JP2005051478A - Centralized control conversion controller using communication protocol of distributed control and distributed control system having the centralized control conversion controller - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a centralized control conversion controller for performing centralized control by using a communication protocol used when constructing a distributed control system, and to provide the distributed control system equipped with the centralized control conversion controller. <P>SOLUTION: The distributed control system comprises a plurality of load terminals 101, and one or more of control terminals 102 for inputting an instruction for controlling the operation state of the plurality of load terminals 101. The centralized control conversion controller 104 is used for the distributed control system in which a control request signal for accommodating the instruction as control request information is transmitted to the load terminal 101 from the control terminal 102 by using the communication protocol of the distributed control. When the centralized control conversion controller 104 receives a first control request signal transmitted from the control terminal 102, the centralized control conversion controller 104 performs conversion to a second control request signal for collectively controlling the plurality of load terminals 101 corresponding to the control terminal 102 of a transmission source in the first control request signal for transmitting to the plurality of load terminals 101. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a centralized control conversion control apparatus that performs centralized control using a communication protocol used when constructing a distributed control system. The present invention also relates to a distributed control system provided with such a centralized control conversion control device.

  Power lines are installed in various places such as dwellings and office buildings to supply power. In recent years, power line communication using this power line as a transmission line is being established. In this power line communication, communication between devices is realized by using an existing power line, so that devices can be networked without newly introducing and constructing a dedicated communication line. For example, there is known a power line communication control system that performs on / off (closing / opening) of a load terminal such as a lighting fixture or an air conditioner using a power terminal communication by a control terminal such as a wall switch.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration and a control sequence of a power line communication control system according to the background art. FIG. 10A shows a configuration of a power line communication control system according to the background art, and FIG. 10B shows a control sequence.

  10A, a power line communication control system 500 includes a plurality of load terminals 501 (501-A, 501-B, 501-C,...) And a plurality of control terminals 502 (controlling the load terminals 501). 502-A, 502-B, 502-C,...) And a power line 503 that connects the load terminal 501 and the control terminal 502 so that they can communicate with each other and supplies power.

  Such a conventional power line communication control system 500 is a distributed control system in which each control terminal 502 controls one or a plurality of load terminals 501 independently without mutual cooperation. In this distributed control system, normally, a communication protocol for performing peer-to-peer communication for communication between the load terminal 501 and the control terminal 502, for example, SCP (Simple Control Protocol) is used. In the case of this SCP, an SCP terminal that performs communication using the SCP stores property information that is information necessary for performing communication, and performs communication using this property information. Property information includes mandatory standard properties that must be stored, properties defined by these standard properties, for example, device properties that represent device information such as names, service properties that represent device functions, and device properties. A state property representing a state and an action property representing a control request for the device are configured.

  For example, when the load terminal 501 is a control relay that controls power-on in a control target and the control terminal 502 is a wall switch, the control terminal 502 represents the standard property and the on / off state of the wall switch. The switch terminal property (property value; ON, OFF) is stored, and the load terminal 501 uses the standard property and the relay state property (property value: ON, OFF) indicating the ON / OFF state of the contact of the control relay and control. A relay control action property (property value: ON / OFF) representing a control request to the relay is stored. When the control terminal A502-A controls the load terminal A501-A, the link information that associates the switch state property in the control terminal A502-A and the relay control action property in the load terminal A501-A, more specifically, Of the notification destination load terminal A501-A that notifies the change of the switch state property, the address of the notification source load terminal A501-A that notifies the change of the relay state property, and the relay state property of the load terminal A501-A Information and switch state property information are stored in the control terminal A502-A, and the link information that associates the relay state property in the load terminal A501-A with the switch state property in the control terminal A502-A, more specifically, Switch state pro Control terminal A502-A that has notified the change of the tee, the address of the control terminal A502-A, the switch state property information of the control terminal A502-A, the information of the relay control action property, and the control of the notification destination that notifies the change of the relay state property The address in the terminal A502-A is stored in the load terminal A501-A. Thus, the linkage information is information for associating a certain property with a certain property in one direction. When such property information and linkage information are stored in the load terminal A501-A and the control terminal A502-A, respectively, the load terminal A501-A is controlled by the control terminal A502-A according to the sequence shown in FIG. Control becomes possible.

  In FIG. 10B, when the wall switch of the control terminal A 502-A is (1) turned on, the property value of the switch state property in the control terminal A 502-A is “on”. When the property value of the switch state property is “ON”, a communication signal (control request signal) containing control request information for controlling the property value of the relay control action property to “ON” based on the linkage information is the power line 503. To the load terminal A501-A ((2) transmission of control request signal). In the SCP, the transmission of the control request signal is performed by a PropChanged message that notifies that the property value of the switch state property has changed. The load terminal A501-A controls the relay using the control request information of the control request signal as an argument (property value) of the relay control action property ((3) control operation). By this relay control, the property value of the relay state property becomes a value according to the control result (here, the relay control is successful and “ON”). When the property value of the relay state property is “ON”, a communication signal (control result notification signal) containing control result information indicating the property value “ON” of the relay state property based on the linkage information is transmitted via the power line 503. Control terminal A 502-A is notified ((4) control result notification signal). In the SCP, the transmission of the control result notification signal is performed by a PropChanged message that notifies that the property value of the relay state property has changed. And control terminal A502-A synchronizes with the operation state of load terminal A501-A, and displays the control notification information of a control result notification signal on display devices, such as LED ((5) result display).

  Similarly, property information and interlocking information are appropriately stored in the load terminal B501-B and the control terminal B502-B so that the control terminal B502-B controls the load terminal B501-B, and the control terminal C502-C is loaded. Property information and linkage information are appropriately stored in the load terminal C501-C and the control terminal C502-C so as to control the terminal C501-C.

  Thus, in the conventional power line communication control system 500, each control terminal 502 controls the load terminal 501 independently.

Note that Patent Document 1 discloses a method for setting linked information between a load terminal and a control terminal in power line communication. In this patent document 1, a list is obtained by reading identification information from a plurality of power line carrier terminal devices (substantially corresponding to the load terminal or the control terminal) such as lighting fixtures and wall switches that perform power line communication and a plurality of power line carrier terminal devices And a power line carrier setting device that transmits a confirmation signal to the power line carrier terminal device of the identification information selected from the list display and causes the power line carrier terminal device that has received the confirmation signal to emit the light emitting unit. A power line carrier communication system is disclosed. In this power line carrier communication system, a user such as a constructor of this system selects the identification information using the power line carrier setting device and confirms the power line carrier terminal device that has emitted light, thereby displaying the identification information displayed in a list and the actual information. The correspondence relationship with the power line carrier terminal device is specified. And a user writes attribute information, such as interlocking information, in an applicable power line carrier terminal device using a power line carrier setting device based on the specified correspondence.
JP 2002-305470 A

  By the way, when the control terminal performs distributed control of the load terminal using a communication protocol for performing peer-to-peer communication, for example, information indicating the relationship between the control terminal and the load terminal to be controlled, such as linkage information, is displayed on the control terminal. It is necessary to memorize it. When one control terminal controls one load terminal, the information indicating the relationship between the control terminal and the load terminal to be controlled has a small capacity, so the storage element may have a small capacity. In the case where one control terminal controls a plurality of load terminals at once, the capacity of information indicating the relationship between the control terminal and the load terminal to be controlled increases according to the number of load terminals to be controlled, Accordingly, the storage element also has a large capacity. Particularly in office buildings, the number of load terminals such as lighting fixtures is large, which is a serious problem. Further, when the number of load terminals increases, the communication traffic increases, and there is a possibility that the load terminals cannot be controlled by a relatively low-speed peer-to-peer communication protocol such as SCP.

