 in order and temporarily stored in the external unit 213. This data includes data generated in and attached by the external units 211-213.
- the PHS data communication units 321-323 have corresponding external units 311-313 and are connected to each other successively in a specified order through a radio channel using the sub-unit direct communication mode. In this case, they are connected in the order of the PHS data communication unit 321, PHS data communication unit 322 and PHS data communication unit 323. Then, data generated in the external unit 311 is brought through the PHS data communication units 321, 322 and 323 in order and temporarily stored in the external unit 313. This data includes data generated in and attached by the external units 111-113.
- the PHS data communication unit 31 installed in the data telemetering unit 32 calls the PHS data communication units 123, 223 and 323 successively so that it is connected thereto through a radio channel using the sub-unit direct communication mode. Then, the PHS data communication unit 31 collects data accumulated in the external units 113, 213 and 313 and stores it in the external unit 32.
- the PHS data communication units 121, 221 and 321 change their transmission route to the PHS data communication units 123, 223 and 323 like the above mentioned embodiment and transmit data thereto.
- the PHS data communication units 122, 222 and 322 are disposed in a region in which the PHS data communication unit 31 is capable of communicating in the sub-unit direct communication mode, when a trouble occurs each in the PHS data communication units 123, 223 and 323, the PHS data communication unit 31 makes access to the PHS data communication units 122, 222 and 322 and connects itself thereto through a radio channel using the sub-unit direct communication mode. Then, it is capable of telemetering data accumulated in the external units 113, 213 and 313 by the polling method and stores it in the data telemetering unit 32.
- the PHS data communication unit 31 gains access to the PHS data communication units 123, 223 and 323 successively which correspond to the last of the connection order of the groups 1-3 and collect data in the polling method.
- effective data communication and data collection corresponding to the arrangement of the PHS data communication units 121-123, 221-223, 321-323 can be achieved.
- a trouble occurs in the PHS data communication unit in the respective embodiments, it may be so constructed that the PHS data communication unit of a preceding number transmits such information that the trouble has occurred to a PHS data communication unit to which the route will be changed and notifies the data telemetering unit 32 thereof.
- the external unit 32 recognizes the trouble in the PHS data communication unit and can take a countermeasure for the trouble quickly.
- the plural PHS data communication units disposed in a region in which a single PHS data communication unit is capable of communicating in the sub-unit direct communication mode may be arranged so that they are connected in the order of the field intensity from its largest value.
- a communication unit of a preceding number is capable of changing the transmission route to a communication unit to which the communication unit undergoing the trouble should transmit data and transmits data thereto.
- the present invention is capable of providing a data telemetering system capable of telemetering data generated in each of the communication units to the data telemetering unit securely without increasing the number of the communication units when a trouble occurs in the communication unit, and a communication unit for use in the same system and a method therefor.
Abstract
A plurality of first radio communication units
(121-12N) having communication mode enabling direct
communication between terminals using a radio channel
not through a public telephone network are disposed in
a plurality of distributed data generation sources
(111-11N). A second radio communication unit (31)
having the direct communication mode and public mode is
disposed within a radio zone formed by a base station
(21). The plurality of the first radio communication
units (121-12N) or the first radio communication units
(121-12N) and the second radio communication unit (31)
are connected through a first radio channel using the
direct communication mode. The second radio
communication unit (31) and the base station (21) are
connected through a second radio channel using the
public mode. Data generated from a plurality of data
generation sources (111-11N) is transmitted from the
first radio communication units (121-12N) to the second
radio communication unit (31) through the first radio
communication channel are transmitted from the second
radio communication unit (31) to the center unit (51)
through a second radio communication channel via the
base station (21) and external communication network
(43) and accumulates in the center unit (51).
Description
This invention relates to a data telemetering
system for telemetering data generated in a plurality
of distributed data generating sources in a center unit
and a communication unit for use in the same system.
Generally, data telemetering system for
telemetering data generated in a plurality of data
generating sources distributed in physical region in a
center unit includes a system for telemetering data by
transmitting the data to a data telemetering unit
through a public telephone line as shown in FIG. 1.
Referring to FIG. 1, plural external units 711-71N
(N: natural number) disposed as data generating source
have data communication units 721-72N for transmitting
data. These data communication units 721-72N are
connected to a public telephone network 81 which is an
external communication network through a public
telephone line. This public telephone network 81
connects a data communication unit 92 having a center
unit 91 for storing data through the public telephone
line.
That is, data generated in the plurality of the
external units 711-71N is transmitted from each of the
data communication units 721-72N through the public
telephone network 81 to the data communication unit 92
and stored in the center unit 91.
In the aforementioned data telemetering system, a
construction for placing the public telephone line must
be carried out to telemeter data generated in the
external units 711-71N. Further, in data communication
between the adjacent external units 711 and 712,
communication through the public telephone network 81
is needed. As a result, a procedure for placing the
public telephone line is required for executing data
telemetering, so that corresponding cost is needed.
For the reason, there has been conventionally
proposed a method in which instead of the data
communication units 721-72N, 92, a mobile telephone or
specific small power radio communication units 731-73N,
93 as shown in FIG. 1 are connected to the external
units 711-71N, 94.
However, although a necessity of placing the
public telephone line is eliminated if the mobile
telephone is used for the data communication unit,
communication between the respective data communication
units must be carried out through the network 81.
In a case when the specific small power radio
communication units 731-73N, 93 are used, direct data
communication not through the telephone network is
possible. However, if the center unit is connected
through the telephone network, placing the public
telephone line from each place to the center unit is
required because the specific small power radio
communication unit is not capable of making access to
the telephone network.
Further because communication between the specific
small power radio communication units 731-73N and 93 is
carried out by press-to-talk system (hereinafter
referred to as half-duplex system) in which transmitting
and receiving are changed over alternately, data
transmission speed is as low as 4800 bps max. so that
data transmission efficiency is very low.
As described above, the conventional data
telemetering system has the following problems. That
is, upon installation of the data communication units,
a new public telephone line must be placed. Further,
mutual communication between the data communication
units must be carried out through a telephone network
and further in a case when radio channel is used, the
half-duplex system in which transmitting and receiving
are changed over alternately must be used.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is
to provide a data telemetering system capable of
telemetering data effectively without placing a new
public telephone line and not through a telephone
network for carrying out data communication between the
communication units and a transmitting and receiving
unit for use in the same system.
Another object of the present invention is to
provide a data telemetering system capable of
telemetering data effectively from each of the
communication units to the center unit without placing
a new public telephone line and not through a telephone
network for carrying out data communication between the
communication units and a transmitting and receiving
unit for use in the same system.
Still another object of the present invention is
to provide a data telemetering system capable of
notifying the data telemetering unit that a trouble
occurs in an external unit and a transmitting and
receiving unit for use in the same system.
A further object of the present invention is
to provide a data telemetering system capable of
telemetering data securely from each of the communication
units to the data telemetering unit by changing
a data transmission route without increasing a number
of the communication units when a trouble occurs in the
communication unit, a transmitting and receiving unit
for use in the same system and a method thereof.
According to an aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a data telemetering system
comprising: a plurality of data generating sources for
generating a predetermined data; and a data accumulating
unit for accumulating the predetermined data
generated by this data generating source, for
telemetering the predetermined data generated by the
data generating source in the data accumulating unit,
the data telemetering system further comprising a radio
communication unit installed corresponding to the data
generating source and the data accumulating unit and
having a communication mode for communicating between
terminals using a radio channel not through a public
telephone network, the radio communication unit having:
a radio connecting means for connecting between a radio
communication unit and the other radio communication
unit by the communication mode; and a data transmission
means for connecting between a radio communication unit
provided corresponding to the data generating source
and a radio communication unit provided corresponding
to the data accumulating unit by the connecting means
and for transmitting the predetermined data generated
in each of the data generating sources to the data
accumulating unit.
According to this structure, a known first radio
communication unit having the communication mode
enabling direct communication between terminals using a
radio channel not through a public telephone network is
provided at each data generation source and a known
second radio communication unit having the communication
mode is provided at the data telemetering unit
so that they are constructed with a simple
configuration. A radio channel in the communication
mode is formed between the first and second radio
communication units so that data generated in each
data generation source is transferred to the data
telemetering unit in bare data communication method
through this radio channel.
As a result, disadvantages of construction of a
new telephone line and using a public telephone network
upon data communication can be eliminated. Further, by
carrying out bare data communication at 32 Kbps by
full-duplex allowing transmitting and receiving
simultaneously in the communication mode enabling
direct communication between terminals using a radio
channel not through a public telephone network, a rapid
effective data communication can be achieved. Further,
the bare data communication keeps rapid excellent data
transmission quality in voice deemed transmission
thereby achieving error free communication.
According to another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a radio communication unit
for use in a data telemetering system comprising: a
plurality of data generating sources for generating a
predetermined data; and a data accumulating unit for
accumulating the predetermined data generated by this
data generating source, for telemetering the predetermined
data generated by the data generating source in
the data accumulating unit, the data communication unit
comprising: a radio connecting means for connecting
between a radio communication unit and the other radio
communication unit by communication mode for
communicating between terminals not through a public
telephone network; and a data transmission means for
connecting between radio communication units provided
corresponding to each data generating source by the
radio connecting means and for transmitting a
predetermined data generated in each of the data
generating sources.
According to this structure, a radio channel is
established with the first radio communication units in
the communication mode enabling direct communication
between terminals using a radio channel not through a
public telephone network and data generated in each
data generation source is accumulated in the data
telemetering unit. As a result, effective data
communication can be achieved there making it possible
to reduce cost.
According to still another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a radio communication unit
for use in a data telemetering system comprising: a
plurality of data generating sources for generating a
predetermined data; and a data accumulating unit
for accumulating the predetermined data generated by
the data generating source, for telemetering the
predetermined data generated by the data generating
source in the data accumulating unit, the data
communication unit comprising: a radio connecting means
for connecting between a radio communication unit and
the other radio communication unit by communication
mode for communicating between terminals not through a
public telephone network; a data transmission means for
connecting between a radio communication unit provided
corresponding to a data generating source and a radio
communication unit provided corresponding to the data
accumulating unit by the radio connecting means and for
transmitting a predetermined data generated in each of
the data generating sources to the data accumulating
unit.
