JP3011677B2 - Information transfer device and information transmission system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information transfer apparatus, and more particularly, to an information transmission apparatus for transferring failure information of home electric appliances.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a home appliance breaks down,
In general, a user calls a service company or a store to come to a repair company, or brings a broken home electric appliance to a service company or the like for repair. As a method of transmitting information, a method of transmitting information using a telephone line is known. Further, a so-called power line carrier system is known in which a power line is used as an information transmission path, and information is transmitted by superimposing predetermined information on the power line. This power line carrier method has an advantage that it is not necessary to prepare a new line for transmitting information for a device that supplies power. Further, there is known a solar cell system that generates electric power by using photovoltaic power that appears in a substance when the substance is irradiated with light.

[0003]

However, as described above, when a service company or the like is called for repairs, information on only the symptoms of the failure from the user causes the cause of the failure and the parts required for the repair. And it is not possible to judge the necessary coping method properly, so that more parts than necessary are brought in. On the contrary, there is a problem that the necessary parts are insufficient and the repair cannot be completed in one visit. In addition, when bringing a broken home electric appliance to a service company or the like, it is necessary to bring each product one by one, which requires much labor and labor.

[0004] Further, it is conceivable to provide a home electric appliance with a power line carrier function to transmit failure information or the like, but there is a problem that communication reliability is low. That is, when a tap is provided in an outlet into which the plug of the home appliance is inserted to form an octopus wiring, or when another device is interposed between the home appliance and a power supply source to the home appliance. In some cases, information may not be transmitted accurately due to noise from the device. In particular, in the case of a device that easily generates high-frequency noise, communication using the power line carrier method further deteriorates reliability.

[0005] Further, in the communication via the telephone line, although the above-described deterioration of the reliability of the communication does not matter, there is a problem that a telephone line must be provided in addition to the power line. In addition, for various information in the solar cell system, without providing a new line for information transmission,
In addition, it is desired to perform transmission while ensuring communication reliability. Therefore, the present invention provides an information transfer apparatus and an information transfer system that can transmit information such as failure information of a device such as a home electric appliance without deteriorating reliability and that does not require a new line. It is the purpose.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and, first, is an information transfer apparatus for transferring information from another connected device. The plug for inserting the power line plug of the other device and the plug of the other device for insertion into the plug.
Power line between the detector that detects
Power line carrier that modulates and demodulates information transmitted and received by transmission
Communication modulation and demodulation part and plug of the other equipment in the detection part
Is detected, the above power line
Modulates the other devices via the transmission / reception modem.
A command transmission unit for transmitting the transmitted information transmission command;
A telephone line communication modem for modulating the information demodulated by the transmission / reception modem so that the information can be transmitted by the telephone line, and a telephone line communication modem connected to the telephone line.
It is characterized by having. In the information transfer device of the first configuration, a power line plug of another device is inserted into the insertion portion. And the above detection part is plugged into the insertion part
When it detects that the device has been inserted, the command
To send an information transmission command to. Then, when information is transmitted by power line carrier from another device, the information is demodulated by the power line carrier communication modem. Then, the demodulated information is modulated by the telephone line communication modem and transmitted via the telephone line. According to the information transfer device of the first configuration, since information is transmitted from the information transfer device via the telephone line, communication reliability can be ensured. Also, if the plug is inserted into the
Modulation and demodulation for power line communication
There is no need to operate the unit at all times. Further, since information transmission is performed by power line transmission between the other device and the information transfer device, it is not necessary to provide another line to the other device. In particular, if the information to be transferred is the failure information of the other device, that is, information for identifying the device or information on the failure location of the device, the user need not contact the service center or the like one by one. Also, there is no need to bring the other device to a service center or the like.

Second, in the first configuration, a blocking filter is connected to the insertion portion.
It is characterized by having. This blocking filter
Since it blocks external noise, the above information transfer
Power line transfer between the transmission equipment and the other
Without being affected by noise from outside devices,
Communication reliability can be ensured. Third,
Is the information transfer device according to the first or second configuration.
Device further controls the operating state of the information transfer device and the telephone line.
Characterized by a display unit that displays information received via
And Therefore, the current communication status and telephone line are displayed on the display.
Display information received via
Information can be given. Fourth, the fourth
In any one of the first to third configurations, the information transfer device
Wherein the device has a television receiving function.
You. Therefore, a television equipped with a telephone line modem
Since the receiving device can be used, the information transfer device can be used at low cost.
Can be provided.