  On the other hand, when trying to operate a plurality of load terminals in various combinations, there is a problem in that control terminals are required for the number of combinations. In addition, if a control terminal is prepared for each combination, information indicating the relationship between the control terminal and the load terminal to be controlled is stored for each control terminal, and the relationship between the control terminal and the load terminal to be controlled is stored. There is also a problem that it is difficult to reconstruct information due to management of information indicating trouble or trouble caused in the control system.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a centralized control conversion control device that performs centralized control using a communication protocol used when constructing a distributed control system. . And it aims at providing the distributed control system provided with such a centralized control conversion control apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, in the first means according to the present invention, a plurality of load terminals and one or a plurality of control terminals for inputting instructions for controlling the operating states of the plurality of load terminals are provided. A centralized control conversion control device used in a distributed control system comprising: a control request signal for accommodating the instruction as control request information, wherein the control request signal is transmitted from a control terminal to a load terminal using a communication protocol for distributed control When receiving the first control request signal transmitted from the control terminal, the second control request signal for collectively controlling the plurality of load terminals according to the source control terminal in the received first control request signal. The data is converted and transmitted to the plurality of load terminals.

  The second means according to the present invention is a distributed control system comprising a plurality of load terminals and one or a plurality of control terminals for inputting instructions for controlling the operating states of the plurality of load terminals. A centralized control conversion control device used in a distributed control system in which a control request signal that accommodates the instruction as control request information is transmitted from a control terminal to a load terminal using a communication protocol for distributed control. Property information that is information for performing communication in the protocol, first linkage information that associates the property information with the property information of the control terminal, and association between the property information and the property information of the load terminal. A property information storage unit for storing second linkage information to be performed, the property information, and the first and second linkage information. A communication processing unit for transmitting and receiving communication signals using the communication protocol for distributed control, a control terminal identifier for identifying a control terminal, and a control request signal from the control terminal are controlled. A setting information storage unit for storing a table indicating a correspondence relationship between a load terminal identifier for identifying a plurality of load terminals to be controlled and each control target value in the plurality of load terminals identified by the load terminal identifier; When receiving the first control request signal transmitted from, the plurality of load terminals are collectively controlled with each control target value according to the control terminal of the transmission source in the received first control request signal based on the table A processing unit that converts the second control request signal into a second control request signal and transmits the converted second control request signal to the plurality of load terminals using the communication processing unit.

  Further, in the above-described centralized control conversion control device, the second control request signal is a combination of a load terminal identifier for identifying a load terminal and a control target value of the load terminal identified by the load terminal identifier. It includes those that are cascaded by the number of load terminals whose states are to be controlled.

  Furthermore, in the above-described centralized conversion control devices, any one of a function as a load terminal, a function as a control terminal, and a function as a gateway that performs communication protocol conversion is added.

  When the first control request signal transmitted from the control terminal is received in the above-described centralized control conversion control device, the plurality of load terminals are set according to the transmission source control terminal in the received first control request signal. Is further provided with a function management unit that manages execution and stoppage of the conversion function that converts the signal into a second control request signal for collectively controlling and transmitting to the plurality of load terminals.

  Further, in the above-described centralized control conversion control device, the function management unit further transmits a declaration signal containing a declaration to execute the conversion function to the distributed control system, and in response to the transmitted declaration signal When the declaration response signal indicating that the conversion function is being executed is received, the conversion function is stopped, and when the declaration response signal is not received, the conversion function is executed.

  Furthermore, the control request signal that includes a plurality of load terminals and one or a plurality of control terminals that input instructions for controlling the operation states of the plurality of load terminals, and that distributes control request signals that contain the instructions as control request information The distributed control system that is transmitted from the control terminal to the load terminal using the communication protocol of the mobile station receives the first control request signal transmitted from the control terminal, and depends on the control terminal of the transmission source in the received control request signal The apparatus further includes a centralized control conversion control device that converts the plurality of load terminals into a second control request signal for collectively controlling the load terminals and transmits the second control request signal to the plurality of load terminals.

  When such a centralized control conversion control device and a distributed control system incorporating the centralized control conversion device receive the first control request signal transmitted from the control terminal, the source control terminal in the first control request signal Therefore, even if the control terminal controls the plurality of load terminals, the control terminal performs centralized control conversion control. Since only the control to the device is required, the storage element for storing the information to be stored in the control terminal is small in capacity as in the background art. In addition, since information on a plurality of load terminals to be controlled by the control terminal is collected in the centralized conversion control device, a user such as a contractor can easily manage this information in an integrated manner. In addition, it is possible to easily reconstruct when a load terminal is added or a trouble occurs. Further, since the processing for performing centralized control is performed by the centralized control conversion control device, the same control terminal and load terminal as in the background art can be used, and the centralized control conversion control device is mixed in the distributed control system. be able to.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the structure which attached | subjected the same code | symbol in each figure shows that it is the same structure, The description is abbreviate | omitted. First, the configuration of the present embodiment will be described.
(Configuration of the embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a power line communication control system according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the group / pattern conversion control apparatus. FIG. 3 shows a group / pattern conversion information table. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a registered load terminal operation state table. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a format of the second control request signal.

  In FIG. 1, a power line communication control system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of load terminals 101 (101-A, 101-B,..., 101-R) and one or a plurality of control terminals 102 (102−). A, 102-B,..., 102-F) and a group / pattern conversion control device (hereinafter abbreviated as “GP conversion control device”) 104.

  The load terminal 101 is a device that can perform power line communication and operates using electricity as an energy source. For example, an adjustment device that adjusts an office environment and a dwelling environment such as a lighting fixture and an air conditioner, a monitoring camera, an intercom, and housing information Panels, dwelling equipment such as electric shutters and electric lock devices, security sensors, fire sensors, sensors such as gas leak sensors and humidity sensors, metering equipment such as wattmeters, gas meters and water meters, televisions, videos Home appliances such as tape recorders, DVD recorders, hard disk recorders and washing machines, information processing devices such as computers, communication devices such as telephones and facsimile machines, medical devices such as pulse meters, thermometers, blood oximeters and electrocardiographs, And it is a switch etc. for making an emergency call.

  The load terminal 101 includes, for example, a power line communication unit (not shown) for performing power line communication, a function unit (not shown) that realizes a function according to the type of the load terminal 101, a power line communication unit, and a function unit. And a load terminal control unit (not shown) for controlling the load terminal. The power communication unit stores the address of the load terminal 101, property information, linkage information on the load terminal 101 side described later, and the like, and performs power line communication based on the property information. The property information includes, for example, a standard property, a load terminal state property (property value; “operation state 1”, “operation state 2”) indicating the operation state of the load terminal 101, and a control request to the functional unit of the load terminal 101. Load terminal control action property (property value; “control target value 1”, “control target value 2”), etc. For example, when the type of the load terminal 101 is a lighting fixture, the functional unit is a circuit that realizes a lighting function. For example, when the type of the load terminal 101 is an air conditioning facility, the air conditioning function For example, when the type of the load terminal 101 is a control relay that controls on / off of power-on in a control target, the circuit is a circuit for realizing a relay function. . For example, the control unit of the load terminal controls the function unit based on the signal received by the power line communication unit and transmits the operation state of the function unit using the power line communication unit.

  In the present embodiment, the load terminal 101 is a luminaire, and the luminaire address property, the standard property, and the luminaire state property (property value; “lit”) indicating the lighting / light-off state of the luminaire as the load terminal state property. , “Off”), lighting fixture control action properties (property values; “on”, “off”) representing the control request for the circuit realizing the lighting function as the load terminal control action property, and link information on the load terminal 101 side And remember.