According to a further aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a data telemetering system
comprising: a plurality of data generating sources for
generating a predetermined data; and a data accumulating
unit for accumulating the predetermined data
generated by this data generating source, for
telemetering the predetermined data generated by the
data generating source in the data accumulating unit,
the data telemetering system further comprising: a
first radio communication unit having a first
communication mode for communicating not through a
public telephone network and provided corresponding to
each of the data generating sources; a second radio
communication unit having the first communication mode
and a public communication mode for communicating
through public telephone network, disposed in a radio
zone formed by a base station connected to the public
telephone network and installed corresponding to the
data accumulating unit; and a center unit connected to
the public telephone network through the base station,
the second radio communication unit having: a radio
connecting means for connecting between the first radio
communication unit and the second radio communication
unit using the first communication mode and for
connecting between the second radio communication unit
and the center unit through the base station and the
public telephone network using the public communication
mode; and a data transmission means for transmitting
predetermined data generated in a plurality of data
generating sources from the first radio communication
unit to the second radio communication unit by this
radio connecting means and accumulating the data in the
data accumulating unit and then transmitting the data
to the center unit through the base station and the
public telephone network using the public communication
mode.
According to this structure, using the plurality
of the first radio communication unit having the first
communication mode enabling direct communication
between terminals using a radio channel not through a
public telephone network and the second radio
communication unit having the first communication mode
and public mode, the first radio communication units
and the second radio communication unit are connected
to each other through the first radio channel using the
first communication mode, so that data generated in the
data generation sources connected to the first radio
communication units is telemetered in the second radio
communication unit. After that, the first communication
mode is changed to the public mode so that the
second radio communication unit is connected to the
base station through the second radio channel using the
public mode and the telemetry data is transmitted to
the center unit connected to the public network.
As a result, the second radio communication unit
is capable of telemetering data generated from the data
generation source rapidly and effectively with few
errors without placing a new public line to the first
radio communication unit. Further, by transferring
this telemetry data to the center unit, the center unit
is capable of managing data generated in the plurality
of the data generation sources synthetically.
According to a still further aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a radio communication unit
for use as a second radio communication unit in a data
telemetering system comprising: a plurality of data
generating sources for generating a predetermined data;
a data accumulating unit for accumulating the
predetermined data generated by the data generating
sources; a first radio communication unit provided
corresponding to each of the plurality of the data
generating sources, having a first communication mode
for communicating not through a public telephone
network; a second radio communication unit disposed in
a radio zone formed by the base station connected to
the public telephone network and provided corresponding
to the data accumulating unit, having the first
communication mode and a public communication mode for
communicating through public telephone network; and a
center unit connected to the base station through
public telephone network, the radio communication unit
having: a first radio connecting means for connecting
between the first radio communication unit and the
second radio communication unit using the first
communication mode; a second radio connecting means for
connecting between the base station and the second
communication unit using the public communication mode;
an accumulation control means for connecting between
the first radio communication unit and the second radio
communication unit in the first communication mode by
the first radio connecting means and accumulating
predetermined data generated by a plurality of the
data generating sources in the data accumulating unit;
and a data transmission means for transmitting data
accumulated in the data accumulating unit to the center
unit in the second communication mode by the second
radio connecting means.
According to this structure, data generated from
the plurality of the data generation sources is
telemetered and the telemetry data is transmitted to
the center unit connected to the external communication
network using the public mode. Thus, the center unit
is capable of telemetering data effectively through a
single access.
According to still further aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a data telemetering system
comprising: a plurality of radio communication units
installed corresponding to the plurality of the
distributed data generating units, wherein data
telemetering is carried out in a predetermined order
between the radio communication units using the
communication mode enabling direct communication
between terminals using a radio channel not through a
public telephone network, and in a region in which at
least one of the plurality of the radio communication
units is capable of communicating with in the
communication mode, at least a first radio communication
unit to which the radio communication unit
transmits data next and a second radio communication
unit to which the first radio communication unit
transmits next are allocated.
According to this structure, the plurality of the
radio communication units having the communication mode
enabling direct communication between terminals using a
radio channel not through a public telephone network
are provided on the plurality of the data generating
units. In a region in which at least one radio
communication unit is capable of communicating in
the communication mode, at least the first radio
communication unit to which that radio communication
unit transmits data next and the second radio communication
unit to which this first radio communication
unit transmits data next are disposed so that the
respective radio communication units are connected
to each other through a radio channel using the
communication mode. Then, data generated in each
corresponding data generating unit is telemetered.
As a result, upon data communication, data can be
transmitted without placing a new telephone line. If a
trouble occurs in the first radio communication unit
during data transmission, data can be transmitted to
the second radio communication unit belonging to a
predetermined transmitting order in a region allowing
communication in the communication mode enabling direct
communication between terminals using a radio channel
not through a public telephone network without adding
the other first radio communication unit than the first
radio communication unit belonging to the predetermined
transmitting order. As a result, data generated in
each data generation source can be telemetered securely
and economically.
According to still further aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a communication method for
a data telemetering system for telemetry data in a
predetermined order using the communication mode
enabling direct communication between terminals using a
radio channel not through a public telephone network
among the radio communication units installed
corresponding to a plurality of distributed data
generating units, comprising the steps of: in a region
which at least one of the plurality of the radio
communication units is capable of communicating with in
the communication mode, allocating at least a first
radio communication unit to which the radio communication
unit transmits data next and a second radio
communication unit to which the first radio communication
unit transmits data next; and executing
communication between the allocated radio communication
units.
According to still further aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a transmitting and
receiving unit comprising: a data generating unit for
generating a predetermined data; and a radio communication
unit installed corresponding to the data
generating unit and capable of communicating in the
communication mode enabling direct communication
between terminals using a radio channel not through a
public telephone network, wherein the data generating
unit comprises memory means for storing at least a
first transmission route to a first radio communication
unit to which the radio communication unit transmits
data next and a second transmission route to a second
radio communication unit to which the first radio
communication unit transmits data next, wherein
According to this structure, the first
communication route to the first radio communication
unit to which the radio communication unit will
transmit data next and the second communication route
to the second communication unit to which the first
radio communication unit will transmit data next are
stored in the memory means of the data generating unit.
As a result, the radio communication unit connects
itself to the other radio communication unit through a
radio channel using the communication mode enabling
direct communication between terminals using a radio
channel not through a public telephone network by
referring to the transmission route stored in the
memory means and transmits data generated in the data
generating unit to the other radio communication unit.
As a result, if the second radio communication
unit belonging to a transmitting order stored in the
memory means exists in a region which allows communication
in the communication mode enabling direct
communication between terminals using a radio channel
not through a public telephone network when a trouble
occurs in the first radio communication unit to which
data is to be transmitted, the transmission route can
be changed to the second radio communication unit so
that data can be sent to the data telemetering unit
securely.
This summary of the invention does not necessarily
describe all necessary features so that the invention
may also be a sub-combination of these described
features.
The invention can be more fully understood from
the following detailed description when taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present
invention will be described in detail with reference to
the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 3 is a system block diagram showing an
embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 3, reference numerals 111-11N
(N: natural number) denote external units, for example,
automatic vending machines which are distributed in
physical region.
These external units 111-11N are provided with PHS
data communication units 121-12N (hereinafter referred
to as slave PHS data communication units 121-12N) which
have communication mode (hereinafter referred to as
sub-unit direct communication mode) enabling direct
communication between terminals using a radio channel
not through a public telephone network and have a
function for carrying out data transmission to other
PHS data communication unit by this sub-unit direct
communication mode. The standard of the PHS data
communication unit is defined in Personal handy phone
system RCR-STSNDARD-28 published by Research &
Development Center for Radio Systems in Japan. These
external units 111-11N have PHS data communication
units 121-12N which function as a slave having a sub-unit
direct communication mode. The external units
111-11N are connected to the PHS data communication
units 121-12N through a RS232C cable. The external
units 111-11N set communication functioning portions in
the PHS data communication units 121-12N to sub-unit
direct communication mode regulated under the RCRSTD28
through the external connection functioning portion in
the PHS data communication units 121-12N by a serial
command. The external units 111-11N executes data
communication using LAP-P operating mode or Piafs (PHS
internet access forum standard) operating mode through
the PHS data communication units 121-12N. The Piafs
mentioned herein refers to error correction retransmitting
procedure specified by end-to-end of the
transmitting/receiving radio terminal in data communication
between a transmitting radio terminal and a
receiving radio terminal, which are both connected by
radio line through a base station. Data communication
speed of the Piafs operation mode is about 32 Kbps.
The LAP-P is an error correction retransmitting
procedure specified between a radio terminal and a base
station in data communication between a transmitting
radio terminal and a receiving radio terminal, which
are both connected by radio line through a base station.
Data communication speed at LAP-P operation mode is
14.4 Kbps.
The base station 21 is connected to a public
network 43 which is an external communication network
through a cable line and a center unit 51 is connected
to this public network 43. The center unit 51
comprises a modem 511 and a data storage unit 512.
The slave PHS data communication units 121-12N
are connected to each other or the master PHS data
communication unit 31 through a radio channel using the
sub-unit direct communication mode. The PHS data
communication unit 31 is connected to the base station
21 through a radio channel using the public mode.
The PHS data communication unit 31 gains access to
the plural PHS data communication units 121-12N
successively by polling method and connects it through
a radio channel according to the sub-unit direct
communication mode so as to execute data communication.
The PHS data communication unit 31 temporarily stores
data generated in each of the external units 111-11N in
a memory.
The PHS data communication unit 31 collects
telemetry data generated in each of the external units
111-11N and then changes over to the public mode so as
to connect to the base station 21. This telemetry data
is transmitted to the center unit 51 together with its
own data accumulated in the external unit 32 connected
to the PHS data communication unit 31, so that the
transmitted data is stored in the data storage unit 512.
FIG. 4 shows the aforementioned slave PHS data
communication units 121-12N in detail.
Referring to FIG. 4, each of the PHS data
communication units 121-12N comprises a radio portion
12a having an antenna 12a1, a modem portion 12b, a TDMA
(time division multiple access) portion 12c, an error
correction portion 12d, an external connection
interface 12e and a control portion 12f.
