JPH10285295A - Terminal network controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To unnecessitate removal of a terminal network controller when an ISDN public line and a DSU are desired to be connected together when the terminal network controller is installed between the ISDN public line and the DSU (an LI point). SOLUTION: This terminal network controller is constituted by an exchange communication means 8 to be connected with a first LI point which is an interface LI point of the ISDN public line and a second LI point which is the interface LI point with the DSU, to perform communication with the ISDN public line and the DSU and an LI point direct linking means 9 to separate the exchange communication means 8 from the first and the second LI points by inputting a specified signal and to directly link the first and second LI points. Consequently, connection between the terminal network controller and the LI point are separated and the ISDN public line and the DSU are directly linked only by inputting a regulated signal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a terminal network control device for connecting terminal devices such as meter sensors and equipment to a remote management device via an ISDN public line for communication.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Automatic meter reading of an energy supply management device (for example, a gas meter, a water meter, an electric power meter) from a remote management device using a telephone network, notification of a gas leak to the remote management device, and failure notification of equipment. Systems for performing remote diagnosis and the like are becoming widespread.

[0003] Further, ISDN telephone lines have begun to spread, and introduction to general households for accessing personal computer communication and the Internet has also become active. The general system configuration is such that a digital line terminator (hereinafter referred to as a DSU) is connected to a two-wire metal cable drawn from the ISDN public line to the house via a protector, and transmission such as two-wire to four-wire conversion is performed. The end of the road is done and IS
Connect a digital telephone for DN,
An adapter (hereinafter referred to as TA) is connected to perform protocol conversion, and is connected to a terminal device such as a personal computer using an RS-232C cable or the like. At NTT (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation), the reference point is the interface from the protector to the DSU. The reference point is the interface from the DSU to the telephone or TA. The reference point is the interface from the S / T, and the interface from the TA to the terminal equipment such as a personal computer. Called R. In addition, S /
The T point is an IS defined in Recommendation I.411.
DN user-network interface point, R point is ITU
-An existing user / network interface point defined in T Recommendation V, X series, etc.

An example of communication between a remote management device and a terminal device via an ISDN public network is disclosed in JP-A-5-72.
No. 59 discloses an automatic meter reading system.
The system is a terminal network control device connected to an S / T point of a customer home, a gas meter as a terminal device connected to the terminal network control device, and a remote management device installed in a gas company, a security company, or the like. It consists of a center device. Then, the center device communicates via the ISDN public line and reads the meter reading data from the gas meter.

However, as described above, the terminal network control
If the terminal is connected to the / T point, the number of terminals at the customer's house may be limited or it may be necessary to place the terminal inside the house. A relay terminal network controller has been devised.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of the terminal network control device. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes first LI connection means,
It is connected to the LI point of the SDN public line. 2 is the second L
It is connected to DSU3 by I point connection means. Reference numeral 4 denotes a terminal connection means, which is connected to a gas meter 5 which is an example of a terminal device. Reference numeral 6 denotes an exchange unit for exchanging frames between the first LI point connection unit 1, the second LI point connection unit 2, and the terminal connection unit 4.

In the above configuration, a signal from the ISDN public line is received by the terminal network control device 7 by the first LI point connection means 1. The exchange means 6 reads out a destination address from the signals received by the first LI point connection means 1 and transfers the received signal to the second LI point connection means 2 or the terminal connection means 4 according to the destination address. Similarly, a signal received via the DSU 3 is also received by the second LI point connection means 2 and transmitted to the ISDN public line via the first LI point connection means 1 depending on the destination address of the signal. The data is sent to the gas meter 5 via the terminal connection means 4. The same applies to the signal transmitted from the gas meter 5 and received by the terminal connection means 4.

[0008]

The above-mentioned conventional system has the following problems.