  The control terminal 102 is an apparatus for inputting an instruction for controlling the operation of the load terminal 101, which is capable of power line communication, and a power line communication unit (not shown) for performing power line communication, and an operation for inputting the instruction. And a display unit (not shown) for displaying an instruction state. The power line communication unit stores the address of the control terminal 102, property information, link information on the control terminal 102 described later, and the like, and performs power line communication based on the property information. The property information is, for example, a standard property and a control terminal state property (property value; “instruction state 1”, “instruction state 2”) indicating the control instruction state of the control terminal 102. The operation unit is a switch such as a push button switch, for example, and the display unit is a light emitting element such as an LED or a neon lamp, for example. Indicates whether the state is 2 ″.

  In the present embodiment, the control terminal 102 is a wall switch with a display unit made of a light emitting element, and represents a wall switch address, a standard property, and a wall switch on / off instruction state as a control terminal state property. The state property (property value; “on”, “off”) and the link information on the control terminal 102 side are stored.

  The GP conversion control apparatus 104 receives a first control request signal, which will be described later, transmitted from the control terminal 102, and collectively loads a plurality of load terminals 101 according to the control terminal 101 that is the transmission source in the received first control request signal. It converts into the below-mentioned 2nd control request signal controlled later, and transmits to the some load terminal 101. FIG. The detailed configuration will be described later.

  The load terminal 101, the control terminal 102, and the GP conversion control device 104 are installed on a certain floor 1 in the building and are connected to a power line 103 laid on the floor 1. The load terminal 101, the control terminal 102, and the GP conversion control device 104 receive power supply from the power line 103 and transmit / receive communication signals to / from each other using the power line 103 as a transmission path. The building is, for example, a detached house, an apartment house, an office building, a warehouse, a factory, or the like.

  In the present embodiment, the floor 1 is divided into three sections 2, 3, and 4. In the section 2, the load terminal A101-A, the load terminal B101-B, the load terminal C101-C, and the load terminal G101-G. , Load terminal H101-H and load terminal I101-I are installed, and load terminal D101-D, load terminal E101-E, load terminal F101-F, load terminal J101-J, load terminal K101-K are installed in section 3. And load terminal L101-L are installed, and load terminal M101-M, load terminal N101-N, load terminal O101-O, load terminal P101-P, load terminal Q101-Q, and load terminal R101 are installed in section 4. -R is installed. Then, the control terminal A102-A, the control terminal B102-B, the control terminal C102-C, the control terminal D102-D, the control terminal E102-E, and the control terminal F102-F are installed in the section 4. In order to perform power line communication, the load terminal 101 and the control terminal 102 are assigned addresses, which are identifiers for identifying each individual. For example, load terminal A101-A, load terminal B101-B, load terminal C101-C,..., Load terminal Q101-Q, and load terminal R101-R have addresses “Addra”, “Addrb”, “ "Addrc", ..., "Addrq", "Addrr" are allocated, control terminal A102-A, control terminal B102-B, control terminal C102-C, control terminal D102-D, control terminal E102-E, control terminal The addresses “Addca”, “Addcb”, “Addcc”, “Addcd”, “Addce”, and “Addcf” are allocated to F102-F, respectively.

  Next, the configuration of the GP conversion control device 104 will be described. 2, the GP conversion control device 104 includes a power line communication processing unit 141, a property information storage unit 142, a central processing unit 143, a setting information storage unit 144, and a control information generation unit 145.

Based on the property information in the property information storage unit 142, the power line communication processing unit 141 generates a communication signal according to the protocol of the power line communication system from the data from the central processing unit 143, and centrally processes the communication signal from the power line 103. The circuit 143 converts the data into a format that can be processed. The power line communication system protocol includes, for example, a plurality of systems such as SCP and ECHONET power line A system and power line B system. In this embodiment, the SCP is used in the same manner as the background art. It is done.
The property information storage unit 142 includes, for example, a memory element such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory), and stores property information of the GP conversion control device 104 in advance. The property information of the GP conversion control device 104 includes essential standard properties, group / pattern control state properties, group / pattern control terminal operation state properties, registered load terminal operation state properties, and registered load terminal control action properties.

  The group / pattern control state property is a property representing a group control state and a pattern control state. The group / pattern control terminal operation state property is a property representing an instruction state of the control terminal 102 that performs group control or pattern control.

  The registered load terminal operation state property is a property representing the operation state of the load terminal 101 for which the GP conversion control device 104 performs centralized control. The registered load terminal control action property is a property indicating a setting request for the registered load terminal operation state property.

   The property information storage unit 142 includes first A linkage information, group pattern control state, which associates a control terminal state property (switch state property in the present embodiment) in the control terminal 102 with a group pattern control state property in the GP conversion control device 104. 2A link information for associating a property with a registered load terminal control action property (lighting fixture control action property in this embodiment) in the load terminal 101, a load terminal state property (light fixture status property in this embodiment) in the load terminal 101, and The second B linkage information for associating the registered load terminal operation state property in the GP conversion control device 104, and the group pattern control terminal operation state property in the GP conversion control device 104 and the control terminal 102 (In this embodiment switch state properties) control terminal state property storing first 1B interworking information associating the.

  More specifically, in the SCP, the first A link information includes the address in the control terminal 102 that has notified the change in the switch state property, the information on the switch state property in the control terminal 102, and the information in the GP conversion control device 104. Group pattern control state property information. The 2A linkage information is information on the address in the load terminal 101 that is the notification destination that notifies the change of the group pattern control state property, and information on the group pattern control state property in the GP conversion control device 104. The 2B link information includes the address of the load terminal 101 that has notified the change of the lighting fixture state property, the information of the lighting fixture state property of the load terminal 101, and the registered load terminal operation state property of the GP conversion control device 104. Information. The 1B linkage information is information on the address in the control terminal 102 that is notified of the change in the group / pattern control terminal operation state property, and information on the group / pattern control terminal operation state property in the GP conversion control device 104.

   On the other hand, as the link information on the load terminal 101 side, the 3A link that associates the group pattern control state property in the GP conversion control device 104 with the load terminal control action property (the lighting fixture control action property in this embodiment) in the load terminal 101. The information and the 3B link information that associates the registered load terminal operation state property in the GP conversion control device 104 with the load terminal state property in the load terminal 101 (luminaire state property in this embodiment) are the power line communication of the load terminal 101 Stored in the department. More specifically, in the SCP, the 3A link information includes the address in the GP conversion control device 104 that notified the change of the group pattern control state property, the group pattern control state property in the GP conversion control device 104, and the like. Information and information on the lighting fixture control action property in the load terminal 101. The 3B linkage information is information on the address in the GP conversion control device 104 that is a notification destination that notifies the change in the lighting fixture state property, and information on the lighting fixture state property in the load terminal 101.

  As the link information on the control terminal 102 side, the 4A link information that associates the control terminal state property (switch state property in this embodiment) in the control terminal 102 with the group pattern control state property in the GP conversion control device 104, and The 4B linkage for associating the group pattern control terminal operation state property in the GP conversion control device 104 with the control terminal state state property in the control terminal 102 is stored in the power line communication unit of the control terminal 102. More specifically, in the SCP, the 4A-linked information is an address in the GP conversion control device 104 that is a notification destination that notifies a change in the switch state property, and information on the switch state property in the control terminal 102. The 4B link information includes an address in the GP conversion control device 104 that is a notification source that has notified the change in the group / pattern control terminal operation state property, information on the group / pattern control terminal operation state property in the GP conversion control device 104, and control. This is information on switch state properties in the terminal 102.

  As described above, in the distributed control system according to the present embodiment, the first conversion information to the second conversion information are stored in the GP conversion control device 104 by the same setting method as the background art without performing special settings, and the third A and the second control information are stored. Centralized control such as group control and pattern control can be performed by the GP conversion control device 104 simply by storing the 3B link information in the load terminal 101 and storing the 4A and 4B link information in the control terminal 102.

