WO2019180761A1 - Relaying device, communication system, communication method, and program - Google Patents

Relaying device, communication system, communication method, and program Download PDF

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WO2019180761A1
WO2019180761A1 PCT/JP2018/010699 JP2018010699W WO2019180761A1 WO 2019180761 A1 WO2019180761 A1 WO 2019180761A1 JP 2018010699 W JP2018010699 W JP 2018010699W WO 2019180761 A1 WO2019180761 A1 WO 2019180761A1
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Prior art keywords
communication
adapter
frame
communication method
connection means
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PCT/JP2018/010699
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French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
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遠藤　弘明
正裕 石原
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三菱電機株式会社
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Priority to JP2020508105A priority Critical patent/JPWO2019180761A1/en
Priority to PCT/JP2018/010699 priority patent/WO2019180761A1/en
Publication of WO2019180761A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019180761A1/en

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04Q—SELECTING
    • H04Q9/00—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a relay device, a communication system, a communication method, and a program.
  • HEMS Home Energy Management System
  • each home appliance is generally connected to the network via a communication adapter.
  • communication adapters for example, Patent Document 1.
  • ECHONET Lite which is a communication standard adopted by HEMS
  • a communication method (hereinafter referred to as a first communication method) between a communication adapter and home appliances is defined.
  • this first communication method it is currently premised that one communication adapter is connected to one home appliance.
  • the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and enables relaying that enables connection between a plurality of devices including devices compatible with the first communication method and a communication adapter compatible with the second communication method.
  • An object is to provide a device or the like.
  • a relay device provides: Adapter connection means connected to a communication adapter that communicates with a second communication method that is a communication method newer than the first communication method; A plurality of device connection means connected to a plurality of devices; Communication method acquisition means for acquiring a communication method from each device connected to each of the plurality of device connection means;
  • the first communication frame is received from the first device via device connection means connected to the first device.
  • the first communication frame is converted into a second communication frame of the second communication method, transmitted to the communication adapter via the adapter connection means, and from the communication adapter to the first communication via the adapter connection means.
  • the third communication frame for the device is received, the third communication frame is converted into a fourth communication frame of the first communication method, and the first device is connected to the first device via the device connection means connected to the first device.
  • Communication means for transmitting is
  • the present invention it is possible to connect a plurality of devices including a device compatible with the first communication method and a communication adapter compatible with the second communication method.
  • the block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the control apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment The figure which shows an example of the format of the communication frame corresponding to a 1st communication system in this Embodiment.
  • the block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the relay apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment The block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the control circuit with which the relay apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment is provided
  • the flowchart which shows the procedure of the frame relay process (the 1) which the relay apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment performs The flowchart which shows the procedure of the frame relay process (the 2) which the relay apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment performs
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an energy management system including a communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • This energy management system is a so-called HEMS (Home Energy Management ⁇ System) that manages electric power used in general households.
  • the energy management system includes a communication system 1 including a relay device 2 and a communication adapter 3, a control device 4, an operation terminal 5, and devices 6a to 6c.
  • the control device 4 is installed at an appropriate location in the house H, and controls the energy management system in an integrated manner. As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 4 includes a processor 40, a communication interface 41, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 42, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 43, and a secondary storage device 44. These components are connected to each other via a bus 45.
  • the processor 40 controls the control device 4 in an integrated manner.
  • the communication interface 41 includes a network card for wirelessly communicating with the communication adapter 3 via a wireless network (not shown) constructed in the house H.
  • This wireless network is, for example, a network conforming to ECHONET Lite.
  • the communication interface 41 includes a network card for wireless communication or wired communication with the operation terminal 5.
  • the ROM 42 stores a plurality of firmware and data used when executing these firmwares.
  • the RAM 43 is used as a work area for the processor 40.
  • the secondary storage device 44 includes an EEPROM (Electrically-Erasable Programmable-Read-Only Memory), a readable / writable nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).
  • the secondary storage device 44 stores one or a plurality of programs for managing the power consumed at home and data used when each program is executed.
  • the operation terminal 5 is a smart device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal including an input device such as a push button, a touch panel, a touch pad, a display device such as an organic EL display or a liquid crystal display, and a communication interface.
  • the operation terminal 5 communicates with the control device 4 in accordance with a well-known communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Wi-SUN (registered trademark), or wired LAN.
  • the operation terminal 5 receives an operation from the user and transmits information indicating the received operation content to the control device 4. Further, the operation terminal 5 receives the information transmitted from the control device 4 and presented to the user, and displays the received information.
