JP5165098B2 - Communication equipment and home appliances - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication device and the like which can select the best communication method among communication devices in a network where a plurality of communication methods are available. <P>SOLUTION: The communication device 102 in a network forms a communication system based on a plurality of communication methods for a building or a home connected by a first transmission channel 123 and a second transmission channel 122. The communication device 102 comprises: first communication method processing means 114; second communication method processing means 115 for performing processing related to signals; first communication means 120 and second communication means 121 for performing communication processing with each transmission channel; an other terminal address list storage means 118 having an other terminal address list 180 in which an address defined for each communication method is associated and registered with respect to each communication device 102 in the network; and transmission channel determination means 119 for selecting a transmission channel available for transmitting signals received based on the address registered in the other terminal address list 180 and causing the corresponding communication means to transmit the signals. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device or the like for configuring a communication system using a network for buildings and homes, for example. In particular, when communication can be performed using a plurality of communication methods (protocols), the present invention relates to a system configuration that selects a transmission path for communication and associates addresses for each communication method. .

  As a signal carrier medium for performing communication in a network for buildings and homes that realizes data transmission between communication devices (terminals), there are wireless and wired, and there are many communication methods. And communication is performed using these communication methods for a network (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  For example, in Patent Document 1 described above, there are two communication systems using a network composed of a plurality of terminals, and a relay device for performing communication between systems is provided. Each network system communicates with a different communication method. At this time, it is assumed that one terminal in a network communicates with a target terminal in another network using an address system according to the communication method of the network. First, a signal is transmitted to the relay device, and the relay device converts the communication system to an address system used by the target terminal. The relay apparatus transfers the signal to the target terminal having the converted communication method address. In this way, communication in different communication methods is possible.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2006-60515 (FIG. 1)

  However, in the configuration as described above, communication by one communication method can be performed in one network, but communication by a plurality of communication methods cannot be performed in one network. In communication that handles multiple communication methods within the same network, communicate from one terminal using one communication method, communicate using another communication method, and return to the original communication method to communicate with the target terminal. In the case of the method of Patent Document 1, after a certain terminal converts an address of a certain communication method into an address of another communication method on the same network, another terminal cannot return to the address of the original communication method again. Therefore, it was not possible to select a communication method within the same network and perform communication.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to obtain a communication device that can select the best communication method among communication devices in a network in which a plurality of communication methods are mixed.

Communication device according to the present invention, among the plurality of communication devices in the network constituting the Bill home for a communication system including a plurality of transmission paths for communication corresponding to a plurality of communication systems, the transmission source communication In a communication device that relays a signal sent from a device to a destination communication device, a plurality of communication method processing means for performing processing related to signals for each communication method, and communication processing for performing communication via each transmission path A plurality of communication means for performing, and an address storage means having a terminal address list for associating and registering an address determined for each communication method with respect to a communication device as a next relay destination or transmission destination for communication devices in the network; , following on the basis of the next registration whether the address of each communication scheme according to the relay destination or destination communication devices in the terminal address list, from among the registered addresses Select a transmission path that allows communication with the relay destination or destination communication device, the corresponding communication means, and a transmission path determining means for transmitting a signal marked with addresses of a communication system corresponding to the transmission line .

  According to the present invention, the transmission path determination means is provided, and communication is performed by selecting a transmission path according to the communication system based on the address determined for each communication system registered in the terminal address list. Even if transmission paths using a plurality of communication methods are mixed in the network, the transmission path determination means can determine a transmission path that can be communicated, and can communicate by relaying.

1 is a block configuration diagram of a communication system of a network according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is the schematic which shows the format of the data contained in a signal. It is a figure which shows the structure of the other terminal address list 180. FIG. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a processing operation for network construction according to the first embodiment. It is a figure showing another example of the address notification procedure which the communication apparatus 102 performs. It is a figure showing another example of the address notification procedure which the communication apparatus 102 performs. It is a figure showing the selection process etc. of a transmission line. 6 is a diagram illustrating a communication example by a plurality of communication devices 102 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the example of installation of the communication system in a house. 6 is a block configuration diagram of a communication system of a network according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a communication example by a plurality of communication devices 102 according to Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 6 is a block configuration diagram of a communication system of a network according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a processing operation for network construction according to a third embodiment. 10 is a diagram illustrating a communication example by a plurality of communication devices 102 according to Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 10 is a block configuration diagram of a communication system of a network according to a fourth embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of the address notification procedure which the communication management apparatus 101 performs. It is a figure showing another example of the address notification procedure which the communication management apparatus 101 performs.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
Details of the communication system using the communication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, the same number is attached | subjected about the means etc. which are common in each figure.

  FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of a communication system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the block configuration diagram shown in FIG. 1, a network (electric communication line) in which one communication management device 101 and one communication device 102 are communicably connected via a first transmission path 123 and a second transmission path 122. Network). Therefore, the communication management device 101 and the communication device 102 select whether to communicate via the first transmission path 123 or the second transmission path 122 arbitrarily or based on a predetermined condition. can do. Here, although there is one communication device 102 in FIG. 1, for example, a communication system using a network connecting a plurality of communication devices 102 may be configured.

  In FIG. 1, a communication management device 101 functioning as a communication terminal in a network transmits a signal including various data to and from a communication device 102 via a first transmission path 123 (for example, a transmission path related to wireless communication). Between the first communication means 111 (for example, wireless communication means) that performs a process of transmitting and receiving (communication) and the communication device 102 via the second transmission path 122 (for example, a transmission path for power line carrier communication). 2nd communication means 112 (for example, power line carrier communication means etc.) which performs processing which communicates with.

  In addition, a transmission path determination unit 110 that determines a transmission path for performing communication using a communication unit, out of the first transmission path 123 or the second transmission path 122, and an address for each communication method are set in the communication management device 101 in the network. And a communication protocol (hereinafter referred to as a first communication method) defined for performing communication via the first transmission path 123 with the own / other terminal address determining means 103 determined (assigned) to the communication device 102. Data creation processing based on the first communication method processing means 105 that performs data creation processing based on the communication protocol and the communication protocol (hereinafter referred to as second communication method) defined for performing communication via the second transmission path 122 And second communication system processing means 106 for performing the above and the like.

  Furthermore, for the terminal (communication management device 101) of itself, similarly to the first address storage means 107 that stores an address (hereinafter referred to as a first address) 155 for performing communication based on the first communication method as data, For the terminal (communication management device 101), the second address storage means 108 for storing the address (hereinafter referred to as the second address) 154 in the second communication method as data, and the other terminal address configured by, for example, table format data Other terminal address list storage unit 109 that has a list 180 and registers (stores) the first address 155 and the second address 154 related to the communication device 102 (other terminal) determined by the own / other terminal address determination unit 103 as data. With. In this embodiment, since two communication methods are used in the network, different system addresses (two system addresses in this embodiment) are set based on each communication method, and stored in the storage means. Here, the first address storage unit 107, the second address storage unit 108, and the other terminal address list storage unit 109 are described as independent storage units, but may be integrated storage units, for example.

  Also, the terminal address for performing processing for storing the first address and the second address determined by the own / other terminal address determining means 103 in the first address storage means 107, the second address storage means 108 or the other terminal address list storage means 109 Setting means 104.

  In FIG. 1, the first communication means 120, the second communication means 121, the transmission path determination means 119, the first communication method processing means 114, and the second communication method processing means provided in the communication device 102 serving as a communication terminal in the network. 115, the first address storage unit 116, the second address storage unit 117, the other terminal address list storage unit 118, and the terminal address setting unit 113 are the same units as the corresponding units of the communication management device 101 described above. Perform processing operations. The communication device 102 does not include the own / other terminal address determination unit 103, and the processing operation related to communication and the like except that the processing related to address determination is not performed performs the same processing operation as the communication management device 101. Therefore, unless otherwise distinguished, description will be made assuming that the processing operation related to communication of the communication device 102 can also be performed by the communication management device 101.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the format (contents of data) of data included in the signal in the transmission path. A data configuration related to transmission from the communication device 102A to the other communication device 102B will be described with reference to FIG. For example, the data in the signal transmitted from the first communication unit 120A via the first transmission path 123 by the communication device 102A includes the first address 155 that represents the communication device 102B that is the destination or relay destination of the signal directly. The header (hereinafter referred to as the first header) 152 based on the first communication method is added to the payload (actual data portion) 153. Here, the payload 153 includes data related to the final transmission destination, and an address that is not a direct destination, such as an address based on a method different from the address according to the first communication method and the second communication method. It is. On the other hand, the data in the signal transmitted from the second communication unit 121A via the second transmission path 122 by the communication device 102A is directly transmitted in addition to the data configuration in the signal from the first communication unit 120A described above. A header (hereinafter referred to as a second header) 151 based on the second communication method including the second address 154 representing the communication device 102B that is the destination or relay destination to be transmitted is added.

  For example, the determination (selection) as to which of the first communication unit 120 and the second communication unit 121 is used to perform communication via the first transmission path 123 and the second transmission path 122 is performed using the transmission path. The determination means 119 performs. The transmission path determination unit 119 performs communication via the selected transmission path at the time of transmission. Further, for example, at the time of reception, it is determined whether the first transmission path 123 or the second transmission path 122 is used for reception.