  The setting information storage unit 144 is composed of, for example, a rewritable nonvolatile memory element such as an EEPROM, and is abbreviated as various programs such as a control program, a group / pattern conversion information table (hereinafter referred to as “GP conversion information table”). ) And a registered load terminal operation state table, etc., data necessary for executing the program, and data generated during the execution of the program are stored.

  The GP conversion information table is a table for converting an instruction in one control terminal 102 into an instruction for a plurality of load terminals 101. In the present embodiment, for example, group control and pattern control are employed as centralized control, and therefore group control information and pattern control information are registered in the GP conversion information table. Group control is a control method in which a plurality of load terminals 101 are collectively controlled by one control target value according to an instruction from one control terminal 102. Group control information is determined according to an instruction from one control terminal 102. A plurality of load terminals 101 controlled in a batch and a control target value of the load terminals 101 controlled in a batch are shown. Pattern control is a control method in which a plurality of load terminals 102 are collectively controlled by individual control target values according to instructions from one control terminal 102, and pattern control information is collectively according to instructions from one control terminal 102. A plurality of load terminals 101 to be controlled are shown, and each control target value of each load terminal 101 is shown.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the GP conversion information table 150 includes a control terminal address 151 for registering the address of the control terminal 102 and an instruction from the control terminal 102 having the address registered in the control terminal address 151. Control is performed collectively according to the control terminal state 152 for registering the control result of group control or pattern control when group control or pattern control is performed according to the state, and the control terminal 102 having the address registered in the control terminal address 151. A load terminal address 153 for registering addresses of the plurality of load terminals 101 and control information 154 for registering a control target value of the load terminal 101 having the address registered in the load terminal address 153. The Here, in the present embodiment, when performing group control, the load terminal 101 uses the instruction state in the control terminal state 152 as a control target value, so a code indicating that group control is performed, for example, “group” Or “Gr” or the like is registered.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, when the control terminal 102 having “Addca” as the address of the control terminal 102, that is, when the control terminal A 102 -A becomes “state ca” as the instruction state, “Addra” ˜ It is registered that the load terminal 101 having “Addrr”, that is, the load terminal A 101 -A to the load terminal R 101 -R is group-controlled so as to be in the “state ca”. When the control terminal 102 having “Addcb” as the address of the control terminal 102, that is, when the control terminal B 102 -B becomes “state cb” as the instruction state, the addresses of the load terminal 101 have “Addra” to “Addrc”. The load terminal 101, that is, the load terminal A 101 -A to the load terminal C 101 -C is controlled with “pattern A” as the control target value, and the load terminal 101 having “Addrd” to “Addrf” as the address of the load terminal 101, , Load terminal D101-D to load terminal F101-F are controlled using “pattern B” as a control target value, and load terminals 101 having “Addrg” to “Addri” as addresses of load terminals 101, that is, load terminals G101- G to load terminal I101-I are controlled using “pattern A” as a control target value, 101 load terminal 101 with "Addrj" - "Addrr" as the address, i.e., the load terminal J101-J~ load terminal R101-R is to be controlled "pattern B" as the control target value is registered. Further, when the control terminal 102 having “Addcc” as the address of the control terminal 102, that is, the control terminal C 102 -C becomes “state cc” as the instruction state, the addresses of the load terminal 101 have “Addra” to “Addrl”. The load terminal 101, that is, the load terminal A 101 -A to the load terminal L 101 -L is controlled with “pattern B” as the control target value, and the load terminal 101 having “Addrm” to “Addrr” as the address of the load terminal 101, It is registered that the load terminal M101-M to the load terminal R101-R are controlled using “pattern A” as a control target value.

  In this embodiment, since the control terminal 102 is a wall switch and the load terminal 101 is a lighting fixture, the “state ca” is set to “on” (lighting instruction state) or “off” (light-off instruction state). “State cb” is “ON” (lighting instruction state) or “OFF” (lighting instruction state), and “State cc” is “ON” (lighting instruction state) or “OFF” (lighting instruction state). State). “Pattern A” is “ON” (lights as a control target value), and “Pattern B” is “OFF” (lights off as a control target value).

  Here, in this embodiment, when the control terminal 102 is a wall switch and the load terminal 101 is a luminaire, when the control terminal 102 is an illuminance sensor, the “state ca”, “state cb”, and “state” “cc” is illuminance, and when the load terminal 101 is a lighting fixture, “pattern A” and “pattern B” are target light emission intensity of dimming. In addition, when the control terminal 102 is a temperature sensor, “state ca”, “state cb”, and “state cc” are temperatures, and when the load terminal 101 is an air conditioner, “pattern A” and “Pattern B” is a target temperature for air conditioning.

  The control terminal D102-D and the control terminal E102-E are not control terminals that instruct group control or pattern control, but are control terminals that instruct individual control as described in the background art. For example, the control terminal D102-D controls the load terminal A101-A, and the control terminal E102-E controls the load terminal G101-G.

  The registered load terminal operation state table is a table representing the operation state of the load terminal 101 on which the GP conversion control apparatus 101 performs centralized control. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the registered load terminal operation state table 160 includes a load terminal address 161 for registering the address of the load terminal 101 and a load terminal 102 having an address registered in the load terminal address 161. And a load terminal state 162 for registering the operation state.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the operation states of the load terminals 101 having “Addra” to “Addrr” as the addresses of the load terminals 101, that is, the load terminals A101-A to R101-R are “state ra” to “State rr” is registered. In the present embodiment, since the load terminal 101 is a lighting fixture, “state ra” to “state rr” are “on” (lighting operation state) or “off” (light-off operation state).

  The control information generation unit 145 generates a communication signal (second control request signal) that contains information for controlling the operation of each load terminal 101. As shown in FIG. 5A, the second control request signal includes a load terminal address accommodating unit 171 that accommodates the address of the load terminal 101, and a load terminal 101 having an address accommodated in the load terminal address accommodating unit 171. Is a format in which a set of the control information storage unit 172 that stores the control target value of the operation is cascaded by the number X of the load terminals 101 that are centrally controlled by the GP conversion control device 104. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, there are 16 load terminals 101 from A to R. Therefore, the second control request signal includes 16 sets of the load terminal address accommodation unit 171 and the control information accommodation unit 172. It is configured by cascading.

  By adopting such a format for the second control request signal, communication signals for centralized control can be collectively transmitted to the plurality of load terminals 101, and communication traffic can be reduced. For this reason, even when communication is performed with a relatively low-speed SCP, it is possible to cope with a large-scale system.

  The central processing unit 143 includes, for example, a microprocessor and controls the power line communication processing unit 141, the setting information storage unit 144, and the control information generation unit 145 as described later based on the control program.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
(Operation of the embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a control sequence in the power line communication control system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the group pattern conversion control apparatus.

  6 and 7, when the user operates the control terminal 102 instructing group control or pattern control ((1) operation (on) in FIG. 6), the property value of the control terminal state property in the control terminal 102 is, for example, “ The instruction state 2 "changes to" instruction state 1 ". When the property value of the control terminal state property becomes “instruction state 1”, a control request for controlling the property value of the control terminal 102 in the group pattern control state property to “instruction state 1” based on the 4A linkage information A communication signal (first control request signal) containing information is transmitted to the GP conversion control device 104 via the power line 103 ((2) Transmission of the first control request signal in FIG. 6).

  More specifically, when the user operates the wall switch of the control terminal C102-C, for example, the property value of the switch state property in the wall switch changes from “off” to “on”, for example, based on the 4A interlocking information. A PropChanged message notifying the change of the property value in the switch state property of the control terminal C102-C is notified to the GP conversion control device 104 via the power line 103.