(1) Between the ISDN public line and the DSU (L
If a terminal network controller is attached to point I) and it is necessary to remove the terminal network controller, such as when it becomes unnecessary, remove the terminal network controller from the ISDN public line and connect the DSU to the ISDN public line. I need to fix it.

(2) Between the ISDN public line and the DSU (L
When a terminal network control device is attached to (point I), if the terminal network control device becomes abnormal, for example, terminal devices after the DSU may not be able to connect to the ISDN public line.

(3) Between the ISDN public line and the DSU (L
If a terminal network controller is attached to point I), if an error occurs in communication between terminal units after the DSU, whether the terminal network controller is abnormal, whether the DSU or the terminal unit after the DSU is abnormal Can not judge.

(4) Between the ISDN public line and the DSU (L
When the terminal network control device is attached to (point I), when the power supply voltage of the terminal network control device drops and the terminal network control device does not operate, the terminal device after the DSU may not be able to connect to the ISDN public line.

(5) Between the ISDN public line and the DSU (L
When a terminal network controller is attached to point (I), an accurate test cannot be performed if a DSU loopback test is to be performed from the exchange side, since it can only be performed via the terminal network controller.

(6) Between the ISDN public line and the DSU (L
When the terminal network control device is attached to the (point I), it cannot be known whether or not the terminal network control device is abnormal unless communication is performed from a remote device.

[0015]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided an ISDN public line interface LI.
Switching communication means for connecting to a first LI point and an interface with the DSU, a second LI point, and connecting to a terminal device to perform communication with the ISDN public line and the DSU; An LI point direct connection means for separating the exchange communication means from the first LI point and the second LI point by input and directly connecting the first LI point and the second LI point.

According to the above invention, the ISDN public line and the D
When a terminal network controller is installed between SUs (LI points), even if the terminal network controller becomes unnecessary or needs to be removed, the terminal network controller can be connected to the ISDN public line only by inputting a prescribed signal. Or remove DSU from I
ISDN public line and D without reconnecting to SDN public line
SU can be directly connected.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention provides a connection between a first LI point which is an interface LI point of an ISDN public line and a second LI point which is an interface LI point with a DSU.
Switching communication means for communicating with an ISDN public line and a DSU by connecting to a terminal device; and exchanging the switching communication means from a first LI point and a second LI point by a prescribed signal input, the first LI point and the second LI point. LI point direct connection means for directly connecting the LI point to the second LI point. Then, the ISDN public line and the DSU can be directly connected without removing the terminal network control device from the telephone line or reconnecting the DSU to the telephone line.

Further, the LI point direct connection means detects an abnormality in the exchange communication means, and the L which disconnects the first LI point from the exchange communication means when the abnormality detection means detects an abnormality.
The I-point decoupling means and the LI-point decoupling means correspond to the first LI
When the point is separated from the switching communication means, the second LI point is separated from the switching communication means, and a connection switching means for directly connecting the second LI point and the first LI point is provided. If the terminal network control device becomes abnormal, the ISDN
Since the public line and the DSU are directly connected, terminal devices after the DSU cannot be connected to the ISDN public line.

Further, the LI point direct connection means includes an external operation means operated externally when the connection of the LI point is switched, and an exchange communication means which receives an operation by the external operation means from the first LI point and the second LI point. LI point connection switching means for directly connecting the separated first LI point and the second LI point. If an error occurs in the communication of the terminal device after the DSU, ISDN can be operated from the outside by performing an external operation.
By directly connecting the public line and the DSU, it is possible to determine whether the terminal network control device is abnormal or whether the DSU or the terminal device after the DSU is abnormal.

Further, the LI point direct connection means switches the power supply monitoring means for detecting a drop in the power supply voltage of the terminal network control device and the switching communication means when the power supply monitoring means detects the drop in the power supply voltage. The first L is separated from the second LI point.
LI point connection switching means for directly connecting the I point and the second LI point. If the power supply voltage of the terminal network control device drops and the terminal network control device stops operating, the ISDN
Since the public line and the DSU are directly connected, terminal devices after the DSU cannot be connected to the ISDN public line.