  Here, the own and other terminal address determination means 103 of the communication management device 101 determines the first address and the second address related to itself (communication management device 101) and other devices (communication device 102) according to each communication method. . The terminal address setting unit 113 in each communication device 102 stores the first address and the second address determined by the own / other terminal address determination unit 103 in the first address storage unit 107 and the second address storage unit 108.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the other terminal address list 180 included in the other terminal address list storage means 109 and 118. The other terminal address list 180 of this embodiment is composed of a communication device name column 181, a first address column 182, and a second address column 183 (however, it functions even without the communication device name column 181). The terminal address setting means 104 and 113 respectively send the first address 155 and the second address 154 of the other communication management device 101 and communication device 102 in the network to the other terminal address list storage means 109 and 118, respectively. Registration (storing) is performed (hereinafter referred to as registration in the other terminal address list 180). For example, if it is determined that the first address 155 included in the received signal is not registered, the terminal address setting means 104 and 113 adds the first address 155 to the first address field 182. At this time, since there is no second address 154 corresponding to the first address 155, the second address field 183 of the other terminal address list 180 is blank. If it is determined that the second address included in the received signal is not registered, the first address 155 and the second address 154 included in the signal are added in association with the first address field 182 and the second address field 183. To do. Here, the blank in the second address column 183 means that in this embodiment, the communication device 102 having the other terminal address list 180 cannot communicate with the communication device 102 in the blank via the second transmission path 122. This does not mean that the second address 154 of the communication device 102 related to the blank has not been determined.

  FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing processing operations in the system for constructing the network according to the first embodiment. Based on FIG. 4, processing related to address determination of the communication system in the present embodiment will be described. Here, for the communication management device 101 having the own / other terminal address determination means 103, for example, the first address 155 and the second address 154 of itself (communication management device 101) are determined at the time of activation. The terminal address setting unit 104 stores the determined first address 155 and second address 154 in the first address storage unit 107 and the second address storage unit 108.

  When a communication device 102 (here, communication device 102A) other than the communication management device 101 tries to newly enter the network, first, a signal indicating a new entry request (request for determining the first address 155) is sent. The data is transmitted to the communication management device 101 (S101). Here, since the first address 155 and the second address 154 are not determined for the communication device 102A, for example, data creation processing for performing broadcast communication related to a new entry request is performed and a signal is transmitted. To do. At this time, it is performed via at least one of the first transmission path 123 and the second transmission path 122.

  In the communication management device 101, at least one of the first communication unit 111 and the second communication unit 112 is a signal indicating a new entry request via at least one of the first transmission channel 123 and the second transmission channel 122. Receive. The own / other terminal address determining means 103 determines the first address of the communication device 102A (S102). Then, the first communication method processing unit 114 and the second communication method processing unit 115 perform data generation processing, and for the communication device 102, a signal including the determined first address 155 as data is transmitted to the first communication unit 111 and the second communication method. Transmission is performed from the communication means 112 by broadcast communication (S103). At this time, a signal including the first address of the communication device 102A is also transmitted to the other communication devices 102 in the network.

  In the communication device 102A, at least one of the first communication means 120 and the second communication means 121 receives a signal via at least one of the first transmission path 123 and the second transmission path 122. Then, the terminal address setting unit 113 stores the first address 155 in the first address storage unit 116 (S104). Also for the other communication devices 102 in the network, the first address 155 of the communication device 102A is registered in the other terminal address list 180.

  The communication device 102A further transmits a signal indicating a request for determining the second address 154 to the communication management device 101 (S105). At this time, for example, it is transmitted by broadcast communication. In the communication management device 101, the own / other terminal address determination means 103 determines the second address 154 of the communication device 102A (S106). As in the case of the first address 155, a signal including the determined second address 154 as data is transmitted from the first communication unit 111 and the second communication unit 112 by broadcast communication (S107).

  In the communication device 102A, at least one of the first communication means 120 and the second communication means 121 receives a signal via at least one of the first transmission path 123 and the second transmission path 122, and the terminal address setting means 113 stores the second address 154 in the second address storage means 117 (S108).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another example of the address notification procedure performed by the communication device 102. Here, a case will be described in which the second address determined from the communication device 102A newly entering the network is notified. As described above, the terminal address setting unit 113 of the communication device 102A newly entering the network causes the second address storage unit 108 to store the second address 154 included in the received signal. Thereafter, in the format shown in FIG. 2, a signal including data with a header or the like is transmitted from the second communication means 121 to another communication device 102 (here, communication devices 102B and 102C) already in the network ( S201). At this time, the payload 153 may include data related to the first address 155 and the second address 154 of the communication device 102A. In this embodiment, since the transmission path is determined based on the presence / absence of registration in the second address field 183 of the other terminal address list 180, it is not included in the payload 153 (this state is referred to as empty data). ).

