KR200416411Y1 - Wire and Wireless Signal Transferring Device, and Home Automation System Equipped Therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention has a device for converting a PLC signal and an RF signal into each indoor space formed by a wall so that a home network server provided in one space can communicate with a device provided in another space. The present invention relates to a converter and a home automation system having the same.

The present invention, SMPS (210) for supplying power so that the wired or wireless signal conversion device 200 can operate smoothly; A coupler 220 for detecting a PLC signal transmitted through the power line; A PLC module 230 for filtering and amplifying the PLC signal to convert the digital signal into a digital signal or converting the provided digital signal into a PLC signal and providing the power signal to the power line through the coupler 220; It is provided with an RF antenna 242 converts the digital signal converted through the PLC module 230 to an RF signal and then transmitted to the device through the RF antenna 242, or by converting the RF signal transmitted from the device into a digital signal RF module 240 provided to the PLC module 230; And a connection module 250 which is formed in the form of a socket so that the power plug of the device can be inserted therein, and directly connects the device to the PLC module 230.

PLC, RF, Home Automation

Description

Wire / wireless signal conversion device and home automation system having same {Wire and Wireless Signal Transferring Device, and Home Automation System Equipped Therewith}

1 is a diagram showing wireless communication between a home network server and a device in a home automation system provided in a conventional general home.

2 is a block diagram of a wire / wireless signal conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a perspective view of a wired / wireless signal conversion device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in the form of a power socket;

4 is a perspective view of a wired / wireless signal conversion device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in the form of a multi-outlet;

5 is a diagram illustrating a wired / wireless communication between a home network server and a device in a home automation system equipped with a wired / wireless signal conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

6 is a block diagram of a home automation system having a wired / wireless signal conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: home network server 110: device

120: inner wall 200: wired and wireless signal conversion device

210: SMPS 220: Coupler

230: PLC module 240: RF module

242: RF antenna 250: connection module

260: power connection module 300: first socket

310: first RF antenna 400: second socket

410: second RF antenna 420: second power plug

430: second power line 500: power line

600: home automation system 610: home gateway

620: middleware 630: home server controller

The present invention relates to a wired and wireless signal conversion device and a home automation system having the same. More specifically, a home network server provided in one space is provided in another space by including a device for converting a PLC (Power Line Communication) signal and an RF (Radio Frequency) signal to each indoor space formed by a wall. The present invention relates to a wired / wireless signal conversion device and a home automation system having the same.

Today, as digital technology advances, the distinction between existing technologies, industries, services, and networks, such as wired and wireless, broadcasting and telecommunications, online and offline, is blurring, and new types of converged products and services are emerging. With the advent of the digital convergence era, a variety of IT (Information Technology) devices, based on ultra-fast infrastructure, enable remote education, entertainment, health care, and information appliances control. Home Automation System is in the spotlight.

Generally, a home automation system is a digital home system in which information in a home is connected to a network so that service is performed regardless of device, time, or place. In other words, the home automation system connects various control devices in the house such as TV, refrigerator, air conditioner, PC, telephone, and lighting, and each room in the house such as a home room, kitchen, living room, entrance, etc. through the Internet to connect mobile phones or PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants). It refers to a system that can control everything in the home using devices such as terminals, TVs and refrigerators. In order to enable such a home automation system, home networking must be achieved.

Home automation systems use a variety of communication methods to implement remote control through a terminal or device. There are two types of communication methods, a wired method and a wireless method.

Wired methods include Home Phone Networking Alliance (HomePNA) using telephone lines, Power Line Communication (PLC) using power lines, Ethernet and IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394, Universal Serial Bus (USB), etc. Use In addition, the wireless method uses an infrared-infrared data association (IrDA) using infrared rays, a home radio frequency (RF) using a radio wave, a Bluetooth, a wireless local area network (UWB), and an ultra wide band (UWB). , IEEE 802.11, and the like.

The wired method uses existing telephone lines or power lines, so that information appliances can be connected to the network at low cost, and large-capacity multimedia communication is possible. In addition, since most of the information is connected to the power line can be used in any space, the information can be freely shared because the information is controlled by a single protocol (Protocol).

However, when configuring a home automation system using a wired method, cable wiring such as a telephone line or a power line must be installed. In addition, not all electronic devices are connected to a power line, such as a battery powered device, and there are cases where power connection is not easy. In addition, since a small amount of data is generally transmitted through a network such as turning on a TV or a lamp, controlling an air conditioner temperature, or driving a washing machine on a home automation system, a wireless method has recently been applied to operations on a home automation system. .