An arriving radio frequency signal, which is
received by the antenna 12a1, is inputted to a
receiving portion 12a3 through a high frequency switch
12a2 of the radio portion 12a. In this receiving
portion 12a3, the aforementioned received radio
frequency signal is mixed with a receiving local
oscillation signal generated from a frequency
synthesizer 12a4 so that the signal is converted to a
reception intermediate frequency signal. The local
oscillation frequency generated from the aforementioned
frequency synthesizer 12a4 is instructed by the control
portion 12f depending on the radio channel frequency.
Further, the radio portion 12a includes a received
signal strength indicator (RSSI) portion 12a5. This
RSSI portion 12a5 detects a received signal strength of
the radio frequency signal arriving at the antenna 12a1
and notifies the control portion 12f of the detected
value.
The reception intermediate frequency signal
outputted from the aforementioned receiving portion
12a3 is inputted to a demodulation portion 12b1 of the
modem portion 12b. In the demodulation portion 12b1,
digital demodulation of the aforementioned reception
intermediate frequency signal is carried out and then
non-restricted digital data (hereinafter referred to as
bare data) is reproduced according to Version 2
prepared by expanding the RCRSTD28 standardized for
voice communication, for data communication.
A TDMA decoding portion 12c1 of a TDMA portion 12c
extracts bare data from a time slot allocated thereto
according to an instruction of the control portion 12f
and inputs this extracted bare data into an error
correction portion 12d. The error correction portion
12d acts corresponding to the LAP-P operation mode and
Piafs operation mode upon bare data communication. In
the LAP-P operation mode, the error detection,
correction of an error up to 2 bits and automatic
retransmitting request (hereinafter referred to as ARQ)
of requesting retransmitting of a frame in which the
error is detected are carried out. Under the Piafs
operation mode, the error correction and ARQ are
carried out.
Data corrected in the error correction portion 12d
is accumulated in the external unit 11 (111-11N)
through an external connection interface 12e. Data
generated in the external unit 11 is supplied to a TDMA
encoding portion 12c2 of the TDMA portion 12c through
the external connection interface 12e and error
correction portion 12d.
The TDMA encoding portion 12c2 inserts digital
data to be transmitted into a time slot instructed by
the control portion 12f and supplies it to a modulation
portion 12b2. In the modulation portion 12b2, carrier
signal is digitally modulated according to the
aforementioned digital data and this modulated carrier
signal is inputted to a transmitting portion 12a6. In
the transmitting portion 12a6, the aforementioned
modulated carrier signal is mixed with a transmitting
local oscillation signal generated from the frequency
synthesizer 12a4 so that it is frequency converted to a
radio channel frequency instructed by the control
portion 12f and further amplified to a predetermined
transmitting power level. Then, a radio frequency
signal outputted from this transmitting portion 12a6 is
transmitted from the antenna 12a1 through the high
frequency switch 12a2.
The control portion 12f contains, for example, a
microcomputer as its main control section, so as to
synthetically control respective circuits. The control
portion 12f contains a sub-unit direct communication
control means 12f1 and a data transmitting/receiving
control means 12f2. The sub-unit direct communication
control means 12f1 is a means for controlling a
selective connection of the PHS data communication
units 121-12N with each other or with the PHS data
communication unit 31 through a radio channel using
the sub-unit direct communication mode. The data
transmitting/receiving control means 12f2 is a means
for controlling data transmitting/receiving between the
external units.
The control portion 12f contains a monitoring
means 12f5 for monitoring a state of the external units
111-11N corresponding to itself during a waiting period
for data transmission. The control portion 12f
contains an alarm information transmitting means 12f6
for, if this monitoring means detects an error in the
external units 111-11N, transmitting an alarm
information to the PHS data communication unit 31
through a radio channel which is set between the PHS
data communication units 121-12N and the master PHS
data communication unit 31 based on the sub-unit direct
communication mode directly or through other slave.
Further, the control portion 12f also contains
a variable setting means 12f7 for varying data
telemetering execution timing depending on a time zone
of a day.
Further, the control portion 12f contains a timer
12f8 for counting a waiting time taken until a response
is received since a signal is sent to a correspondent,
so that if no response is received even if a predetermined
time zone elapses, it is determined that the
mating PHS data communication unit is in trouble.
FIG. 5 shows a detail of the master side PHS data
communication unit 31.
In FIG. 5, the same reference numerals are
attached to components having the same functions.
Different from FIG. 4, a memory 31a is connected to the
control portion 12f. The control portion 12f of the
PHS data communication unit 31 contains a data
accumulation control means 12f3 and a public mode
communication control means 12f4. The PHS data
communication unit 31 is connected to an external unit
32 through an external connection interface 12e.
As for the operation, if data generated in a
plurality of the external units 111-11N arrives, a data
accumulation control means 12f3 of the control portion
12f stores data in the memory 31a. Further, the data
accumulation control means 12f3 also stores data
generated in the external unit 32 in the memory 31a.
If data telemetering is completed, the public mode
communication control means 12f4 changes its own unit
to public mode and connect itself to the base station
21. If the PHS data communication unit 31 is connected
to the base station 21, the data accumulation control
means 12f3 reads telemetry data and self data generated
in the external unit 32 from the memory 31a and
transmits them to the center unit 51 through the base
station 21 and public network 43.
FIGS. 6-8 are flow charts showing operations of
the PHS data communication units 121-12N, PHS data
communication unit 31 and center unit 51.
FIG. 6 shows operations of the slave PHS data
communication units 121-12N and master PHS data
communication unit 31.
Each of the PHS data communication units 121-12N
and the PHS data communication unit 31 set sub-unit
direct communication mode by the sub-unit direct
communication control means 12f1 of each control
portion 12f in steps S11, S21, S31 and carry out
waiting operation for direct communication between the
sub-units. In step S32, the PHS data communication
unit 31 dispatches a signal to the PHS data
communication unit 121 by the sub-unit direct
communication control means 12f1 of the control portion
12f. When the PHS data communication unit 121 receives
a call in step S12, it transmits back a response to the
PHS data communication unit 31 and then communication
is being done.
Next, in step S13, the PHS data communication unit
121 reads information (data) possessed by the external
unit 111 through the external connection interface 12e
and transmits it to the PHS data communication unit 31
by the data transmitting/receiving control means 12f2.
By using the error correction portion 12d for this
transmitting, data communication having an excellent
transmission quality can be provided.
If the PHS data communication unit 31 receives
data sent from the PHS data communication unit 121 by
the data transmitting/receiving control means 12f2 at
step S33, the received data is stored in the memory 31a
by the data accumulation control means 12f3 at step S34.
If data storage is completed, communication path is cut
off at steps S14, S35 so that the data communication is
terminated.
After that, the master side PHS data communication
unit 31 repeats the procedures of steps S36-S39 as
shown in FIG. 7 until it receives data sent from all
the slave side PHS data communication units 121-12N.
Because the procedures of steps S36-S39 are the same as
those of the steps S32-S35, a description thereof is
omitted. Further, because the procedures of steps
S22-S24 of the PHS data communication unit 12N
corresponding to the last access are the same as those
of the steps S12-S14, a description thereof is omitted.
The PHS data communication unit 31 receives
and stores data generated in all the slaves 1-n
(corresponding to PHS data communication units 121-12N)
in the memory 31a and stores data generated in the
external unit 32 connected to its own unit in the
memory 31a, and then in step S40, sets its own unit to
the public mode by the public mode communication
control means 12f4.
FIG. 8 shows operations of the master side PHS
data communication unit 31 and the center unit 51.
The PHS data communication unit 31 set in public
mode transmits a call to the center unit 51 through the
base station 21 by the public mode communication
control means 12f4 at step S41. If the center unit 51
receives the call and responds at step 51, communication
is established.
At step S42, the PHS data communication unit 31
reads slave data collected and its own data collected
from the external unit 32 from the memory 31a and
transmits them to the center unit 51 by the data
transmitting/receiving control means 12f2. Because the
PHS data communication unit 31 uses the error
correction portion 12d for transmitting data at this
time also, data communication having an excellent
transmission quality can be provided. After that, at
step S52, the center unit 51 receives data generated in
the PHS data communication unit 31 and accumulates it
in the data storage unit 512, and then the data
communication is terminated.
If at the aforementioned step S42, the PHS data
communication unit 31 completes data communication, it
cuts off at step S43 so as to terminate data communication
with the center unit 51.
FIG. 9 shows a time chart of communication in
polling method.
In FIG. 9, TP indicates a time for the PHS data
communication unit 31 to communicate with the PHS data
communication units 121-12N in polling method. TW
indicates a waiting time taken until the PHS data
communication unit 31 executes next transmission by
polling method after it gains access to the PHS data
communication units 121-12N. T2-TN indicate a time
taken for the PHS data communication unit 31 to get
access to the PHS data communication units 121-12N so
as to collect data.
FIG. 10 is a flow chart for explaining an
operation of the master side PHS data communication
unit 31 by the polling method. This operation is
controlled by the control portion 12f in the PHS data
communication unit 31.
After startup, the PHS data communication unit 31
sets an initial value (i = 1) for its own unit at step
S61 and allocates an order for access to the slave side.
First, an access to the PHS data communication unit 121
is made. The PHS data communication unit 31 makes an
access to the PHS data communication unit 121 at step
S63 so as to transmit a request for data telemetering.
At step S64, data sent from the PHS data communication
unit 121 is received and at step 65, the received data
is transferred to the memory 31a and stored therein.
After that, the PHS data communication unit 31 repeats
the procedures of steps S62-S65 for the PHS data
communication units 121-12N.
In a case when the PHS data communication unit 31
collects data up to the PHS data communication unit 12N
at step S66 (YES), idle period (TW) mode (waiting mode)
is started at step S67. If the idle period is
terminated at step S68 (YES), this processing is
returned to the aforementioned step S61.
FIG. 11 is a flow chart for explaining an
operation of the PHS data communication units 121-12N
of the slave side in the polling method. This
operation is controlled by the control portion 12f of
the PHS data communication units 121-12N. This
procedure will be described about the PHS data
communication unit 121 here.