Fifth, information for transmitting predetermined information is described.
An information transmission system, comprising:
Information transfer device having the above configuration, and connected to the information transfer device
An information transmission device, a plug for carrying power lines
And a power line carrier communication modem connected to the plug
So that the information to be transmitted conforms to the power line carrier system.
Information transmission having a modulating and demodulating unit for power line carrier communication to be modulated
And a device. Information on the fifth configuration
According to the information transfer system, the information transmitting device and the information transfer
Since information transmission is performed by power line carrier between the transmission devices,
There is no need to provide another line for the other device. Also, the information
Information is transmitted from the telephone
Thus, communication reliability can be ensured. In particular, transfer
Information to be transmitted is the failure information of the information transmitting device, that is,
Information for identifying the equipment and information on
If the information is information, the user is one service center at a time
You do not need to contact
There is no need to bring it to the center.

Sixth, in the fifth configuration,
The information transmitted from the information transmitting device is
It is characterized in that it is information relating to a device failure. Yo
Information about the above failure to a service center, etc.
It is not necessary to report the symptom of the device by telephone, etc.
And it is not necessary to bring the equipment to a service center, etc.
Absent. In addition, the above-mentioned information transfer device is connected via a telephone line.
If you send information such as the date and time of repair visit,
There is no need to contact one person at a time. Seventh, the top
In the fifth or sixth configuration, the information transmitting device includes:
It has a power generation function by sunlight.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The television receiver A according to the present invention is a so-called television receiver with a built-in modem, and as shown in FIG.
A current detector 12, a power line carrier communication modem 14,
Display unit 16, modem 18, blocking filter 2
0, an AC / DC conversion unit 22, a memory unit 24, a microprocessor 26, and a plug 28. The television receiver A functions as the information transfer device.

Here, the outlet 10 serving as the insertion portion is for connecting a plug of a home electric appliance or the like. The current detector 12 is connected to the outlet 10.
, And detects a change in the current value due to the plug being inserted into the outlet 10. The detection result is monitored by the microprocessor 26. Also, the power line carrier communication modem 14 as the power line carrier communication modem performs demodulation processing on an AC signal as an analog signal by power line carrier, and converts information superimposed on the AC signal into a digital signal. At the same time, a process of superimposing information to be transmitted on the AC signal and converting it into an analog signal is performed. The AC signal is an AC signal on a power line, for example, a 60 Hz 100 volt AC AC signal.

The display section 16 displays predetermined information, and is constituted by a CRT display or an LCD display. In addition, this display unit 16
When a television broadcast is being received, the contents of the television broadcast are displayed. The modem 18 as the telephone line communication modem performs a modulation process on a digital transmission signal from the microprocessor 26 and demodulates an externally transmitted analog transmission signal. Perform processing.
This modem 18 is connected to a service center 50 via a telephone line. In addition, blocking filter 2
0 is for shutting off external noise. More specifically, the above-described home electric appliance B to be diagnosed is
This is to protect the AC signal transmitted to the CDMA from noise, and is also called a block filter. In addition, A
The C / DC conversion unit 22 converts an AC signal in a commercial power supply into a DC signal, and the converted DC signal is used as a power supply for each unit of the television receiver A.
The memory unit 24 is for storing various types of information, and stores, for example, a processor for operating the television receiver A. The microprocessor 26 controls the operation of each unit of the television receiver A according to the program stored in the memory unit 24. In particular, the transmission data transmitted from the power line carrier communication modem 14 is transmitted to the modem 18. The plug 28 is for connecting to an outlet of a commercial power supply.

[0013] To the television receiver A, a home electric appliance B to be diagnosed is connected. Here, the home appliance B to be diagnosed
Will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the home electric appliance B to be diagnosed includes a memory unit 30, a power line carrier communication modem 32,
Power supply unit 34, microprocessor 36, plug 38
And This home electric appliance B to be diagnosed functions as the other device and the information transmitting device. The television receiver A and the home electric appliance B to be diagnosed function as an information transfer system.

The memory section 30 stores various information, and particularly stores device-related information such as a device-specific number and a type-specific number, and information on a failure location described later. The device unique number is a unique number of the home electrical appliance B to be diagnosed. The type unique number is a number unique to the device type of the home electric appliance B to be diagnosed. Also, the power line carrier communication modem 32 as the power line carrier communication modem performs demodulation processing on an AC signal as a digital signal in power line carrier, similarly to the power line carrier communication modem 14,
A modulation process for superimposing information to be transmitted on the AC signal is performed. This modulation processing is performed so as to be compatible with the power line carrier system. Further, the power supply unit 34 supplies power to each unit of the home electric appliance B to be diagnosed. Further, the microprocessor 36 controls the operation of each unit in the home electric appliance B to be diagnosed. In particular, it has a function of detecting a fault location in the home appliance B to be diagnosed. In particular, when an information transmission command is input from the television receiver A side, information on the device unique number and type unique number stored in the memory unit 30 and information on the device related information such as the information on the above-mentioned failure location is provided. The information is transmitted to the power line communication modem 32. The plug 38 is for connecting to an outlet of a commercial power supply.