  When the GP conversion control device 104 starts its operation, the control program is executed and is in a standby state waiting for the first control request signal or the like (S11), and receives the first control request signal via the power line 103. Then (S12), the power line communication processing unit 141 changes the property value of the group pattern control state property in accordance with the control request information of the first control request signal. Using the change in the property value of the group / pattern control state property as a trigger, the power line communication processing unit 141 notifies the central processing unit 143 of the address of the first A linkage information. The central processing unit 143 refers to the control terminal address 151 in the GP conversion information table 150 of the setting information storage unit 144 based on the address of the first A linkage information, and the control terminal address 151 where the address of the first A linkage information is registered. The registration contents (load terminal 101 address) of the load terminal address 153 and the registration contents (group control or control target value) of the control information 154 are acquired. Then, the central processing unit 143 notifies the control information generating unit 145 of the acquired registered content of the load terminal address 153 and the registered content of the control information 154 (S13).

  More specifically, the power line communication processing unit 141 notifies the central processing unit 143 of the address “Addcc” of the first A linkage information, triggered by a change in the property value of the group pattern control state property. The central processing unit 143 searches the control terminal address 151 in the GP conversion information table 150 of the setting information storage unit 144 for the address “Addcc”, and the load terminal address corresponding to the control terminal address 151 in which the address “Addcc” is registered. 153, registration contents “Addra”, “Addrb”,..., “Addrl”, “Addrm”,..., “Addrr” and registration contents “control pattern 154”, “pattern B”,. .., “Pattern B”, “Pattern A”,..., “Pattern A” are acquired. Then, the central processing unit 143 notifies the control information generation unit 145 of the acquired registered content of the load terminal address 153 and the registered content of the control information 154.

  Next, the control information generation unit 145 stores information for controlling the operation of each load terminal 101 based on the registered content of the load terminal address 153 and the registered content of the control information 154 notified from the central processing unit 143. A second control request signal is generated (S14).

  That is, if the registered content of the control information 154 does not indicate that the group control is to be performed, the control information generation unit 145 determines that the pattern control is performed, and performs the second control illustrated in FIG. The request signal is generated by alternately using the registered content of the load terminal address 153 and the registered content of the control information 154 in order. Then, the control information generation unit 145 notifies the central processing unit 143 of the generated second control request signal. More specifically, the control information generation unit 145 performs registration control of the load terminal address 153 “Addra”, “Addrb”,..., “Addrl”, “Addrm”,. Registered contents of “Addrr” and control information 154 “Pattern B”, “Pattern B”,..., “Pattern B”, “Pattern A”,. A second control request signal shown in (B) is generated.

  When the registered content of the control information 154 indicates that group control is to be performed, the control information generating unit 145 sets the property value “instruction state 1” to the registered content of the load terminal address 153 so as to perform group control. In combination, a second control request signal is generated. For example, when the user operates the wall switch of the control terminal A 102 -A to “ON”, the second control request signal shown in FIG. 5C is generated.

  The central processing unit 143 notifies the notified second control request signal to the power line communication processing unit 141, and the power line communication processing unit 141 multicasts the second control request signal to the power line 103 based on the second A link information. (S15, (3) Transmission of second control request signal in FIG. 6). Note that the second control request signal may be transmitted by broadcast. Next, the central processing unit 143 enters a reception standby state where it waits for reception of the first verification result notification signal (S16).

  The second control request signal is transmitted through the power line 103 and is received by each load terminal 101. Each load terminal 101 searches the received second control request signal for a load terminal address accommodating unit 171 that accommodates an address that matches its own address, and a control information accommodating unit that is paired with the searched load terminal address accommodating unit 171 The control target value is extracted from 172, and the functional unit of the load terminal 101 is controlled based on the 3A link information using the extracted control target value as an argument (property value) of the load terminal control action property ((4A in FIG. 6). ~ 4R) Control action). The property value of the load terminal state property becomes a value according to the control result by the control of this functional unit. Based on the 3B link information, a communication signal (first control result notification signal) containing control result notification information indicating the property value of the load terminal state property is transmitted to the GP conversion control apparatus 104 via the power line 103 ( (5A to 5R) transmission of first control result notification signal in FIG. 6).

  More specifically, for example, when the second control request signal shown in FIG. 5B is transmitted through the power line 103, the luminaire of the load terminal A101-A receives the second control request signal and receives its own address. The load terminal address accommodating unit 171 that accommodates an address that matches “Addra” is searched for, and the control target value “pattern B” (= “extinguished”) is retrieved from the control information accommodating unit 172 paired with the searched load terminal address accommodating unit 171. Based on the 3A linkage information, the control target value “pattern B” (= “extinguish”) is used as an argument (property value) of the lighting fixture control action property to control to turn off the light (FIG. 6 (4A) control operation). The lighting is turned off and the property value of the lighting fixture state property becomes “off”, and the property value of the lighting fixture state property is converted to GP via the power line 103 as the first control result notification signal based on the 3B link information. The control device 104 is notified ((5A) transmission of the first control result notification signal in FIG. 6). Also, the lighting fixture of the load terminal B101-B receives this second control request signal, searches for the load terminal address accommodating unit 171 that accommodates an address that matches its own address “Addrb”, and accommodates the searched load terminal address. The control target value “pattern B” (= “extinguished”) is taken out from the control information storage unit 172 paired with the unit 171 and the extracted control target value “pattern B” (= “extinguished”) based on the 3A linkage information ) As an argument (property value) of the lighting fixture control action property, the lighting is controlled to be turned off ((4B) control operation). The lighting is turned off and the property value of the lighting fixture state property becomes “off”, and the property value of the lighting fixture state property is converted to GP via the power line 103 as the first control result notification signal based on the 3B link information. The control device 104 is notified ((5B) transmission of the first control result notification signal in FIG. 6). Similarly, the luminaire of the load terminal C101-C to the luminaire of the load terminal Q101-Q operates, and the luminaire of the load terminal R101-R receives this second control request signal and receives its own address “ The load terminal address accommodating unit 171 that accommodates the address that matches “Addrr” is searched for, and the control target value “pattern A” (= “lighting”) is obtained from the control information accommodating unit 172 paired with the searched load terminal address accommodating unit 171. Based on the extracted 3A interlocking information, the control target value “pattern A” (= “lighting”) is used as an argument (property value) of the lighting fixture control action property to control the lighting fixture to turn on (FIG. 6 (4R) control operation). The luminaire is turned on and the property value of the luminaire state property is “lit”. Based on the 3B link information, the property value of the luminaire state property is GP through the power line 103 as the first control result notification signal. It is notified to the conversion control device 104 ((5R) transmission of first control result notification signal in FIG. 6). By operating in this way, when the control terminal C102-C is operated, the first control request signal transmitted from the control terminal C102-C is converted into a plurality of load terminals A101-A to load managed by the GP conversion control device 104. It is converted by the GP conversion control device 104 into the second control request signal for controlling the terminal R101-R, the lighting fixture of the load terminal A101-A to the lighting fixture of the load terminal L101-L is turned off, and the lighting of the load terminal M101-M The luminaire of the appliance or the load terminal R101-R is turned on. That is, pattern control is performed in which the lighting fixtures in the sections 2 and 3 are turned off and the lighting fixtures in the section 4 are turned on among all the lighting fixtures.