At step S69, the PHS data communication unit 121
goes into wait mode. In a case when the PHS data
communication unit 121 receives a call from the PHS
data communication unit 31 of the master side (YES),
the PHS data communication unit 121 transmits data
generated in the external unit 111 to the PHS data
communication unit 31 at step S71. Then, if data
communication with the PHS data communication unit
31 is terminated (YES) at step S72, the PHS data
communication unit 121 goes into the wait mode at
step S69.
When the PHS data communication unit 121 executes
data communication with the PHS data communication unit
31, if there is information to be stored in the
external unit 111, that information is stored in the
external unit although this is omitted on the aforementioned
flow chart.
Next, a system for data telemetering in relay
method will be described.
FIG. 12 shows a second example of arrangement of a
plurality of the PHS data communication unit 31,
121-12N and the external units 111-11N.
Referring to FIG. 12, the PHS data communication
unit 121 is connected to the PHS data communication
unit 122 capable of communicating on sub-unit direct
communication mode. After that, relay connection is
carried out successively between the respective units
in the order of 2-N in sub-unit direct communication
mode. The PHS data communication unit 12N which is
last unit of the aforementioned relay connection is
connected to the PHS data communication unit 31 of the
master side through radio channel of sub-unit direct
communication mode.
Data generated in the external unit 111 is brought
by the PHS data communication units 121-12N successively
and transmitted to the PHS data communication
unit 31 by the relay method so that it is accumulated
in the memory 31a of the external unit 32. This
accumulated data is provided with data generated in the
respective external units 111-11N in the relay process.
Because the operation of the accumulation in the memory
31a of the external unit 32 is the same as the system
based on the polling method shown in FIG. 3, a
description thereof is omitted.
FIG. 13 shows a time chart for communication in
the relay method.
In FIG. 13, T indicates a data transmitting period
of the external units 111-11N and R indicates a data
receiving period of the external units 112-11N. After
transmitting data to the external unit 112, the
external unit 111 goes into waiting period TW. After
the waiting period terminates, data is sent to the
external unit 112 again. Then, data generated in the
external unit 111 passes through the external units
112-11N successively and finally reaches the memory
31a of the external unit 32. This external unit 32
collects accumulative data sent through the external
units 111-11N and then goes into waiting mode.
FIG. 14 is a flow chart for explaining an
operation of the PHS data communication units 121-12N
of the slave side based on the relay method. This
operation is controlled by the control portion 12f of
the PHS data communication units 121-12N.
After startup, at step S81, the PHS data
communication units 121-12N determines whether it is a
first external unit of the slave side according to
information stored in a memory of the external unit,
for example. Here because the PHS data communication
unit 121 has a first external unit 111 (YES), it calls
the next PHS data communication unit 122 at step S82.
At step S83, it executes data communication with the
PHS data communication unit 122 and at step S84,
transmits its own data to the PHS data communication
unit 122.
Then, if the data communication is terminated at
step S85, the PHS data communication unit 121 goes into
the idle period mode (waiting mode) at step S86 and if
the idle period is terminated at step S87 (YES), the
processing is returned to the aforementioned step S82.
On the other hand, if the unit at step S81 is, for
example, PHS data communication unit 123 (NO), if it is
set to the wait mode at step S88 and there is a call
from a preceding number (YES) at step S89, data
communication is executed with the PHS data
communication unit 122 having the external unit 112 of
the preceding number at step 90. Then, at step S91,
data generated in the external units 111, 112 is
accumulated in the memory of its own external unit 113.
If data communication with the preceding number unit is
terminated at step S92 (YES), whether or not there is
an external unit of a next number is determined
according to information stored in the memory of the
external unit.
If a PHS data communication unit 124 exists (YES),
the PHS data communication unit 123 calls the PHS data
communication unit 124 having the next number external
unit 114 at step S94 and executes data communication at
step S95. At this time, the PHS data communication
unit 123 transmits data of the first-preceding numbers
and its own data to the PHS data communication unit 124.
If data communication is terminated at step S97 (YES),
the PHS data communication unit 123 goes into the
waiting mode mentioned at step S88. After that, the
processing from the step S88 is repeated for the PHS
data communication unit of the next number.
If there exists only a final external unit 11N at
the above step S93 (NO), the PHS data communication
unit 12N calls the PHS data communication unit 31 of
the master side at step 98 and executes data communication
at step S99. At step S100, it transmits data of
N-2 external units and its own data to the PHS data
communication unit 31. If data communication is
terminated at step S101 (YES), the PHS data communication
unit 12N goes into the waiting mode mentioned at
the step S88.
FIG. 15 is a flow chart for explaining an
operation of the PHS data communication unit 31 of the
master side based on the relay method. This operation
is controlled by the control portion 12f of the PHS
data communication unit 31.
The PHS data communication unit 31 has been in the
waiting mode at step S102 and if it receives a call
from the PHS data communication unit 12N having a final
external unit 11N in terms of relay connection order
(YES), it executes data communication with this PHS
data communication unit 12N at step S104. At step S105,
data of the external units 111-11N is accumulated in
the memory 31a. Then, if data communication with the
PHS data communication unit 12N is terminated at step
S106 (YES), the PHS data communication unit 31 goes
into the waiting mode mentioned at step S102 again.
Next, system for telemetering data using both the
polling method and relay method will be described.
FIGS. 16 and 17 show examples of arrangement of
the master and slaves.
Referring to FIG. 16, the PHS data communication
unit 31 of the external unit 32 makes access to the PHS
data communication units 121-123 of the external units
111-113 of the slave side successively by the polling
method so that they are connected with each other
through a radio channel using the sub-unit direct
communication mode. The PHS data communication units
124, 125 of the external units 114, 115 are connected
to each other in the relay method and finally connected
to the PHS data communication unit 123 of the external
unit 113.
That is, in the case of this system, data of the
external units 114, 115 is collected in the external
unit 113 in the order of the external units 114, 115
and 113. Because the external unit 32 collects data
generated in the external units 111-113 by the polling
method, all data of the external units 111-115 can be
collected.
In an arrangement shown in FIG. 17, data of the
external units 114, 115 are collected in the external
unit 112 by the polling method. The external unit 32
is capable of collecting all data of the external units
111-115 because it collects data in the relay method in
the order of the external units 113, 112, 111.
Therefore, according to the aforementioned
embodiment, the known PHS data communication units
121-12N having the sub-unit direct communication mode
are provided on the external units 111-11N and the
known PHS data communication unit 31 having the sub-unit
direct communication mode is provided on the
external unit 32, so that the object of the invention
is achieved with this simple structure. These PHS data
communication units 31, 121-12N are connected to each
other by radio channel based on the sub-unit direct
communication mode and data generated in the external
units 111-11N is transmitted to the external unit 32
through this radio channel with bare data communication.
As a result, such disadvantages of placing the
telephone line and transmitting data through the public
network for the data communication can be eliminated
and bare data communication of 32 Kbps max. is achieved
by full duplex system allowing transmitting and
receiving at the same time on sub-unit direct communication
mode, so that a quick highly efficient data
communication can be attained. Further the bare data
communication is capable of keeping a quick excellent
data transmission quality in voice deemed communication
thereby realizing error free communication.
The master side PHS data communication unit 31
collects data in the polling method from the external
units 111-11N with which it is capable of communicating
on the sub-unit direct communication mode and collects
data mode in the relay method from the external units
111-11N out of such a range in which it is capable of
communicating on the sub-unit direct communication. As
a result, highly efficient data communication and data
collection corresponding to the arrangement of the
external units 111-11N can be achieved.
Therefore, according to the above-described
embodiment, using a plurality of the PHS data communication
units 121-12N having the sub-unit direct
communication mode and the PHS data communication unit
31 having the sub-unit direct communication mode and
public mode, the PHS data communication units 121-12N
are connected to the PHS data communication unit 31
through a radio channel using the sub-unit direct
communication mode. As a result, the PHS data
communication unit 31 is capable of communicating with
the PHS data communication units 121-12N without
placing a public telephone line and not through the
public network 43 quickly with few errors and further
collecting data generated in the external units 111-11N
efficiently.
The PHS data communication unit 31 changes the
sub-unit direct communication mode to the public mode
when carrying out data communication with the center
unit 51, so that it is connected to the base station 21
through a radio channel using the public mode. Data
collected from the external units 111-11N is transmitted
to the center unit 51 connected to the public
network 43. As a result, the center unit 51 is capable
of managing data generated in the external units
111-11N synthetically.
Further, the PHS data communication unit 31
contains the memory 31a for telemetry data generated
in the external units 111-11N and the public mode
communication control means 12f4 and transmits
collected data to the center unit 51 connected to the
public network 43 using the public mode. As a result,
the center unit 51 is capable of telemetering data
through only one access highly efficiently.
As described above, according to the present
invention, data communication between the respective
communication units can be carried out by the sub-unit
direct communication mode. Further data communication
from each communication unit to the center unit can be
carried out by changing the communication unit from the
sub-unit direct communication mode to the public mode
so as to execute data communication on the public mode.
Therefore, the present invention is capable of
providing a data telemetering system capable of
telemetering data generated in each communication unit
to the center unit effectively and quickly without an
error, without placing a new public telephone line and
using the public network in data communication between
the respective communication units, and a communication
unit for use in this system.
Although in the above embodiment, the PHS data
communication unit 31 accumulates data generated in the
external units 111-11N in the memory 31a, it is
permissible to use the external unit 32 as a data
telemetering unit by accumulating data in the memory of
the external unit 32.
Next, a system for telemetry data using private
mode of the PHS data communication unit will be
described. The private mode mentioned herein refers to
a mode for executing radio communication with a private
branch exchange.
In FIG. 18, reference numerals 411-41N (N: natural
number) herein denote external units of, for example,
automatic vending machines distributed in physical
region, which are provided with cordless sub communication
units 421-42N for use in PHS. These cordless
sub communication units 421-42N are connected to a
cordless main communication unit 61 through a radio
channel using the private mode. A data telemetering
unit 62 for collecting data generated in the external
units 411-41N is connected to the cordless main
communication unit 61.