This wireless method is convenient to use because it does not require cable wiring and the mobility of the terminal or device is guaranteed. In addition, the structure of the network is easy to change and easier to install and maintain than the wired method.

However, various problems may occur when a home automation system using a wireless method is implemented in a house or an apartment. First, when communication is performed between devices using radio waves, communication may not be performed properly due to interference or attenuation of the same frequency. In addition, when a message transmitted between devices passes through an outer wall to a neighbor, it exposes crosstalk or security problems. In addition, in the case of radio waves, available frequency resources are limited.

On the other hand, the inner wall of the general building structure, such as houses and apartments. However, when communication between devices is made by IrDA using infrared rays, communication between devices blocked by various inner walls becomes impossible due to the straightness of infrared rays. Detailed description thereof will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram illustrating wireless communication between a home network server and a device in a conventional home automation system.

As shown in FIG. 1, the home network server 100 is provided in a home to control various information appliances and moves such as an internet network, a public switched telephone network (PSTN) network, and a code division multiple access (CDMA) network. It is an apparatus that provides an interface function in connection with a communication network. In addition, the device 110 is a device provided in a home and includes information electronic appliances such as a TV, a refrigerator, an audio, a washing machine, and a digital door lock.

However, in FIG. 1, in order for the home network server 100 to transmit a wireless signal containing specific information to the device 110, the wireless signal must pass through two inner walls 120. However, since the radio signal uses a high frequency band signal like the infrared signal, it is impossible for the radio signal to reach the device 110 through the inner wall. Therefore, the location where the device 110 can be located is inevitably limited according to the position of the inner wall.

In addition, low frequency band signals such as radio signals are almost exhausted of available frequency resources, and high frequency bands are required to solve various problems such as improved data rates, lower power, simultaneous connectivity, and improved frequency channel efficiency. The use of the signal is inevitable. Therefore, a high frequency band signal is inevitably used as a wireless signal. The high frequency band signal has a low traveling efficiency due to a traveling straight problem, thereby reducing the reliability of the home automation system.

On the other hand, in the Utility Model Registration No. 355,540, a wireless signal transmission apparatus connected to an office PC and a field PLC, respectively, has been proposed. Such a wireless signal transmission device is provided with an RF wireless communication device to transfer the work data transmitted from the office PC to the wireless signal transmission device connected to the site PLC using the RF signal, to the field machine connected to the site PLC through the PLC signal Characterized in that delivered. In addition, the Utility Model Publication No. 402,101, when the remote control inputs a specific signal to the switch module, it characterized in that the remote control signal receiving unit of the switch module transmits the signal to the home server through the PLC network.

However, the conventional devices as described above do not have a specific shape, which makes it difficult to apply to a home automation system.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is provided with a wired or wireless signal conversion device for converting a PLC signal and an RF signal into each indoor space formed by a wall, and the device uses a wired or wireless signal conversion device and an RF signal. In addition, the home network server provides a wired / wireless signal conversion device and a home automation system having the same, where the device can be positioned at a desired location regardless of the building structure formed by the wall by communicating with the wired / wireless signal conversion device and the PLC signal. For that purpose.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a wired / wireless signal conversion device and a home automation system having the same, which enables a home network server and a device to communicate with each other even when using a high frequency band RF signal.

In addition, the present invention is a wire-wireless signal converting device and a home automation system having the same may be provided as a built-in type in each space inside the building when the construction is formed in the shape of a power socket shape or may be provided as a multi-outlet connected to the power socket. To provide that purpose.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a wired / wireless signal conversion device for converting a signal transmitted through a power line and a signal transmitted through RF, and the wired / wireless signal conversion device 200 can operate smoothly. SMPS 210 to supply power so that; A coupler 220 for detecting a PLC signal transmitted through the power line; A PLC module 230 for filtering and amplifying the PLC signal to convert the digital signal into a digital signal or converting the provided digital signal into the PLC signal and providing the power signal to the power line through the coupler 220; It is provided with an RF antenna 242 to convert the digital signal converted through the PLC module 230 to an RF signal and then transmitted to the device through the RF antenna 242, or the RF signal transmitted from the device RF module 240 to convert to provide to the PLC module 230; And a connection module 250 that is formed in a socket shape so that the power plug of the device can be inserted therein, and directly connects the device to the PLC module 230.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First of all, in adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same reference numerals have the same reference numerals as much as possible even if displayed on different drawings. In addition, in describing the present invention, when it is determined that the detailed description of the related known configuration or function may obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the following will describe a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the technical idea of the present invention is not limited thereto, but may be variously modified and implemented by those skilled in the art.

