JP4306443B2 - Interface unit - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an interface unit interposed between a home communication network (for example, a power line) and a remote operation device.

  Conventionally, this type of interface unit is embedded in a wall or exposed and is configured to output information (on / off control command) obtained from a signal received by a protocol for a home communication network using a protocol for a remote operation device. The connection terminal with the remote operation device is provided on the back surface of the housing on the wall surface side.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-228561 controls a terminal device having a telephone control system-compatible air conditioner capable of operation control using a telephone line, and signal transmission between the terminal device and the air conditioner. A remote monitoring and control system provided with an interface unit is described.
Japanese Patent No. 2910773

  However, since the conventional interface unit conforms to only one standard (communication protocol) for remote control, when changing to a remote operation device that uses a different communication protocol, the remote operation device is It was impossible to connect, and it was necessary to replace the interface unit according to the remote operation device. In addition, since interface units were manufactured according to each communication protocol, the number of product types increased and management was difficult.

  Further, since the connection terminal with the remote operation device is provided on the rear surface of the housing on the wall surface side, it is troublesome to connect the remote operation device to the interface unit after the operation.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an interface unit that can eliminate the need to provide an interface unit for each remote operation device to be controlled remotely.

Interface unit of the first aspect for solving the above problems, is interposed between the communication network and the remote operation apparatus of the in-home, corresponding to different protocols used by different remote operating device, set A switching means for switching and setting one protocol from each protocol for the remote operation device according to an operation, and a housing installed on a wall, information obtained from a signal received by the protocol for the communication network, The output is performed according to the protocol set by the switching means .

In this configuration, it is possible to eliminate the need to provide an interface unit for each remote operation device that is to be controlled remotely. Even if the communication protocol is changed, the remote operation device can be connected to the interface unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the interface unit according to the first aspect, a device-side terminal is provided on the back surface of the housing for each of a plurality of different protocols used by the different remote operation devices. The same equipment side terminal as the at least 1 equipment side terminal is provided also in the front of the said housing, It is characterized by the above-mentioned . In this configuration, even if the remote operation device to be remotely controlled later is changed, if the remote operation device corresponds to the device side terminal arranged on the front of the housing, the remote operation device is interfaced. It can be easily connected to the unit .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the interface unit according to the second aspect, the housing has a recess that can be opened and closed by a lid on the front surface, and the same as the at least one device side terminal in the recess. A device-side terminal is disposed, and a groove into which a communication line connected to the device-side terminal is inserted is formed at the opening edge of the recess . In this configuration, when a communication line is connected to the device terminal of the recess , the recess can be closed with the lid without being interrupted by the communication line, so that the appearance can be improved .

According to the present invention, it is possible to eliminate the need to provide an interface unit for each remote operation device that is to be controlled remotely. Even if the communication protocol is changed to another communication protocol, the remote operation device can be connected to the interface unit .

(Basic configuration)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of an interface unit of the present invention , FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a home system including the interface unit, and FIG. 3 is a rear view of the interface unit.

As shown in FIG. 2, the basic configuration of the home system is a distribution board 1, a power line (for example, AC 100V) as a communication network L1 from the distribution board 1, and another communication network L2 (for example, Ethernet (R)). And an information board 2 connected to the dedicated signal line L3 (for example, a bus cable), and a centralized operation unit 3 connected to the information board 2 via the dedicated signal line L3, as well as lighting fixtures and ventilation fans At least one (usually a plurality) of the built-in relay switch 4 connected to the load 40, the operation switch 5 for multiple places, and the interface unit 6 connected to the remote operation device 7 are connected to the communication network L1. Prepared in a connected state.

  The distribution board 1 includes the main breaker 11 connected to a single-phase three-wire commercial power source, a plurality of branch breakers 12 connected to the downstream side, and the communication line including the power lines on the downstream side of the plurality of branch breakers 12. A different-phase coupler or the like that couples (bridges) each physical network of the network L1 is housed in the distribution board body 10 and configured.

  The information board 2 is configured by housing the control unit 21 and the home gateway 22 in the information board body 20 as internal units.