The cordless main communication unit 61 is
connected to the network 43 which is an external
communication network through a cable network. The
center unit 51 for managing data through the cable
network is connected to the network 43. The network 43
may be public switched telephone network (PSTN) or
integrated service digital network (ISDN) or the like.
As for the operation, the cordless sub communication
units 421-42N transmit data generated in a
corresponding external unit 411-41N to the cordless
main communication unit 61 through a radio channel
using the private mode. The cordless main communication
unit 61 accumulates data arriving from the
cordless sub communication units 421-42N in the data
telemetering unit 62. After that, the cordless main
communication unit 61 transmits data accumulated in the
data telemetering unit 62 to the center unit 51 through
the public network 43.
FIG. 19 shows a detail of the above mentioned
cordless main communication unit 61.
The cordless main communication unit 61 comprises
a radio portion 61a having an antenna 61a1, a modem
portion 61b, a TDMA portion 61c, an interface portion
61d and a control portion 61e.
A radio frequency signal arriving from the
cordless sub communication units 421-42N is received by
the antenna 61a1 and inputted to a receiving portion
61a1 through a high frequency switch 61a2 of a radio
portion 61a. In this receiving portion 61a3, the
aforementioned received radio frequency signal is mixed
with a receiving local oscillation signal generated
from a frequency synthesizer 61a4 so that the signal is
converted to a reception intermediate frequency signal.
The local oscillation frequency generated from the
aforementioned frequency synthesizer 61a4 is instructed
by the control portion 61e depending on the radio
channel frequency. Further, the radio portion 61a
includes a received signal strength indicator (RSSI)
portion 61a5. This RSSI portion 61a5 detects a
received signal strength of the radio frequency signal
arriving at the antenna 61a1 and notifies the control
portion 61e of the detected value.
The reception intermediate frequency signal
outputted from the aforementioned receiving portion
61a3 is inputted to a demodulation portion 61b1. In
the demodulation portion 61b1, digital demodulation of
the aforementioned reception intermediate frequency
signal is carried out so as to reproduce a digital
communication signal. A TDMA decoding portion 61c1 of
a TDMA portion 61c disassembles the digital communication
signal of each time slot according to an
instruction of the control portion 61e and this
disassembled digital communication signal is inputted
to an error correction portion 61d1 of an interface
portion 61d.
The error correction portion 61d1 detects and
corrects a data error caused during data transmission
in bare data communication and supplies corrected data
to a subscriber line interface 61d2. The subscriber
line interface 61d2 demodulates the digital
communication signal so as to reproduce a corresponding
analog communication signal. Then, this analog
communication signal is transmitted to the network 43
through a cable line.
On the other hand, the analog communication signal
arriving from the network 43 through the cable network
is converted to a digital communication signal by the
subscriber line interface 61d2. This digital
communication signal undergoes error correction at the
error correction portion 61d1 and then is inputted to
the TDMA encoding portion 61c2. At the TDMA encoding
portion 61c2, the digital communication signal is
inserted into a desired time slot and multiplexed.
This multiplexed digital communication signal is
inputted to a demodulation portion 61b2. This
demodulation portion 61b2 digital-demodulates a carrier
signal by the aforementioned digital communication
signal and this demodulated carrier signal is inputted
to a transmitting portion 61a6. In the transmitting
portion 61a6, the aforementioned modulated carrier
signal is mixed with a transmitting local oscillation
signal generated from a frequency synthesizer 61a4 and
converted to a radio channel frequency instructed by a
control portion 61e. Further, it is amplified to a
predetermined transmitting power level. A radio
frequency signal outputted from this transmitting
portion 61a6 is transmitted to each of the cordless sub
communication units 421-42N from the antenna 61a1
through a high frequency switch 61a2.
The control portion 61e contains, for example,
a microcomputer as its main portion. Its control
function contains a private mode communication control
means 61e1, a data transmitting/receiving control means
61e2, a data accumulation control means 61e3, and a
subscriber line communication control means 61e4.
The private mode communication control means 61e1
is a means for connecting each of the cordless sub
communication units 421-42N through a radio channel
using the private communication mode. The data
transmitting/receiving control means 61e2 is a means
for controlling data transmitting/receiving between the
external units 411-41N and the center unit 51, which
reads out data accumulated in the data telemetering
unit 61 and transmits it to the center unit 51 through
the network 43. The data accumulation control means
61e3 accumulates data arriving from each of the
cordless sub communication units 421-42N in the data
telemetering unit 61 through a radio channel. The
subscriber line communication control means 61e4
changes its own unit to subscriber line communication
mode so as to connect to the center unit 51 when data
collection is completed.
FIG. 20 shows a detail of the aforementioned
cordless sub communication units 421-42N.
Referring to FIG. 20, each of the cordless sub
communication units 421-42N comprises a radio portion
42a having an antenna 42a1, a modem portion 42b, a TDMA
portion 42c, an error correction portion 42d, an
external interface 42e and a control portion 42f.
Because the aforementioned radio portion 42a,
modem portion 42b and TDMA portion 42c have the same
function as the radio portion 61a, modem portion 61b
and TDMA portion 61c of the cordless main communication
unit 61, a description thereof is omitted.
In the operation the digital communication signal
outputted from the TDMA decoding portion 42c1 is
inputted to the error correction portion 42d. The
error correction portion 42d detects a data error
generated during data transmission in bare data
communication and requests data retransmitting.
Corrected data by the error correction portion 42d
is accumulated in the external unit 41 (411-41N)
through the external interface 42e. Further, data
generated in the external unit 41 is digitally
modulated through the external connection interface 42e,
the error correction portion 42d and the modulation
portion 42b2 and this modulated carrier signal is
inputted to a transmitting portion 42a6. In the
transmitting portion 42a6, the aforementioned modulated
carrier signal is mixed with a transmitting local
oscillation signal generated from the frequency
synthesizer 42a4 so that it is converted to a radio
channel frequency instructed by the control portion 42f
and further amplified to a predetermined transmitting
power level. Then, the radio frequency signal
outputted from this transmitting portion 42a6 is
transmitted from the antenna 42a1 through the high
frequency switch 42a2.
The control portion 42f contains, a microcomputer
as its main control portion so as to control the
respective circuits synthetically. The control portion
42f comprises a private mode communication control
means 42f1, a data transmitting/receiving control means
42f2, and a time counting means 42f5. The time
counting means 42f5 is a timer for setting a transmitting
timing for data generated in the external unit
41 corresponding to a control channel signal arriving
from the cordless main communication unit 61 and has
various count values. That is, the control portion 42f
controls the respective circuits so as to transmit data
generated in the external unit 41 to the cordless main
communication unit 61 through a radio channel when the
counting action of the time counting means 42f5 is
terminated.
FIGS. 21-23 are flow charts for explaining actions
of the respective cordless sub communication units
421-42N, the cordless main communication unit 61 and
the center unit 51.
In FIG. 21, each of the cordless sub communication
units 421-42N gets into waiting action for communication
at steps S111, S121. Then, the center unit 51
transmits a data collection request to the cordless
main communication unit 61 at step S141 and the
cordless main communication unit 61 receives the data
collection request at step S131 and then broadcasts
information to the respective cordless sub communication
units 421-42N by control channel signal at the
same time.
When the cordless sub communication units 421-42N
receives the broadcast information from the cordless
main communication unit 61 at steps S112, S122, each
timer is started by the time counting means 42f5 of
the respective control units 42f. Here, the timers
terminate in order from the cordless sub communication
unit 421.
When the timer terminates at step S113, the
cordless sub communication unit 421 dispatches a call
to the cordless main communication unit 61 at step S114.
When a response returns from the cordless main communication
unit 61, the cordless sub communication unit 421
transmits data generated in the external unit 411 to
the cordless main communication unit 61. At step S132,
the cordless main communication unit 61 accumulates
data arriving from the cordless sub communication unit
421 in the data telemetering unit 62 by the data
accumulation control means 61e3 of the control
portion 61e.
When data is sent to the cordless main communication
unit 61, the cordless sub communication unit 421
cuts off a radio channel connected to the cordless main
communication unit 61 at step S116 of FIG. 22 and gets
into waiting action at step S117.
After that, the cordless main communication unit
61 repeats actions of the above steps S112-S117 for the
cordless sub communication units 422 and following
units. The last cordless sub communication unit 42N,
when the timer terminates at step S123, dispatches a
call to the cordless main communication unit 61 at step
S124. When a response returns, the cordless sub
communication unit 42N transmits data generated in the
external unit 41N to the cordless main communication
unit 61 at step S125. At step S133, the cordless main
communication unit 61 accumulates data arriving from
the cordless sub communication unit 42N in the data
telemetering unit 62 by the data accumulation control
means 61e3 of the control portion 61e.
The cordless sub communication unit 42N, when it
transmits data to the cordless main communication unit
61, cuts off a radio channel connected to the cordless
main communication unit 61 at step S126 and gets into
the waiting action again at step S127 of FIG. 23.
When data accumulation in the data telemetering
unit 62 is completed at step S134, the cordless main
communication unit 61 dispatches a call to the center
unit 51 at step S135. When a response returns from
the center unit 51, the cordless main communication
unit 61 reads telemetry data accumulated in the data
telemetering unit 62 by the data transmitting/receiving
control means 61e2 of the control unit 61e at step S136
and transmits it to the center unit 51 through the
network 43. The center unit 51 receives telemetry data
sent from the cordless main communication unit 61 at
step S142 and manages the telemetry data.
Further, the cordless main communication unit 61,
when it transmits the telemetry data to the center unit
51, cuts off the line connected to the center unit 51
at step S137 and the above procedure is terminated.
FIG. 24 shows a case in which an exchange is
provided in the above embodiment.
FIG. 24 will be explained by attaching the same
reference numerals to the same components as in FIG. 18.
What is different from FIG. 18 is that a plurality of
cordless main communication units 611-61N are provided
and an exchange 63 is interposed between these cordless
main communication units 611-61N and network 43. The
exchange 63 contains a data telemetering unit 62 for
accumulating data generated from the external units
411-41N and accommodates a plurality of the cordless
main communication units 611-61N through a cable
network. The exchange 63 accumulates data arriving
from the plurality of the cordless main communication
units 611-61N in the data telemetering unit 62. If the
accumulation is completed, the telemetry data accumulated
in the data telemetering unit 62 is transferred
to the center unit 51 through the network 43.