  Further, for example, when the second control request signal illustrated in FIG. 5C is transmitted through the power line 103 by the user performing an “on” operation on the wall switch of the control terminal A 102 -A, the lighting device of the load terminal A 101 -A is The second control request signal is received, the load terminal address accommodating unit 171 that accommodates the address that matches the own address “Addra” is searched for, and the control information accommodating unit 172 paired with the searched load terminal address accommodating unit 171 is searched. The control target value “ON” (= “lighting”) is taken out from the control information, and the control target value “ON” (= “lighting”) is extracted based on the 3A linkage information as an argument (property value) of the lighting fixture control action property Then, the lighting fixture is controlled to be turned on ((4A) control operation in FIG. 6). The luminaire is turned on and the property value of the luminaire state property is “lit”. Based on the 3B link information, the property value of the luminaire state property is GP through the power line 103 as the first control result notification signal. It is notified to the conversion control device 104 ((5A) transmission of the first control result notification signal in FIG. 6). Also, the lighting fixture of the load terminal B101-B receives this second control request signal, searches for the load terminal address accommodating unit 171 that accommodates an address that matches its own address “Addrb”, and accommodates the searched load terminal address. The control target value “ON” (= “ON”) is taken out from the control information storage unit 172 paired with the unit 171, and the extracted control target value “ON” (= “ON”) is extracted based on the 3A linkage information. As an argument (property value) of the lighting fixture control action property, the lighting fixture is controlled to be turned on ((4B) control operation in FIG. 6). The luminaire is turned on and the property value of the luminaire state property is “lit”. Based on the 3B link information, the property value of the luminaire state property is GP through the power line 103 as the first control result notification signal. It is notified to the conversion control device 104 ((5B) transmission of the first control result notification signal in FIG. 6). Similarly, the luminaire of the load terminal C101-C to the luminaire of the load terminal Q101-Q operates, and the luminaire of the load terminal R101-R receives this second control request signal and receives its own address “ The load terminal address accommodating unit 171 that accommodates the address that matches “Addrr” is searched, and the control target value “ON” (= “lighting”) is extracted from the control information accommodating unit 172 paired with the searched load terminal address accommodating unit 171. Based on the 3A interlocking information, the control target value “ON” (= “lighting”) that has been taken out is used as an argument (property value) of the lighting device control action property to control the lighting device to turn on ((4R) Control action). The luminaire is turned on and the property value of the luminaire state property is “lit”. Based on the 3B link information, the property value of the luminaire state property is GP through the power line 103 as the first control result notification signal. It is notified to the conversion control device 104 ((5R) transmission of the first control result notification signal in FIG. 6). By operating in this way, when the control terminal A102-A is operated, the first control request signal transmitted from the control terminal A102-A is converted into a plurality of load terminals A101-A to load managed by the GP conversion control device 104. It is converted by the GP conversion control device 104 into a second control request signal for controlling the terminal R101-R, and the lighting fixture of the load terminal A101-A to the lighting fixture of the load terminal R101-R are turned on collectively. That is, group control is performed in which all the lighting fixtures in the sections 2, 3, and 4 are turned on.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the GP conversion control device 104 receives the first control result notification signal from each load terminal 101 via the power line 103 in the standby state for receiving the first control result notification signal in S <b> 16 ( S17), the central processing unit 143 updates the registered load terminal operation state table 160 of the setting information storage unit 144 according to the content of the first control result notification signal based on the second B linkage information. That is, the central processing unit 143 sets the load terminal state 162 corresponding to the load terminal address 161 that registers an address that matches the transmission source address of the received first control result notification signal based on the second B linkage information to the first. Rewrite with the result notification information of the control result notification signal. For example, when the transmission source of the first control result notification signal is the load terminal A101-A, the central processing unit 143 loads the load terminal state corresponding to the load terminal address 161 that registers an address that matches the address “Addra”. 162 is rewritten with the result notification information “state ra” (= “pattern B”) of the first control result notification signal. When the central processing unit 143 receives the first control result notification signal from all the load terminals 101 managed by the GP conversion control device 104, the central processing unit 143 registers the load terminal address 161 registered in the registered load terminal operation state table 160 and the load terminal Whether the registration content of the status 162 matches the registration content of the load terminal address 153 and the registration content of the control information 154 in the GP conversion information table 150 with the control terminal address 151 as one unit. And check. As a result of the collation, the registered content of the load terminal address 161 and the registered content of the load terminal state 162 in the registered load terminal operation state table 160, the registered content of the load terminal address 153 and the registered content of the control information 154 in the GP conversion information table 150, Are registered in the control request information of the first control request signal from the control terminal 102, and if even one does not match, from the control terminal 102 Information indicating that the control with the control request information of the first control request signal has failed is registered (S18, (7A to 7C) transmission of second verification result notification signal in FIG. 6). The collation result is a property value of the group / pattern control terminal operation state property. In the present embodiment, since the lighting fixture is turned on / off by the wall switch, the information indicating that the lighting is controlled by the control request information of the first control request signal from the control terminal 102 is “ON”. The information indicating that the control with the control request information of the first control request signal has failed is “off”.

   In the above verification, from the viewpoint of preventing forgetting to erase, in the case of group control, when all the load terminals 101 set as one group are on and turned on as a group, this Even if one load terminal 101 of the group is turned off by an operation of another control terminal 102 excluding the control terminal 102 that has performed group control, the group may not be turned off.

  The central processing unit 143 transmits a communication signal (second control result notification signal) containing the verification result to each control terminal 102 based on the first B linkage information (S19).

  And the control terminal 102 displays on display parts, such as LED, according to the collation result of the 2nd control result notification signal received according to 4B interlocking information ((8A-8C) result display of FIG. 6). In the present embodiment, the display unit turns on when the property value of the switch state property is “on”, and turns off when the property value is “off”.

  For example, when the user operates the wall switch of the control terminal C101-C, the registered content of the load terminal address 153 and the registered content of the control information 154 in the “Addca” of the control terminal address 151 are stored in the registered load terminal operation state table 160. The central processing unit 143 does not match the registered content of the load terminal address 161 and the registered content of the load terminal state 162 in the control terminal 102 having the address “Addca” as a second control result notification signal as a second control result notification signal, That is, it transmits to the wall switch of control terminal A102-A (S19, (7A) transmission of a 2nd control result notification signal of FIG. 6). When the wall switch of the control terminal A102-A receives the second control result notification signal indicating the mismatched collation result, the display unit turns off to indicate that it is “off” ((8A) in FIG. 6) ).

  The registered content of the load terminal address 153 and the registered content of the control information 154 in “Addcb” of the control terminal address 151 match the registered content of the load terminal address 161 and the registered content of the load terminal state 162 in the registered load terminal operation state table 160. Instead, the central processing unit 143 transmits the unmatched collation result as a second control result notification signal to the control terminal 102 having “Addcb” in the address, that is, the wall switch of the control terminal B 102-B (S19, FIG. 6). (7B) Transmission of second control result notification signal). When the wall switch of the control terminal B102-B receives the second control result notification signal indicating the mismatched verification result, the display unit is turned off, for example, to indicate “OFF” ((8B) result in FIG. 6). display).

  The registered content of the load terminal address 153 and the registered content of the control information 154 in the “Addcc” of the control terminal address 151 are the registered content of the load terminal address 161 and the registered content of the load terminal state 162 in the registered load terminal operation state table 160. The central processing unit 143 transmits the matching result as a second control result notification signal to the control terminal 102 having “Addcc” as an address, that is, the wall switch of the control terminal C102-C (S19, FIG. 6 (7C) second control result notification signal). When the wall switch of the control terminal C102-C receives the second control result notification signal indicating the matching result of matching, the display unit is lit, for example, to indicate "ON" ((8C) result in FIG. 6) display).

  In this way, since the GP conversion control apparatus 104 performs control result collation intensively, information processing of each load terminal 101 and each control terminal 102 is reduced. For this reason, the load terminal 101 and the control terminal 102 can be realized with extremely small hardware resources.

  As described above, in the power communication control system according to the present embodiment, the control terminal 102 can centrally control the plurality of load terminals 101 only by giving an instruction to the GP conversion control device 104. Even in the case of centralized control, it is only necessary to change the link information from the load terminal 101 to the GP conversion control device 104. Therefore, a control terminal similar to the background art can be used, and the GP conversion control is applied to the power line communication system of the background art. The device 104 can be incorporated. Therefore, even when constructing a power line communication system that performs centralized control, an existing distributed control power line system can be used, and the introduction cost can be greatly reduced.