  In the communication devices 102B and 102C that have received the signal, the terminal address setting unit 113 performs processing, and registers the first address 155 and the second address 154 in the other terminal address list 180 (S202). Here, for the communication device 102 from which the second communication means 121 has received the signal, the first address 155 and the second address 154 are registered in the other terminal address list 180.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of the address notification procedure performed by the communication device 102. FIG. 6 shows a procedure for notifying the communication device 102 that has newly entered the network from another communication device 102 that has already entered the network. For example, in FIG. 5, the other communication devices 102 in the network to which the address from the newly-entered communication device 102 is transmitted are the first address storage means 116 and the second address storage means 117 of the own terminal stored in the first address storage means 116. Based on one address and the second address, a signal including data with the second header 151 and the like is transmitted from the second communication means 121 in the format shown in FIG. 2 (S301). At this time, the payload 153 may include data related to the first address 155 and the second address 154 of the communication device 102A. Here, it is not included in the payload 153.

  In the newly entered communication device 102 that has received the transmitted signal by the first communication unit 120 and / or the second communication unit 121, the other terminal address list storage unit 118 performs processing, and each communication device is added to the other terminal address list. A first address 155 and a second address 154 are registered for 102 (S302). Here, for the communication device 102 from which the second communication means 121 has received the signal, the first address and the second address are registered in the other terminal address list.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a procedure related to signal transmission. Here, the communication device 102 will be described as an example, but the same applies to the communication management device 101. First, the first communication method processing unit 114 searches the other terminal address list 180 for the first address 155 related to the destination or the relay destination, and creates data in which the first header 152 including the first address 155 is attached to the payload 153. (S401).

  Next, the transmission path determination unit 119 determines whether or not the corresponding second address 154 is registered in the other terminal address list 180 based on the first address 155 searched by the first communication method processing unit 114 ( S402). If it is determined that the corresponding second address 154 is not registered, the first transmission path 123 that performs signal transmission using the first communication unit 120 is selected. And the 1st communication means 120 transmits the signal containing the data which the 1st communication system process means 114 produced to the 1st transmission path 123 (S403).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the corresponding second address is registered, the second transmission path 122 using the second communication unit 121 as the signal transmission unit is selected. Then, the second communication method processing means 115 searches the second address 154 corresponding to the first address 155 from the other terminal address list (S404), and uses the second header 151 including the second address 154 as the first communication method. Data attached to the data created by the processing means 114 is created (S405). Then, the second communication unit 121 transmits a signal including the data created by the second communication method processing unit 115 to the second transmission path 122 (S406).

  Here, the transmission path determination means 119 is a transmission path (communication means) that transmits a signal as a material for determining whether or not the second address 154 corresponding to the first address 155 is registered in the other terminal address list 180. ) Is selected, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the communication status (congestion, noise status), etc. in the transmission path connected to the communication means is stored in the storage means data measured by the measurement means (not shown), and determination is performed based on the data, A transmission path may be selected. In addition, a transmission path that performs communication may be selected based on the communication method used at the last (most recent). Furthermore, a transmission path determined based on a predetermined order may be selected. As described above, the communication devices 102 (including the communication management device 101) in the network can communicate with each other via at least one of the first transmission path 123 and the second transmission path 122.

  For example, the communication management device 101 and the communication device 102 automatically perform processing operations such as address determination and address notification in the network as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 when the communication management device 101 and the communication device 102 are activated (powered on). To. Therefore, the troublesome manual setting by the network user can be eliminated. Here, for example, when the power is turned off, the data stored in the storage means may be erased, and the processing operation may be performed every time the power is turned on, or the data is left even when the power is turned off. It may be.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication by the plurality of communication devices 102 via the transmission path according to the first embodiment. Based on FIG. 8, a case will be described in which communication is performed from the communication device 102A to the communication device 102D through the communication devices 102B and 102C in the four communication devices 102A to 102D in the network. Here, the first addresses 155 in the communication devices 102A to 102D are “1” to “4”, respectively. Further, the second address 154 is set to “a” to “d” (in FIG. 8, as the first addresses 155A to 155D, the second addresses 154A to 154D, and the other terminal address lists 180A to 180D stored in the respective storage means. Shows the content). Here, although it is assumed that four communication devices 102 are connected for communication, the number of communication devices 102 in the network is not limited to this number. The communication management device 101 may be included in the network.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the communication device 102A and the communication device 102B and the communication device 102C and the communication device 102D are connected by a first transmission path 123, respectively, and between the communication device 102B and the communication device 102C. Are connected by a second transmission path 122. In the other terminal address list 180A in the communication device 102A, “2”, which is the first address 155B of the communication device 102B obtained from the communication device 102B via the first transmission path 123, is registered based on the address notification procedure described above. Has been. Similarly, in the other terminal address list 180B of the communication device 102B, “1” which is the first address 155A of the communication device 102A and “3” and “c” which are the first address 155C and the second address 154C of the communication device 102C. Is registered. The other terminal address list 180C of the communication device 102C includes “2” and “b” that are the first address 155B and second address 154B of the communication device 102B, and “4” that is the first address 155D of the communication device 102D. Is registered. It is assumed that “3”, which is the first address 155C of the communication device 102C, is registered in the other terminal address list 180D of the communication device 102D.

