JP7261992B2 - COMMUNICATION DEVICE, COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT CONTROL SYSTEM, COMMUNICATION CONTROL METHOD AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure generally relates to communication devices, communication systems, device control systems, communication control methods, and programs. More specifically, the present invention relates to a communication device, a communication system, an equipment control system, a communication control method, and a program used in a communication system including a first system and a plurality of second systems.

Patent Literature 1 describes a communication system in which a slave unit and a superimposed communication means are connected in parallel to a master unit via a two-wire communication line. The parent device sends out to the communication line a first signal whose polarity changes between positive and negative. The child device uses the first signal as its power source, and communicates with the parent device using the first signal. The superimposition communication means uses the first signal as a power source, and performs communication with the parent device by a second signal superimposed on the first signal.

JP 2009-055371 A

In the communication system described in Patent Literature 1, when a plurality of second systems (subsystems) are connected to a first system including a parent device, there is no function to coordinate communications between the plurality of second systems. , it is difficult to realize cooperation between a plurality of second systems.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above reasons, and aims to provide a communication device, a communication system, an equipment control system, a communication control method, and a program that can easily realize cooperation between a plurality of second systems.

A communication device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure is used as one of the plurality of interfaces in a communication system including a first system, a plurality of interfaces, and a second system. The first system includes one or more first terminals connected to a transmission line. The plurality of interfaces are connected to the transmission line and perform communication using superimposed signals. Each of the plurality of second systems includes one or more second terminals that communicate using signals. The plurality of second systems are asynchronous with each other and are connected to the plurality of interfaces in one-to-one correspondence. Each of the plurality of interfaces transfers the signal received from the corresponding second system out of the plurality of second systems as the superimposed signal to another second system via another interface. It is configured. When transmitting the superimposed signal to another interface among the plurality of interfaces, the communication device superimposes destination information specifying a second system to which the signal is to be transferred among the plurality of second systems. The superimposed signal is included in a signal and transmitted.

A communication device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is used as one of the plurality of interfaces in a communication system including a first system, a plurality of interfaces, and a second system. The first system includes one or more first terminals connected to a transmission line. The plurality of interfaces are connected to the transmission line and perform communication using superimposed signals. Each of the plurality of second systems includes one or more second terminals that communicate using signals. The plurality of second systems are asynchronous with each other and are connected to the plurality of interfaces in one-to-one correspondence. Each of the plurality of interfaces transfers the signal received from the corresponding second system out of the plurality of second systems as the superimposed signal to another second system via another interface. It is configured. When receiving the superimposed signal from another interface of the plurality of interfaces, the communication device receives the corresponding second system out of the plurality of second systems based on destination information included in the superimposed signal. Determine whether to send the signal to the system.

A communication system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes the plurality of interfaces, the first system, and the plurality of second systems. The plurality of interfaces includes the communication device.

A device control system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the communication system. The one or more first terminals include a collective control terminal collectively controlling a plurality of devices, and the one or more second terminals include individual control terminals individually controlling the plurality of devices. .

A communication control method according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes, in a communication system, transmitting a superimposed signal including destination information in the superimposed signal when transmitting the superimposed signal to another interface out of a plurality of interfaces. to control. The destination information is information that specifies the second system to which the signal is to be transferred among the plurality of second systems. In the communication control method, each of the plurality of interfaces receives the signal received from the corresponding second system among the plurality of second systems as the superimposed signal via another interface. Control to transfer to the system. The communication system comprises a first system, the plurality of interfaces, and the plurality of second systems. The first system includes one or more first terminals connected to the transmission line. The plurality of interfaces are connected to the transmission line and perform communication using the superimposed signal. Each of the plurality of second systems includes one or more second terminals that communicate using the signal. The plurality of second systems are asynchronous with each other and are connected to the plurality of interfaces in one-to-one correspondence.

A communication control method according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes, in a communication system, transmitting a superimposed signal including destination information in the superimposed signal when transmitting the superimposed signal to another interface out of a plurality of interfaces. to control the first interface. The destination information is information specifying a second system to which the second signal is to be transferred among the plurality of second systems. The communication control method determines whether or not to transmit the second signal to a corresponding second system among the plurality of second systems when receiving the superimposed signal from another interface among the plurality of interfaces. controlling the second interface to determine; The second interface determines whether or not to transmit the second signal based on the destination information included in the superimposed signal. The communication system comprises a first system, the plurality of interfaces, and the plurality of second systems. The first system includes one or more first terminals that communicate using a first signal transmitted over the transmission line. The plurality of interfaces are connected to the transmission line and perform communication by the superimposed signal superimposed on the first signal. The plurality of interfaces includes the first interface and the second interface. Each of the plurality of second systems includes one or more second terminals that communicate using the second signal. The plurality of second systems are asynchronous with each other and are connected to the plurality of interfaces in one-to-one correspondence. Each of the plurality of interfaces transfers the second signal received from the corresponding second system out of the plurality of second systems as the superimposed signal to another second system via another interface. .

A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a program for causing a computer system to execute the communication control method.

The present disclosure has the advantage of being able to easily implement cooperation between a plurality of second systems.

FIG. 1 is a schematic system configuration diagram showing a communication system and a device control system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic waveform diagram showing the signal format of the first signal used in the first system of the communication system of the same. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the interface of the communication system of the same. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a data format of a superimposed signal used in the same communication system. FIG. 5 is a schematic system configuration diagram showing a communication system according to the second embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
(1) Outline A communication system according to the present embodiment is used in facilities such as office buildings, stores, hospitals, schools, and factories, and controls equipment such as lighting fixtures installed in the facilities. configure the system; In this embodiment, an example will be described in which a device control system using a communication system is a lighting control system for controlling lighting fixtures.

As shown in FIG. 1, a communication system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a first system 1, a plurality of (here, two) second systems 2A and 2B, a plurality of (here, two) interfaces 3A, 3B and. Hereinafter, each of the plurality of second systems 2A and 2B will be referred to as a "second system 2" unless the plurality of second systems 2A and 2B are particularly distinguished. Similarly, each of the multiple interfaces 3A and 3B will be referred to as "interface 3" when the multiple interfaces 3A and 3B are not particularly distinguished. In this embodiment, the first system 1 constitutes a "main system" that is a higher system within the communication system 10, and each second system 2 constitutes a "subsystem" that is a lower system within the communication system 10. do. Therefore, the first system 1 that is the main system can integrally manage the plurality of second systems 2 .

Here, the interface 3 is a communication device having at least a communication function. In other words, the communication device is used as one of the multiple interfaces 3 in the communication system 10 .

The first system 1 includes one or more (here, four) first terminals 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D. Hereinafter, each of the plurality of first terminals 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D will be referred to as a "first terminal 11" when the plurality of first terminals 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D are not particularly distinguished. The first terminal 11 communicates with a first signal transmitted through the (first) transmission path 12 .

The second system 2A includes one or more (here, three) second terminals 21A, 21B, and 21E. Another second system 2B includes one or more (here, three) second terminals 21C, 21D, and 21F. Hereinafter, when the plurality of second terminals 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D, 21E, and 21F are not particularly distinguished, each of the plurality of second terminals 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D, 21E, and 21F is referred to as a "second terminal 21”. The second terminal 21 communicates with the second signal Si2 transmitted through the (second) transmission path 22 .

Here, the plurality of second systems 2A, 2B are asynchronous with each other. In this embodiment, the second terminal 21 included in each second system 2 communicates with other second terminals 21 included in the same second system 2 by the second signal Si2 transmitted through the transmission path 22. Therefore, the second system 2 operates independently. That is, the second system 2 constructs an independent system. In this embodiment, by connecting a plurality of independent second systems 2 to the transmission line 12 of the first system 1 via the interface 3, cooperation among the plurality of second systems 2 is possible. becomes.

In FIG. 1, as an example, the first terminal 11A is connected with a plurality of (here, two) lighting fixtures 4A and 4B, and the first terminal 11B is connected with a plurality of (here, two) lighting fixtures 4C. , 4D are connected. A lighting fixture 4A is connected to the second terminal 21A, a lighting fixture 4B is connected to the second terminal 21B, a lighting fixture 4C is connected to the second terminal 21C, and a lighting fixture 4D is connected to the second terminal 21D. is connected. Hereinafter, each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D will be referred to as "the lighting fixture 4" unless the plurality of lighting fixtures 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D are particularly distinguished. These multiple lighting fixtures 4 constitute multiple devices to be controlled by the device control system 100 using the communication system 10 . In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the lighting fixture 4 as a controlled object is not included in the components of the communication system 10 .