The operation of the television receiver A having the above configuration will be described. If the user is using the home appliance B to be diagnosed and notices any failure, the user connects the plug 38 of the home appliance B to be diagnosed to the outlet 10 of the television receiver A. Then, plug 3
The current value detected by the current detector 12 changes due to the connection of 8 to the outlet 10. The microprocessor 26 detects the change in the detected current value. When the microprocessor 26 detects the change in the current value, the microprocessor 26 transmits an information transmission command to the home appliance B to be diagnosed. This information transmission command instructs the television receiver A to transmit any information to be transmitted. The information transmission command is sent to the microprocessor 36 of the home appliance B to be diagnosed via the power line communication modem 14, the outlet 10, the plug 38, and the power line communication modem 32. That is, the information transmission command is superimposed on the AC signal on the power line and is carried on the power line. Here, the microprocessor 26 functions as a command transmitting unit. Here, the display unit 16 may display "transmitting a transmission command to the home electric appliance to be diagnosed".

Then, the power line carrier communication modem 32 transmits to the television receiver A device-related information such as information on the device-specific number and the type-specific number stored in the memory unit 30 and the information on the above-mentioned failure location. That is, the above information is superimposed on the AC signal on the power line and sent to the power line communication modem 14 via the plug 38 and the outlet 10. As described above, the transmission of the device-related information from the home appliance B to be diagnosed is performed by polling from the television receiver A. Here, the television receiver A includes:
Since the blocking filter 20 is provided, the transmission of information by power line transmission is not affected by noise or the like. That is, even if a tap is provided in the outlet into which the plug 28 is inserted and another device is connected, or if another device is interposed on the power supply side of the plug 28, the influence of noise of the device is not affected. I do not receive.

Then, the power line carrier communication modem 14 demodulates the AC signal transmitted by the power line carrier, converts the demodulated signal into device-related information as a digital signal, and transmits it to the microprocessor 26. The microprocessor 26 sends the device-related information to the modem 18. Then, the modem 18
Performs a predetermined process so as to be compatible with communication via the telephone line, and transmits the result to the service center 50. During the transmission of the device-related information to the service center 50,
The display unit 16 may display "transmitting failure information to the service center".

The service center 50 performs a predetermined process according to the transmitted device-related information. For example, the product of the home appliance B to be diagnosed is specified according to the device unique number or the type unique number. Further, necessary parts are searched according to the device unique number, type unique number, and information on the failure location. Furthermore, the schedule of the serviceman is searched, and the date and time to visit for repair are specified. Also, if there is any matter to be noted before visiting for repair, search for this. Then, the service center 50 transmits the information on the specified product name, the information on the visit date and time, and the information on the precautions to the television receiver A.
Send to

Then, the television receiver A performs a predetermined display according to the transmitted information. For example,
A message such as "Recognized as a vacuum cleaner type A. Call on June 1. Please do not use the equipment until you call for repair." Also, the service center may procure the parts searched for above.

As described above, according to the television receiver of this embodiment, it is not necessary for the user to report the symptoms of the device by telephone and to bring the device to the service center. Also, since the service center can search for the components to be prepared based on the transmitted device-related information, the necessary components can be prepared without excess or shortage. Since the transmission of the device-related information is performed between the television receiver A and the service center 50 via a telephone line, the reliability of the communication is not degraded, and the television receiver A is not connected to the service center 50. Communication between the diagnostic home appliances B is performed by power line transport, but since the blocking filter 20 is provided, the diagnostic home appliances B are not affected by noise. Furthermore, since the home electric appliance B to be diagnosed communicates by power line transport, there is no need to provide another line such as a telephone line to the home electric appliance to be diagnosed. Also,
Since communication between the television receiver A and the home electric appliance B to be diagnosed is performed by polling from the television receiver A, it is not necessary to keep the power line carrier communication modems 14 and 32 in an operating state at all times.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. Second
In the embodiment, the configuration of the television receiver A is the same, but the configuration of the devices connected to the television receiver A is different. That is, the solar cell system C having the configuration shown in FIG. 2 is connected to the outlet 10 of the television receiver A.