  First, the communication device 102A transmits a signal to the communication device 102B. As described above, the transmission path determination unit 119A of the communication apparatus 102A determines that the second address 154B of the communication apparatus 102B is not registered in the other terminal address list 180A, and transmits a signal through the first transmission path 123. Is determined.

  Next, the communication device 102B determines a transmission destination based on the obtained data. If it is determined that the transmission destination is not addressed to itself, the transmission path determination means 119B of the communication device 102B searches the other terminal address list 180B for transfer to the communication device 102C, which is the next relay destination. Since the second address 154C of the communication device 102C is registered in the other terminal address list 180B, it is determined that a signal is transmitted through the second transmission path 122. The communication device 102B transmits a signal from the second communication unit 121B to the communication device 102C via the second transmission path 122.

  Furthermore, the communication device 102C determines the transmission destination based on the obtained data. When it is determined that the transmission destination is not addressed to itself, the transmission path determination means 119C of the communication device 102C searches the other terminal address list 180C in order to transfer to the next communication device 102D. Since the second address 154D of the communication device 102D is not registered in the other terminal address list 180C, it is determined that a signal is transmitted through the first transmission path 123. Then, the communication device 102C transmits a signal from the first communication unit 120C to the communication device 102D via the first transmission path 123. The communication device 102D determines that the transmission destination is addressed to itself based on the obtained data, and processes the data. In this way, each communication device 102 performs communication by selecting a transmission path according to two communication methods.

  The communication device 102 according to the present embodiment has a possibility that it can be used by being incorporated in the home appliance or connected to the home appliance as an adapter. By making the home appliances into a communication network using the communication device 102, the home appliances can be remotely operated, managed, and controlled.

  FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram illustrating an installation example of a communication system in a house. In FIG. 9, it is assumed that two communication devices 102A to 102D described above are installed in each of two rooms 661 and 662 partitioned by a wall 663 (the communication devices 102A and 102B are installed in the room 661). The communication devices 102C and 102D are installed in the room 661).

  In FIG. 9, the wireless communication transmission path is the first transmission path 123. For example, depending on the wireless transmission output or the like, communication cannot be performed without wireless (radio wave) reaching through the wall 663. Therefore, the power line carrier communication transmission path is used as the second transmission path 122 for relaying. The power line carrier communication is communication that uses, for example, indoor power wiring as communication wiring. About the communication operation | movement by communication apparatus 102A-102D, the operation | movement similar to FIG. 8 mentioned above is performed.

  As described above, in the communication system including the communication device 102 according to the first embodiment, each communication management device 101 and communication device 102 in the network includes the transmission path determination means 110 and 119 and is registered in the other terminal address list 180. Further, based on the first address 155 and the second address 154 determined for each communication method, the first transmission path 123 and the second transmission path 122 are selected arbitrarily or based on the determined conditions, respectively. Since communication with other communication devices 102 in the network can be performed, communication can be performed without distinguishing between a communication device and a relay device even when transmission paths using a plurality of communication methods are mixed in the network. .

  Further, in the present embodiment, the terminal address setting means 104 and 113 can store the first address 155 and the second address 154 determined for each communication method in the other terminal address list 180. The communication management device 101 and the communication device 102 can perform communication according to the communication method. In particular, since the second address 154 of the present embodiment is registered in association with the first address 155 when registering in the other terminal address list 180, the first address 155 and the second address 154 are respectively communicated. It is possible to set it independently according to the method and use it for the transmission line determination in the transmission line determination means 110 and 119.

  Further, if only one address is registered in the other terminal address list 180 for the communication device 102 to transmit a signal, the transmission path determination means 110, 119 selects a transmission path based on the address, If a plurality of addresses are registered, signal transmission is performed by selecting one transmission path from among them, so that selection according to the connection state of the transmission paths of each communication device 102 can be performed. . Further, when selecting one transmission line, for example, selecting the transmission line selected last, selecting based on a predetermined order, selecting the transmission line in the best state determined based on congestion and noise Since the transmission path is selected based on the set conditions such as, the optimal transmission path can be selected according to the situation.

  In addition, since the self-other terminal address determining means 103 of the communication management device 101 is provided and the determination of the addresses for the communication devices 102 requesting new entry is performed collectively, the address management in the network can be effectively performed. it can. Further, for example, the communication device 102 that has made a new entry request transmits a signal including the address determined for the communication device 102 to the other communication device 102, and the communication device 102 that has received the signal stores the signal in the other terminal address list 180. Thus, the first address 155 and the second address 154 related to the communication device 102 in the network can be notified efficiently. Conversely, the communication device 102 and the communication management device 101 other than the communication device 102 that has made a new entry request transmit a signal including its own address to the communication device 102 that has made a new entry request, and have received the signal. Since the communication device 102 is stored in the other terminal address list 180, an address related to the communication device 102 in the network can be notified efficiently.