A plurality of interfaces 3A and 3B are connected to the transmission line 12, and communicate with the superimposed signal Si0 superimposed on the first signal. "Superposition" in the present disclosure means that a plurality of signals transmitted through the same transmission line overlap each other. That is, the superimposed signal Si0 is a signal that is transmitted through the transmission line 12 together with the first signal while being superimposed on the first signal that is transmitted through the transmission line 12 . The multiple second systems 2 are connected to the multiple interfaces 3 in one-to-one correspondence. As an example in this embodiment, the second system 2A is associated with the interface 3A and is connected to the interface 3A. The second system 2B is associated with and connected to the interface 3B. In other words, the second system 2A is connected to the transmission line 12 of the first system 1 via the interface 3A, and the second system 2B is connected to the transmission line 12 of the first system 1 via the interface 3B.

In this way, the interface 3 and the second system 2 are associated on a one-to-one basis, and one interface 3 and one second system 2 form a pair. Hereinafter, of the plurality of second systems 2, the second system 2 corresponding to the specific interface 3, that is, the second system 2 directly connected to the specific interface 3 will be referred to as the "subordinate second system 2" of this interface 3. Also called System 2. In this embodiment, the second system 2A is under the interface 3A, and the second system 2B is under the interface 3B.

Then, each of the multiple interfaces 3A and 3B converts the second signal Si2 received from the corresponding second system 2 out of the multiple second systems 2A and 2B into the superimposed signal Si0 via the other interface 3. It is configured to transfer to another second system 2 . That is, the interface 3A transfers the second signal Si2 received from the corresponding second system 2A as the superimposed signal Si0 to the other second system 2B via the other interface 3B. On the other hand, the interface 3B transfers the second signal Si2 received from the corresponding second system 2B as the superimposed signal Si0 to the other second system 2A via the other interface 3A.

In short, the second system 2A and the second system 2B are connected to the common transmission line 12 of the first system 1 via the interface 3A and the interface 3B, respectively. Therefore, data can be exchanged between the different second systems 2A and 2B by communicating with each other using the superimposed signal Si0 between the multiple interfaces 3A and 3B. As a result, even when the first system 1 is in operation, the superimposed signal Si0 superimposed on the first signal used in the first system 1 can be used to use the transmission path 12 common to the first system 1. A plurality of second systems 2A and 2B can cooperate with each other.

By the way, in the communication system 10 according to the present embodiment, the communication protocol of each of the plurality of second systems 2A and 2B, that is, the protocol of the second signal Si2 is a common (same) protocol among the plurality of second systems 2. be. Therefore, if the communication system 10 transmits signals from the first system 1 to the second system 2 without restriction, there is concern that the traffic of the second system 2 will increase. Therefore, in the communication system 10 according to the present embodiment, each of the plurality of interfaces 3 (communication devices) has a signal filtering function, so that a plurality of signals (data) are transferred from the first system 1 to the second system 2. are restricted at each of the interfaces 3 of

The “filtering function” referred to in the present disclosure is a function of passing only specific data at least for “downlink communication” from the first system 1 to the second system 2 in the interface 3 .

Specifically, the interface 3 that relays the "upstream communication" from the second system 2 to the first system 1 transmits the superimposed signal Si0 including the destination information in the superimposed signal Si0. The destination information is information that specifies the second system 2 to which the second signal Si2 is to be transferred among the plurality of second systems 2 . That is, when the interface 3 transmits the superimposed signal Si0 to the other interface 3, the destination information specifying the second system 2 to which the second signal Si2 is transferred among the plurality of second systems 2 is added to the superimposed signal Si0. , and transmit the superimposed signal Si0.

Further, the interface 3, which relays the "downlink communication" from the first system 1 to the second system 2, analyzes the superimposed signal Si0 to pass data from the first system 1 side to the second system 2 side. Decide whether or not That is, when the interface 3 receives the superimposed signal Si0 from another interface 3, the interface 3 sends the second system 2 to the corresponding second system 2 among the plurality of second systems 2 based on the destination information included in the superimposed signal Si0. It decides whether or not to transmit the signal Si2. In short, the interface 3 sends the second signal Si2 to the second system 2 when the destination information included in the superimposed signal Si0 received from the other interface 3 corresponds to the second system 2 under its control. Send it to pass the data through.

Thus, in the communication system 10, the superimposed signal Si0 transmitted to the transmission path 12 contains destination information, and based on this destination information, data is passed from the first system 1 side to the second system 2 side. It becomes possible to control whether or not to allow Therefore, according to the communication system 10, there is an advantage that cooperation between a plurality of second systems 2 (subsystems) can be easily realized while suppressing an increase in traffic of the second system 2. FIG.

(2) Configuration Next, the configuration of the communication system 10 according to this embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

As described above, the communication system 10 includes the first system 1 , multiple (here, two) second systems 2 , and multiple (here, two) interfaces 3 .

(2.1) First System The first system 1 includes a plurality of (here, four) first terminals 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D. All of the plurality of first terminals 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D are electrically connected to the two-wire transmission line 12 . The plurality of first terminals 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D include three types of terminals: "control terminal", "monitoring terminal" and "transmission unit". In the example of FIG. 1, the first terminals 11A and 11B are control terminals, the first terminal 11C is a monitoring terminal, and the first terminal 11D is a transmission unit.

The first terminals 11A and 11B as control terminals control devices (lighting fixtures 4) to be controlled by the device control system 100. FIG. In FIG. 1, as an example, the first terminals 11A and 11B are separate from the lighting fixture 4 to be controlled. Each of the first terminals 11A and 11B controls relays built in the first terminals 11A and 11B or remote control relays according to a message transmitted from the first terminal 11D as a transmission unit, has a function of controlling the on/off of the A “telegram” as used in the present disclosure is a set of data transmitted and received between devices described according to a predetermined format. In the example of FIG. 1, the first terminal 11A turns on/off a relay (or a remote control relay) provided on the power supply line to the lighting fixtures 4A and 4B to turn on/off a plurality of (here, two) lighting fixtures 4A. , 4B are collectively controlled. The first terminal 11B collectively controls a plurality of (here, two) lighting fixtures 4C and 4D by turning on/off relays (or remote control relays) provided on power supply lines to the lighting fixtures 4C and 4D. It is a "collective control terminal". However, not limited to this example, the first terminals 11A and 11B as control terminals may be configured integrally with the lighting fixture 4 to be controlled, and control the lighting fixture 4 such as dimming or color adjustment. may have the function of Each of the first terminals 11A and 11B has a memory storing its own address assigned individually. If each of the first terminals 11A, 11B has a plurality of relays, the memory stores a unique address for each relay.

The first terminal 11C as a monitoring terminal is configured by, for example, a switch device or a sensor device that is attached to a wall or the like and receives a user's operation. The sensor device here is, for example, a human sensor, an illuminance sensor, a temperature sensor, or the like. The first terminal 11C as a monitoring terminal, for example, detects a user's operation with a switch or detects the presence of a person with a sensor. send a message to In the example of FIG. 1, the first terminal 11C is a switch device that receives a user's operation, and upon detecting a user's operation on any of a plurality of switches, transmits a message corresponding to the operated switch. The first terminal 11C has a memory that stores its own individually assigned address. If the first terminal 11C has multiple switches, the memory stores a unique address for each switch.

A first terminal 11D as a transmission unit repeatedly transmits a first signal Si1 having a signal format as shown in FIG. Also, the first terminal 11D as a transmission unit has a memory that stores the address correspondence of the first terminals 11 other than the first terminal 11D. Here, the first signal Si1 is a time-division signal having a voltage waveform divided into a plurality of regions in the direction of the time axis. In the example of FIG. 2, the first signal Si1 includes an interrupt band T1, a short detection band T2, a pause band T3, a preliminary interrupt band T4, a preliminary band T5, a transmission band T6, and a reply band T7. It is a time-division multiplexed signal of bipolarity (±24 V) consisting of seven regions of . Here, a series of sections starting from the interrupt band T1 and ending with the reply band T7 in the first signal Si1 is defined as one frame.