  • the operation terminal 5 plays a role as an interface (so-called user interface) with the user.
  • the devices 6a to 6c are home appliances installed in the house H (including the site).
  • the devices 6a to 6c include, for example, an air conditioner, an illuminator, a floor heating system, a floor cooling / heating system, a refrigerator, an IH (Induction Heating) cooker, a television, a water heater, and the like.
  • the devices 6a to 6c are connected to the above-described wireless network via the relay device 2 and the communication adapter 3.
  • the control device 4 can control the operation of the devices 6a to 6c and acquire desired information from the devices 6a to 6c.
  • the devices 6a and 6b communicate with the relay device 2 using the first communication method
  • the device 6c communicates with the relay device 2 using the second communication method that is a communication method newer than the first communication method. That is, the devices 6a and 6b are examples of the first device according to the present invention.
  • the communication adapter 3 communicates with the relay device 2 by the second communication method.
  • the first communication method is a communication method on the premise that one communication adapter is connected to one home appliance, and a communication frame of the format shown in FIG. 3 is used for communication between the home appliance and the communication adapter. It is done.
  • “STX” is an area in which the head code is stored. Specifically, “STX” stores a fixed value (for example, 0x02) indicating the first communication method.
  • “CN” is an area in which the type of command is stored. The command type includes, for example, information request, information request response, information setting, information setting response, and the like.
  • “DL” is an area in which the data length, that is, the size of data stored in “FD” is stored.
  • FD is an area in which data corresponding to the type of command is stored. For example, when the command type is information request, “FD” stores a property number indicating the requested information. When the command type is an information request response, “FD” stores data indicating the requested information.
  • FCC is an area in which a frame check code is stored. “FCC” stores, for example, the two's complement of the sum of “CN” to “FD”. The home appliance or communication adapter that has received the communication frame checks the frame check code to determine whether or not there is an error in the content of the communication frame.
  • the second communication method is a communication method in which a plurality of home appliances are connected to one communication adapter, and a communication frame in the format shown in FIG. 4 is used for communication between the home appliance and the communication adapter.
  • “STX” is an area in which the head code is stored. Specifically, “STX” stores a fixed value (for example, 0x03) indicating the second communication method. “DA” is an area in which data indicating the transmission destination of the communication frame is stored. “SA” is an area in which data indicating the transmission source of the communication frame is stored. For example, when the address of the communication adapter is “0x00”, the address of the home appliance is “0x01”, and a communication frame is transmitted from the communication adapter to the home appliance, the “DA” of the communication frame includes “0x01”. “Is stored, and” 0x00 "is stored in” SA ". “CN”, “DL”, “FD”, and “FCC” are the same as those in the first communication method.
  • the relay device 2 includes device connection units 20a to 20c, an adapter connection unit 21, and a control circuit 22.
  • the device connection portions 20a to 20c and the adapter connection portion 21 are all the same type connectors having five terminals.
  • the device connection units 20a to 20c are an example of a plurality of device connection means according to the present invention.
  • the adapter connection unit 21 is an example of adapter connection means according to the present invention.
  • the device connection unit 20a and the control circuit 22 are connected via a signal line 23a including a signal transmission line, a signal reception line, a ground line, and a pull-up voltage line (5V) of the signal line.
  • the device connection unit 20b and the control circuit 22 are connected via a signal line 23b
  • the device connection unit 20c and the control circuit 22 are connected via a signal line 23c
  • the adapter connection unit 21 and the control circuit 22 are connected to each other.
  • a signal line 23d are connected via a signal line 23d.
  • the device connection unit 20a, the control circuit 22, and the adapter connection unit 21 are connected via a power line 24 that transmits power from the device 6 connected to the device connection unit 20a. That is, the relay device 2 and the communication adapter 3 are supplied with power from the home appliance (any of the devices 6a to 6c) connected to the device connection unit 20a.
  • the power line 24 is an example of a power transmission unit according to the present invention.
  • the control circuit 22 includes a processor 220, a ROM 221, a RAM 222, and a secondary storage device 223. These components are connected to each other via a bus 224.
  • the processor 220 controls the relay device 2 in an integrated manner. Details of the functions of the relay apparatus 2 realized by the processor 220 will be described later.
  • the ROM 221 stores a plurality of firmware and data used when executing these firmware.
  • the RAM 222 is used as a work area for the processor 220.
  • the secondary storage device 223 is composed of a readable / writable nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as an EEPROM or a flash memory.
  • the secondary storage device 223 includes various programs including a program for relaying a communication frame exchanged between each of the devices 6a to 6c and the communication adapter 3 (hereinafter referred to as a relay program), Data used at runtime is stored.