  And since the information for performing the centralized control is collectively stored in the GP conversion control device 104 as the GP conversion information table 150 and the registered load terminal operation state table 160, a user such as a contractor can perform this centralized control. Information to be performed can be easily managed in a centralized manner, and the load terminal 101 and the control terminal 102 can be easily added, reconstructed due to troubles, and the like.

  As described above, when receiving the first control request signal transmitted from the control terminal 102 according to the control program, the central processing unit 143 associates the property information of the control terminal 102 with the property information of the GP conversion control device 104. Based on the linkage information, a control terminal address 151 for identifying the control terminal 102 and a load terminal address for identifying a plurality of load terminals 101 whose operation state should be controlled when a control request signal is received from the control terminal 102 153 and the GP conversion information table 150 indicating the correspondence between the control target values in the plurality of load terminals 101 identified by the load terminal address 153, and the control terminal 102 of the transmission source in the received first control request signal In response to the second control request signal for collectively controlling the plurality of load terminals 101 with each control target value. Then, the converted second control request signal is transmitted to the plurality of load terminals 101 by the power line communication processing unit 141 based on the second A dynamic information that associates the property information of the GP conversion control device 104 and the property information of the load terminal 101. When such a control program or GP conversion information table 150 is not stored in the setting information storage unit 144, for example, the Internet is configured from a management server that manages such a control program or GP conversion information table 150. It may be configured to transmit to the setting information storage unit 144 of the GP conversion control apparatus 104 via the communication network and store in the setting information storage unit 144. Further, for example, the GP conversion control device 104 is further provided with an interface capable of transmitting and receiving information from the drive device of the storage medium, and the control program and the GP conversion are recorded from the storage medium in which such a control program and the GP conversion information table 150 are recorded. The information table 150 may be configured to be installed in the GP conversion control device 104. Examples of the storage medium include a memory card, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD-RW.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the group control and the pattern control are performed on all the load terminals 101 on the floor 1 has been described, but the group control and the pattern control are performed on the load terminals 101 in one section. It is also possible to configure as described above.

  Then, a load terminal function, a control terminal function, or a gateway function may be further added to the GP conversion control apparatus 104.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a group pattern conversion control apparatus with an additional function. 8A shows the configuration of the group pattern conversion control apparatus with a load terminal function, FIG. 8B shows the configuration of the group pattern conversion control apparatus with a control terminal function, and FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a group pattern conversion control device with a gateway function.

  In FIG. 8A, a group pattern conversion control device with load terminal function (hereinafter abbreviated as “GP conversion control device with load terminal function”) 201 includes a power line communication processing unit 141, a property information storage unit 142, A central processing unit 143, a setting information storage unit 144, a control information generation unit 145, a function management unit 211, and a load terminal unit 212 are configured. That is, the GP conversion control device 201 with a load terminal function is configured to further include a function management unit 211 and a load terminal unit 212 in the GP conversion control device 104 shown in FIG.

  The function management unit 211 manages whether to execute or stop a function as a GP conversion control apparatus that centrally controls a plurality of load terminals 101 according to an instruction from the control terminal 102. The function management unit 211 stores a flag indicating whether or not it is functioning as a GP conversion control device, and an address in the power line communication control system when the function as the GP conversion control device is stopped and only the additional function is operated. To do. For example, the flag is “1” when the function as the GP conversion control device is executed, and is set to “0” when the function is stopped. The load terminal unit 212 is a circuit that realizes a function according to the type of load added to the GP conversion control apparatus 201 with the load terminal function. For example, when a lighting function is added as a load terminal function, The terminal unit 212 is a circuit for realizing an illumination function. When the function as the PG conversion control device is stopped by the function management unit 211, the power line communication processing unit 141, the property information storage unit 142, the central processing unit 143, and the load terminal unit 212 are operated, so that It operates in the same way.

  By introducing such a GP conversion control apparatus 201 with a load terminal function in place of, for example, the load terminal A 101 -A in the plurality of load terminals 101, the load terminal 101 can be introduced without introducing the GP conversion control apparatus 104. Can be centrally controlled, and the initial cost when introducing the power line communication control system can be reduced.

  In FIG. 8B, a group / pattern conversion control device with control terminal function (hereinafter abbreviated as “GP conversion control device with control terminal function”) 202 includes a power line communication processing unit 141 and a property information storage unit. 142, a central processing unit 143, a setting information storage unit 144, a control information generation unit 145, a function management unit 221, and a control terminal unit 222. That is, the GP conversion control apparatus 202 with a control terminal function is configured to further include a function management unit 221 and a control load terminal unit 222 in the GP conversion control apparatus 104 shown in FIG.

  Similar to the function management unit 211, the function management unit 221 manages whether to execute or stop a function as a GP conversion control apparatus that centrally controls a plurality of load terminals 101 according to an instruction from the control terminal 102. The function management unit 221 stores a flag and an address similarly to the function management unit 211. The control terminal unit 222 is a circuit for inputting an instruction for controlling the operation of the load terminal 101. When the function as the PG conversion control device is stopped by the function management unit 221, the power line communication processing unit 141, the property information storage unit 142, the central processing unit 143, and the control terminal unit 222 operate to operate the normal control terminal 102. It operates in the same way.

  By introducing such a GP conversion control device 202 with a control terminal function in place of, for example, the control terminal A 102 -A in the plurality of control terminals 102, the load terminal 101 is introduced without introducing the GP conversion control device 104. Can be centrally controlled, and the initial cost when introducing the power line communication control system can be reduced.

  8C, a group / pattern conversion control device with gateway function (hereinafter abbreviated as “GP conversion control device with GW function”) 203 includes a power line communication processing unit 141, a property information storage unit 142, A central processing unit 143, a setting information storage unit 144, a control information generation unit 145, a function management unit 231, and a gateway unit 232 are configured. That is, the GP conversion control device 203 with the GW function has a configuration in which the GP conversion control device 104 shown in FIG. 2 further includes a function management unit 231 and a gateway unit 232.

  Similar to the function management unit 211, the function management unit 231 manages whether to execute or stop a function as a GP conversion control apparatus that centrally controls a plurality of load terminals 101 according to an instruction from the control terminal 102. The function management unit 231 stores a flag and an address similarly to the function management unit 211. The gateway unit 232 mutually converts the protocol of the communication signal between the communication protocol of the power line communication method and another communication protocol. Other protocols include, for example, a protocol according to the RS485 standard, a protocol according to the RS232 standard, a protocol according to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, a protocol according to the IEEE 1394 standard, and TCP / IP. This is a protocol of a representative Internet protocol group.

  By introducing such a GP conversion control device 203 with a GW function in place of the GP conversion control device 104, the load terminal 101 can be centrally controlled, and a protocol different from the protocol of the power line communication method can be used. Can be connected to the device. In particular, when the gateway unit 232 converts the communication signal protocol between the power line communication system protocol and the Internet protocol group protocol, the power line communication control system can be connected to the Internet. It is possible to control the load terminal 101 using a communication terminal device connectable to the Internet and to confirm the operation state of the load terminal 101. The communication terminal device is, for example, a computer or a mobile phone that can be connected to the Internet.

  When such GP conversion control devices 201, 202, 203 with additional functions are used in a power line communication control system, there is a possibility that a plurality of GP conversion control devices 201, 202, 203 with additional functions exist in the power line communication control system. These GP conversion control devices 201, 202, and 203 with additional functions compete as GP conversion control devices. For this reason, it is necessary to automatically select a GP conversion control device with an additional function that also operates as a GP conversion control device from a plurality of GP conversion control devices 201, 202, and 203 with an additional function.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation when a group pattern conversion control device with an additional function to be operated as a group pattern conversion control device is selected.