2 is a block diagram of a wire / wireless signal conversion device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a perspective view of the wire and wireless signal conversion device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in the form of a power socket. 4 is a perspective view of a wired / wireless signal conversion device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in the form of a multi-outlet.

As shown in FIG. 2, the wired / wireless signal conversion device 200 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a switching mode power supply (SMPS) 210, a coupler (Coupler) 220, and a PLC module 230. , RF module 240, and RF antenna 242. In addition, the wire / wireless signal conversion apparatus 200 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention may include a connection module 250 and a power connection module 260.

The wired / wireless signal conversion device 200 is a device that converts a wired signal such as a PLC signal into a wireless signal such as an RF signal or converts the wireless signal into a wired signal. In the implementation of the present invention, the wire / wireless signal conversion device 200 is provided in each space separated by a wall in a house to perform a function of converting a PLC signal and an RF signal to each other.

That is, the wired / wireless signal conversion device 200 transmits information to the wired / wireless signal conversion device 200 or the home network server 100 provided in another space using a PLC, and uses RF as a device provided in the same space. It is characterized by passing the information. Therefore, it is possible for the home network server provided in a predetermined space of the house to wirelessly control a device provided in another space separated by a wall through the wired / wireless signal conversion device 200. Therefore, when the wired / wireless signal conversion apparatus 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention is used, it is possible to smoothly operate the home automation system.

The wired / wireless signal conversion device 200 is not limited to being provided in a house, but may be provided in a space such as an office. The wired signal converted by the wire / wireless signal converter 200 is not limited to the PLC signal, and the wireless signal is not limited to the RF signal.

The wired / wireless signal conversion device 200 may be implemented in the form of a power socket provided in a wall of a house or an office as shown in FIG. 3. The wired / wireless signal conversion device 200 includes a first RF antenna 310 on one side to perform wireless communication with the device. In addition, the wire / wireless signal conversion apparatus 200 may include a first socket 300 to allow a device to connect a power plug to the first socket 300 to perform power line communication. The wired / wireless signal conversion device 200 may be installed in a house or an office in a built-in type at construction.

Meanwhile, the wire / wireless signal conversion device 200 may be implemented in a multi-outlet form that can be connected to a power socket as shown in FIG. 4. The wired / wireless signal conversion device 200 includes a second power plug 420 and a second power line 430 connecting the wired / wireless signal conversion device 200 to the second power plug 420. In addition, the wire / wireless signal conversion device 200 includes a second RF antenna 410 on one side. Meanwhile, the wire / wireless signal conversion device 200 may also include a second socket 400.

On the other hand, using the wired / wireless signal conversion device 200 has been described that the home automation system can be smoothly operated, a detailed description thereof will be described with reference to the drawings below.

5 is a diagram illustrating a wired / wireless communication between a home network server and a device in a home automation system having a wired / wireless signal conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, the home network server 100 transmits a specific signal to the device 110 through various inner walls 120 by using radio waves in a low frequency band. In addition, the wired / wireless signal conversion device 200 is provided in each space separated by a wall, so that the home network server 100 can transmit a specific signal to the device 110 by using the wired / wireless signal conversion device 200. do. In addition, when the socket provided in the wire / wireless signal conversion apparatus 200 is used, the home network server 100 may transmit a specific signal to the device 110 through the power line 500.

That is, when viewed from the side of the device 110, a specific signal is transmitted through the inner wall 120 or through an RF signal transmitted through the wired or wireless signal conversion apparatus 200, or a PLC signal through the power line 500. It is received from the home network server 100 through. Accordingly, the home network server 100 may improve the signal transfer rate to the device 110.

On the other hand, in this case, several signals containing the same message are transmitted from the home network server 100 to the device 110. Then, a message duplication problem may occur which signal the device 110 will take. Therefore, in this case, the home network server 100 includes the content corresponding to the time stamp on the communication protocol in the message. Then, when the device 110 receives the signal, the device 110 takes only the first received signal and ignores the subsequent received signal including the message including the same time stamp.

However, in the implementation of the present invention, when several signals containing the same message are transferred from the home network server 100 to the device 110, the method of taking one of the devices 110 is not limited thereto.

The SMPS 210 is a modular power supply device, that is, a DC stabilized power source, that converts electricity supplied from the outside to suit various electric, electronic, and communication devices. In the implementation of the present invention, the SMPS 210 converts AC power supplied through a power line into a predetermined DC power to perform a function of supplying power required for each module of the wire / wireless signal conversion device 200.