Thus, according to the above embodiment, the
plurality of the cordless sub communication units
421-42N are connected to the cordless main
communication units 61 through a radio channel using
the private mode. As a result, the cordless main
communication unit 61 is capable of telemetering data
generated in the external units 411-41N quickly and
efficiently with few errors without placing a new
public telephone line and not through the network 43.
Because the cordless main communication units 61
temporarily accumulates data generated in the external
units 411-41N in the data telemetering unit 62 before
transmitting to the line, it is capable of transmitting
data to the center unit 51 with a small traffic
intensity. Further because the cordless main
communication unit 61 can be occupied specially as a
data telemetering system, there never occurs such a
case in which radio line busy state occurs due to use
by others like public PHS station, thereby reducing a
possibility of call loss.
Further because the plurality of the cordless sub
communication units 421-42N are connected to the
cordless main communication unit 61 through a radio
channel using the private mode, the cordless main
communication unit 61 is capable of dispatching a
call to a cordless sub communication unit 422 while
receiving a call from the other cordless sub communication
unit 421 so that flexible system operation is
enabled. Further because the cordless sub communication
units 421-42N only have to receive a control
channel transmitted intermittently from the cordless
main communication unit 61, battery saving can be
performed during the intermittent receiving so that
power consumption can be minimized.
The plurality of the cordless sub communication
units 421-42N have time counting means 42f5 having
different counting values and the cordless main
communication unit 61 broadcasts information to the
plurality of the cordless sub communication units
421-42N at the same time so as to actuate the time
counting means 42f5. When the counting operation
terminates, data transmitting is started. Therefore,
it is possible to avoid a concentrated occurrence of
calls, so that data can be collected successively from
the plurality of the cordless sub communication units
421-42N.
Because the cordless main communication unit 61
transmits telemetry data accumulated in the data
telemetering unit 62 to the center unit 51 through the
network 43, the center unit 51 is capable of managing
data of the external units 411-41N synthetically and
the center unit 51 is capable of receiving telemetry
data effectively from the cordless main communication
unit 61 only with a single access treatment.
Further in a case when the exchange 63 is provided,
because the exchange 63 accommodates the plurality of
the cordless main communication units 611-61N and
contains the data telemetering unit 62, it is possible
to collect data generated in the automatic vending
machines or the like from a wide area and further
reduce access treatment frequency of the center unit
51 by transmitting this telemetry data to the center
unit 51.
Next, a method for notifying the master PHS data
communication unit 31 of an occurrence of an error if
it occurs in the external units 32, 111-11N in FIG. 3
or FIG. 12 will be described.
FIG. 25 is a flow chart for explaining a
countermeasure taken if an emergency occurs in the
external units 111-11N of the slave side PHS data
communication units 121-12N which are actuated in the
polling method (FIG. 3). Here, a case in which an
emergency occurs in the external unit 111 of the PHS
data communication unit 121 is exemplified.
First, if an alarm indicating an emergency of the
external unit 111 occurs at step S162 when the PHS data
communication unit 121 is in waiting mode at step S161
(YES), it calls the master PHS data communication unit
31 at step S163 and executes data communication with
the PHS data communication unit 31 at step S164. At
step S165, it transmits an alarm information to the PHS
data communication unit 31. Then, if the data
communication terminates at step S166 (YES), it returns
to the waiting mode of step S161.
In a case when no alarm occurs at the above step
S162 (NO), the processing goes to step S167. If a call
arrives from the PHS data communication unit 31 at step
S167 (YES), the processing goes to steps 168, 169. At
steps S168, 169, the same processing as steps S71, S72
of FIG. 11 is carried out. Therefore, a description
thereof is omitted.
FIG. 26 is a flow chart for explaining actions
taken when an emergency occurs in the external unit 111
of the PHS data communication unit 121 which is
actuated in the relay method (FIG. 12). At steps
S171-S174 and 177 of FIG. 26, the same processing as
steps S82-S85 and S87 of FIG. 14 is carried out.
Therefore, a description thereof is omitted.
If an alarm occurs at step S176 when idle period
mode is on at step S175 (YES), the PHS data communication
unit 121 calls a next PHS data communication
unit 122 at step S178 and executes data communication
at step S179. At step S180, it transmits an alarm
information to the PHS data communication unit 122.
Then, if data communication with the PHS data
communication unit 122 terminates at step S181 (YES),
the processing returns to the idle period mode of the
above step S175.
FIG. 27 is a flow chart for explaining actions
taken when an emergency occurs in the external units
112-11N of the PHS data communication units 122-12N
which are actuated in the relay method (FIG. 12). Here,
a case in which a trouble occurs in the external unit
112 of the PHS data communication unit 122 will be
described.
If an alarm occurs at step S192 when the PHS data
communication unit 122 is in idle period mode at step
S191 (YES), it calls a next number PHS data communication
unit 123 at step S193 and executes data
communication at step S194 and transmits an alarm
information to the next number PHS data communication
unit 123 at step S195. Then, when data communication
with the next number PHS data communication unit 123
terminates at step S196 (YES), the processing is
returned to the idle period mode of the above step S191.
At the above step S192, the PHS data communication
unit 122 executes processings of step S193 and
following steps when no alarm occurs (NO). Because the
processing of steps S193-S205 is the same as those of
steps S89-S101 of FIG. 14, a description thereof is
omitted. In a case when an emergency occurs in the PHS
data communication unit 12N which is last in relay
order, the PHS data communication unit 31 is notified
of the alarm information.
Therefore, according to the above-described
embodiment, the PHS data communication units 121-12N,
when a trouble occurs in the respective external units
111-11N, notifies the master side PHS data communication
unit 31 of an occurrence of the trouble. Thus,
the PHS data communication unit 31 and external unit 32
are capable of grasping the trouble condition of the
external units 111-11N and performing a processing for
making access to the PHS data communication units
121-12N. Further, a countermeasure for recovering an
external unit undergoing that trouble can be executed.
In the case of the relay method, because the
external unit 32 has a high possibility of being idle,
a probability of success upon dispatching a signal
from the external units 111-11N to the external unit 32
when an alarm occurs is high. Therefore, connection
to the external unit 32 is always carried out by
retransmitting some times. This probability can be
expressed in the following expression.
Probability of idle on master side TW TW + TR ≊ 1 (TW >> TR ) TR : time for data communication between a data
collecting unit and a user apparatus last in relay
order
Probability of idle on master side
In the case of the polling method, the probability
of the external unit 32's being idle drops as the
number of the external units 111-11N increases. As a
countermeasure, there is a way of prolonging the
polling interval TW as well as a way of increasing the
number of retransmitting to the external unit 32.
Further, there is also such a method that the external
unit 32 and external units 111-11N share common time
information and the external units 111-11N calls the
external unit 32 when the external unit 32 is in
waiting period in accordance with the common time
information. Meanwhile, that probability can be
expressed in expression 2.
Probability of idle on master side (quantity of user apparatuses = N - 1) TW TW + Tp = TW TW + (N - 1)TR ' TR ': time for data communication in polling method
between a data collecting unit and a single user
apparatus
Probability of idle on master side (quantity of user apparatuses = N - 1)
The external unit 32 is sometimes capable of
executing more effective data communication if the
polling cycle and relay cycle can be varied depending
on time zone of a day when it collects data generated
in the respective external units 111-11N. The polling
cycle and relay cycle can be expressed in expression 3.
polling cycle: TW + TP ≊ TW + (N - 1)TR ' relay cycle: TW + TT ≊ TW TT : time for data communication between a user
apparatus first in relay order and a user apparatus
second in relay order
Then, in the PHS data communication units 31,
121-12N, their control portions 12f are provided each
with a means 12f7 for variably setting an execution
timing of collecting data generated in the slave side
PHS data communication units 121-12N to the master side
PHS data communication unit 31, depending on time zone
of a day.
Thus, it is possible to carry out effective data
collection corresponding to generation of data in the
respective external units 111-11N depending on time
zone of a day.
Next, as regards the data telemetering system
based on the relay method shown in FIG. 28, a system
for telemetry data by changing its transmission route
when a trouble occurs in the communication units
121-123 will be described.
Referring to FIG. 28, PHS data communication units
31, 121-123 are distributed such that the PHS data
communication units 122, 123 are disposed in a region
in which the PHS data communication unit 121 is capable
of communicating on sub-unit direct communication mode.
The external unit 32 functions as a data telemetering
unit. Because the other part is the same as the data
telemetering system of FIG. 12, a description thereof
is omitted.
As shown in FIG. 29, each of the external units
111-113 of this system is provided with a transmitting
order memory means 11a and a transmitting route rewrite
means 11b. The transmitting order memory means 11a is
a table for storing the order of the PHS data communication
units 121-123, 31 for transmitting data. If the
PHS data communication unit 121 detects a trouble in
the next PHS data communication unit 122 to which data
is to be sent, the transmitting route rewrite means 11b
rewrites a content of the transmitting order memory
means 11a for the PHS data communication unit 121 so as
to change its route to the PHS data communication unit
123 and then transmit data.
Next, a method for changing the transmission route
when a trouble occurs in the PHS data communication
unit will be described.
As regards the arrangement of the plural PHS data
communication units, as shown in FIG. 30, PHS data
communication units 122, 123 are disposed in area 1
(indicated by dotted line in the same figure) in which
the PHS data communication unit 121 is capable of
communicating in sub-unit direct communication mode.
Then, PHS data communication units 123, 124 are
disposed in area 2 (indicated by solid line in the same
figure) in which the PHS data communication unit 122 is
capable of communicating in sub-unit direct communication
mode. Further, PHS data communication units 124,
31 are disposed in area 3 (indicated by dot and dash
line in the same figure) in which the PHS data
communication unit 123 is capable of communicating in
sub-unit direct communication mode. These PHS data
communication units 121-124 are connected successively
through a radio channel using the sub-unit direct
communication mode in the order of the PHS data
communication unit 121, PHS data communication unit 122,
PHS data communication unit 123 and PHS data communication
unit 124. The PHS data communication unit 124
which is last of this connection order is connected to
the PHS data communication unit 31 of the aforementioned
external unit 32.