The interrupt zone T1 is a period for detecting the presence or absence of an interrupt signal, which will be described later, and the short-circuit detection zone T2 is a period for detecting a short circuit. The idle period T3 is a period for when the processing cannot be completed in time. A preliminary interrupt zone T4 is a period for detecting the presence or absence of a secondary interrupt, and a preliminary zone T5 is a period set in accordance with the interrupt zone T1 and the short-circuit detection zone T2. A transmission band T6 is a period for the first terminal 11D (transmission unit) to transmit data to the other first terminal 11, and a reply band T7 is a period for the first terminal 11D (transmission unit) to transmit data from the other first terminal 11. is a period for receiving the return data of

The first terminal 11D as a transmission unit normally transmits the first signal Si1 whose mode data is the normal mode, and periodically changes the address data included in the transmission band T6 of the first signal Si1 to Constant polling is performed to sequentially access a plurality of other first terminals 11 . During constant polling, the first terminal 11 whose address data included in the transmission band T6 matches its own address receives the message included in this transmission band T6, and returns the message in the next reply band T7. 1 Transmit to terminal 11D. Here, the first terminal 11 returns the telegram by the current mode signal synchronized with the reply band T7 of the first signal Si1. The “current mode signal” referred to in the present disclosure is represented by a current change caused by switching between a state in which the lines of the two-wire transmission line 12 are open and a state in which a low-impedance element is connected between the lines. is a signal. As a result, one or more first terminals 11 included in the first system 1 communicate with each other using the first signal Si<b>1 transmitted through the transmission line 12 . Power for operating internal circuits of the first terminal 11 other than the first terminal 11D is generated by rectifying and stabilizing the first signal Si1.

(2.2) Second System The second system 2A includes a plurality of (here, three) second terminals 21A, 21B, and 21E. All of the plurality of second terminals 21A, 21B, and 21E are electrically connected to the two-wire transmission line 22 in the second system 2A. The second system 2B, like the second system 2A, includes a plurality of (here, three) second terminals 21C, 21D, and 21F. All of the plurality of second terminals 21C, 21D, and 21F are electrically connected to the two-wire transmission line 22 in the second system 2B. In this embodiment, as an example, the second systems 2A and 2B are systems conforming to the DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) standard. The plurality of second terminals 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D, 21E, and 21F include two types of terminals, "slave" and "master." In the example of FIG. 1, the second terminals 21A, 21B, 21C and 21D are slaves, respectively, and the second terminals 21E and 21F are masters.

The second terminals 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D as slaves control devices (lighting fixtures 4) to be controlled by the device control system 100. FIG. In FIG. 1, as an example, the second terminals 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D are separate from the lighting fixture 4 to be controlled. Each of the second terminals 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D turns on the lighting fixtures 4 connected to the second terminals 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D, respectively, in accordance with the messages transmitted from the second terminals 21E and 21F as masters. It has a function of controlling /off, dimming, or toning. In the example of FIG. 1, the second terminal 21A is connected to the lighting fixture 4A, the second terminal 21B is connected to the lighting fixture 4B, and each of the second terminals 21A and 21B is a plurality (here, two). It is an "individual control terminal" that controls the lighting fixtures 4A and 4B individually for each lighting fixture 4. The second terminal 21C is connected to the lighting fixture 4C, the second terminal 21D is connected to the lighting fixture 4D, and each of the second terminals 21C and 21D is connected to a plurality of (here, two) lighting fixtures 4C and 4D. is an “individual control terminal” that controls each lighting fixture 4 individually. However, not limited to this example, the second terminals 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D as slaves may be configured integrally with the lighting fixture 4 to be controlled. Each of the second terminals 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D has a memory storing its own address assigned individually.

The second terminals 21E and 21F as masters are configured by, for example, switch devices or sensor devices that are mounted on a wall or the like and receive user operations. The sensor device here is, for example, a human sensor, an illuminance sensor, a temperature sensor, or the like. The second terminals 21E and 21F as masters, for example, detect a user's operation with a switch or detect the presence of a person with a sensor. , 21D. In the example of FIG. 1, each of the second terminals 21E and 21F is a switch device that receives a user's operation. to send. Each of the second terminals 21E and 21F has a memory storing its own address assigned individually.

One or more second terminals 21 included in the second system 2 communicate using a second signal Si<b>2 transmitted through the transmission path 22 . Here, the communication protocol of the second system 2, ie the protocol of the second signal Si2, is at least different from the communication protocol of the first system 1, ie the protocol of the first signal Si1. However, as described above, the communication protocol of each of the multiple second systems 2A and 2B is a common (same) protocol among the multiple second systems 2 .

(2.3) Interfaces Both of the multiple (here, two) interfaces 3A and 3B are electrically connected to the transmission line 12 of the first system 1 . In this embodiment, the plurality of interfaces 3A and 3B have the same configuration, and each of the plurality of interfaces 3A and 3B serves as both a first interface and a second interface. A first interface is an interface 3 that relays “upstream communication” from the second system 2 to the first system 1 . The second interface is the interface 3 that relays “downstream communication” from the first system 1 to the second system 2 . That is, each of the plurality of interfaces 3A and 3B has both a function of relaying "uplink communication" and a function of relaying "downlink communication".

These interfaces 3A and 3B are configured to communicate with each other via the transmission line 12 by the superimposed signal Si0 superimposed on the first signal Si1. Also, the interface 3A is electrically connected to the transmission line 22 of the second system 2A. The interface 3B is electrically connected to the transmission line 22 of the second system 2B. As a result, a plurality of (here, two) second systems 2A and 2B that are asynchronous with each other are connected to the transmission line 12 of the first system 1 via the interfaces 3A and 3B. As a result, a plurality of mutually independent second systems 2A and 2B can cooperate via the interfaces 3A and 3B and the transmission line 12. FIG.

Each interface 3, as shown in FIG. , a second signal transmission/reception unit 36 and an isolation circuit 37 .

The controller 30 controls the superimposed signal transmitter 32 , the superimposed signal receiver 33 , the first signal transmitter 34 , the first signal receiver 35 and the second signal transmitter/receiver 36 . The control unit 30 is composed of a microcomputer mainly composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory. In other words, the control unit 30 is realized by a computer having a CPU and memory, and the computer functions as the control unit 30 by the CPU executing a program stored in the memory. Although the program is pre-recorded in the memory of the control unit 30 here, it may be provided through an electric communication line such as the Internet or recorded in a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card.

The rectifier 31 is composed of a diode bridge (denoted as "DB" in FIG. 3).
The rectifier 31 is electrically connected to the transmission line 12 of the first system 1 .

The superimposed signal transmitter 32 is connected to the transmission line 12 of the first system 1 via the rectifier 31 . The superimposed signal transmission unit 32 transmits a superimposed signal Si0 that is superimposed on the first signal Si1. The superimposed signal Si0 has a sufficiently higher frequency than the first signal, and has a sufficiently large amount of data that can be transmitted per frame (of the first signal). Therefore, communication using the superimposed signal Si0 can increase the communication speed compared to communication using the first signal, and is suitable for transmission of information with a relatively large amount of data such as analog data, for example. FIG. 2 and the like only schematically show how the superimposed signal Si0 is superimposed on the first signal Si1. does not appear on the transmission line 12.

The superimposed signal receiver 33 is connected to the transmission line 12 of the first system 1 via the rectifier 31 . The superimposed signal receiver 33 receives the superimposed signal Si0 superimposed on the first signal Si1.

The first signal transmitter 34 is connected to the transmission line 12 of the first system 1 via the rectifier 31 . The first signal transmitter 34 transmits the first signal Si1.

The first signal receiver 35 is connected to the transmission line 12 of the first system 1 via the rectifier 31 . The first signal receiver 35 receives the first signal Si1.

The second signal transmission/reception unit 36 is electrically connected to the transmission line 22 of the second system 2 under the control of the interface 3 . The second signal transmission/reception unit 36 is capable of communication conforming to the communication protocol of the second system 2 . The second signal transmission/reception unit 36 transmits and receives the second signal Si<b>2 via the transmission line 22 with the second terminal 21 included in the second system 2 under the control of the interface 3 . That is, the second signal transmitting/receiving unit 36 bidirectionally transmits/receives electronic messages to/from the second terminal 21 through wired communication using the second signal Si2.

The isolation circuit 37 is inserted between the control section 30 and the second signal transmission/reception section 36 . The isolation circuit 37 electrically isolates the control unit 30 and the second signal transmission/reception unit 36 .

The interface 3 configured as described above transfers the second signal Si2 received from the subordinate second system 2 to the other second system 2 via the other interface 3 as the superimposed signal Si0. That is, the interface 3A transfers the second signal Si2 received from the subordinate second system 2A to the other second system 2B via the other interface 3B as the superimposed signal Si0. On the other hand, the interface 3B transfers the second signal Si2 received from the subordinate second system 2B to the other second system 2A via the other interface 3A as the superimposed signal Si0.