Here, the configuration of the solar cell system C will be described.
00, the information collection interface 102, and the memory unit 1
04, a power line carrier communication modem 106, and a power supply unit 108
, DC / AC conversion unit 110, microprocessor 1
12 and a plug 114.

Here, the solar cell 100 is a battery that generates electric power by using photoelectromotive force that appears in a substance when the substance is irradiated with light. The information collection interface 102 collects information on the state of the solar cell 100. For example, information on the amount of power generated by the solar cell 100, information on the temperature of the solar cell panel, failure information on the solar cell 100, and the like are collected. The memory unit 104 stores various information, and stores device-related information such as information on a unique number of the solar cell system C and information collected by the information collection interface 102. In addition, various programs for operating the solar cell system C are also stored.

The power line carrier communication modem 106
Performs demodulation processing on an AC signal as an analog signal by power line carrier, converts information superimposed on the AC signal into a digital signal, and converts information to be transmitted, similarly to the power line carrier communication modem 32. A process of converting the signal into an analog signal by superimposing it on the AC signal is performed. Also,
The power supply unit 108 supplies power to each unit in the solar cell system C. Further, the DC / AC converter 110
Converts the power as a DC signal obtained by the solar cell 100 into an AC signal. In addition, the microprocessor 1
Reference numeral 12 controls the operation of each unit in the solar cell system C. In particular, it has a function of detecting a failure location in the solar cell system C. In particular, when an information transmission command is input from the television receiver A, the device-related information stored in the memory unit 30 is transmitted to the power line carrier communication modem 106. The plug 114 is for connecting to an outlet of a commercial power supply.

The operation of the solar cell system C having the above configuration will be described. The plug 114 provided in the solar cell system C is connected to the television receiver A having the configuration shown in FIG.
To the outlet. That is, the connection is established when the user is using the solar cell system C and notices any failure, or when the user wants to transmit information stored in the memory unit 104 to the center.

Then, as in the case of the first embodiment,
When the plug 114 is connected to the outlet 10, the current value detected by the current detector 12 changes. When the microprocessor 26 detects the change in the current value, the microprocessor 26 transmits an information transmission command to the solar cell system C. That is, the information transmission instruction is:
The power line carrier is sent to the power line carrier communication modem 106 and taken into the microprocessor 112 of the solar cell system C. Here, the display unit 16 may display "transmitting a transmission command to the solar cell system".

Then, the microprocessor 112 transmits the device-related information stored in the memory unit 104 to the television receiver A. That is, the above information is superimposed on the AC signal on the power line and transmitted to the power line carrier communication modem 14 via the plug 114 and the outlet 10. As described above, transmission of device-related information from the solar cell system C is performed by polling from the television receiver A.

Then, similarly to the first embodiment, the power line carrier communication modem 14 demodulates the AC signal transmitted by the power line carrier, converts the device-related information into a digital signal, and transmits it to the microprocessor 26. . The microprocessor 26 sends the device-related information to the modem 18. Then, the modem 18 performs a predetermined process on the device-related information and transmits the information to the service center 50. During the transmission, the display unit 16 may display "transmission of failure information to the service center".

The service center 50 performs a predetermined process according to the transmitted device-related information. For example, identify the device according to the unique number of the solar cell system,
Necessary parts are searched according to the information of the number and the failure location. Further, the date and time to visit for repair are specified. If there are any precautions, search them. Then, the service center 50 transmits information on the specified product name, information on the visit date and time, and information on the precautions to the television receiver A. The information collection interface 10
The information on the amount of generated power, the temperature of the solar cell panel, and the like collected by step 2 is accumulated and used for managing the solar cell system C. For example, information on the amount of generated power and the like are stored together with past histories. On the other hand, the television receiver A performs a predetermined display according to the transmitted information.

As described above, according to the television receiver of this embodiment, transmission of device-related information such as the amount of generated power is performed between the television receiver A and the service center 50 via the telephone line. , The communication reliability is not degraded, and the television receiver A
Although communication is performed by power line carrier between and the solar cell system C, since the blocking filter 20 is provided,
Not affected by noise. In addition, since the solar cell system C itself performs communication by power line transport,
It is not necessary to provide another line such as a telephone line for the home electric appliance to be diagnosed. Also, in the case of a failure, the user does not need to notify the user of the symptoms of the device by telephone, and does not need to bring the device to a service center. Also, the service center can prepare necessary parts without excess and deficiency.

In each of the above embodiments, one device is connected to the outlet 10 of the television receiver A. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of devices may be connected simultaneously. In this case, the television receiver A transmits an information transmission command individually, and each connected device transmits device-related information according to the information transmission command. That is, communication is performed according to the polling / selecting method. Communication may be performed according to the token passing method or the CSMA / CD method.