The plural PHS data communication units 121-124
monitor a status of a next PHS data communication unit
with which data communication is to be carried out in
the sub-unit direct communication mode. If a trouble
is found in the PHS data communication unit 122 as
shown in FIG. 31A, the PHS data communication unit 121
changes its transmission route to the PHS data
communication unit 123 to which the PHS data
communication unit 122 should transmit data, and
transmits data thereto. Before transmitting this data,
the transmitting route rewrite means 11b in the
external unit 111 of the PHS data communication unit
121 rewrites a content of the transmitting order memory
means 11a for the PHS data communication unit 121 to
transmit data to the PHS data communication unit 123.
If a trouble is found in the PHS data communication
unit 123, as shown in FIG. 31B, the PHS data
communication unit 122 changes its transmission route
to the PHS data communication unit 124 to which the PHS
data communication unit 123 should transmit data and
then transmits data thereto.
FIG. 32 is a flow chart indicating actions of the
PHS data communication units 121-123 when a trouble
occurs in the PHS data communication unit 122.
At steps S211, S221, S231, the respective PHS data
communication units 121-123 sets the sub-unit direct
communication mode by the sub-unit direct communication
control means 12f1 of each control unit 12f and get
into waiting mode for the sub-unit direct communication.
At step S212, the PHS data communication unit 121
calls the PHS data communication unit 122 to which it
should transmit data by referring to the transmitting
order memory means 11a of the external unit 111. At
step S213, the PHS data communication unit 121
determines whether or not a response comes from the PHS
data communication unit 122 according to a count value
corresponding to a response waiting time of the timer
12f8 of the control portion 12f.
If a response comes within a predetermined
response waiting time (YES), the PHS data communication
unit 121 executes connecting procedure to the PHS data
communication unit 122 at step S214 and carries out
data communication with the PHS data communication unit
122 through a normal route. If no response comes from
the PHS data communication unit 122 (NO) and a
predetermined response waiting time is exceeded at step
S215 (YES), the PHS data communication unit 121
rewrites a content of the transmitting order memory
means 11a so as to select the PHS data communication
unit 123 by the transmitting route rewrite means 11b of
the external unit 111 at step S216 and transmits data
to the PHS data communication unit 123 by referring to
the content of this transmitting route memory means 11a.
If the response waiting time is not exceeded at step
S215 (NO), the processing of the step 213 is repeated.
If the PHS data communication unit 123 receives a
signal from the PHS data communication unit 121 at step
S232, it transmits a response to the PHS data communication
unit 121 and communication is executed.
Next, the PHS data communication unit 121 reads
information (data) possessed by the external unit 111
by the external connection interface 12e at step S217
and transmits data to the PHS data communication unit
123. After the data transmission, the communication
line is cut off at step S218.
When the PHS data communication unit 123 receives
data arriving from the PHS data communication unit 121
at step S233, it stores the data in the external unit
113. After the data is stored, the line is cut off at
step S235 so as to terminate the data communication.
It is permissible to variably set the response
waiting time counted by the timer 21f8 of the control
portion 21f depending on a place or time zone of a day.
The transmitting order memory means 11a and
transmitting route rewrite means 11b may be provided
not in the external unit but the control portion 21f.
Therefore, according to the above-described
embodiment, because the PHS data communication units
122, 123 having a next number and a next number after
the next respectively of a preliminarily set transmission
order are disposed in the area in which the PHS
data communication unit 121 is capable of communicating
in the sub-unit direct communication mode, if a trouble
occurs in the PHS data communication unit 122 of the
next number, data can be sent to the PHS data
communication unit 123 of the next number after the
next without placing other PHS data communication unit
than the PHS data communication units belonging to the
preliminarily set transmitting order. As a result, the
data can be collected in the external unit 32 from the
external units 111, 113 of the PHS data communication
units 121, 123 having no trouble without waiting for
trouble recovery.
FIG. 33 shows a system configuration of other
embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 33, the same components as FIG. 28 will be
described with the same reference numerals. Here, the
PHS data communication units 121-123 are referred to as
group 1. Additionally, in regions in which the PHS
data communication unit 31 is capable of communicating
in sub-unit direct communication mode, group 2 containing
the PHS data communication units 221-223 and group
3 containing the PHS data communication units 321-323
are disposed.
In the group 1, the PHS data communication units
121-123 have corresponding external units 111-113 and
are connected to each other successively in a specified
order through a radio channel using the sub-unit direct
communication mode. In this case, they are connected
in the order of the PHS data communication unit 121,
PHS data communication unit 122 and PHS data communication
unit 123. Then, data generated in the external
unit 111 is brought through the PHS data communication
units 121, 122 and 123 in order and temporarily stored
in the external unit 113. This data includes data
generated in and attached by the external units 111-113.
In the group 2, the PHS data communication units
221-223 have corresponding external units 211-213 and
are connected to each other successively in a specified
order through a radio channel using the sub-unit direct
communication mode. In this case, they are connected
in the order of the PHS data communication unit 221,
PHS data communication unit 222 and PHS data communication
unit 223. Then, data generated in the external
unit 211 is brought through the PHS data communication
units 221, 222 and 223 in order and temporarily stored
in the external unit 213. This data includes data
generated in and attached by the external units 211-213.
In the group 3, the PHS data communication units
321-323 have corresponding external units 311-313 and
are connected to each other successively in a specified
order through a radio channel using the sub-unit direct
communication mode. In this case, they are connected
in the order of the PHS data communication unit 321,
PHS data communication unit 322 and PHS data communication
unit 323. Then, data generated in the external
unit 311 is brought through the PHS data communication
units 321, 322 and 323 in order and temporarily stored
in the external unit 313. This data includes data
generated in and attached by the external units 111-113.
Then, the PHS data communication unit 31 installed
in the data telemetering unit 32 calls the PHS data
communication units 123, 223 and 323 successively so
that it is connected thereto through a radio channel
using the sub-unit direct communication mode. Then,
the PHS data communication unit 31 collects data
accumulated in the external units 113, 213 and 313 and
stores it in the external unit 32.
If a trouble occurs each in the PHS data communication
units 122, 222 and 322 of the respective groups
1-3, the PHS data communication units 121, 221 and 321
change their transmission route to the PHS data
communication units 123, 223 and 323 like the above
mentioned embodiment and transmit data thereto. If the
PHS data communication units 122, 222 and 322 are
disposed in a region in which the PHS data communication
unit 31 is capable of communicating in the
sub-unit direct communication mode, when a trouble
occurs each in the PHS data communication units 123,
223 and 323, the PHS data communication unit 31 makes
access to the PHS data communication units 122, 222 and
322 and connects itself thereto through a radio channel
using the sub-unit direct communication mode. Then, it
is capable of telemetering data accumulated in the
external units 113, 213 and 313 by the polling method
and stores it in the data telemetering unit 32.
Therefore, according to this embodiment, the same
advantage as the previously described embodiment can be
obtained. Further, the PHS data communication unit 31
gains access to the PHS data communication units 123,
223 and 323 successively which correspond to the last
of the connection order of the groups 1-3 and collect
data in the polling method. Thus, effective data
communication and data collection corresponding to the
arrangement of the PHS data communication units 121-123,
221-223, 321-323 can be achieved.
If a trouble occurs in the PHS data communication
unit in the respective embodiments, it may be so
constructed that the PHS data communication unit of a
preceding number transmits such information that the
trouble has occurred to a PHS data communication unit
to which the route will be changed and notifies the
data telemetering unit 32 thereof. As a result, the
external unit 32 recognizes the trouble in the PHS data
communication unit and can take a countermeasure for
the trouble quickly.
Further in each of the above-described embodiments,
the plural PHS data communication units disposed in a
region in which a single PHS data communication unit is
capable of communicating in the sub-unit direct
communication mode may be arranged so that they are
connected in the order of the field intensity from its
largest value.
That is, according to the present invention, if a
trouble occurs in the communication unit, a communication
unit of a preceding number is capable of
changing the transmission route to a communication unit
to which the communication unit undergoing the trouble
should transmit data and transmits data thereto.
Therefore, the present invention is capable of
providing a data telemetering system capable of
telemetering data generated in each of the communication
units to the data telemetering unit securely
without increasing the number of the communication
units when a trouble occurs in the communication unit,
and a communication unit for use in the same system and
a method therefor.
Meanwhile, the present invention is not restricted
to the above described embodiments, but may be carried
out in various modifications within a scope not
departing from a sprit and gist of the present
invention.
Claims (20)
- A data telemetering system characterized by comprising:a plurality of data generating sources (111-11N; 411-41N) for generating a predetermined data; anda data accumulating unit (32; 62) for accumulating the predetermined data generated by this data generating source, for collecting the predetermined data generated by the data generating source in said data accumulating unit,said data telemetering system further comprising a radio communication unit (121-12N, 31; 421-42N, 61) installed corresponding to said data generating source and said data accumulating unit and having a communication mode for communicating between terminals using a radio channel not through a public telephone network (43),said radio communication unit having:a radio connecting means (12f1; 42f1, 61e1) for connecting between a radio communication unit and the other radio communication unit by said communication mode; anda data transmission means (12f2; 42f2, 61e2) for connecting between a radio communication unit provided corresponding to the data generating source and a radio communication unit provided corresponding to the data accumulating unit by said connecting means and for transmitting the predetermined data generated in each of the data generating sources to said data accumulating unit.
- A data telemetering system according to claim 1, characterized in that said radio connecting means makes the radio communication unit provided corresponding to the data accumulating unit access the radio communication unit provided on each of the data generating sources successively using said communication mode and connects them.
- A data telemetering system according to claim 1, characterized in that said radio connecting means accesses a radio communication unit provided at each of the data generating sources by relay access method using said communication mode and the radio communication unit provided corresponding to the data accumulating unit is connected to a radio communication unit last in connecting order of said relay access.
- A data telemetering system according to claim 1, characterized in that said radio communication unit has a means for setting a connection timing by said communication mode variably depending on a time zone.
- A data telemetering system according to claim 1, characterized in that said radio communication unit has a monitoring means for monitoring a state of the corresponding data generating source, whereinsaid connecting means connects between a radio communication unit and the radio communication unit corresponding to the data accumulating unit or the radio communication unit provided at other data generating source using said communication mode when a trouble is detected in the data generating source by said monitoring means.