  • the relay apparatus 2 functionally includes a communication method acquisition unit 200, a device object acquisition unit 201, and a frame relay unit 202 as shown in FIG. These functional units are realized by the processor 220 executing the relay program stored in the secondary storage device 223.
  • the communication method acquisition unit 200 is an example of a communication method acquisition unit according to the present invention.
  • the communication method acquisition unit 200 negotiates with the communication adapter 3 connected to the adapter connection unit 21 and the devices 6a to 6c connected to the device connection units 20a to 20c.
  • Communication information including a communication speed and a communication method is acquired from each of 6a to 6c.
  • the communication method acquisition unit 200 monitors the pull-up voltages of the signal lines 23a to 23c of the device connection units 20a to 20c, and narrows down only to the device connection unit 20 in which a predetermined voltage (5 V) is detected.
  • the above negotiation may be performed.
  • the communication method acquisition unit 200 allocates addresses to the devices 6a to 6c.
  • the address is determined according to the device connection unit 20 to which each device 6 is connected.
  • 0x01 is assigned to the device 6a connected to the device connection unit 20a
  • 0x02 is assigned to the device 6b connected to the device connection unit 20b, and is connected to the device connection unit 20c.
  • 0x03 is allocated to the device 6c.
  • the communication method acquisition unit 200 generates, for each device connection unit 20, information that associates the address of the device 6 to be connected with the communication information described above, and stores the information in the secondary storage device 223.
  • the device object acquisition unit 201 acquires device object data from each of the devices 6a to 6c when the negotiation by the communication method acquisition unit 200 is completed.
  • the device object data is data including unique information and operable control items for the device 6.
  • the device object acquisition unit 201 transmits data in which each acquired device object data is associated with the address of the device 6 to the communication adapter 3 via the adapter connection unit 21.
  • a series of processing by the communication method acquisition unit 200 and the device object acquisition unit 201 is referred to as start-up processing of the relay device 2.
  • the frame relay unit 202 is an example of communication means according to the present invention.
  • the frame relay unit 202 receives a communication frame from any one of the devices 6a to 6c via the corresponding device connection unit 20 after completion of the above startup processing, the frame relay unit 202 transmits the received communication frame via the adapter connection unit 21.
  • the frame relay unit 202 converts the received communication frame into a communication frame of the second communication method, and communicates the converted communication frame. Send to adapter 3.
  • the frame relay unit 202 changes “STX” of the received communication frame from 0x02 to 0x03, and joins “DA” and “SA”.
  • “DA” stores 0x03 which is the address of the communication adapter 3.
  • SA the address (0x01 or 0x02) of the transmission source device 6 is stored.
  • a communication frame (an example of the first communication frame according to the present invention) corresponding to the first communication method received from the device 6a or the device 6b (that is, the first device) becomes a communication frame (this book) of the second communication method.
  • the frame relay unit 202 transfers the received communication frame to the communication adapter 3 via the adapter connection unit 21 without processing the received communication frame.
  • the frame relay unit 202 When the frame relay unit 202 receives a communication frame from the communication adapter 3 via the adapter connection unit 21 after completion of the start-up process, the frame relay unit 202 transmits the communication frame to the device 6 indicated by “DA” of the communication frame. Is transmitted via the corresponding device connection unit 20. At this time, if the destination device 6 is compatible with the first communication method, the frame relay unit 202 converts the received communication frame into a communication frame of the first communication method, and converts the converted communication frame into the device. 6 to send. Specifically, the frame relay unit 202 removes “DA” and “SA” from the received communication frame, and further changes “STX” from 0x03 to 0x02. Thereby, a communication frame (an example of the third communication frame according to the present invention) corresponding to the second communication method received from the communication adapter 3 is converted into a communication frame of the first communication method (an example of the fourth communication frame according to the present invention). ).
  • the frame relay unit 202 transfers the received communication frame to the device 6 via the corresponding device connection unit 20 without processing the received communication frame.
  • FIG. 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing the procedure of the frame relay process executed by the relay device 2 (specifically, the frame relay unit 202) after the start-up process is completed.
  • FIG. 8 shows frame relay processing when a communication frame is received from the communication adapter 3
  • FIG. 9 shows frame relay processing when a communication frame is received from any of the devices 6a to 6c.