  The control unit 21 is connected to the communication network L1 through an interface 211 for transmitting and receiving signals using the protocol for the communication network L1, and the centralized operation unit 3 and the home gateway 22 via a dedicated signal line L3. And an interface 212 that transmits and receives signals using a protocol, and has a protocol conversion function that includes information obtained from signals received by one interface in signals output by the other interface. Here, when using, for example, SCP (Simple Control Protocol) as a protocol for the communication network L1, a readable / writable non-volatile storage device (not shown) for storing a table is provided. A node (for example, a network ID and a node ID) in the communication network L1 is registered for each identification information assigned to the operation on the operation point on the predetermined bus side. For example, if the relay built-in switch 4 is registered in the identification information assigned to a certain operation on the centralized operation unit 3, a node (relay built-in switch 4 associated with the identification information in the operation signal corresponding to the operation is registered. ), Information (for example, control command) obtained from the operation signal is transmitted. The control unit 21 also manages the status of each node, and the status of each node is displayed on a display unit 33 described later of the centralized operation unit 3. If there is one logical network, the network ID can be omitted.

  The home gateway 22 includes an interface 221 that transmits and receives signals using the protocol for the communication network L2, and an interface 222 that transmits and receives signals using the predetermined bus protocol. For example, in cooperation with the control unit 21, refer to the OSI. Information obtained from signals received by one of the interfaces 221 and 222 is also recognized so as to recognize the layers above the network layer of the model and absorb the difference in communication media and transmission methods of the communication networks L1 and L2. The protocol conversion included in the signal output from the other interface is performed. The home gateway 22 is connected to the Internet via a router (not shown) connected to the communication network L2 and provided inside or outside the information board 2.

  The centralized operation unit 3 is used to centrally operate each node in the communication network L1, and includes an interface 31 that transmits and receives signals using the predetermined bus protocol and an operation unit that includes a plurality of operation units. A group 32 and a display unit 33 composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel, and the identification information assigned to the operation according to the operation on the operation unit group 32 (one operation unit or a plurality of operation units); An operation signal including information corresponding to (for example, a control command) is output. The display unit 33 displays various information related to the concentrated operation of each node. For example, the control state obtained from the reply signal from the relay built-in switch 4 or the interface unit 6 is displayed.

  The relay built-in switch 4 is interposed between an interface 41 that transmits and receives signals using a protocol for the communication network L1, an operation unit 42, a display unit 43 that includes, for example, LEDs, and the like, a load 40, and a power line. When information (network ID and node ID) specifying itself is obtained from a signal received by the interface 41, the relay 44 is turned on according to information (for example, a control command) included in the signal. In addition to turning off, the relay 44 is turned on and off in response to an operation on the operation unit 42. The display unit 43 displays the control state of the load 40. Here, when using, for example, SCP as the protocol for the communication network L1, information serving as a return destination of the control state of the load 40 (in this example, the relay 44 on / off state) is stored as a table in a readable / writable manner. A non-volatile storage device (not shown) is provided, and a reply signal including information on the control state of the load 40 is returned to the reply destination based on the table information via the interface 41.

  The operation switch 5 includes an interface 51 that transmits and receives signals using a protocol for the communication network L1, an operation unit 52, and a display unit 53 that includes, for example, an LED, and the operation of the operation unit 52 is performed via the interface 51. A signal including information (for example, a control command) according to the transmission is transmitted to a predetermined transmission destination (relay built-in switch 4 to be controlled). The display unit 43 displays the control state obtained from the return signal from the control target (relay built-in switch 4). Here, when using, for example, SCP as the protocol for the communication network L1, a readable / writable non-volatile storage device (not shown) for storing information as a transmission destination in a table is provided, and according to the operation A signal including information is transmitted to a transmission destination based on information in the table.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the interface unit 6 includes a wall-embedded housing 6a whose back surface is embedded in the wall, and is interposed between the communication network L1 and the remote operation device 7 to perform different remote operations. Information corresponding to a plurality of different protocols used by the device 7 and output from a signal received by the protocol for the communication network L1 is output by at least one protocol for the remote operation device 7.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the interface 61 on the communication network L1, the interface 62 on the remote operation device 7, the RS485 state display unit 63 for displaying the status of RS485, and PLC (Power Line Communication) PLC monitor circuit unit 64 for monitoring, a readable / writable nonvolatile memory (for example, EEPROM) 65, an oscillation unit 66 including oscillation circuit units 661 and 662, and a reset circuit unit 67 for resetting a main processing unit 601 described later. And a setting switch 68 for setting, a power supply circuit unit 69 for supplying power to each unit, and a main control unit 60.