Furthermore, when transmitting the superimposed signal Si0, the interface 3 adjusts the timing of transmitting the superimposed signal Si0 in accordance with the state of the transmission line 12 . That is, when the interface 3 receives the second signal Si2 from the second system 2 under its control, the interface 3 does not immediately transmit the superimposed signal Si0, but temporarily stores the data included in the second signal Si2, It functions as a buffer that transmits the superimposed signal Si0 with timing. For example, if the first terminal 11 of the first system 1 is communicating when the interface 3 receives the second signal Si2 from the second system 2 under its control, the interface 3 waits until the communication of the first terminal 11 is completed. After that, the superimposed signal Si0 is transmitted.

Specifically, the control unit 30 of the interface 3 has a function of monitoring the first signal Si1 by the first signal receiving unit 35 and analyzing the transmission status of the first signal Si1 (hereinafter referred to as “state”). are doing. The interface 3 determines from the analysis result of the state in the control unit 30 whether or not it is in the superimposition possible band suitable for superimposing the superimposed signal Si0, and at the timing when it is judged to be in the superimposition possible band, the superimposed signal transmitting unit 32 to transmit the superimposed signal Si0.

In the present embodiment, as an example, the superimposable band is the region (section) of the first signal Si1 including the idle band T3, the preliminary interrupt band T4, the preliminary band T5, and the reply band T7. In other words, even if the superimposed signal Si0 is superimposed on the idle band T3, the preliminary interrupt band T4, the preliminary band T5, and the return band T7, the first signal Si1 is less likely to be affected, and the superimposed signal Si0 is not affected by the first signal Si1. Hard to accept. In particular, in the response band T7, the time period during which the signal level of the first signal Si1 is stable is longer than in other regions, and the ratio of the first signal Si1 to one frame is large. Are suitable.

In the other regions (interrupt band T1, short-circuit detection band T2, and transmission band T6), the period during which the signal level of the first signal Si1 is stable is relatively short. Si1 is likely to be affected, and the superimposed signal Si0 is also likely to be affected by the first signal Si1. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the interrupt band T1, the short-circuit detection band T2, and the transmission band T6 are regions that are not used for superimposing the superimposed signal Si0 (hereinafter referred to as "non-superimposable band").

Further, the control unit 30 determines that the reply band T7 used for returning the current mode signal from the first terminal 11 is a non-superimposable band even if it is the reply band T7. That is, the interface 3 uses the reply band T7, in which the current mode signal is not returned from the first terminal 11, as a superimposable band suitable for superimposing the superimposed signal Si0 for superimposing the superimposed signal Si0. Therefore, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the current mode signal is returned in the region recognized as the reply band T7 by the first signal receiving unit 35, and determines whether or not the reply band T7 is not returned as the superimposable band. I judge.

Furthermore, as will be described in detail in the section "(3) Operation", the interface 3 has a signal filtering function so that the signal (telegram) to be transferred from the first system 1 to the second system 2 is sent to each interface 3. limit. That is, each interface 3 has a "filtering function" that allows only specific data to pass through for "downstream communication" from the first system 1 to the second system 2, thereby suppressing an increase in the traffic of the second system 2. do.

(3) Operation Next, the operation of the communication system 10 according to this embodiment will be described. Three operations, ie, the operation of the first system 1, the operation of the second system 2, and the cooperative operation among the plurality of second systems 2 in the communication system 10, will be described below in order.

(3.1) Operation of First System First, the operation of the first system 1 will be described. Here, the operation of the first system 1 when the switch corresponding to the first terminal 11A is operated at the first terminal 11C as a monitoring terminal in the communication system 10 of FIG. 1 will be described.

The first terminal 11C generates an interrupt signal when a specific event such as a switch operation occurs. When the first terminal 11D as a transmission unit detects an interrupt signal generated by the first terminal 11C in the interrupt band T1 of the first frame of the first signal Si1, it is included in the transmission band T6 of the first signal Si1. Switch mode data from normal mode to interrupt polling mode. In the interrupt polling mode, the first terminal 11D acquires the address of the first terminal 11C, which is the source of the interrupt signal, to specify the address of the first terminal 11C, which is the source of the interrupt signal. Then, the first terminal 11D transmits a telegram for requesting a reply to the first terminal 11C, which is the source of the interrupt signal, and receives a telegram for monitoring (monitoring telegram) from the first terminal 11C using the current mode signal. do.

The first terminal 11D, which has received the monitoring message from the first terminal 11C, transmits a control message (control message) to the first terminal 11A corresponding to the address included in the monitoring message. The control message transmitted at this time includes at least the control content and the address to which the control message is addressed. The first terminal 11A that has received the control telegram performs on/off control of the lighting fixtures 4A and 4B, which are the control objects, according to the control contents of the control telegram.

As described above, in the first system 1, when a specific event occurs in the first terminal 11C as a monitoring terminal and an interrupt signal is generated, the first terminal 11D as a transmission unit transmits an interrupt signal to the first terminal 11D as a control terminal. A control message is transmitted to the first terminal 11A. In short, in the first system 1, the first terminal 11C and the first terminal 11A communicate with each other via the first terminal 11D as a transmission unit according to the protocol of polling and selecting. As a result, for example, when the switch of the first terminal 11C is operated, the first terminal 11A corresponding to this switch controls the relay, thereby controlling the lighting fixtures 4A and 4B corresponding to this switch.

(3.2) Operation of Second System Next, the operation of the second system 2 will be described. Here, the operation of the second system 2A when the switch corresponding to the second terminal 21A is operated at the second terminal 21E serving as the master in the communication system 10 of FIG. 1 will be described.

When a specific event such as a switch operation occurs, the second terminal 21E transmits a telegram for control (control telegram) corresponding to the operated switch to the transmission line 22 as the second signal Si2. This second signal Si2 is transmitted to the second terminal 21A corresponding to the operated switch. The control message transmitted at this time includes at least the control content and the address to which the control message is addressed. Upon receiving the control telegram, the second terminal 21A performs, for example, ON/OFF control of the lighting fixture 4A, which is the controlled object, according to the control contents of the control telegram.

As described above, in the second system 2A, when a specific event occurs in the second terminal 21E as the master, a control message is transmitted to the second terminal 21A as the slave. In short, in the second system 2, the second terminal 21E and the second terminal 21A communicate directly. As a result, for example, when the switch of the second terminal 21E is operated, the lighting fixture 4A corresponding to this switch is controlled by controlling the second terminal 21A corresponding to this switch.

(3.3) Cooperative operation among a plurality of second systems Next, a cooperative operation among a plurality of second systems 2 will be described. Here, in the communication system 10 of FIG. 1, when the second terminal 21E as the master of the second system 2A operates the switch corresponding to the second terminal 21C of the other second system 2B, the second A cooperative operation of the system 2A and the second system 2B will be described.

When a specific event such as a switch operation occurs, the second terminal 21E transmits a telegram for control (control telegram) corresponding to the operated switch to the transmission line 22 as the second signal Si2. This second signal Si2 is transmitted to the second terminal 21C corresponding to the operated switch. The control message transmitted at this time includes at least the control content and the address to which the control message is addressed.

Here, since the second terminal 21C does not exist on the transmission line 22 of the second system 2A to which the second terminal 21E is connected, the control telegram is transmitted through the interface 3A, the transmission line 12 of the first system 1, and the interface 3B. are transmitted in this order to the second terminal 21C. That is, first, the interface 3A connected to the second system 2A acquires the control message from the subordinate second system 2A by receiving the second signal Si2 transmitted from the second terminal 21E. The interface 3A that has acquired the control message includes the control message in the superimposed signal Si0 that is superimposed on the first signal Si1, and transmits the superimposed signal Si0 to the interface 3B through the transmission line 12 of the first system 1. . At this time, the interface 3</b>A adjusts the timing of transmitting the superimposed signal Si<b>0 according to the state of the transmission line 12 . The interface 3A transmits the superimposed signal Si0 in accordance with, for example, the superimposable band consisting of the pause band T3, the backup interrupt band T4, the backup band T5, or the return band T7 of the first signal Si1 as described above.