  • the frame relay unit 202 refers to “DA” in the received communication frame, identifies the corresponding device connection unit 20, and identifies the communication method corresponding to the identified device connection unit 20. In other words, the frame relay unit 202 specifies a communication method corresponding to the transmission destination device 6 (step S101). If the destination device 6 is compatible with the first communication method (step S102; YES), the frame relay unit 202 converts the received communication frame into a communication frame of the first communication method as described above (step S103). ). Then, the frame relay unit 202 transmits the communication frame converted through the identified device connection unit 20 to the transmission destination device 6 (step S104).
  • the frame relay unit 202 performs the transmission via the specified device connection unit 20 without processing the received communication frame. Transfer to the previous device 6 (step S105).
  • the frame relay unit 202 identifies a communication method corresponding to the device connection unit 20 that has received the communication frame. In other words, the frame relay unit 202 identifies a communication method corresponding to the transmission source device 6 of the received communication frame (step S201).
  • the frame relay unit 202 converts the received communication frame into a communication frame of the second communication method as described above (step S203). ). Then, the frame relay unit 202 transmits the converted communication frame to the communication adapter 3 via the adapter connection unit 21 (step S204).
  • step S202 when the transmission source device 6 is compatible with the second communication method (step S202; NO), the frame relay unit 202 transmits the received communication frame to the communication adapter 3 via the adapter connection unit 21. Transfer (step S205).
  • a plurality of home appliances (devices 6a and 6b) corresponding to the first communication method on the assumption that one communication adapter is connected to one home appliance.
  • a communication adapter 3 compatible with the second communication method in which a plurality of household electrical appliances can be connected to one communication adapter.
  • the relay device 2 can be connected to the three devices 6, but it may be configured to be connectable to a plurality of devices 6, and the number is not limited.
  • the method of converting the communication frame by the relay device 2 according to the above embodiment is also only It is an example.
  • the conversion from the first communication frame to the second communication frame and the conversion from the third communication frame to the fourth communication frame correspond to the formats of the first communication method and the second communication method.
  • Various techniques can be employed.
  • control device 4 may further include at least one of an input device for receiving an operation from the user and a display device for presenting information to the user.
  • the communication adapter 3 may be provided with a communication interface for connecting to the Internet via a broadband router (not shown) installed in the house H and communicate with a cloud server (not shown).
  • each functional unit (see FIG. 7) of the relay device 2 is realized by the processor 220 executing the relay program stored in the secondary storage device 223.
  • all or part of the functional units of the relay device 2 may be realized by dedicated hardware.
  • the dedicated hardware is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated ⁇ Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof.
  • the above relay program includes CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), magneto-optical disc (Magneto-Optical Disc), USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, memory card, HDD, etc. It can be stored in a computer-readable recording medium and distributed.
  • CD-ROM Compact Disc Read Only Memory
  • DVD Digital Versatile Disc
  • magneto-optical disc Magnetic-Optical Disc
  • USB Universal Serial Bus
  • the relay program may be stored in a disk device or the like of a server on a network such as an intranet or the Internet, and the relay program may be downloaded to the relay device 2 from this server.
  • the present invention can be suitably employed in a system in which various devices and control devices are connected via a network.

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Abstract

An adapter connecting unit (21) is connected to a communication adapter which performs communication by a second communication system as a communication system newer than a first communication system. Each of a plurality of device connecting units (20a to 20c) is connected to each of a plurality of devices. A control circuit (22) acquires the communication systems from each of the plurality of devices. When receiving a first communication frame from a first device corresponding to the first communication system among the plurality of devices, the control circuit (22) converts the first communication frame to a second communication frame of the second communication system and transmits the second communication frame to the communication adapter. When receiving a third communication frame with respect to the first device from the communication adapter, the control circuit (22) converts the third communication frame to a fourth communication frame of the first communication system and transmits the fourth communication frame to the first device.

Description

中継装置、通信システム、通信方法及びプログラムRelay device, communication system, communication method, and program
　本発明は、中継装置、通信システム、通信方法及びプログラムに関する。 The present invention relates to a relay device, a communication system, a communication method, and a program.
　宅内に構築されたネットワークに接続される様々な家電機器を統合的に管理するＨＥＭＳ（Home Energy Management System）と呼ばれるシステムが広く知られている。ＨＥＭＳにおいて、各家電機器は、上記のネットワークに通信アダプタを介して接続されるのが一般的である。かかる通信アダプタに関し、従来、種々の提案がなされている（例えば、特許文献１） A system called HEMS (Home Energy Management System) that comprehensively manages various home appliances connected to a network built in a home is widely known. In HEMS, each home appliance is generally connected to the network via a communication adapter. Conventionally, various proposals have been made regarding such communication adapters (for example, Patent Document 1).
