JP2017169144A - Network connection information setting method and system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify setting work without previously grasping network connection information of a wireless terminal. A method of setting network connection information required for communication in a wireless terminal 10 that communicates with a center device 20 using a mobile wireless telephone network 60, in which the center device is installed before the wireless terminal is installed. When the network connection information is transmitted using the message communication in SMS to the telephone number of the wireless terminal, the SMS server 30 of the communication carrier managing the message stores the message in the first step (S101, S102), When the wireless terminal is activated, the wireless terminal receives the network connection information obtained by making an inquiry to the SMS server by message communication using SMS (S103, S104), and the wireless terminal A third step (S105) of setting the network connection information received from the SMS server to itself by message communication using SMS. [Selection diagram] Fig. 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a network connection information setting method and system.

  2. Description of the Related Art A meter reading system is known in which a meter reading meter and a wireless terminal are connected to transmit a meter reading value or an alarm value acquired from a meter reading meter to a center device in order to unattended a meter reading device such as gas. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique related to initial setting of a wireless terminal that transmits information such as a meter reading value such as a meter or control content using a wireless signal.

JP-A-6-303694

  According to the technique described in Patent Document 1, information necessary for connecting a wireless terminal such as a gas meter to a portable wireless telephone network is set from a data setting device configured by a personal computer or the like. However, according to this method, it is necessary for the worker to grasp information unique to the wireless terminal, and the setting work is complicated. In particular, when the installation location of the gas meter or the like is at a high place, workability is remarkably reduced. .

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problem, and it is not necessary to grasp information of a wireless terminal, and a network connection information setting method and system that simplify work and improve workability. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the method according to the first aspect of the present invention sets network connection information necessary for packet communication in a wireless terminal that performs packet communication with a center apparatus using a portable wireless telephone network. Before the installation of the wireless terminal, if the center device transmits the network connection information to the telephone number of the wireless terminal using message communication in SMS (Short Message Service), a message is transmitted. The SMS server of the managing carrier manages the first step of storing the message, and when the wireless terminal is activated, the wireless terminal obtains the network connection information obtained by making an inquiry to the SMS server. A second step of receiving by means of message communication using the SMS, and the wireless terminal performing previous message communication using the SMS. And having a third step of setting the network connection information received from the SMS server to itself, the.

  In the method according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the mobile terminal further includes a mobile terminal, and the mobile terminal transmits the network connection information to the telephone number of the radio terminal and uses message communication in SMS, the radio terminal And a fourth step of setting the network connection information received by the device itself.

  In the method according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the fourth step, the network connection information is acquired from the center device by the portable terminal before the wireless terminal is installed. .

  A method according to a second aspect of the present invention is a method of setting network connection information necessary for packet communication in a wireless terminal that performs packet communication with a center apparatus using a mobile wireless telephone network, Before the terminal is installed, when the center device transmits the network connection information to the telephone number of the wireless terminal using message communication in SMS (Short Message Service), the SMS server of the communication carrier that manages the message When the wireless terminal is activated after the first step of storing the message and the wireless terminal is installed, the portable terminal sends the SMS server to the wireless terminal by message communication using the SMS. A second step of instructing to transmit the network connection information; and the wireless terminal communicates from the SMS server by communication using the SMS. A third step of setting the obtained by the network connection information to itself, and having a.

  In the method according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the second step, the mobile terminal makes an acquisition request for the network connection information to the center apparatus in advance by message communication using SMS, and the center apparatus. The network connection information acquired from the above is acquired by message communication using the SMS.

  A system according to a third aspect of the present invention is a network connection information setting system that sets network connection information necessary for packet communication in a wireless terminal that performs packet communication with a center apparatus using a mobile wireless telephone network. Before installing the wireless terminal, the center device that transmits the network connection information to the telephone number of the wireless terminal using message communication in SMS (Short Message Service), and the message received from the center device And the network connection information obtained by making an inquiry to the SMS server by message communication using the SMS and when the network server received from the SMS server is activated after being installed. And the wireless terminal for setting connection information to itself.

  A system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a network connection information setting system that sets network connection information necessary for packet communication in a wireless terminal that performs packet communication with a center apparatus using a mobile wireless telephone network. Before installing the wireless terminal, the center device that transmits the network connection information to the telephone number of the wireless terminal using message communication in SMS (Short Message Service), and the message received from the center device And a portable terminal that instructs the SMS server to transmit the network connection information by message communication using the SMS when the wireless terminal is activated after the wireless terminal is installed. The wireless terminal that sets the network connection information acquired from the SMS server by message communication using the SMS. , Characterized by comprising a.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a network connection information setting method and system in which it is not necessary to grasp information of a wireless terminal, and setting work is simplified and workability is improved.