Further, the LI point direct connection means receives a direct connection request from a remote device via the ISDN public line from the first LI point, and exchange communication when the direct connection request reception means receives the direct connection request. LI point connection switching means for separating the means from the first LI point and the second LI point and directly connecting the first LI point and the second LI point. When a DSU loopback test is performed from the exchange side, an accurate test can be performed by directly connecting the ISDN public line to the DSU without using a terminal network control device.

Further, the LI point direct connection means communicates with the remote device via the exchange communication means and the ISDN public line at regular time intervals, and the exchange communication means when the communication by the confirmation communication means is abnormal. The first LI point and the second
LI point connection switching means for separating the LI point from the first LI point and directly connecting the first LI point and the second LI point. Then, whether or not the terminal network control device is abnormal can be determined by confirming communication with the remote device at regular intervals.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a terminal network control apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 8 denotes an exchange communication means, which is a first LI connection means 1 and a second LI connection means in a conventional example.
It has the functions of point connection means 2, terminal connection means 4, and exchange means 6. Reference numeral 9 denotes an LI point direct connection means which, when a pulse signal is input as a prescribed signal, disconnects the exchange communication means 8 from the first LI point and the second LI point and directly connects the first LI point and the second LI point. Having. A pulse signal can be input to the LI point direct connection means 9 by a push button switch.

With the above configuration, the ISDN public line and the D
When the terminal network control device attached between SUs (LI point) becomes unnecessary or needs to be removed, the terminal network control device is disconnected from the ISDN public line by inputting a pulse signal with a push button switch. DSU to I
Connect to SDN public line.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a terminal network control apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the figure, the LI point direct connection means 9 of the terminal network control device 7 includes an abnormality detection means 10 for detecting an abnormality in the exchange communication means 8 and a first LI point when the abnormality detection means 10 detects an abnormality. LI disconnection means 11 for disconnecting the first LI point from the exchange communication means 8 and the second LI disconnection means for disconnecting the second LI point from the exchange communication means 8.
A connection switching means 12 for directly connecting the point and the first LI point is provided. Here, the abnormality detected by the abnormality detection unit 10 includes a notification of a communication error with the DSU 3 or the gas meter 5 from the exchange unit 8 or the like.

According to the above configuration, when the exchange communication means 8 becomes abnormal and the terminal network control device 7 cannot perform communication, the abnormality detecting means 10 detects the abnormality and the LI point separating means 11 is detected by the abnormality detection. The first LI point is disconnected from the exchange communication means 8, and the LI point disconnection means 11 disconnects the first LI point from the exchange communication means 8, so that the connection switching means 12 disconnects the second LI point from the exchange communication means 8. Therefore, since the second LI point and the first LI point are directly connected, the ISDN public line and the DSU are directly connected.

Note that the LI point separating means is provided with a second LI
The connection switching means disconnects the first LI point from the exchange communication means 8 and disconnects the second LI point from the exchange communication means 8.
The same effect can be obtained even if the LI point is directly connected to the first LI point.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a terminal network control apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the figure, the LI point direct connection means 9 of the terminal network control device is provided with a knob 13 as an external operation means for pulling from the outside when the connection of the LI point is switched.
And pulling the knob 13 to change the exchange communication means 8 to the first LI
The first LI point and the second LI point are separated from the point and the second LI point.
LI point connection switching means 14 for directly connecting the LI point to the LI point.

With the above configuration, when the knob 13 is pulled from the outside, the LI point connection switching means 14 is switched to the exchange communication means 8.
Is separated from the first LI point and the second LI point, and the first LI point and the second LI point are directly connected, so that the ISDN public line and the DSU can be directly connected.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a terminal network control apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In the figure, the LI point direct connection means 9 of the terminal network control apparatus includes a power supply monitoring means 15 for detecting a decrease in the power supply voltage of the terminal network control apparatus, and an exchange communication means 8 when the power supply monitoring means 15 detects a decrease in the power supply voltage.
Is connected to the first LI point and the second LI point, and is connected to the LI point connection switching means 14 for directly connecting the first LI point and the second LI point. Works with Each part of the terminal network control device operates using the battery 16 as a power supply.