  In addition, each communication management device 101 and communication device 102 automatically performs processing operations related to address determination and notification at the time of activation, so that the first address 155 and the second address 154 of the own terminal, etc. The first address 155 and / or the second address 154 of the terminal can be respectively stored in the corresponding storage means. For example, it is not necessary for a human to make a setting while paying attention to the communication method, and the system can be used. it can.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 10 is a block configuration diagram of a communication system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In FIG. 10, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 perform the same processes as those described in the first embodiment. 101 A of communication management apparatuses of this Embodiment are not connected with the 2nd transmission path 122, and do not need to perform the communication using a 2nd communication system. Therefore, the second communication unit 112, the second address storage unit 108, the second communication method processing unit 106, and the transmission path determination unit 110 are not provided, and are different from the communication management device 101 of the first embodiment. However, in order for the own / other terminal address determining means 103 to maintain the same processing as the first embodiment (processing for determining the second address of the own terminal), the second address storage means 108 may be provided. .

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication by the plurality of communication devices 102 via the transmission path according to the second embodiment. When one communication management device 101A and two communication devices 102B and 102C in the network perform communication from the communication management device 101A to the communication device 102C by relaying the communication device 102B based on FIG. Will be described. Here, the first address 155F in the communication management device 101A is “100”, and the second address 154F is “z”. The first addresses 155B and 155C in the communication devices 102B and 102C are set to “2” and “3”, respectively, and the second addresses 154B and 154C are set to “b” and “c”, respectively. Here, a description will be given assuming that a total of three communication management devices 101A and communication devices 102 are connected for communication, but the number of devices in the network is not limited to this number.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the communication management device 101 </ b> A and the communication device 102 </ b> B are connected by a first transmission path 123. The communication device 102B and the communication device 102C are connected by a second transmission path 122. In the other terminal address list 180F in the communication management device 101A, “2” that is the first address 155B of the communication device 102B obtained from the communication device 102B via the first transmission path 123 is registered. Similarly, the other terminal address list 180B of the communication device 102B includes “100” as the first address 155F of the communication device 102A, “3” and “c” as the first address 155C and the second address 154C of the communication device 102C. Is registered. In the other terminal address list 180C of the communication device 102C, the first address 155B and the second address 154B “2” and “b” of the communication device 102B are registered.

  First, the communication management device 101A transmits a signal to the communication device 102B. Since the communication management device 101A cannot perform communication via the second transmission path 122 using the second communication method, the first communication means 111A transmits a signal to the communication device 102B via the first transmission path 123. .

  Next, the communication device 102B determines a transmission destination based on the obtained data. If it is determined that the transmission destination is not addressed to itself, the transmission path determination means 119 of the communication device 102B searches the other terminal address list 180B for transfer to the communication device 102C that is the next destination. Since the second address 154C of the communication device 102C is registered in the other terminal address list 180B, it is determined that a signal is transmitted through the second transmission path 122. Then, the communication device 102B transmits a signal from the second communication unit 121 to the communication device 102C via the second transmission path 122.

  The communication device 102C determines that the transmission destination is addressed to itself based on the obtained data, and processes the data. In this way, communication is performed between the communication management device 101A and the communication device 102 via the transmission paths according to the two communication methods.

  As described above, according to the communication system of the second embodiment, for example, even if the communication management device 101A includes only the first communication unit 111 and can only perform communication using the first communication method, the network In, for example, the communication via the first transmission path 123 and the second transmission path 122 can be performed by another communication device 102 including the first communication means 120 and the second communication means 121.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 12 is a block configuration diagram of a communication system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In FIG. 12, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 perform the same processing as described in the first embodiment. The communication device 102E of the present embodiment is not connected to the second transmission path 122 and does not need to perform communication using the second communication method. Therefore, the second communication unit 121, the second communication method processing unit 115, the second address storage unit 117, and the transmission path determination unit 119 are not provided, and are different from the communication device 102 of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing processing operations for constructing a network according to the third embodiment. Based on FIG. 13, processing relating to address determination of the communication device 102E in the present embodiment will be described. Here, the communication management device 101 having the own / other terminal address determination means 103 performs processing for determining the first address 155 and the second address 154 of itself (communication management device 101) when it is first activated, for example. The terminal address setting unit 104 stores the first address and the second address in the first address storage unit 107 and the second address storage unit 108.

  When the communication device 102E intends to newly enter the network, the communication device 102E transmits a signal indicating a new entry request for obtaining the first address 155 to the communication management device 101 (S501). Here, since the first address and the second address are not determined for the communication device 102A, for example, the first communication method processing unit 114 and the second communication method processing unit 115 are the first communication method and the second communication method. The data creation process for performing the broadcast communication defined in (1) is performed, and signals are transmitted from the first communication unit 120 and the second communication unit 121.