特開２０１４－１７８８９２号公報JP 2014-177882 A
　ＨＥＭＳで採用されている通信規格であるエコーネットライト（ECHONET Lite）では、通信アダプタと家電機器間の通信方式（以下、第１通信方式という。）を定めている。この第１通信方式においては、現在、１つの家電機器に対して１つの通信アダプタを接続することが前提の規約となっている。 In ECHONET Lite, which is a communication standard adopted by HEMS, a communication method (hereinafter referred to as a first communication method) between a communication adapter and home appliances is defined. In this first communication method, it is currently premised that one communication adapter is connected to one home appliance.
　一方、ＨＥＭＳを導入する家庭においては、複数の家電機器が上記のネットワークに接続されるのが一般的であり、当該家電機器の数分の通信アダプタが必要となる。このため、多くの家電機器が上記のネットワークに接続される家庭では、コストが嵩むという実情がある。 On the other hand, in a home where HEMS is introduced, a plurality of home appliances are generally connected to the network, and communication adapters corresponding to the number of the home appliances are required. For this reason, in the home where many household appliances are connected to the above-mentioned network, there is a situation that cost increases.
　上記の実情に対し、業界からは、１つの通信アダプタに複数の家電機器が接続されるようにするための新たな通信方式（以下、第２通信方式という。）の制定についての要望がある。しかしながら、このような第２通信方式が制定され、対応する通信アダプタが仮に開発された場合、既存の第１通信方式に対応した家電機器を接続することができないという問題が生じる。 In response to the above situation, there is a demand from the industry for the establishment of a new communication method (hereinafter referred to as the second communication method) for connecting a plurality of home appliances to one communication adapter. However, when such a second communication method is established and a corresponding communication adapter is tentatively developed, there arises a problem that home appliances corresponding to the existing first communication method cannot be connected.
　本発明は、上記の問題を解決するためになされたものであり、第１通信方式に対応した機器を含む複数の機器と、第２通信方式に対応した通信アダプタとの接続を可能にする中継装置等を提供することを目的とする。 The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and enables relaying that enables connection between a plurality of devices including devices compatible with the first communication method and a communication adapter compatible with the second communication method. An object is to provide a device or the like.
　上記目的を達成するため、本発明に係る中継装置は、
　第１通信方式より新しい通信方式である第２通信方式で通信する通信アダプタと接続されるアダプタ接続手段と、
　複数の機器と接続される複数の機器接続手段と、
　前記複数の機器接続手段の各々に接続される各機器から通信方式を取得する通信方式取得手段と、
　前記複数の機器に、前記第１通信方式に対応する第１機器が含まれている場合、前記第１機器から前記第１機器に接続される機器接続手段を介して第１通信フレームを受信すると、前記第１通信フレームを前記第２通信方式の第２通信フレームに変換して、前記アダプタ接続手段を介して前記通信アダプタに送信し、前記通信アダプタから前記アダプタ接続手段を介して前記第１機器に対する第３通信フレームを受信すると、前記第３通信フレームを前記第１通信方式の第４通信フレームに変換して、前記第１機器に接続される機器接続手段を介して前記第１機器に送信する通信手段と、を備える。 In order to achieve the above object, a relay device according to the present invention provides:
Adapter connection means connected to a communication adapter that communicates with a second communication method that is a communication method newer than the first communication method;
A plurality of device connection means connected to a plurality of devices;
Communication method acquisition means for acquiring a communication method from each device connected to each of the plurality of device connection means;
When the first device corresponding to the first communication method is included in the plurality of devices, the first communication frame is received from the first device via device connection means connected to the first device. The first communication frame is converted into a second communication frame of the second communication method, transmitted to the communication adapter via the adapter connection means, and from the communication adapter to the first communication via the adapter connection means. When the third communication frame for the device is received, the third communication frame is converted into a fourth communication frame of the first communication method, and the first device is connected to the first device via the device connection means connected to the first device. Communication means for transmitting.
　本発明によれば、第１通信方式に対応した機器を含む複数の機器と、第２通信方式に対応した通信アダプタとの接続を可能にする。 According to the present invention, it is possible to connect a plurality of devices including a device compatible with the first communication method and a communication adapter compatible with the second communication method.