Further, at this time, the interface 3A transmits the superimposed signal Si0 including destination information specifying the second system 2 to which the second signal Si2 is transferred among the plurality of second systems 2 in the superimposed signal Si0. As an example, the data format of the superimposed signal Si0 transmitted from the interface 3A has a structure as schematically shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 4, the superimposed signal Si0 has a header area R1, a data area R2, and a check area R3 as its data format (data structure). The header area R1 stores, for example, an identifier (address) for specifying the sender. The data area R2 stores, for example, the main body of the electronic message including the control electronic message. The check area R3 stores, for example, checksum data for error checking.

In this embodiment, the destination information is stored in the header area R1 among these multiple areas. The destination information includes, for example, a unique identifier (individual address) set in the second system 2 (here, the second system 2B) to which the second signal Si2 is transferred. That is, the interface 3A acquires the address of the second terminal 21C, which is the destination of the control message, included in the control message by analyzing the control message obtained from the second system 2A under its control. Based on the address of the second terminal 21C, the interface 3A identifies the second system 2B containing the second terminal 21C and generates destination information including the identifier of the second system 2B. The interface 3A includes the generated destination information in the superimposed signal Si0. These processes are executed by the control section 30 of the interface 3 .

Upon receiving the superimposed signal Si0 from the interface 3A, the interface 3B includes the control message included in the superimposed signal Si0 in the second signal Si2 and transmits the second signal Si2 to the transmission path 22 of the second system 2B under its control. At this time, the interface 3B determines whether or not to transmit the second signal Si2 to the corresponding second system 2 among the plurality of second systems 2 based on the destination information included in the superimposed signal Si0. In other words, the interface 3B that has received the superimposed signal Si0 does not transmit the control message to the second system 2B under its control without restriction, but transmits the control message to the second system 2B under its control by analyzing the superimposed signal Si0. Decide whether to

As an example, the interface 3B analyzes the destination information stored in the header region R1 of the superimposed signal Si0, and if the destination information includes the identifier (individual address) of the second system 2B under its control, A second signal Si2 is sent to the second system 2B. If the destination information does not include the identifier of the subordinate second system 2B, the interface 3B does not transmit the second signal Si2 to the subordinate second system 2B. The interface 3 stores the identifier of the second system 2 under its control in a memory or the like. These processes are executed by the control section 30 of the interface 3 .

When the second terminal 21C receives the second signal Si2 from the interface 3B, the second terminal 21C performs, for example, ON/OFF control of the lighting device 4C, which is the controlled object, according to the control contents of the control message.

As described above, the interface 3A transfers the second signal Si2 (control message) received from the subordinate second system 2A to the other second system 2B via the other interface 3B as the superimposed signal Si0. . Therefore, in the second system 2A, when a specific event occurs in the second terminal 21E as the master, a control telegram is transmitted to the second terminal 21C as the slave in the other second system 2B. As a result, for example, when the switch of the second terminal 21E is operated, the lighting fixture 4C corresponding to this switch is controlled by controlling the second terminal 21C corresponding to this switch. Therefore, by connecting a plurality of mutually independent second systems 2A and 2B to the transmission line 12 of the first system 1 via the interface 3, cooperation between the plurality of second systems 2A and 2B is possible. Become.

By the way, the destination information is not limited to the identifier (address) unique to the second system 2 to which the second signal Si2 is transferred, and includes information other than the identifier unique to the second system 2 as described below. You can stay.

As a first example, the destination information may include group information specifying a group of second systems 2 to which the second signal Si2 is transferred among the plurality of second systems 2 . A "group" in the present disclosure means an individual group when a plurality of second systems are classified into two or more groups. Although there are various ways of classifying groups, the plurality of second systems 2 are classified according to, for example, the use of the second system 2 and the area of jurisdiction of the second system 2 . Applications of the second system 2 include, for example, lighting control, air conditioning control, and measurement. The area under the jurisdiction of the second system 2 includes, for example, an area set for each dwelling unit in an apartment complex or for each floor of a building. When such group information is used as the destination information, the destination information specifies the second system 2 to which the second signal Si2 is transferred among the plurality of second systems 2 in group units.

In other words, when a plurality of second systems 2 are classified into two or more groups according to usage or the like, the interface 3A converts the group information specifying the second system 2 to be the transfer destination into the superimposed signal Si0 as destination information. can be included to transmit the superimposed signal Si0. The interface 3B analyzes the received superimposed signal Si0, and transmits the second signal Si2 to the subordinate second system 2B only when the destination information includes the group information of the group to which the subordinate second system 2B belongs. Send. The interface 3 stores group information to which the second system 2 under its control belongs in a memory or the like. The group information may be manually input by a user using a DIP switch or the like provided on the interface 3, or may be set by a setting terminal or the like and input to the interface 3, for example.

As a second example, the destination information may include attribute information of the second system 2 to which the second signal Si2 is transferred among the plurality of second systems 2 . The "attribute information" referred to in the present disclosure is information that specifies the attributes of the second system 2, and is information that each of the plurality of interfaces 3 acquires from the corresponding second system 2 out of the plurality of second systems 2. is. Although there are various types of attributes, for example, attributes are determined by the use of the second system 2, the jurisdiction area of the second system 2, and the like, similar to the group described above. The interface 3 periodically or irregularly acquires attribute information from the second system 2 under its control. When such attribute information is used as the destination information, the destination information specifies the second system 2 to which the second signal Si2 is transferred among the plurality of second systems 2 in units of attributes.

In other words, when a plurality of second systems 2 are classified into two or more attributes according to usage or the like, the interface 3A transmits the attribute information specifying the second system 2 as the transfer destination to the superimposed signal Si0 as destination information. can be included to transmit the superimposed signal Si0. The interface 3B analyzes the received superimposed signal Si0 and transmits the second signal Si2 to the second system 2B under its control only when the destination information includes the attribute information of the second system 2B under its control. The interface 3 stores attribute information obtained from the second system 2 under its control in a memory or the like. The attribute information may be manually input by the user using a DIP switch or the like provided in the second system 2, or may be set by a setting terminal or the like and input to the second system 2, for example.

As a third example, the destination information may include range information that defines the range of unique identifiers (individual addresses) set for each of the plurality of second systems 2 . That is, when the unique identifier set for each of the plurality of second systems 2 is represented by a sequence of numbers such as "0001", "0002" and "0003", the sequence of numbers such as "0002" to "0015" can specify the range of Information that defines such a range of identifiers is range information. When such range information is used as the destination information, the destination information specifies the second system 2 to which the second signal Si2 is transferred among the plurality of second systems 2 in units of identifiers.

That is, the interface 3A includes range information specifying the second system 2 to be the transfer destination in the superimposed signal Si0 as destination information, thereby collectively designating a plurality of the second systems 2 as the transfer destination of the second signal Si2. , can transmit the superimposed signal Si0. The interface 3B analyzes the received superimposed signal Si0, and transmits the second signal Si2 to the second system 2B under its control only when the destination information includes the range information to which the identifier of the second system 2B under its control corresponds. to send. Therefore, according to the range information, it is possible to collectively designate a plurality of second systems 2 as the transfer destination of the second signal Si2.

As described above, the communication system 10 according to this embodiment includes the first system 1 , multiple interfaces 3 , and multiple second systems 2 . The first system 1 includes one or more first terminals 11 that communicate using a first signal Si<b>1 transmitted through a transmission line 12 . A plurality of interfaces 3 are connected to the transmission line 12 and perform communication by a superimposed signal Si0 superimposed on the first signal Si1. Also, the plurality of interfaces 3 includes a first interface (3A) and a second interface (3B). Each of the plurality of second systems 2 includes one or more second terminals 21 that communicate using the second signal. The plurality of second systems 2 are asynchronous with each other and are connected to the plurality of interfaces 3 in one-to-one correspondence. Each of the multiple interfaces 3 transmits the second signal received from the corresponding second system 2 out of the multiple second systems 2 to the other second system 2 via the other interface 3 as the superimposed signal Si0. Forward. The first interface (3A) is configured to include destination information in the superimposed signal Si0 and transmit the superimposed signal Si0 when transmitting the superimposed signal Si0 to the other interface (3B) of the plurality of interfaces 3. there is The destination information is information that specifies the second system 2 to which the second signal Si2 is to be transferred among the plurality of second systems 2 . When the second interface (3B) receives the superimposed signal Si0 from the other interface (3A) among the plurality of interfaces 3, the second interface (3B) transmits the second signal Si2 to the corresponding second system 2 among the plurality of second systems 2. It is configured to determine whether to transmit or not. The second interface (3B) determines whether to transmit the second signal Si2 based on the destination information included in the superimposed signal Si0.