In the above configuration, when the voltage of the battery 16 decreases to a voltage at which the exchange communication unit 8 cannot operate, the power supply monitoring unit 15 detects a decrease in the power supply voltage. When the power supply monitoring means 15 detects a drop in the power supply voltage, the LI point connection switching means 14 disconnects the switching communication means 8 from the first LI point and the second LI point and disconnects the first LI point and the second LI point. Connect directly.

According to the above configuration, when the battery voltage drops so that the switching communication means cannot operate, the ISDN public line and the DSU can be directly connected.

When a commercial power supply is used as the power supply, the same effect can be obtained by backing up the power supply of the power supply monitoring means with a battery or the like.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a terminal network control apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. In the figure, the LI point direct connection means 9 of the terminal network control device is connected to the first LI point by IS
Direct connection request receiving means 17 for receiving a direct connection request from a remote device via a DN public line, and when the direct connection request receiving means 17 receives the direct connection request, the switching communication means 8 is switched from the first LI point and the second LI point. Separation first LI point and second LI point
And LI point connection switching means 14 for directly connecting the points.

In the above configuration, the ISDN is transmitted from the remote device.
When a direct connection request is transmitted to the terminal network control device 7 via the public line, the direct connection request receiving means 17 receives the direct connection request, and
The point connection switching means 14 switches the exchange communication means 8 to the first LI
The first LI point and the second LI point are separated from the point and the second LI point.
Is directly connected to the LI point.

According to the above configuration, the remote unit can directly connect the ISDN public line at the customer's house to the DSU.

(Embodiment 6) FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a terminal network control apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. In the figure, the LI point direct connection means 9 of the terminal network control device includes a confirmation communication means 18 for communicating with the remote device every hour via the exchange communication means 8 and the ISDN public line, and an error in the communication by the confirmation communication means 18. In this case, the switching communication means 8 is separated from the first LI point and the second LI point, and the LI point connection switching means 14 is provided to directly connect the first LI point and the second LI point.

In the above configuration, the confirmation communication means 18
A confirmation request is made to the remote device via the exchange communication means 8 every hour. Upon receiving the confirmation request, the remote device notifies the terminal network control device 7 of a confirmation signal. If the confirmation communication means 18 does not receive the confirmation signal from the remote device within the specified time, it is considered that there is an abnormality in the communication and notifies the LI point connection switching means 14. The LI point connection switching means 14
The switching communication means 8 is separated from the first LI point and the second LI point, and the first LI point and the second LI point are directly connected.

According to the above configuration, when communication with the remote device becomes impossible via the switching communication means, the ISDN public line and the DSU can be directly connected.

[0040]

According to the terminal network control device of the present invention as described above, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) Between the ISDN public line and the DSU (L
If a terminal network controller is installed at the I point) and the terminal network controller becomes unnecessary or needs to be removed, the ISDN public line and DSU can be connected by the LI point direct connection means.
Can be directly connected to the terminal network control device.
There is no need to reconnect the SU to the telephone line.

(2) Between the ISDN public line and the DSU (L
Even if the terminal network control device is attached to point I), if the terminal network control device becomes abnormal, etc., if an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means, the ISDN public line is directly connected to the DSU. Cannot be connected to the ISDN public line.

(3) Between the ISDN public line and the DSU (L
If a terminal network control device is installed at point I), and if communication at the customer's home becomes abnormal, the ISDN public line and D
Since the SU can be directly connected, it can be easily determined whether the terminal network control device is abnormal or the DSU or the terminal device after the DSU is abnormal.