  The interface 61 includes a power supply terminal unit 611 including a pair of terminals connected to the communication network L1, and a communication unit 612 connected to the power supply terminal unit 611. The communication unit 612 includes the coupling circuit unit 613 including the coupling transformer T61 having the windings n1 and n2 and the winding n1 connected to the power supply terminal unit 611, and the power supply terminal unit 611 connected to the winding n2 of the coupling transformer T61. Through the receiver circuit unit 614 for receiving a signal from the communication network L1 according to the protocol for the communication network L1, and the power supply terminal unit 611 connected to the winding n2 of the coupling transformer T61 according to the protocol for the communication network L1. It is comprised by the transmission circuit part 615 which transmits a signal from the communication network L1.

  The interface 62 is connected to a terminal unit 621 connected via a predetermined communication line adapted to the protocol used by the remote operation device 7, and the remote operation device 7 is connected to the remote operation device 7 according to the protocol for the remote operation device 7 via the terminal unit 621. A plurality of communication units 622 that transmit at least signals are provided for different protocols used by different remote operation devices 7. In the example of FIG. 1, two sets are provided, and one set of the terminal unit 621 is a terminal unit 621A of an RS485 terminal, and the communication unit 622 transmits and receives signals to and from the remote operation device 7 according to the RS485 protocol. A circuit portion 622A is provided. The other set of terminal portions 621 is a HA terminal (JEM-A) terminal portion 621B, and this communication portion 622 is a JEM-A circuit portion 622B that transmits and receives signals to and from the remote operating device 7 in accordance with the HA protocol. ing. Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to two sets, and may be three sets or more.

  Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, terminal part 621A, 621B is provided in the back surface of the housing 6a, and those one terminal parts 621B are provided also in the front surface of the housing 6a. Note that the configuration is not limited to one, and the other may be provided on the front, and the present invention may be configured such that all or part of each device-side terminal is also provided on the front of the housing.

  When the SCP is used as the protocol for the communication network L1 as described above, the nonvolatile memory 65 operates the setting switch 68 as in the case of other nodes, so that the control unit 21 of the system can be set at the time of setting. The network ID and the node ID are stored through a connected setting device (not shown). Further, information as a return destination of the control state of the remote operation device 7 is stored in a table. As a reply destination, the centralized operation unit 3 via the control unit 21 or an operation point (such as a personal computer or a mobile phone) on the communication network L2 side managed by the home gateway 22 is set. A DSN (Device Serial Number) and a POK (Private Ownership Key) set in the manufacturing stage are stored in a ROM or the like, and are used when a root device is associated at a physical level. DSN, POK, and the like are transmitted as basic information to the communication network L1 when a setting switch 68 described later is operated.

  The main control unit 60 includes a main processing unit 601 and a communication processing unit 602, and executes control for including information obtained from a signal received by one of the interfaces 61 and 62 in a signal output by the other interface. To do. For example, when information (network ID and node ID) specifying itself is obtained from a signal received by the interface 61, information (for example, a control command included in the signal) obtained from the signal is output by the interface 62. Control is included in the signal. Further, when information (for example, information on the operating state of the remote operation device 7) is obtained from the signal received by the interface 62, the information is included in the signal output by the interface 61 for the reply destination based on the information in the table. Control is performed.

  The remote operation device 7 shown in FIG. 2 has an interface 71 that transmits and receives signals according to a predetermined protocol (in the basic configuration, RS485 or JEM-A protocol), and responds to a control command included in the signal received by the interface 71. Thus, a predetermined operation is performed. Depending on the remote operation device 7, a signal including information indicating a predetermined operation state may be returned via the interface 71.

  In the home system configured in this way, various system controls (group control that can perform individual control, collective control (collective on / off control), for example, by associating each node arbitrarily (by setting a route) by setting at the time of construction. , Pattern control capable of scene control, timer control, etc.). For setting, which operation switch 5 controls which switch 4 with built-in relay (individual setting, group control setting, pattern control setting), the operation button in the centralized operation unit 3, the interface unit 6 and the relay There is a setting for making the control to the built-in switch 4 compatible.