(4) Modifications Embodiment 1 is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Embodiment 1 can be modified in various ways according to design and the like, as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Also, functions similar to those of the communication system 10 according to the first embodiment may be embodied by a communication control method, a (computer) program, a non-temporary recording medium recording the program, or the like. In a communication control method according to one aspect, when a superimposed signal Si0 is transmitted to another interface (3B) of a plurality of interfaces 3 in a communication system 10, destination information is included in the superimposed signal Si0 and the superimposed signal Si0 is transmitted. The first interface (3A) is controlled so as to The destination information is information that specifies the second system 2 to which the second signal Si2 is to be transferred among the plurality of second systems 2 . The communication control method is to transmit the second signal Si2 to the corresponding second system 2 out of the plurality of second systems 2 when receiving the superimposed signal Si0 from another interface (3A) out of the plurality of interfaces 3. It controls the second interface (3B) to determine whether or not. The second interface (3B) determines whether or not to transmit the second signal Si2 based on the destination information included in the superimposed signal Si0. The communication system 10 here includes a first system 1 , multiple interfaces 3 , and multiple second systems 2 . The first system 1 includes one or more first terminals 11 that communicate using a first signal Si<b>1 transmitted through a transmission line 12 . A plurality of interfaces 3 are connected to the transmission line 12 and perform communication by a superimposed signal Si0 superimposed on the first signal Si1. Also, the plurality of interfaces 3 includes a first interface (3A) and a second interface (3B). Each of the plurality of second systems 2 includes one or more second terminals 21 that communicate using the second signal. The plurality of second systems 2 are asynchronous with each other and are connected to the plurality of interfaces 3 in one-to-one correspondence. Each of the plurality of interfaces 3 transmits the second signal received from the corresponding second system 2 among the plurality of second systems 2 to the other second system 2 via the other interface 3 as the superimposed signal Si0. Forward. A (computer) program according to one aspect is a program for causing a computer system to execute the communication control method.

Modifications of the first embodiment are listed below. Modifications described below can be applied in combination as appropriate.

Communication system 10 in the present disclosure includes a computer system, such as interface 3 . A computer system is mainly composed of a processor and a memory as hardware. The functions of the communication system 10 in the present disclosure are realized by the processor executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system. The program may be recorded in advance in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through an electric communication line, or may be recorded in a non-temporary recording medium such as a computer system-readable memory card, optical disk, or hard disk drive. may be provided. A processor in a computer system consists of one or more electronic circuits including semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs) or large scale integrated circuits (LSIs). A plurality of electronic circuits may be integrated into one chip, or may be distributed over a plurality of chips. A plurality of chips may be integrated in one device, or may be distributed in a plurality of devices.

Also, for example, a plurality of functions provided in the communication system 10 may be integrated in one housing, or may be distributed among a plurality of housings. As an example, the multiple functions of the interface 3 may be integrated in one housing, or may be distributed among multiple housings. Furthermore, at least part of the functions of the communication system 10 may be realized by, for example, the cloud (cloud computing). Further, in the first embodiment, at least some of the functions of the communication system 10 distributed among multiple devices may be integrated into one housing.

Further, the communication system 10 and the device control system 100 are not limited to facilities such as office buildings, stores, hospitals, schools, factories, etc., and may be installed in residences such as collective housing or detached houses.

In addition, in the example of FIG. 1, the communication system 10 includes two second systems 2 and two interfaces 3, but the communication system 10 is not limited to this example, and each of the second system 2 and the interface 3 You may have three or more. Similarly, the number of first terminals 11 in the first system 1, the number of second terminals 21 in the second system 2, and the number of devices (lighting fixtures 4) to be controlled are not limited to the example in FIG. , can be changed as appropriate.

Further, the first system 1 is not limited to a system in which a plurality of first terminals 11 communicate with each other via the first terminals 11 as transmission units according to the protocol of polling and selecting. For example, the first system 1 may be configured such that a plurality of first terminals 11 communicate directly with each other using the first signal Si1.

Further, each of the plurality of second systems 2 may not be a system conforming to the DALI standard, and the communication method of the second terminal 21 may be, for example, wireless communication using radio waves as a transmission medium, or optical communication. There may be. When the communication method of the second terminal 21 is wireless communication, the free space for wireless communication becomes the transmission path 22 of the second system 2 . Furthermore, each of the plurality of second systems 2 is not limited to a system that controls a device (lighting fixture 4) to be controlled by the device control system 100. At least a portion of the plurality of second systems 2 may, for example, It may be a measurement system, a monitoring system, or the like.

Also, at least some of the first terminals 11 may have a function of communicating with the interface 3 using the superimposed signal Si0. In this case, not only cooperation among a plurality of second systems 2 but also data exchange between the first system 1 (the first terminal 11 thereof) and the second system 2 (the second terminal 21 thereof) is possible. becomes.

In addition, the device control system 100 using the communication system 10 is not limited to a lighting control system. It may be a washing machine, a refrigerator, or the like. Furthermore, the communication system 10 does not have to be used for the device control system 100 in the first place, and may be used for, for example, a measurement system or a monitoring system.

Further, in the communication system 10, it is not essential that the first system 1 constitutes a main system and each second system 2 constitutes a subsystem. For example, even if each second system 2 constitutes a main system good.

Further, in Embodiment 1, the lighting fixture 4 to be controlled is not included in any of the components of the communication system 10 and the device control system 100, but the configuration is not limited to this. That is, the lighting fixture 4 may be included in either the communication system 10 or the equipment control system 100 .

(Embodiment 2)
In the communication system 10 according to the present embodiment, each of the plurality of interfaces 3 has a signal filtering function also for "upstream communication" from the second system 2 to the first system 1. 10 different. In the following, configurations similar to those of the first embodiment are denoted by common reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted as appropriate.

Specifically, for upstream communication, the interface 3 analyzes the second signal Si2 from the second system 2 to determine whether or not to pass the message from the second system 2 side to the first system 1 side. decide.

In this embodiment, each of the plurality of interfaces 3 determines whether or not to transmit the superimposed signal Si0 to the transmission line 12 according to the second signal Si2 received from the corresponding second system 2 among the plurality of second systems 2. is configured to determine whether As an example, the interface 3 determines whether or not to pass the electronic message from the second system 2 side to the first system 1 side based on the value of the upstream flag included in the second signal Si2 from the second system 2 . For example, if the value of the upstream flag is "1", the interface 3 passes the electronic message from the second system 2 side to the first system 1 side, and if the value of the upstream flag is "0", the second system Telegrams are not allowed to pass from the 2 side to the first system 1 side.

In short, in this embodiment, the interface 3 has a filtering function that allows only specific electronic messages to pass for both upstream communication and downstream communication. The upstream flag is set, for example, by the second terminal 21 that is the transmission source of the electronic message.

According to the communication system 10 according to the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, each interface 3 can pass only a specific electronic message. In the example of FIG. 5, the communication system 10 comprises two interfaces 3C, 3D and two second systems 2C, 2D. The second system 2C is connected to the transmission line 12 of the first system 1 via an interface 3C, and the second system 2D is connected to the transmission line 12 of the first system 1 via an interface 3D.

In the example of FIG. 5, the interfaces 3A and 3B determine whether or not to transmit the superimposed signal Si0 to the transmission line 12 according to the second signal Si2 received from the second systems 2A and 2B under their respective control. . Here, the value of the upstream flag included in the second signal Si2 from the second system 2A is "1", and the value of the upstream flag included in the second signal Si2 from the second system 2A is "0". Assume that Therefore, when the interface 3A receives the second signal Si2 from the subordinate second system 2A, the interface 3A transmits the superimposed signal Si0 to the transmission line 12. FIG. On the other hand, even if the interface 3B receives the second signal Si2 from the second system 2B under its control, it does not transmit the superimposed signal Si0 (indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 5) to the transmission line 12. FIG.

In the example of FIG. 5, the interfaces 3C and 3D transmit the second signals Si2 to the second systems 2C and 2D under their control based on the destination information included in the superimposed signal Si0 received from the transmission line 12. deciding whether to do it or not. Here, the destination information included in the superimposed signal Si0 received by the interface 3C includes the identifier of the subordinate second system 2C, and the destination information included in the superimposed signal Si0 received by the interface 3D is the subordinate Assume that it does not contain the identifier of the second system 2D. Therefore, when the interface 3C receives the superimposed signal Si0 from the transmission line 12, it transmits the second signal Si2 to the second system 2C under its control. On the other hand, even if the interface 3D receives the superimposed signal Si0 from the transmission line 12, it does not transmit the second signal Si2 (indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 5) to the second system 2D under its control.