  In the communication management device 101, at least one of the first communication unit 111 and the second communication unit 112 is a signal indicating a new entry request via at least one of the first transmission channel 123 and the second transmission channel 122. Receive. The own / other terminal address determining means 103 determines the first address of the communication device 102A (S502). Then, the first communication method processing unit 114 and the second communication method processing unit 115 perform data generation processing, and for the communication device 102, a signal including the determined first address 155 as data is transmitted to the first communication unit 111 and the second communication method. Transmission is performed from the communication means 112 by broadcast communication (S503). At this time, a signal including the first address of the communication device 102A is also transmitted to the other communication devices 102 in the network.

  In the communication device 102A, at least one of the first communication means 120 and the second communication means 121 receives a signal via at least one of the first transmission path 123 and the second transmission path 122, and the terminal address setting means 113 stores the first address 155 in the first address storage means 116 (S504). Also for the other communication devices 102 in the network, the first address 155 of the communication device 102A is stored in the other terminal address list 180 of the other terminal address list storage means 118.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication by a plurality of communication devices 102 via a transmission line according to the third embodiment. Based on FIG. 14, a case will be described in which communication is performed from the communication device 102A to the communication device 102D by relaying the communication devices 102E and 102C in the four communication devices 102A, 102C, 102D, and 102E in the network. Here, in FIG. 14, the communication device 102 </ b> E does not include the second communication unit 121, but even if a certain communication device does not include the second communication unit 121, the other communication device 102 includes the second communication unit 121. Thus, communication via the second transmission path 122 is possible as a whole. Here, although it is assumed that four communication devices 102 are connected for communication, the number of communication devices 102 in the network is not limited to this number. The communication management device 101 may be included in the network.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the communication device 102A and the communication device 102E and the communication device 102E and the communication device 102C are connected by a first transmission path 123, respectively, and between the communication device 102C and the communication device 102D. Are connected by a second transmission path 122. In the other terminal address list 180A in the communication device 102A, “5”, which is the first address 155E of the communication device 102E obtained based on the address notification procedure described above, is registered. Similarly, “1” as the first address 155A of the communication device 102A and “3” as the first address 155C of the communication device 102C are registered in the other terminal address list 180E of the communication device 102E. The other terminal address list 180C of the communication device 102C includes “5” as the first address 155E of the communication device 102E and “4” and “d” as the first address 155D and the second address 154D of the communication device 102D. Is registered. Then, it is assumed that “3” and “c”, which are the first address 155C and the second address 154C of the communication device 102C, are registered in the other terminal address list 180D of the communication device 102D.

  First, the communication device 102A transmits a signal to the communication device 102E. The communication device 102E does not include the second communication unit 121 and cannot perform communication via the second transmission path 122 using the second communication method. The transmission path determination unit 119 of the communication apparatus 102A determines that the second address of the communication apparatus 102E is not registered in the other terminal address list 180A, and determines that a signal is transmitted through the first transmission path 123. Then, a signal is transmitted from the first communication means 120 to the communication device 102E via the first transmission path 123.

  Next, the communication device 102E determines a transmission destination based on the obtained data. When it is determined that the transmission destination is not addressed to itself, a signal is transmitted from the first communication unit 120 to the communication device 102C via the first transmission path 123 in order to transfer the communication device to the next communication device 102C.

  Furthermore, the communication device 102C determines the transmission destination based on the obtained data. When it is determined that the transmission destination is not addressed to itself, the transmission path determination means 119C of the communication device 102C searches the other terminal address list 180C in order to transfer to the next communication device 102D. Since the second address 154D of the communication device 102D is registered in the other terminal address list 180C, it is determined that a signal is transmitted through the second transmission path 122. Then, the communication device 102C transmits a signal from the second communication unit 121 to the communication device 102D via the second transmission path 122.

  The communication device 102D determines that the transmission destination is addressed to itself based on the obtained data, and processes the data. In this way, communication is performed between the communication devices 102 via the transmission paths according to the two communication methods.

  As described above, according to the communication system of the third embodiment, for example, even when the communication device 102E includes only the first communication unit 111E and can only perform communication using the first communication method, For example, the first transmission path 123, the first communication means 120 (first communication means 111), the second communication means 121 (second communication means 112), and the other communication equipment 102 (communication management equipment 101). Communication via the two transmission lines 122 can be performed.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a communication system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In FIG. 15, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1, 10, and 12 perform the same processing as described in the first embodiment.

  As described above, the communication management device 101A does not include the second communication unit 112, but the own / other terminal address determination unit 103 of the communication management device 101 determines the second address of the communication device 102 in the network. Communication by the communication management device 101A and the communication device 102E is performed by performing the same processing as in the above-described embodiment.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, even if the communication management device 101 and a certain communication device 102 are not provided with the second communication means 112 and 121, if the other communication device 102 is provided, the second transmission is performed. Communication via the path 122 can be performed.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of an address notification procedure by the communication management device 101. In the above-described first embodiment, the communication device 102A that has made a new entry request performs the address notification process. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the communication management device 101 including the own / other terminal address determination unit 103 performs an address notification process for the communication device 102 that has newly entered the network.