In particular, by providing the interface unit 6 which is a feature of the basic configuration , it is possible to remotely operate or monitor not only the load 40 such as a lighting fixture and a ventilation fan but also the remote operation device 7 of various devices.

  For example, when an operation signal for the remote operation device 7 is input to the home system via the Internet, the operation signal is transmitted to the interface unit 6 via the home gateway 22 and the control unit 21. In the interface unit 6, when the operation signal is received by the interface 61, information obtained from the signal is included in the signal output by the interface 62. Thereby, the remote operation device 7 performs a predetermined operation according to the control command included in the operation signal.

  When the remote operation device 7 is configured to return a signal including information indicating a predetermined operation state, when the information is obtained from the signal received by the interface 62 in the interface unit 6, the table The information is included in the signal output from the interface 61 with respect to the reply destination based on the above information.

As described above, according to this basic configuration, a signal that is interposed between the communication network L1 and the remote operation device 7 and that corresponds to a plurality of different protocols used by different remote operation devices and is received by the protocol for the communication network L1. Since the interface unit 6 for outputting the information obtained from the remote operation device with at least one protocol for the remote operation device is provided, it is not necessary to provide the interface unit 6 for each remote operation device 7 to be controlled remotely.

  Also, since the terminal portions 621A and 621B are provided on the back surface of the housing 6a and one of the terminal portions 621B is also provided on the front surface of the housing 6a, it is assumed that the remote operation device 7 to be remotely controlled later has changed. However, if the remote operation device 7 corresponds to the terminal portion 621B disposed on the front surface of the housing 6a, the remote operation device 7 can be easily connected to the interface unit 6.

(Embodiment 1 )
The interface unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention is different from the basic configuration in that a switching function for switching one protocol from each protocol for the remote operation device 7 according to a setting operation is provided with the main control unit 60 (main In the processing unit 601), a signal is transmitted / received via the interface 62 using a protocol that is switched by a switching function. Thereby, for example, information obtained from a signal received by the interface 61 is output according to a protocol set by the switching function.

(Embodiment 2 )
FIG. 4 is an external view of an interface unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the interface unit 6 of the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the housing 6 a has a recess 6 c that is closed at the front lower portion by a lid 6 b so as to be opened and closed. A terminal portion 621B is disposed in the location 6c, and a groove 6d into which a communication line connected to the terminal portion 621B is inserted is formed in the center of the lower end of the opening edge of the recess 6c. In FIG. 4, SW is a power switch, and 6e is a power indicator (for example, LED).

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, when a communication line is connected to the terminal portion 621B of the recess 6c, the recess 6c can be closed with the lid 6b without being interrupted by the communication line, so that the appearance is good. can do. Further, it becomes possible to share the groove 6d with the catch when the lid 6b is opened and closed.

It is a block diagram which shows the basic composition of the interface unit of this invention . It is a schematic block diagram of a home system including the interface unit. It is a rear view of the interface unit. It is an external view of the interface unit of Embodiment 2 by this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Distribution board 2 Information panel 21 Control unit 22 Home gateway 3 Centralized operation unit 4 Relay built-in switch 40 Load 5 Operation switch 6 Interface unit 60 Main control unit 61 Interface 62 Interface 7 Remote operation device

Claims (3)

It is installed between the home network and the remote operation device, supports multiple different protocols used by different remote operation devices, and switches one protocol from each protocol for the remote operation device according to the setting operation An interface comprising: a switching means for setting; and a housing installed on a wall surface, wherein information obtained from a signal received by the protocol for the communication network is output according to the protocol set by the switching means. unit. A device-side terminal is provided on the back surface of the housing for each of a plurality of different protocols used by the different remote operation devices, and at least one device-side terminal among the device-side terminals is provided on the front surface of the housing. interface unit according to claim 1, wherein also comprise. The housing has a recess on the front that is closed with a lid so that the housing can be opened and closed, and the same device side terminal as the at least one device side terminal is disposed in the recess, and a communication line connected to the device side terminal 3. The interface unit according to claim 2, wherein a groove into which the groove is inserted is formed at an opening edge of the recess .

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