According to the communication system 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress an increase in the traffic of the first system 1 by the upstream communication filtering function.

The configuration (including modifications) described in the second embodiment can be employed in appropriate combination with the various configurations (including modifications) described in the first embodiment.

(summary)
As described above, the communication device according to the first aspect includes a communication system (10) including a first system (1), a plurality of interfaces (3), and a second system (2). is used as one of the interfaces (3) of A first system (1) includes one or more first terminals (11) that communicate by a first signal (Si1) transmitted through a transmission line (12). A plurality of interfaces (3) are connected to a transmission line (12) and perform communication by a superimposed signal (Si0) superimposed on a first signal (Si1). Each of the plurality of second systems (2) includes one or more second terminals (21) that communicate using a second signal (Si2). The plurality of second systems (2) are asynchronous with each other and are connected in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of interfaces (3). Each of the plurality of interfaces (3) converts the second signal (Si2) received from the corresponding second system (2) out of the plurality of second systems (2) to the other interface as a superimposed signal (Si0) (3) to another second system (2). When transmitting the superimposed signal (Si0) to another interface (3) among the plurality of interfaces (3), the communication device transmits the superimposed signal (Si0) with destination information included in the superimposed signal (Si0). is configured to The destination information is information specifying the second system (2) to which the second signal (Si2) is to be transferred among the plurality of second systems (2).

According to this aspect, the plurality of second systems (2) are each connected to the common transmission line (12) of the first system (1) via the interface (3). Therefore, data can be transferred between the plurality of second systems (2) by communicating between the plurality of interfaces (3) using the superimposed signal (Si0). As a result, even during the operation of the first system (1), by using the superimposed signal (Si0) superimposed on the first signal (Si1) used in the first system (1), the first A plurality of second systems (2) can be linked using a transmission line (12) common to the system (1). Moreover, since the superimposed signal (Si0) transmitted to the transmission line (12) contains destination information, data is transferred from the first system (1) side to the second system (2) side based on this destination information. It becomes possible to control whether or not to pass. Therefore, according to the communication device, there is an advantage that cooperation between a plurality of second systems (2) can be easily realized while suppressing an increase in traffic of the second system (2).

A communication apparatus according to a second aspect provides a communication system (10) comprising a first system (1), a plurality of interfaces (3), and a second system (2), and a plurality of interfaces (3). used as one. A first system (1) includes one or more first terminals (11) that communicate by a first signal (Si1) transmitted through a transmission line (12). A plurality of interfaces (3) are connected to a transmission line (12) and perform communication by a superimposed signal (Si0) superimposed on a first signal (Si1). Each of the plurality of second systems (2) includes one or more second terminals (21) that communicate using a second signal (Si2). The plurality of second systems (2) are asynchronous with each other and are connected in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of interfaces (3). Each of the plurality of interfaces (3) converts the second signal (Si2) received from the corresponding second system (2) out of the plurality of second systems (2) to the other interface as a superimposed signal (Si0) (3) to another second system (2). When the communication device receives the superimposed signal (Si0) from the other interface (3) out of the plurality of interfaces (3), the communication device sends the corresponding second system (2) out of the plurality of second systems (2). 2 signal (Si2). The communication device determines whether to transmit the second signal (Si2) based on the destination information included in the superimposed signal (Si0).

According to this aspect, the plurality of second systems (2) are each connected to the common transmission line (12) of the first system (1) via the interface (3). Therefore, data can be transferred between the plurality of second systems (2) by communicating between the plurality of interfaces (3) using the superimposed signal (Si0). As a result, even during the operation of the first system (1), by using the superimposed signal (Si0) superimposed on the first signal (Si1) used in the first system (1), the first A plurality of second systems (2) can be linked using a transmission line (12) common to the system (1). Moreover, since the superimposed signal (Si0) transmitted to the transmission line (12) contains destination information, data is transferred from the first system (1) side to the second system (2) side based on this destination information. It becomes possible to control whether or not to pass. Therefore, according to the communication device, there is an advantage that cooperation between a plurality of second systems (2) can be easily realized while suppressing an increase in traffic of the second system (2).

In the communication device according to the third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the plurality of second systems (2) are classified into two or more groups. The destination information includes group information specifying a group of second systems (2) to which the second signal (Si2) is to be transferred among the plurality of second systems (2).

According to this aspect, it becomes possible to specify whether or not to pass data from the first system (1) side to the second system (2) side for each group of the second system (2).

In the communication device according to the fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, each of the plurality of interfaces (3) is connected to the corresponding second system (2) out of the plurality of second systems (2) , second system (2) to obtain attribute information specifying attributes of the second system (2). The destination information includes attribute information of the second system (2) to which the second signal (Si2) is to be transferred among the plurality of second systems (2).

According to this aspect, it becomes possible to specify whether or not to pass data from the first system (1) side to the second system (2) side for each attribute of the second system (2).

In the communication device according to the fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, a unique identifier is set for each of the plurality of second systems (2), and the destination information includes a range of identifiers Contains the specifying range information.

According to this aspect, it becomes possible to collectively designate whether or not to pass data from the first system (1) side to the second system (2) side for a plurality of second systems (2).

In the communication device according to the sixth aspect, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, a unique identifier is set for each of the plurality of second systems (2), and the destination information includes the identifier.

According to this aspect, it is possible to individually specify whether or not to pass data from the first system (1) side to the second system (2) side for each of the plurality of second systems (2). Become.

The communication interface according to the seventh aspect serves both as the first interface (3A), which is the communication device according to the first aspect, and as the second interface (3B), which is the communication device according to the second aspect. .

According to this aspect, the functions of both the first interface (3A) and the second interface (3B) can be realized with one communication interface, so the construction of the communication system (10) is simplified.

A communication system according to an eighth aspect comprises a first system (1), a plurality of interfaces (3), and a second system (2). A first system (1) includes one or more first terminals (11) that communicate by a first signal (Si1) transmitted through a transmission line (12). A plurality of interfaces (3) are connected to a transmission line (12) and perform communication by a superimposed signal (Si0) superimposed on a first signal (Si1). The plurality of interfaces (3) includes a first interface (3A) and a second interface (3B). Each of the plurality of second systems (2) includes one or more second terminals (21) that communicate using a second signal (Si2). The plurality of second systems (2) are asynchronous with each other and are connected in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of interfaces (3). Each of the plurality of interfaces (3) converts the second signal (Si2) received from the corresponding second system (2) out of the plurality of second systems (2) to the other interface as a superimposed signal (Si0) (3) to another second system (2). When the first interface (3A) transmits the superimposed signal (Si0) to the other interface (3B) of the plurality of interfaces (3), the destination information is included in the superimposed signal (Si0) and the superimposed signal (Si0) is configured to send The destination information is information specifying the second system (2) to which the second signal (Si2) is to be transferred among the plurality of second systems (2). When the second interface (3B) receives the superimposed signal (Si0) from the other interface (3A) among the plurality of interfaces (3), the corresponding second system (2) among the plurality of second systems (2) 2) to determine whether to transmit the second signal (Si2). The second interface (3B) determines whether to transmit the second signal (Si2) based on the destination information included in the superimposed signal (Si0).

According to this aspect, the plurality of second systems (2) are each connected to the common transmission line (12) of the first system (1) via the interface (3). Therefore, data can be transferred between the plurality of second systems (2) by communicating between the plurality of interfaces (3) using the superimposed signal (Si0). As a result, even during the operation of the first system (1), by using the superimposed signal (Si0) superimposed on the first signal (Si1) used in the first system (1), the first A plurality of second systems (2) can be linked using a transmission line (12) common to the system (1). Moreover, since the superimposed signal (Si0) transmitted to the transmission line (12) contains destination information, data is transferred from the first system (1) side to the second system (2) side based on this destination information. It becomes possible to control whether or not to pass. Therefore, according to the communication system (10), there is an advantage that cooperation between a plurality of second systems (2) can be easily realized while suppressing an increase in traffic of the second system (2).

A device control system (100) according to a ninth aspect comprises a communication system (10) according to the eighth aspect. One or more first terminals (11) include a collective control terminal that collectively controls a plurality of devices, and one or more second terminals (21) individually control a plurality of devices for each device. Including terminals.