  In FIG. 9, for example, when the GP conversion control devices 201, 202, and 203 with additional functions are connected to the power line 103 and activated, the function management units 211, 221, and 231 stop functioning as the GP conversion control device. Then, it is determined whether or not the address in the power line communication control system when operating with only the additional function is stored (S31).

  If the address is stored as a result of the determination, the function management units 211, 221, and 231 are connected to the GP conversion control devices 201, 202, 202 with the additional functions operating as the GP conversion control device 104 or the GP conversion control device, respectively. Since 203 is determined to be connected to the power line 103 and is determined to be the second or subsequent activation, a process of automatically selecting a GP conversion control device with an additional function that also operates as this GP conversion control device Exit.

  On the other hand, if the address is not stored as a result of the determination, the central processing unit 143 and the power line communication processing unit 141 are broadcast by broadcasting a communication signal (declaration signal) that accommodates that the device operates as a GP conversion control device. To the power line 103 (S32).

  The function management units 211, 221, and 231 include communication indicating that they are operating as GP conversion control devices within a certain time and addresses assigned to the GP conversion control devices 201, 202, and 203 with additional functions that have transmitted declaration signals. It is determined whether or not a signal (declaration response signal) has been received (S33). The fixed time is a time during which the declaration signal is reliably received by all the devices connected to the power line 103 and can be reliably received when the device receiving the declaration signal transmits the declaration response signal. Yes, it is determined in consideration of the communication speed of power line communication, the transmission line length of power line communication, and the like.

  If the declaration response signal is received as a result of the determination, the GP conversion control device 104, or the GP conversion control devices 201, 202, and 203 with additional functions operating as the GP conversion control device are connected to the power line 103. Therefore, the function management units 211, 221, and 231 store the address accommodated in the declaration response signal and set the flag to “0” to stop the function as its own GP conversion control device. (S37).

  On the other hand, if the declaration response signal is not received as a result of the determination in S33, it is determined whether or not the counter variable N for counting the number of times the declaration signal is transmitted has reached a predetermined number (S34). If the predetermined number is large, it is possible to surely avoid competition, but it takes time to select a GP conversion control apparatus with an additional function that operates as the GP conversion control apparatus. For example, in this embodiment, it is 3 times.

  As a result of the determination, if the counter variable N has not reached the predetermined number, the function management units 211, 221, and 231 increment the counter variable N by 1 (S35), and the process returns to S32. That is, when the function management units 211, 221, and 231 do not receive a declaration response signal, the function management units 211, 221, and 231 transmit a predetermined number of declaration signals.

  On the other hand, if the counter variable N has reached the predetermined number as a result of the determination in S34, the GP conversion control devices 201, 202, 203 with additional functions operating as the GP conversion control device 104 or the GP conversion control device. Is not connected to the power line 103, the function management units 211, 221, and 231 set the flag to “1” and execute the function as its own GP conversion control device (S36).

  When receiving the declaration signal, the function management units 211, 221, and 231 return the declaration response signal after confirming that the flag is “1”.

  Since the GP conversion control devices 201, 202, and 203 with additional functions operate in this way, even if the GP conversion control devices 201, 202, and 203 with additional functions are connected to the power line 103, the power lines do not compete with each other. It can be automatically incorporated into the communication system.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the power line communication control system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a group pattern conversion control apparatus. It is a figure which shows a group pattern conversion information table. It is a figure which shows a registration load terminal operation | movement state table. It is a figure which shows the format of a 2nd control request signal. It is a figure which shows the control sequence in the power line communication control system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a group pattern conversion control apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the group pattern conversion control apparatus with an additional function. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement in the case of selecting the group pattern conversion control apparatus with an additional function operated as a group pattern conversion control apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structure and control sequence of the power line communication control system which concern on background art.

Explanation of symbols

100 power line communication control system 104 group / pattern conversion control device 141 power line communication processing unit 142 property information storage unit 143 central processing unit 144 setting information storage unit 145 control information generation unit 150 group or turn conversion information table 151 control terminal address 152 control terminal State 153, 161 Load terminal address 154 Control information 160 Registered load terminal operation state table 162 Load terminal state 171 Load terminal address accommodation unit 172 Control information accommodation unit 201 Group with load terminal function / pattern conversion control device 202 Group with control terminal function Pattern conversion control device 203 Group / pattern conversion control device with gateway function 211, 221, 231 Function management unit 212 Load terminal unit 222 Control terminal unit 232 Gateway unit

Claims (7)

A distributed control system comprising a plurality of load terminals and one or a plurality of control terminals for inputting instructions for controlling operating states of the plurality of load terminals, wherein the control request accommodates the instructions as control request information In a centralized control conversion control device used in a distributed control system in which a signal is transmitted from a control terminal to a load terminal using a communication protocol for distributed control,
When the first control request signal transmitted from the control terminal is received, the first control request signal is converted into a second control request signal for collectively controlling the plurality of load terminals according to the transmission source control terminal in the received first control request signal. And transmitting to the plurality of load terminals. A distributed control system comprising a plurality of load terminals and one or a plurality of control terminals for inputting instructions for controlling operating states of the plurality of load terminals, wherein the control request accommodates the instructions as control request information In a centralized control conversion control device used in a distributed control system in which a signal is transmitted from a control terminal to a load terminal using a communication protocol for distributed control,
Property information that is information for performing communication in the communication protocol of the distributed control, first linkage information that associates the property information with the property information of the control terminal, and the property information and the property of the load terminal A property information storage unit that stores second linkage information that is associated with information;
A communication processing unit that performs transmission / reception processing of a communication signal using the property information and the first and second link information according to the communication protocol of the distributed control;
Identification by a control terminal identifier for identifying a control terminal, a load terminal identifier for identifying a plurality of load terminals whose operation state should be controlled when a control request signal is received from the control terminal, and the load terminal identifier A setting information storage unit that stores a table indicating a correspondence relationship with each control target value in a plurality of load terminals;
When the first control request signal transmitted from the control terminal is received, the plurality of load terminals are collectively set at each control target value according to the transmission source control terminal in the received first control request signal based on the table. A centralized control conversion control device comprising: a processing unit that converts the second control request signal to be controlled and transmits the converted second control request signal to a plurality of load terminals using the communication processing unit. The second control request signal is a set of a load terminal identifier for identifying a load terminal and a control target value of the load terminal identified by the load terminal identifier. The centralized control conversion control device according to claim 2, wherein the centralized control conversion control device includes only one that is continuously connected in cascade. 4. The concentration according to claim 2, wherein any one of a function as a load terminal, a function as a control terminal, and a function as a gateway for converting a communication protocol is added. Control conversion control device. When the first control request signal transmitted from the control terminal is received, the first control request signal is converted into a second control request signal that collectively controls the plurality of load terminals in accordance with the source control terminal in the received first control request signal. The centralized control conversion control apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a function management unit that manages execution and suspension of the conversion function transmitted to the plurality of load terminals. . The function management unit further transmits a declaration signal containing a declaration to execute the conversion function to the distributed control system, and declares that the conversion function is being executed on the transmitted declaration signal. The centralized control conversion control apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the conversion function is stopped when a response signal is received, and the conversion function is executed when the declaration response signal is not received. A control request signal comprising a plurality of load terminals and one or a plurality of control terminals for inputting instructions for controlling the operating states of the plurality of load terminals, and a control request signal for accommodating the instructions as control request information is communication for distributed control In a distributed control system that is transmitted from a control terminal to a load terminal using a protocol,
The first control request signal transmitted from the control terminal is received and converted into a second control request signal for collectively controlling the plurality of load terminals according to the control terminal of the transmission source in the received control request signal. A distributed control system, further comprising: a centralized control conversion control device that transmits to the load terminal.

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