It is the figure quoted in order to demonstrate the data flow between the apparatuses which comprise the network connection information setting system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the radio | wireless terminal of FIG. It is an operation | movement sequence diagram of the network connection information setting system which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is an operation | movement sequence diagram of the network connection information setting system which concerns on Example 2. FIG.

  Hereinafter, a network connection information setting method and system according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the present embodiment) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same number or code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same element through the whole description of embodiment.

(Configuration of the embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a data flow between devices constituting the network connection information setting system according to the present embodiment. According to FIG. 1, the network connection information setting system 1 according to the present embodiment is constructed for each communication carrier, a wireless terminal 10 to which a gas meter or the like is connected, a center device 20 that centrally manages meter reading information of the gas meter, and so on. SMS server 30. In addition, you may include the portable terminal 40 which a field worker possesses. In this case, the wireless terminal 10 and the mobile terminal 40 are connected to the center device 20 and the SMS server 30 via the mobile wireless telephone network 60 and the IP (Internet Protocol) network 50.

  The network connection information setting system 1 according to the present embodiment sets network connection information necessary for communication to the wireless terminal 10 that communicates with the center device 20 using the mobile wireless telephone network 60 using message communication by SMS. It is a system that realizes the method to do. As is well known, SMS (Shoort Message Service) implements a service by carrying text (text) messages on a circuit-switched network by using a signal line and a signaling channel that control the message instead of a voice line. Yes. The network connection information here refers to IP address information, port number, APN (Access Point Name), etc., and the wireless terminal 10 connects to the IP network 50 using the portable wireless telephone network 60, Information necessary for performing packet communication with the device 20.

  According to FIG. 1, when the center device 20 first transmits network connection information to a telephone number of the wireless terminal 10 using a message in SMS before the wireless terminal 10 is installed, the center device 20 manages the message. The SMS server 30 stores the message (a: first step). Subsequently, when the field worker turns on (starts up) the installed wireless terminal 10, the wireless terminal 10 makes an inquiry to the SMS server 30 and receives the obtained network connection information by communication using SMS. Thus, network connection information necessary for communication with the center device 20 can be acquired (b: second step). Then, the wireless terminal 10 sets the network connection information received from the SMS server 30 by communication using SMS to establish communication between the wireless terminal 10 and the center apparatus 20, and thereafter, the operation by packet communication is performed. Is started (c: third step).

  In addition, when a field worker sets network connection information separately for every radio | wireless terminal 10, it is directly with respect to the radio | wireless terminal 10 by message communication using SMS using the portable terminal 40 which a field worker possesses. It is also possible to transmit and set network connection information (d: fourth step). However, in this case, the mobile terminal 40 acquires the network connection information from the center device 20 in advance by communication using SMS, and the acquired network connection information is addressed to the telephone number of the wireless terminal 10 by communication using SMS. Will be sent to.

  FIG. 2 shows an internal configuration of the wireless terminal 10. According to FIG. 2, the wireless terminal 10 includes a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, an operation unit 103, a display unit 104, a communication unit 105, an antenna 106, and a meter interface unit (meter I / F unit 107). ) And the power supply unit 108.

  The control unit 101 controls the entire wireless terminal 10. When the wireless communication terminal 10 is activated after being installed in the field, the control unit 101 communicates with the SMS server 30 via the communication unit 105 and the antenna 106, and obtains network connection information obtained by making an inquiry to the SMS server 30. CPU (Central Processing Unit) functioning as means for setting the network connection information received from the SMS server 30 to itself. The CPU implements the above-described means by sequentially reading and executing a program recorded in a ROM (Read Only Memory) mounted on the storage unit 102. At this time, a RAM (Random Access Memory) mounted in the storage unit 102 stores network connection information acquired and set from the SMS server 30 or opening information necessary for operation after setting.

  The operation unit 103 includes operation means such as a key, for example, and activates the control unit 101 by pressing the corresponding key when performing device status confirmation, installation operation, and communication test of the wireless terminal 10. The display unit 104 includes a display unit such as an LED (Light Emitted Diode), for example, and displays an installation confirmation result and a test result under the control of the control unit 101. The operation unit 103 and the display unit 104 may be realized by a touch panel in which an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and a touch sensor are integrally formed, for example.

The communication unit 105 serves as a communication interface with the mobile radio telephone network 60 including the IP network 50 and communicates with the SMS server. It also functions as a specific low-power wireless unit that receives a request signal for meter reading data from the communication unit 105 and the center device 20 and transmits meter reading data in response thereto. The meter I / F 107 is an external communication interface for connecting to a meter reading meter (not shown). The power supply unit 108 is configured by a battery or the like that is a drive power supply for the wireless terminal 10.

(Operation of the embodiment)
Hereinafter, the operation of the network connection information setting system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the sequence diagrams of FIGS. In the following description, the case where the network connection information acquired from the center device 20 is set in the wireless terminal 10 via the SMS server 30 is referred to as the first embodiment, and the mobile terminal 40 possessed by the field worker is assigned to each of the wireless terminals 10. On the other hand, the case where it sets individually is demonstrated as 2nd Embodiment.