本発明の実施の形態に係る通信システムを包含したエネルギー管理システムの全体構成を示す図The figure which shows the whole structure of the energy management system including the communication system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 本実施の形態に係る制御装置のハードウェア構成を示すブロック図The block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the control apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment 本実施の形態において第１通信方式に対応する通信フレームのフォーマットの一例を示す図The figure which shows an example of the format of the communication frame corresponding to a 1st communication system in this Embodiment. 本実施の形態において第２通信方式に対応する通信フレームのフォーマットの一例を示す図The figure which shows an example of the format of the communication frame corresponding to a 2nd communication system in this Embodiment. 本実施の形態に係る中継装置のハードウェア構成を示すブロック図The block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the relay apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment 本実施の形態に係る中継装置が備える制御回路のハードウェア構成を示すブロック図The block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the control circuit with which the relay apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment is provided 本実施の形態に係る中継装置の機能構成を示す図The figure which shows the function structure of the relay apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. 本実施の形態に係る中継装置が実行するフレーム中継処理（その１）の手順を示すフローチャートThe flowchart which shows the procedure of the frame relay process (the 1) which the relay apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment performs 本実施の形態に係る中継装置が実行するフレーム中継処理（その２）の手順を示すフローチャートThe flowchart which shows the procedure of the frame relay process (the 2) which the relay apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment performs
　以下、本発明の実施の形態について図面を参照して詳細に説明する。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
　図１は、本発明の実施の形態に係る通信システム１を包含したエネルギー管理システムの全体構成を示す図である。このエネルギー管理システムは、一般家庭で使用される電力の管理を行う、いわゆる、ＨＥＭＳ（Home Energy Management System）と呼ばれるシステムである。エネルギー管理システムは、中継装置２と通信アダプタ３を備える通信システム１と、制御装置４と、操作端末５と、機器６ａ～６ｃとを備える。 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an energy management system including a communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This energy management system is a so-called HEMS (Home Energy Management 管理 System) that manages electric power used in general households. The energy management system includes a communication system 1 including a relay device 2 and a communication adapter 3, a control device 4, an operation terminal 5, and devices 6a to 6c.
　制御装置４は、家屋Ｈ内の適切な場所に設置され、エネルギー管理システムを統括的に制御する。制御装置４は、図２に示すように、プロセッサ４０と、通信インタフェース４１と、ＲＯＭ（Read Only Memory）４２と、ＲＡＭ（Random Access Memory）４３と、二次記憶装置４４とを備える。これらの構成部は、バス４５を介して相互に接続される。プロセッサ４０は、この制御装置４を統括的に制御する。 The control device 4 is installed at an appropriate location in the house H, and controls the energy management system in an integrated manner. As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 4 includes a processor 40, a communication interface 41, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 42, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 43, and a secondary storage device 44. These components are connected to each other via a bus 45. The processor 40 controls the control device 4 in an integrated manner.
　通信インタフェース４１は、家屋Ｈ内に構築された無線ネットワーク（図示せず）を介して、通信アダプタ３と無線通信するためのネットワークカードを備える。この無線ネットワークは、例えば、エコーネットライト（ECHONET Lite）に準じたネットワークである。さらに、通信インタフェース４１は、操作端末５と無線通信又は有線通信するためのネットワークカードを備える。 The communication interface 41 includes a network card for wirelessly communicating with the communication adapter 3 via a wireless network (not shown) constructed in the house H. This wireless network is, for example, a network conforming to ECHONET Lite. Further, the communication interface 41 includes a network card for wireless communication or wired communication with the operation terminal 5.
　ＲＯＭ４２は、複数のファームウェア及びこれらのファームウェアの実行時に使用されるデータを記憶する。ＲＡＭ４３は、プロセッサ４０の作業領域として使用される。 The ROM 42 stores a plurality of firmware and data used when executing these firmwares. The RAM 43 is used as a work area for the processor 40.
　二次記憶装置４４は、ＥＥＰＲＯＭ（Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory）、フラッシュメモリ等の読み書き可能な不揮発性の半導体メモリ又はＨＤＤ（Hard Disk Drive）を含んで構成される。二次記憶装置４４には、この家庭で消費される電力を管理するための１又は複数のプログラムと、各プログラムの実行時に使用されるデータが記憶される。 The secondary storage device 44 includes an EEPROM (Electrically-Erasable Programmable-Read-Only Memory), a readable / writable nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The secondary storage device 44 stores one or a plurality of programs for managing the power consumed at home and data used when each program is executed.