The coupler 220 detects a PLC signal which is a data signal from an AC power supply. In addition, the coupler 220 performs a function of providing a PLC signal to the power line to be delivered.

The PLC module 230 receives power from the SMPS 210, filters and amplifies the PLC signal through the coupler 220, converts the PLC signal into a digital signal, and provides the same to the RF module 240 or through the connection module 250. Perform the functions provided by the device. In this case, the device includes the home network server 100 and the device 110. When the power plug provided in the device is connected to the connection module 250, the device may receive a digital signal. On the other hand, the PLC signal in the above may be delivered in a broadcast (Broadcasting) method or Peer-to-Peer (Peer-to-Peer) method.

The RF module 240 receives power from the SMPS 210, filters and amplifies the digital signal provided from the PLC module 230, converts the digital signal into an RF signal, and transmits the RF signal to the device through the RF antenna 242. do. The RF module 240 may transmit an RF signal to the device using a communication method such as Zigbee, UWB, Bluetooth, WLAN.

The connection module 250 is formed in a socket shape so that the power plug of the device can be inserted, and when the power plug of the device is inserted, the connection module 250 connects the device with the PLC module 230. In the implementation of the present invention, the connection module 250 may not be provided. However, when the connection module 250 is provided, when the RF module 240 does not operate smoothly, it is possible to transmit a message to a device having a power plug using only the PLC module 230.

The power connection module 260 includes a power plug and a power line connected to the power plug. At this time, one end of the power line is connected to the power plug, the other end is connected to the SMPS 210 and the coupler 220.

On the other hand, it is also possible to configure a home automation system to have a wired or wireless signal conversion device 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Detailed description thereof is as follows.

6 is a block diagram of a home automation system having a wired / wireless signal conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 6, the home automation system 600 includes a home gateway 610, a middleware 620, a home server controller 630, a wired / wireless signal conversion device 200, and a device ( 110).

The home automation system 600 may be connected to a user terminal, a central monitoring center, a police station / fire station, or the like through an external communication network such as an Internet network, a PSTN network, a mobile communication network such as a CDMA network, or a Global Positioning System (GPS) network. Then, when an emergency situation occurs in the space where the home automation system 600 is operated, the home server controller 630 transmits the emergency situation to the user terminal, the central monitoring center, the police station / fire station, etc. through the home gateway 610 and the external communication network. It becomes possible to notify.

The home gateway 610 provides an interface function between the external communication network and the home server controller 630 and supports various protocols from the physical layer to the application layer. The home gateway 610 is connected to a user terminal through an external communication network or to a middleware 620 through a home server controller 630 to process a transmission / reception function of various wired / wireless signals generated above.

The middleware 620 is software that finds and provides a service desired by a user in a network, and provides interoperability between various systems. The middleware 620 enables application programs independent of the underlying hardware or network components, and various information appliances such as home theaters, application services such as remote control, security, remote meter reading, and other information appliances. It is used as a framework of (Video On Demand) service.

In addition, the middleware 620 provides an environment in which a user can control various devices constituting the home automation system 600 similarly to using existing devices without acquiring a special knowledge. It provides a platform for developing and running application services. As the middleware 620, Jini operating on a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) based on JAVA, HAVi, UPnP, OSGi, etc. using a protocol based on IEEE 1394 may be used. The middleware 620 may provide various multimedia services to the user through the home gateway 610.

The home server controller 630 controls the home gateway 610 and the middleware 620 and transmits a wired / wireless signal to the device 110 or receives a wired / wireless signal from the device 110 to process the home automation system 600. Perform overall control.

In the implementation of the present invention, the home server controller 630 includes a power line communication unit to transmit a PLC signal containing a message to the wired or wireless signal conversion device 200. Then, the wire / wireless signal conversion apparatus 200 transmits the signal containing the message to the device 110 through the provided RF antenna.

For example, when a user inputs a channel change of a TV and a driving start of a washing machine through a remote controller, the home server controller 630 transmits the input information to the TV and the washing machine through the wired / wireless signal converter 200. Then, the TV is changed to the channel desired by the user, and the washing machine starts to operate.

Meanwhile, the home server controller 630 may be directly connected to the device 110 through a power line.

The home server controller 630 provides a function of storing, integrating, and distributing information of various media in the home, such as video, telephone, web, e-mail, and fax, or interoperating between information appliances or managing and controlling the state of individual devices. Related services can be provided. On the other hand, a user, such as the owner of the house may be connected to the home server controller 630 through the user terminal to control the device 110.