(First embodiment)
The operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. According to FIG. 3, first, before the wireless terminal 10 is installed, the center device 20 uses a message in the SMS addressed to the telephone number of the wireless terminal 10, and a communication carrier managing the telephone number and the message. The network connection information is transmitted to the SMS server 30 (step S101: SMS transmission of network connection information). The SMS server 30 that has received the message stores the message in a built-in storage device (not shown) (step S102).

  Next, when a field worker installs the wireless terminal 10 and starts up by turning on the power supply unit 108 of the wireless terminal 10, the wireless terminal 10 makes an inquiry to the SMS server 30 via the communication unit 105 by the control unit 101. (Step S103), and the obtained network connection information is received by communication using SMS (Step S104). Subsequently, the control unit 101 sets the network connection information received via the communication unit 105 in the storage unit 102 (step S105: setting registration of network connection information).

  Subsequently, the wireless terminal 10 transmits a network connection information setting completion notification signal to the center apparatus 20 (step S106), whereby communication between the center apparatus 20 and the wireless terminal 10 is established, and packet communication operation is performed. Be started. When the wireless terminal 10 transmits an opening request to the center device 20 and requests opening information necessary for packet communication operation excluding network connection information (step S107), the wireless terminal 10 sends an opening response signal from the center device 20. Upon receipt (step S108), the opening information can be set in the storage unit 102 (step S109).

  After the opening information is set, when the wireless terminal 10 transmits an opening completion notification to the center apparatus 20 (step S110), the center apparatus 20 confirms that the opening has been performed correctly for the wireless terminal 10. The test request signal is transmitted (step S111). The wireless terminal 10 that has received the test request signal performs test communication with the meter reading device connected via the meter I / F unit 107 (step S112), and transmits a test response signal as a result thereof to the center device 20. (Step S113). Thereafter, the center device 20 shifts from the initial setting state to the operation state (step S114), and transmits a test completion notification signal to the wireless terminal 10 (step S115). Note that the test communication is also activated when a field worker presses a dedicated key assigned to the operation unit 103 of the wireless terminal 10.

  Finally, in the wireless terminal 10, the control unit 101 performs display operation such as turning on the LED on the display unit 104 (step S116), and the on-site worker confirms the contents to confirm that the test communication has been performed normally. It can be determined whether or not. The result of the test communication may be notified from the center device 20 to the portable terminal 40 possessed by the field worker, or may be notified from the wireless terminal 10 to the portable terminal 40.

(Effect of 1st Embodiment)
According to the network connection information setting system 1 according to the first embodiment, the center device 20 transmits network connection information to the wireless terminal 10 before installation by communication using SMS, and the wireless terminal 10 is activated after installation. The packet communication between the center device 20 and the wireless terminal 10 can be established by inquiring the SMS server 30 and acquiring and setting the network connection information stored in the SMS server 30. For this reason, the field worker does not need to grasp the network connection information of the wireless terminal 10 and can be set remotely, so that the workability is not deteriorated and the setting work is simplified. . In this case, a data setting device such as a PC becomes unnecessary.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the operation of the network connection information setting system 1 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. In the network connection information setting system according to the second embodiment described below, the difference from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is that each wireless terminal 10 is individually connected to the network using the mobile terminal 40 possessed by the field worker. A mechanism for setting information (steps S206 and S207 for directly setting between the portable terminal 40 and the wireless terminal 10) is added.

  The portable terminal 40 acquires the network connection information of the wireless terminal 10 from the center device 20 (S200), and transmits the network connection information addressed to the telephone number of the wireless terminal 10 and using message communication in SMS (step S206). The network connection information received by the terminal 10 (control unit 101) is set in its own storage unit 102 (step S207). At this time, the network connection information is obtained from the center apparatus 20 by the portable terminal 40 before the wireless terminal 10 is installed.

  That is, as shown by a thick dashed line in FIG. 4, a network connection information acquisition request and network connection information transmission exchange (step S200) is required between the center device 20 and the mobile terminal 40 in advance. If this exchange is performed before the wireless terminal 10 is installed, the execution timing is arbitrary. The communication means in this case is not limited to SMS communication, but may be IP communication. The subsequent operations after setting the network setting information (S208 to S218) are the same as those in the first embodiment (S106 to S116).

(Effect of 2nd Embodiment)
According to the network connection information setting system 1 according to the second embodiment, the mobile terminal 40 transmits network connection information addressed to the telephone number of the wireless terminal 10 using a message in SMS, and is received by the wireless terminal 10. By setting the information to itself, network connection information can be individually set for each wireless terminal 10. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the field worker can set remotely, so that the workability is not lowered and the setting work is simplified. In this case, a data setting device such as a PC becomes unnecessary. Further, the field worker has a unique effect that it is not necessary to individually grasp the network connection information of the wireless terminal 10.