　操作端末５は、押しボタン、タッチパネル、タッチパッド等の入力デバイスと、有機ＥＬディスプレイ、液晶ディスプレイ等の表示デバイスと、通信インタフェースとを備えた、例えば、スマートフォン、タブレット端末等のスマートデバイスである。操作端末５は、制御装置４と、Ｗｉ－Ｆｉ（登録商標）、Ｗｉ－ＳＵＮ（登録商標）、有線ＬＡＮ等の周知の通信規格に則った通信を行う。操作端末５は、ユーザからの操作を受け付け、受け付けた操作内容を示す情報を制御装置４に送信する。また、操作端末５は、制御装置４から送信された、ユーザに提示するための情報を受信し、受信した情報を表示する。このように、操作端末５は、ユーザとのインタフェース（いわゆる、ユーザインタフェース）としての役割を担う。 The operation terminal 5 is a smart device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal including an input device such as a push button, a touch panel, a touch pad, a display device such as an organic EL display or a liquid crystal display, and a communication interface. The operation terminal 5 communicates with the control device 4 in accordance with a well-known communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Wi-SUN (registered trademark), or wired LAN. The operation terminal 5 receives an operation from the user and transmits information indicating the received operation content to the control device 4. Further, the operation terminal 5 receives the information transmitted from the control device 4 and presented to the user, and displays the received information. Thus, the operation terminal 5 plays a role as an interface (so-called user interface) with the user.
　機器６ａ～６ｃは、家屋Ｈ（敷地も含む）内に設置される家電機器である。機器６ａ～６ｃには、例えば、エアコン、照明器、床暖房システム、床冷暖房システム、冷蔵庫、ＩＨ（Induction Heating）調理器、テレビ、給湯機等が含まれる。 The devices 6a to 6c are home appliances installed in the house H (including the site). The devices 6a to 6c include, for example, an air conditioner, an illuminator, a floor heating system, a floor cooling / heating system, a refrigerator, an IH (Induction Heating) cooker, a television, a water heater, and the like.
　また、機器６ａ～６ｃは、中継装置２及び通信アダプタ３を介して上述した無線ネットワークに接続される。これにより、制御装置４は、機器６ａ～６ｃの動作を制御したり、機器６ａ～６ｃから所望の情報を取得することができる。本実施の形態では、機器６ａ，６ｂは、第１通信方式で中継装置２と通信し、機器６ｃは、第１通信方式より新しい通信方式である第２通信方式で中継装置２と通信する。つまり、機器６ａ，６ｂは、本発明に係る第１機器の一例である。また、通信アダプタ３は、第２通信方式で中継装置２と通信する。第１通信方式とは、１つの家電機器に対して１つの通信アダプタを接続することが前提の通信方式であり、家電機器と通信アダプタ間の通信では、図３に示すフォーマットの通信フレームが用いられる。 Further, the devices 6a to 6c are connected to the above-described wireless network via the relay device 2 and the communication adapter 3. Thereby, the control device 4 can control the operation of the devices 6a to 6c and acquire desired information from the devices 6a to 6c. In the present embodiment, the devices 6a and 6b communicate with the relay device 2 using the first communication method, and the device 6c communicates with the relay device 2 using the second communication method that is a communication method newer than the first communication method. That is, the devices 6a and 6b are examples of the first device according to the present invention. Further, the communication adapter 3 communicates with the relay device 2 by the second communication method. The first communication method is a communication method on the premise that one communication adapter is connected to one home appliance, and a communication frame of the format shown in FIG. 3 is used for communication between the home appliance and the communication adapter. It is done.
　図３において、“ＳＴＸ”は、先頭コードが格納される領域である。詳細には、“ＳＴＸ”には、第１通信方式を示す固定値（例えば、０ｘ０２）が格納される。“ＣＮ”は、コマンドの種別が格納される領域である。コマンドの種別には、例えば、情報要求、情報要求応答、情報設定、情報設定応答等が含まれる。“ＤＬ”は、データ長、即ち、“ＦＤ”に格納されるデータのサイズが格納される領域である。 In FIG. 3, “STX” is an area in which the head code is stored. Specifically, “STX” stores a fixed value (for example, 0x02) indicating the first communication method. “CN” is an area in which the type of command is stored. The command type includes, for example, information request, information request response, information setting, information setting response, and the like. “DL” is an area in which the data length, that is, the size of data stored in “FD” is stored.
“ＦＤ”は、コマンドの種別に応じたデータが格納される領域である。例えば、コマンドの種別が情報要求の場合、“ＦＤ”には、要求する情報を示すプロパティ番号が格納される。また、コマンドの種別が情報要求応答の場合、“ＦＤ”には、要求された情報を示すデータが格納される。“ＦＣＣ”は、フレームチェックコードが格納される領域である。“ＦＣＣ”には、例えば、“ＣＮ”～“ＦＤ”までの総和の２の補数等が格納される。通信フレームを受信した家電機器又は通信アダプタは、フレームチェックコードをチェックすることで、当該通信フレームの内容に誤りがないかどうかを確認する。 “FD” is an area in which data corresponding to the type of command is stored. For example, when the command type is information request, “FD” stores a property number indicating the requested information. When the command type is an information request response, “FD” stores data indicating the requested information. “FCC” is an area in which a frame check code is stored. “FCC” stores, for example, the two's complement of the sum of “CN” to “FD”. The home appliance or communication adapter that has received the communication frame checks the frame check code to determine whether or not there is an error in the content of the communication frame.