According to this aspect, the plurality of second systems (2) are each connected to the common transmission line (12) of the first system (1) via the interface (3). Therefore, data can be transferred between the plurality of second systems (2) by communicating between the plurality of interfaces (3) using the superimposed signal (Si0). As a result, even during the operation of the first system (1), by using the superimposed signal (Si0) superimposed on the first signal (Si1) used in the first system (1), the first A plurality of second systems (2) can be linked using a transmission line (12) common to the system (1). Moreover, since the superimposed signal (Si0) transmitted to the transmission line (12) contains destination information, data is transferred from the first system (1) side to the second system (2) side based on this destination information. It becomes possible to control whether or not to pass. Therefore, according to the device control system (100), there is an advantage that cooperation between a plurality of second systems (2) can be easily realized while suppressing an increase in traffic of the second system (2).

In the device control system (100) according to the tenth aspect, in the ninth aspect, each of the plurality of devices is a lighting fixture (4).

This aspect allows for versatile control of the luminaire (4).

In a communication control method according to an eleventh aspect, in a communication system (10), when a superimposed signal (Si0) is transmitted to another interface (3B) out of a plurality of interfaces (3), first Control interface (3A). That is, the first interface (3A) is controlled so that the destination information is included in the superimposed signal (Si0) and the superimposed signal (Si0) is transmitted. The destination information is information specifying the second system (2) to which the second signal (Si2) is to be transferred among the plurality of second systems (2). The communication control method controls the second interface (3B) as follows when receiving the superimposed signal (Si0) from the other interface (3A) of the plurality of interfaces (3). That is, the second interface (3B) is controlled to determine whether or not to transmit the second signal (Si2) to the corresponding second system (2) among the plurality of second systems (2). The second interface (3B) determines whether or not to transmit the second signal (Si2) based on the destination information included in the superimposed signal (Si0). A communication system (10) comprises a first system (1), a plurality of interfaces (3) and a plurality of second systems (2). A first system (1) includes one or more first terminals (11) that communicate by a first signal (Si1) transmitted through a transmission line (12). A plurality of interfaces (3) are connected to a transmission line (12) and perform communication by a superimposed signal (Si0) superimposed on a first signal (Si1). The multiple interfaces 3 include a first interface (3A) and a second interface (3B). Each of the plurality of second systems (2) includes one or more second terminals (21) that communicate using a second signal (Si2). The plurality of second systems (2) are asynchronous with each other and are connected in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of interfaces (3). Each of the plurality of interfaces (3) converts the second signal (Si2) received from the corresponding second system (2) out of the plurality of second systems (2) to the other interface as a superimposed signal (Si0) (3) to another second system (2).

According to this aspect, the plurality of second systems (2) are each connected to the common transmission line (12) of the first system (1) via the interface (3). Therefore, data can be transferred between the plurality of second systems (2) by communicating between the plurality of interfaces (3) using the superimposed signal (Si0). As a result, even during the operation of the first system (1), by using the superimposed signal (Si0) superimposed on the first signal (Si1) used in the first system (1), the first A plurality of second systems (2) can be linked using a transmission line (12) common to the system (1). Moreover, since the superimposed signal (Si0) transmitted to the transmission line (12) contains destination information, data is transferred from the first system (1) side to the second system (2) side based on this destination information. It becomes possible to control whether or not to pass. Therefore, according to the communication control method, there is an advantage that cooperation between a plurality of second systems (2) can be easily realized while suppressing an increase in traffic of the second system (2).

A program according to a twelfth aspect is a program for causing a computer system to execute the communication control method according to the eleventh aspect.

According to this aspect, the plurality of second systems (2) are each connected to the common transmission line (12) of the first system (1) via the interface (3). Therefore, data can be transferred between the plurality of second systems (2) by communicating between the plurality of interfaces (3) using the superimposed signal (Si0). As a result, even during the operation of the first system (1), by using the superimposed signal (Si0) superimposed on the first signal (Si1) used in the first system (1), the first A plurality of second systems (2) can be linked using a transmission line (12) common to the system (1). Moreover, since the superimposed signal (Si0) transmitted to the transmission line (12) contains destination information, data is transferred from the first system (1) side to the second system (2) side based on this destination information. It becomes possible to control whether or not to pass. Therefore, according to the above program, there is an advantage that cooperation between a plurality of second systems (2) can be easily realized while suppressing an increase in traffic of the second system (2).

Various configurations (including modifications) of the communication system (10) according to Embodiments 1 and 2, without being limited to the above aspects, include a communication device, a communication interface, a device control system (100), a communication control method, a program, or It can be embodied by a non-temporary recording medium or the like in which the program is recorded.

The configurations according to the second to sixth aspects are not essential components of the communication device, and can be omitted as appropriate.

1 First system 2, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D Second system 3, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D Interface (communication device, communication interface, first interface, second interface)
4, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D lighting equipment (equipment)
10 Communication system 11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D First terminal (collective control terminal)
12 transmission line 21, 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D, 21E, 21F second terminal (individual control terminal)
100 Equipment control system Si0 Superimposed signal Si1 First signal Si2 Second signal

Claims (7)

a first system including one or more first terminals connected to a transmission line;
a plurality of interfaces that are connected to the transmission line and perform communication using superimposed signals;
A communication device used as one of the plurality of interfaces in a communication system comprising a plurality of second systems each including one or more second terminals that communicate by signals,
The plurality of second systems are asynchronous with each other and are connected to the plurality of interfaces in a one-to-one correspondence,
Each of the plurality of interfaces transfers the signal received from the corresponding second system out of the plurality of second systems as the superimposed signal to another second system via another interface. is composed of
When transmitting the superimposed signal to another interface among the plurality of interfaces, the superimposed signal includes destination information specifying a second system to which the signal is to be transferred among the plurality of second systems. A communication device configured to transmit a superimposed signal. a first system including one or more first terminals connected to a transmission line;
a plurality of interfaces that are connected to the transmission line and perform communication using superimposed signals;
A communication device used as one of the plurality of interfaces in a communication system comprising a plurality of second systems each including one or more second terminals that communicate by signals,
The plurality of second systems are asynchronous with each other and are connected to the plurality of interfaces in a one-to-one correspondence,
Each of the plurality of interfaces transfers the signal received from the corresponding second system out of the plurality of second systems as the superimposed signal to another second system via another interface. is composed of
when receiving the superimposed signal from another interface of the plurality of interfaces, transmitting the signal to a corresponding second system of the plurality of second systems based on destination information included in the superimposed signal; A communication device configured to determine whether to transmit. the plurality of interfaces including the communication device according to claim 1 or 2;
the first system;
A communication system comprising: the plurality of second systems. A communication system according to claim 3,
The one or more first terminals include a collective control terminal that collectively controls a plurality of devices,
The apparatus control system, wherein the one or more second terminals include an individual control terminal that controls each of the plurality of apparatuses individually. a first system including one or more first terminals connected to a transmission line;
a plurality of interfaces that are connected to the transmission line and perform communication using superimposed signals;
a plurality of second systems each including one or more second terminals that communicate by signals,
In a communication system in which the plurality of second systems are asynchronous with each other and connected in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of interfaces,
Each of the plurality of interfaces is configured to transfer the signal received from the corresponding second system among the plurality of second systems as the superimposed signal to another second system via another interface. control and
When transmitting the superimposed signal to another interface among the plurality of interfaces, the superimposed signal includes destination information specifying a second system to which the signal is to be transferred among the plurality of second systems. A communication control method for controlling transmission of superimposed signals. a first system including one or more first terminals connected to a transmission line;
a plurality of interfaces, including a first interface and a second interface, connected to the transmission path and communicating by superimposed signals;
a plurality of second systems each including one or more second terminals that communicate by signals,
The plurality of second systems are asynchronous with each other and are connected to the plurality of interfaces in a one-to-one correspondence,
A communication system in which each of the plurality of interfaces transfers the signal received from the corresponding second system among the plurality of second systems as the superimposed signal to another second system via another interface. in
When transmitting the superimposed signal to another interface among the plurality of interfaces, the superimposed signal includes destination information specifying a second system to which the signal is to be transferred among the plurality of second systems. controlling the first interface to transmit a superimposed signal;
When receiving the superimposed signal from another interface of the plurality of interfaces, the signal is sent to a corresponding second system of the plurality of second systems based on the destination information included in the superimposed signal. a communication control method for controlling the second interface to determine whether to transmit the to the computer system,
A program for executing the communication control method according to claim 5 or 6.

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