[0032]

According to the information transfer apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, since information is transmitted from the information transfer apparatus via a telephone line, communication reliability can be ensured. Also, if the plug is inserted into the
The power line carrier communication modem
Need not always be operated. Further, since information transmission is performed by power line transmission between the other device and the information transfer device, it is not necessary to provide another line to the other device. In particular, when the transferred information is the failure information of the other device, that is, the information for identifying the device or the information on the failure location of the device, the user does not need to contact the service center or the like one by one. Also, there is no need to bring the other device to a service center or the like.

[0033] According to the information transfer apparatus of the present invention, the power transfer between the information transfer apparatus and the other device is particularly preferable.
Line transport may be affected by noise from devices other than these devices.
It is possible to ensure communication reliability without being affected
it can. Further, in particular, the information transfer apparatus according to claim 3
According to the display, the current communication status and the reception via the telephone line are displayed.
Display various information to the user by displaying the information
Can be given. In particular, the information according to claim 4
According to the information transfer device, a telephone having a telephone line modem is provided.
Since the vision receiver can be used, the above information can be obtained at low cost.
An information transfer device can be provided.

An information transfer system according to claim 5
According to the above, the power between the information transmitting device and the information transfer device is
Since information is transmitted by line transport, other devices
There is no need to provide a line. Also, from the information transfer device
Is transmitted over a telephone line, so communication reliability
Can be secured. In particular, if the information being transferred is
Failure information of the information transmission device, that is,
If the information is for
Means that users need to contact the service center
No, and bring the other equipment to a service center, etc.
You don't have to.

Further , in particular, the information transfer system according to claim 6
According to the system, information on the above failures was sent to the service center.
And report the symptoms of the device by phone etc.
It is not necessary to install the equipment in a service center, etc.
You don't have to. Also, the information transfer device is
Sending information such as the date and time of repair visits via the talk line
In this case, there is no need to contact each other by telephone or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a television receiver and a home electric appliance to be diagnosed based on an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a solar cell system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List A Television receiving device B Home appliance to be diagnosed C Solar cell system 10 Outlet 12 Current detector 14, 32, 106 Power line carrier communication modem 16 Display unit 18 Modem 20 Blocking filter 22 AC / DC conversion unit 24, 30, 104 Memory unit 26, 36, 112 Microprocessor 28, 38, 114 Flag 34, 108 Power supply unit 100 Solar cell 102 Information collection interface 110 DC / AC conversion unit

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-2-89450 (JP, A) JP-A-58-43637 (JP, A) JP-A-62-123863 (JP, A) JP-A-4-188997 (JP) JP-A-9-261550 (JP, A) JP-A-2-244999 (JP, A) JP-A-1-194648 (JP, A) JP-A-6-291869 (JP, A) 2-89451 (JP, A) Japanese Utility Model 1979-201043 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04M 11/00-11/00 H04Q 9/00-9 / 16 H04B 3/54

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. An information transfer device for transferring information from another connected device, comprising: a plug-in portion for inserting a power line plug of the another device; and a plug of the another device in the plug-in portion. That was inserted
Information transmitted / received by power line carrier between the detecting unit to detect and the other device
The modulation and demodulation unit for power line carrier communication that modulates and demodulates the signal and that the other device is plugged in at the detection unit
Is detected, the power line carrier communication modulation / demodulation unit is activated.
Sends a modulated information transmission command to the other device
And a telephone line communication modem for modulating the information demodulated by the power line carrier communication modem so that the information can be transmitted over the telephone line, the telephone line communication modem connected to the telephone line. An information transfer device comprising: a unit; 2. A blocking filter according to claim 1 , wherein
2. The information according to claim 1, wherein
Information transfer device. 3. The information transfer apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising: an operating state of the information transfer apparatus;
2. A display unit for displaying information.
Or the information transfer device according to 2. 4. The information transfer apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the device has a function.
An information transfer device according to any of the above. 5. An information transmission system for transmitting predetermined information.
A is, an information transfer apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, an information transmitting apparatus connected to the information transfer device, and a plug for performing power line is connected to the plug
Information to be transmitted by the power line carrier communication modem
For power line carrier communication that modulates to conform to the line carrier system
An information transmission system, comprising: an information transmission device having a modulation / demodulation unit . 6. The information transmitted from the information transmitting device is
And characterized in that the information about the malfunction of the information transmission device
The information transmission system according to claim 5, wherein: 7. The information transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
7. The device according to claim 5, which has a function.
Information transmission system.