- A data telemetering system according to claim 3, characterized in that said radio communication unit has a monitoring means (12f5) for monitoring a state of the corresponding data generating source, whereinsaid connecting means connects between a radio communication unit and the radio communication unit corresponding to other data generating source capable of communicating with said radio communication unit using said communication mode when a trouble is detected in the data generating source by said monitoring means.
- A radio communication unit (121-12N, 31; 421-42N, 61) for use in a data telemetering system characterized by comprising: a plurality of data generating sources (111-11N; 411-41N) for generating a predetermined data; and a data accumulating unit (32; 62) for accumulating the predetermined data generated by said data generating source, for collecting the predetermined data generated by the data generating source in said data accumulating unit,said data communication unit comprising:a radio connecting (12f1; 42f1, 61e1) means for connecting between a radio communication unit and the other radio communication unit by communication mode for communicating between terminals not through a public telephone network;a data transmission means (12f2; 42f2, 61e2) for connecting between a radio communication unit provided corresponding to a data generating source and a radio communication unit provided corresponding to the data accumulating unit by said radio connecting means and for transmitting a predetermined data generated in each of the data generating sources to said data accumulating unit.
- A radio communication unit(121-12N, 31; 421-42N, 61) for use in a data telemetering system characterized by comprising: a plurality of data generating sources (111-11N; 411-41N) for generating a predetermined data; and a data accumulating unit (32; 62) for accumulating the predetermined data generated by this data generating source, for collecting the predetermined data generated by the data generating source in said data accumulating unit,said data communication unit comprising:a radio connecting means (12f1; 42f1, 61e1) for connecting between a radio communication unit and the other radio communication unit by communication mode for communicating between terminals not through a public telephone network; anda data transmission means (12f2; 42f2, 61e2) for connecting between radio communication units provided corresponding to each data generating source by said radio connecting means and for transmitting a predetermined data generated in each of the data generating sources.
- A data telemetering system characterized by comprising:a plurality of data generating sources (111-11N) for generating a predetermined data; anda data accumulating unit (32) for accumulating the predetermined data generated by this data generating source, for collecting the predetermined data generated by the data generating source in said data accumulating unit,said data telemetering system further comprising:a first radio communication unit (121-12N) having a first communication mode for communicating not through a public telephone network (43) and provided corresponding to each of said data generating sources;a second radio communication unit (31) having said first communication mode and a public communication mode for communicating through public telephone network, disposed in a radio zone formed by a base station (21) connected to the public telephone network and installed corresponding to said data accumulating unit; anda center unit (51) connected to the public telephone network through said base station,said second radio communication unit (31) having:a radio connecting means (12f1, 12f4) for connecting between said first radio communication unit and said second radio communication unit using said first communication mode and for connecting between said second radio communication unit and said center unit through said base station and said public telephone network using said public communication mode; anda data transmission means (12f2, 12f3) for transmitting predetermined data generated in a plurality of data generating sources from the first radio communication unit to the second radio communication unit by this radio connecting means and accumulating the data in said data accumulating unit and then transmitting the data to said center unit through said base station and said public telephone network using said public communication mode.
- A data telemetering system according to claim 9, characterized in that said radio connecting means makes the second radio communication unit access the first radio communication units successively using said first communication mode.
- A data telemetering system according to claim 9, characterized in that said radio connecting means accesses each of the first radio communication units by relay access method using said first communication mode and the second radio communication unit is connected to the first radio communication unit last in connecting order of the relay access.
- A data telemetering system according to claim 9, characterized by further comprising a changing means for changing from a state in which said first radio communication unit and said second radio communication unit are connected to each other by said radio connecting means in said first communication mode to a state in which said second radio communication unit and said base station are connected to each other by said public communication mode after data generated from all the data generation source are accumulated in the data accumulating means.
- A radio communication unit for use as a second radio communication unit in a data telemetering system comprising: a plurality of data generating sources (111-11N) for generating a predetermined data; a data accumulating unit (32) for accumulating the predetermined data generated by the data generating sources; a first radio communication unit provided corresponding to each of the plurality of said data generating sources, having a first communication mode for communicating not through a public telephone network (43); a second radio communication unit (31) disposed in a radio zone formed by the base station (21) connected to the public telephone network and provided corresponding to said data accumulating unit, having said first communication mode and a public communication mode for communicating through public telephone network; and a center unit (51) connected to said base station through public telephone network,said radio communication unit having:a first radio connecting means (12f1) for connecting between said first radio communication unit and said second radio communication unit using said first communication mode;a second radio connecting means (12f4) for connecting between said base station and said second communication unit using said public communication mode;an accumulation control means (12f3) for connecting between said first radio communication unit and said second radio communication unit in said first communication mode by said first radio connecting means and accumulating predetermined data generated by a plurality of the data generating sources in said data accumulating unit; anda data transmission means (12f2) for transmitting data accumulated in said data accumulating unit to said center unit in said second communication mode by said second radio connecting means.
- A radio communication unit according to claim 13, characterized in that said data transmission means comprising a monitoring means for monitoring data accumulation state in said data accumulating unit, wherein when a monitoring result of said monitoring means indicates that all data generated in the plurality of said data generating sources is collected, the data is transmitted to said center unit in the second communication mode.
- A data telemetering system characterized by comprising:a plurality of radio communication units (121-123) installed corresponding to the plurality of the distributed data generating units (111-113), whereindata telemetering is carried out in a predetermined order between the radio communication units using a communication mode for communicating between terminals using a radio channel not through a public telephone network, andin a region in which at least one of the plurality of said radio communication units (121) is capable of communicating with in said communication mode, at least a first radio communication unit (122) to which said radio communication unit transmits data next and a second radio communication unit (123) to which the first radio communication unit transmits next are allocated.
- A data telemetering system according to claim 15, characterized in that each of the plurality of said radio communication units includes:a monitoring means (12f8) for monitoring a state of said first radio communication units, anda changing means (11a, 11b) for changing a transmission route to said second radio communication unit when a trouble is detected in said first radio communication unit by the monitoring means.
- A communication method for a data telemetering system for telemetry data in a predetermined order using a communication mode for communicating between terminals using a radio channel not through a public telephone network among the radio communication units (121-123) installed corresponding to a plurality of distributed data generating units (111-113), comprising the steps of:in a region which at least one of the plurality of said radio communication units (121) is capable of communicating with in said communication mode, allocating at least a first radio communication unit (122) to which the radio communication unit transmits data next and a second radio communication unit (123) to which the first radio communication unit transmits data next; andexecuting communication between the allocated radio communication units.
- A communication method according to claim 17, characterized in that each of the plurality of said radio communication units,monitors a state of said first radio communication units and changes the communication route to said second radio communication unit when a trouble is detected in said first radio communication unit.
- A transmitting and receiving unit characterized by comprising:a data generating unit (111-113) for generating a predetermined data; anda radio communication unit (121-123) installed corresponding to the data generating unit and capable of communicating in a communication mode for communicating between terminals using a radio channel not through a public telephone network, whereinsaid data generating unit comprises,memory means (11a) for storing at least a first transmission route to a first radio communication unit to which the radio communication unit transmits data next and a second transmission route to a second radio communication unit to which said first radio communication unit transmits data next,said radio communication unit includes,a connecting means (12f1) for connecting to other radio communication unit to be disposed in a region in which communication is enabled in said communication mode by referring a communication route stored in a memory means of said data generating unit.
- A transmitting and receiving unit according to claim 19, characterized in that said radio communication unit includes,a monitoring means (12f8) for monitoring a state of said first radio communication unit,a changing means (11b) for changing the transmission route to said second transmission route when a trouble is detected in said first radio communication unit by the monitoring means.
Applications Claiming Priority (8)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP161256/97 | 1997-06-18 | ||
JP161560/97 | 1997-06-18 | ||
JP9161559A JPH118708A (en) | 1997-06-18 | 1997-06-18 | Data collecting system and communication equipment used in the same |
JP161559/97 | 1997-06-18 | ||
JP9161560A JPH118709A (en) | 1997-06-18 | 1997-06-18 | Data collecting system and communication equipment used in the same |
JP9161256A JPH118707A (en) | 1997-06-18 | 1997-06-18 | Data collecting system and communication equipment used in the same |
JP9206811A JPH1155759A (en) | 1997-07-31 | 1997-07-31 | Data collection system and communication equipment and method used for the system |
JP206811/97 | 1997-07-31 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0903709A1 true EP0903709A1 (en) | 1999-03-24 |
Family
ID=27473717
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP98111219A Withdrawn EP0903709A1 (en) | 1997-06-18 | 1998-06-18 | Telemetry system and communication apparatus for use in the same |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0903709A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU715128B2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10016134B2 (en) | 2001-08-13 | 2018-07-10 | Novo Nordisk A/S | Portable device and method of communicating medical data information |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0629098A2 (en) * | 1993-05-17 | 1994-12-14 | Logica Uk Limited | Domestic meter |
US5438329A (en) * | 1993-06-04 | 1995-08-01 | M & Fc Holding Company, Inc. | Duplex bi-directional multi-mode remote instrument reading and telemetry system |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH06165258A (en) * | 1992-11-20 | 1994-06-10 | Fujitsu Ltd | Telemeter data gathering method |
JPH08163664A (en) * | 1994-12-02 | 1996-06-21 | Clarion Co Ltd | Radio telemeter system |
-
1998
- 1998-06-18 EP EP98111219A patent/EP0903709A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1998-06-18 AU AU71939/98A patent/AU715128B2/en not_active Ceased
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0629098A2 (en) * | 1993-05-17 | 1994-12-14 | Logica Uk Limited | Domestic meter |
US5438329A (en) * | 1993-06-04 | 1995-08-01 | M & Fc Holding Company, Inc. | Duplex bi-directional multi-mode remote instrument reading and telemetry system |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10016134B2 (en) | 2001-08-13 | 2018-07-10 | Novo Nordisk A/S | Portable device and method of communicating medical data information |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU715128B2 (en) | 2000-01-20 |
AU7193998A (en) | 1999-01-07 |
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