(Modification)
Note that, according to the network connection information setting system 1 according to the present embodiment, the site worker may instruct transmission of the network connection information stored in the center device 20 from the portable terminal 40 by a message using SMS. Is possible. In this case, the wireless terminal 10 makes a network connection information acquisition request using SMS with the telephone number of the center device 20 set in advance as the destination. Next, the center device 20 that has received the network connection information acquisition request transmits a message of the network connection information by SMS, and the wireless terminal 10 that has received the message starts operation of packet communication with the center device 20. can do.

  In addition, after the packet communication is established, the wireless terminal 10 issues an opening request to the center device 20 by the field worker, but the operation after the packet communication is enabled by the SMS to the center device 20 (network connection information). (Information necessary for operation in addition to the above) is also registered in advance, the wireless terminal 10 can automatically set insufficient information using packet communication, can provide options for setting, and is easy to use. Will improve.

  In addition, according to the network connection information setting system 1 according to the present embodiment, it has been described that the network connection information is set in the wireless terminal 10 using a message by SMS. However, the size and arrangement of characters are not limited to short messages. Can be changed, and an extended message service (Enhanced Message Service) in which voice and animation can be inserted may be used, and any message can be substituted if the other party's telephone number is specified and transmitted / received.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, it cannot be overemphasized that the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be added to the above embodiment. Further, it is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Network connection information setting system 10 Wireless terminal 20 Center apparatus 30 SMS server 40 Portable terminal 50 IP network 60 Portable wireless telephone network 101 Control part 102 Memory | storage part 103 Operation part 104 Display part 105 Communication part 106 Antenna 107 Meter I / F part 108 Power supply part

Claims (7)

A method of setting network connection information necessary for packet communication in a wireless terminal that performs packet communication with a center device using a mobile wireless telephone network,
Before the wireless terminal is installed, if the center device transmits the network connection information to the telephone number of the wireless terminal by using message communication in SMS (Short Message Service), the network operator managing the message A first step in which an SMS server stores said message;
When the wireless terminal is activated, the wireless terminal receives the network connection information obtained by making an inquiry to the SMS server by message communication using the SMS;
A third step in which the wireless terminal sets the network connection information received from the SMS server by message communication using the SMS to itself;
A method characterized by comprising:   The mobile terminal further includes a mobile terminal. When the mobile terminal transmits the network connection information to the telephone number of the wireless terminal using message communication in SMS, the mobile terminal sets the network connection information received by the wireless terminal to itself. 4. The method of claim 1, comprising a fourth step.   The method according to claim 2, wherein, in the fourth step, the network connection information is acquired from the center device by the mobile terminal before the wireless terminal is installed. A method of setting network connection information necessary for packet communication in a wireless terminal that performs packet communication with a center device using a mobile wireless telephone network,
Before the installation of the wireless terminal, if the center device transmits the network connection information to the telephone number of the wireless terminal using message communication in SMS (Short Message Service), the SMS of the communication carrier managing the message A server storing the message;
When the wireless terminal is activated after the wireless terminal is installed, the mobile terminal instructs the SMS server to transmit the network connection information to the wireless terminal by message communication using the SMS. Two steps,
A third step in which the wireless terminal sets the network connection information acquired from the SMS server by communication using the SMS to itself;
A method characterized by comprising:   In the second step, the mobile terminal makes a request for acquiring the network connection information to the center apparatus in advance by message communication using SMS, and uses the SMS for the network connection information acquired from the center apparatus. The method according to claim 4, wherein the method is obtained by message communication used. A network connection information setting system that sets network connection information necessary for packet communication in a wireless terminal that performs packet communication with a center device using a mobile wireless telephone network,
Before the installation of the wireless terminal, the center device that transmits the network connection information to the telephone number of the wireless terminal using message communication in SMS (Short Message Service);
An SMS server for storing a message received from the center device;
After installation, when activated, the network connection information obtained by making an inquiry to the SMS server is received by message communication using the SMS, and the network connection information received from the SMS server is set to itself. The wireless terminal;
A system characterized by comprising: A network connection information setting system that sets network connection information necessary for packet communication in a wireless terminal that performs packet communication with a center device using a mobile wireless telephone network,
Before the installation of the wireless terminal, the center device that transmits the network connection information to the telephone number of the wireless terminal using message communication in SMS (Short Message Service);
An SMS server for storing a message received from the center device;
After the wireless terminal is installed, when the wireless terminal is activated, a mobile terminal that instructs the SMS server to transmit the network connection information by message communication using the SMS;
The wireless terminal that sets the network connection information acquired from the SMS server by message communication using the SMS to itself;
A system characterized by comprising:

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