(4) Between the ISDN public line and the DSU (L
When the terminal network control device is attached to point I), even when the power supply voltage of the terminal network control device is lowered and the terminal network control device stops operating, if the power supply monitoring means detects a decrease in the power supply voltage, the ISD
Since the N public line and the DSU are directly connected, terminal devices after the DSU cannot be connected to the ISDN public line.

(5) Between the ISDN public line and the DSU (L
When a terminal network control device is attached to point I), when a DSU loopback test is performed from the exchange side, a direct connection request is transmitted from the remote device to the terminal network control device via the ISDN public line to connect to the ISDN public network. Since the DSU is directly connected, an accurate loopback test of the DSU can be performed without using a terminal network control device.

(6) Between the ISDN public line and the DSU (L
When the terminal network control device is attached to (point I), the remote device can determine the abnormality of the terminal network control device by confirming the communication from the terminal network control device at regular intervals.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a terminal network control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a terminal network control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a terminal network control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a terminal network control device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a terminal network control device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a terminal network control device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a conventional automatic meter reading system using an ISDN line.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st LI point connection means 2 2nd LI point connection means 3 DSU (Digital line termination unit) 4 Terminal connection means 5 Terminal (gas meter) 6 Exchange means 7 Terminal network control device 8 Exchange communication means 9 LI point direct connection means DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Abnormality detection means 11 LI point disconnecting means 12 Connection switching means 13 External switching means (knob) 14 LI point connection switching means 15 Power supply monitoring means 16 Power supply (battery) 17 Direct connection request receiving means 18 Confirmation communication means

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Shiro Honma 1006 Kadoma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (6)

[Claims] A first LI point which is an interface LI point of an ISDN public line and an interface L with a DSU.
An exchange communication means connected to a second LI point which is an I point and connected to a terminal device to communicate with the ISDN public line and the DSU; and an exchange communication means connected to the first LI point by a predetermined signal input. LI that is separated from the first LI point and the second LI point by being separated from the first LI point and the second LI point.
A terminal network control device comprising a point direct connection means. 2. The LI point direct connection means includes: abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality in the exchange communication means; and LI point separation means for disconnecting a first LI point from the exchange communication means when the abnormality detection means detects an abnormality. When the LI point disconnecting means disconnects the first LI point from the exchange communication means, the LI point disconnection means disconnects the second LI point from the exchange communication means and outputs the second LI point.
2. The terminal network control device according to claim 1, further comprising connection switching means for directly connecting the point I and the first LI point. 3. The LI point direct connection means includes: an external operation means which is externally operated when the connection of the LI point is switched; and an exchange communication means which receives an operation by the external operation means and switches the first LI point and the second LI point. 2. The terminal network control device according to claim 1, further comprising: an LI point connection switching unit that directly disconnects the first LI point and the second LI point. 3. 4. The LI point direct connection means includes: a power supply monitoring means for detecting a drop in the power supply voltage; and a switching communication means for connecting the exchange communication means when the power supply monitoring means detects a drop in the power supply voltage.
2. The terminal network control device according to claim 1, further comprising an LI point connection switching unit that disconnects from the I point and directly connects the first LI point and the second LI point. 5. The LI point direct connection means is connected to the first LI point from the first LI point.
Direct connection request receiving means for receiving a direct connection request from a remote device via a DN public line; and when the direct connection request receiving means receives the direct connection request, the switching communication means is connected to a first LI point and a second LI point.
The first LI point and the second L
2. The terminal network control device according to claim 1, further comprising LI point connection switching means for directly connecting the I point. 6. The LI point direct connection means includes: a switching communication means;
Confirmation communication means for communicating with the remote device at predetermined time intervals via the SDN public line; and when the communication by the confirmation communication means is abnormal, the exchange communication means is switched to the first LI point and the second LI point.
The first LI point and the second L
2. The terminal network control device according to claim 1, further comprising LI point connection switching means for directly connecting the I point.