  For example, after the own and other terminal address determining means 103 determines the first address 155 and the second address 154 of the communication device 102 that has newly entered the network, a signal including data with a header or the like in the format shown in FIG. Transmission is performed from the first communication unit 111 and the second communication unit 112 to other communication devices 102 (here, communication devices 102B and 102C) already in the network (S601). At this time, the data relating to the first address and the second address of the communication device 102 newly entering the payload 153 is included.

  In the other communication device 102 that has received the transmitted signal by the first communication unit 120 and / or the second communication unit 121, the other terminal address list storage unit 118 performs processing, and the other terminal address list includes the first address, The second address is registered (S602).

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating another example of the address notification procedure by the communication management device 101. The communication management device 101 determines addresses for all the communication devices 102 in the network, and registers the determined addresses in the other terminal address list. Therefore, an address notification process is performed in which a signal including data relating to the address of another communication device 102 is transmitted from the communication management device 101 to the communication device 102 that has newly entered the network. For example, after the own and other terminal address determination means 103 determines the first address and the second address of the communication device 102 that has newly entered the network, the first signal including data with a header or the like in the format shown in FIG. Transmission is performed from the communication unit 111 and the second communication unit 112 to the newly entered communication device 102 (S701). At this time, the payload 153 includes data related to the first address and the second address of the other communication device 102.

  In the newly entered communication device 102 that has received the transmitted signal by the first communication unit 120 and / or the second communication unit 121, the other terminal address list storage unit 118 performs processing, and the first address is added to the other terminal address list. The second address is registered (S702).

  As described above, in the fifth embodiment, the communication management device 101 having its own and other terminal address determination means 103 notifies the communication device 102 that has already entered the network of the address of the communication device 102 that has newly entered, On the contrary, since the address of the communication device 102 that has already entered is notified to the communication device 102 related to the new entry, it is not particularly necessary to transmit signals from each of the plurality of communication devices 102, and the amount of communication in the transmission path can be reduced. It can be expected to reduce.

Embodiment 6 FIG.
In the above-described embodiment, communication by the first communication method via the first transmission path 123 is performed by wireless communication, and communication by the second communication method via the second transmission path 122 is performed by wired communication. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same effect can be obtained by conversely. Furthermore, both may be wireless communication, or both may be wired communication.

  In the above-described embodiment, the number of communication methods and the number of transmission paths is two, but the same function can be achieved with three or more communication methods.

  101, 101A communication management equipment, 102, 102A, 102B, 102C, 102D, 102E communication equipment, 103 own / other terminal address determining means, 104 terminal address setting means, 105 first communication method processing means, 106 second communication method processing means 107 First address storage means 108 Second address storage means 109 Other terminal address list storage means 110 Transmission path determination means 111 First communication means 112 Second communication means 113 Terminal address setting means 114 First Communication method processing means, 115 Second communication method processing means, 116 First address storage means, 117 Second address storage means, 118 Other terminal address list storage means, 119, 119A, 119B, 119C, 119D Transmission path determination means, 120 , 120A, 120B, 120C 120D, 120E first communication means, 121, 121A, 121B, 121C, 121D second communication means, 122 second transmission path, 123 first transmission path, 151 second header, 152 first header, 153 payload, 154, 154A , 154B, 154C, 154D Second address, 155, 155A, 155B, 155C, 155D, 155E, 155F First address, 180, 180A, 180B, 180C, 180D, 180E, 180F Other terminal address list, 181 Communication device name column , 182 First address field, 183 Second address field, 661, 662 Room, 663 Wall.

Claims (4)

Among a plurality of communication devices in a network constituting a building / home communication system including a plurality of transmission paths for performing communication corresponding to a plurality of communication methods , a communication device that is a transmission destination from a communication device that is a transmission source In communication equipment that relays signals sent to
A plurality of communication method processing means for performing processing related to signals for each communication method;
A plurality of communication means for performing communication processing for communication via each transmission path;
Address storage means having a terminal address list for associating and registering an address determined for each communication method with respect to a communication device that is the next relay destination or the transmission destination for the communication device in the network;
Based on the presence / absence of registration of the address for each communication method related to the next relay destination or destination communication device in the terminal address list , the next relay destination or destination communication device from among the registered addresses A transmission path determination unit that selects the transmission path that enables communication with the communication unit, and causes the corresponding communication unit to transmit a signal with an address of a communication method corresponding to the transmission path. Communication equipment.   The communication device according to claim 1, wherein one of the transmission paths is a wireless communication transmission path.   The communication device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one of the transmission paths is a transmission path using indoor power wiring.   A home appliance having the communication device according to claim 1 mounted thereon.

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