Meanwhile, the home gateway 610, the middleware 620, and the home server controller 630 may be integrated to understand the concept of the home network server 100. In this case, the home network server 100 may be wirelessly connected to the device 110 through the wired / wireless signal conversion apparatus 200 or may be directly connected to the device 110 through a wire such as a power line.

The wire / wireless signal conversion device 200 is provided in the same space as the device 110 and is connected to the home server controller 630 by a power line. The wired / wireless signal conversion apparatus 200 transmits and receives a message to and from the home server controller 630 using a PLC signal, and transmits and receives a message to and from the device 110 using an RF signal.

Meanwhile, when the home gateway 610 and the home server controller 630 are provided in different spaces, the wire / wireless signal conversion apparatus 200 may be connected to each other by a power line.

The device 110 may be various devices installed in a space where the home automation system 600 is implemented. The device 110 includes a digital door lock, a security sensor including various sensor devices such as an intruder detection sensor, a temperature detection sensor, a fire detection sensor, a gas leak detector, and an illumination / temperature control device. A thermostat, a remote meter reading device such as gas, electricity, or water, and an information appliance including a TV, a refrigerator, audio, a washing machine, and the like may be included.

The above description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs may make various modifications, changes, and substitutions without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. will be. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention and the accompanying drawings are not intended to limit the technical spirit of the present invention, but are intended to be described, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by the embodiments and the accompanying drawings. . The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas falling within the scope of the present invention should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

As described above, according to the present invention, a wired / wireless signal conversion device for converting a PLC signal and an RF signal into each indoor space formed by a wall is provided, and the device communicates with the wired / wireless signal conversion device by using an RF signal. In addition, the home network server communicates with the wired / wireless signal converter using a PLC signal, thereby having the effect of locating the device at a desired location regardless of the building structure formed by the wall.

In addition, according to the present invention, there is an effect that enables the home network server and the device to communicate with each other even when using the RF signal of the high frequency band.

In addition, according to the present invention, the shape is made of a power socket shape when the construction is provided with a built-in type in each space inside the building or there is an effect that can be provided as a multi-outlet connected to the power socket.

In addition, according to the present invention, the wired method (PLC method) and the wireless method (RF method) complement the mutual problems, and ultimately, there is an effect of securing reliability in terms of operation on a home automation system.

Claims (5)

In the wire / wireless signal conversion apparatus for converting the signal transmitted through the power line and the signal transmitted through the RF, An SMPS 210 for supplying power so that the wired / wireless signal conversion device 200 can operate smoothly; A coupler 220 for detecting a PLC signal transmitted through the power line; A PLC module 230 for filtering and amplifying the PLC signal and converting the digital signal into a digital signal or converting the provided digital signal into the PLC signal and providing it to a power line through the coupler 220; It is provided with an RF antenna 242 to convert the digital signal converted through the PLC module 230 to an RF signal and then transmitted to the device through the RF antenna 242, or the RF signal transmitted from the device RF module 240 to convert to provide to the PLC module 230; And Connection module 250 is formed in the form of a socket so that the power plug of the device can be inserted directly connecting the device and the PLC module 230 Wired and wireless signal conversion device comprising a. The method of claim 1, The wired / wireless signal conversion device 200 is in the form of a power socket provided on the wall of a house or office. The method of claim 1, A power connection module 260 having a power plug and a power line having one end connected to the power plug and the other end connected to the SMPS 210 and the coupler 220 Wired and wireless signal conversion device further comprising. The method of claim 3, wherein The wired / wireless signal conversion device 200 is a wired / wireless signal conversion device, characterized in that the multi-outlet form that can be connected to the power socket provided in the wall of the house or office. In the home automation system that the information provided in the house is connected to the network to remotely control the information electronic device, An interface device connected to a communication network installed outside the home, the home gateway 610 for transmitting and receiving wired and wireless signals, and the middleware 620 connected to the home gateway 610 to provide various information requested by a user. And a home server controller 630 connected to the home gateway 610 and the middleware 620 to perform overall control of the home automation system 600, and having a power line communication unit configured to transmit and receive PLC signals. A home network server 100; A device (110) including the information appliance operated by the home automation system (600); And The device 110 according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the PLC signal is connected to the home network server 100 through a power line to convert the PLC signal transmitted through the home network server 100 into an RF signal. Wired and wireless signal conversion device 200 to be transmitted to) Home automation system is provided with a wired or wireless signal conversion device comprising a.

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