　第２通信方式は、１つの通信アダプタに複数の家電機器が接続される通信方式であり、家電機器と通信アダプタ間の通信では、図４に示すフォーマットの通信フレームが用いられる。 The second communication method is a communication method in which a plurality of home appliances are connected to one communication adapter, and a communication frame in the format shown in FIG. 4 is used for communication between the home appliance and the communication adapter.
　図４において、“ＳＴＸ”は、先頭コードが格納される領域である。詳細には、“ＳＴＸ”には、第２通信方式を示す固定値（例えば、０ｘ０３）が格納される。“ＤＡ”は、当該通信フレームの送信先を示すデータが格納される領域である。“ＳＡ”は、当該通信フレームの送信元を示すデータが格納される領域である。例えば、通信アダプタのアドレスが“０ｘ００”であり、家電機器のアドレスが“０ｘ０１”であって、通信アダプタから家電機器に通信フレームを送信する場合、当該通信フレームの“ＤＡ”には、“０ｘ０１”が格納され、“ＳＡ”には、“０ｘ００”が格納されている。“ＣＮ”，“ＤＬ”，“ＦＤ”，“ＦＣＣ”については、第１通信方式と同様である。 In FIG. 4, “STX” is an area in which the head code is stored. Specifically, “STX” stores a fixed value (for example, 0x03) indicating the second communication method. “DA” is an area in which data indicating the transmission destination of the communication frame is stored. “SA” is an area in which data indicating the transmission source of the communication frame is stored. For example, when the address of the communication adapter is “0x00”, the address of the home appliance is “0x01”, and a communication frame is transmitted from the communication adapter to the home appliance, the “DA” of the communication frame includes “0x01”. "Is stored, and" 0x00 "is stored in" SA ". “CN”, “DL”, “FD”, and “FCC” are the same as those in the first communication method.
　中継装置２は、図５に示すように、機器接続部２０ａ～２０ｃと、アダプタ接続部２１と、制御回路２２とを備える。機器接続部２０ａ～２０ｃ及びアダプタ接続部２１は、何れも、５つの端子を備える同型式のコネクタである。機器接続部２０ａ～２０ｃは、本発明に係る複数の機器接続手段の一例である。アダプタ接続部２１は、本発明に係るアダプタ接続手段の一例である。 As shown in FIG. 5, the relay device 2 includes device connection units 20a to 20c, an adapter connection unit 21, and a control circuit 22. The device connection portions 20a to 20c and the adapter connection portion 21 are all the same type connectors having five terminals. The device connection units 20a to 20c are an example of a plurality of device connection means according to the present invention. The adapter connection unit 21 is an example of adapter connection means according to the present invention.
　機器接続部２０ａと制御回路２２は、信号送信線と、信号受信線と、グランド線と、信号線のプルアップ用電圧線（５Ｖ）とを含む信号線２３ａを介して接続される。同様に、機器接続部２０ｂと制御回路２２は、信号線２３ｂを介して接続され、機器接続部２０ｃと制御回路２２は、信号線２３ｃを介して接続され、アダプタ接続部２１と制御回路２２は、信号線２３ｄを介して接続される。 The device connection unit 20a and the control circuit 22 are connected via a signal line 23a including a signal transmission line, a signal reception line, a ground line, and a pull-up voltage line (5V) of the signal line. Similarly, the device connection unit 20b and the control circuit 22 are connected via a signal line 23b, the device connection unit 20c and the control circuit 22 are connected via a signal line 23c, and the adapter connection unit 21 and the control circuit 22 are connected to each other. Are connected via a signal line 23d.
　また、機器接続部２０ａと制御回路２２及びアダプタ接続部２１とは、機器接続部２０ａに接続される機器６からの電力を送電する電源線２４を介して接続される。つまり、中継装置２と通信アダプタ３は、機器接続部２０ａに接続された家電機器（機器６ａ～６ｃの何れか）から、電力の供給を受ける。電源線２４は、本発明に係る送電手段の一例である。 The device connection unit 20a, the control circuit 22, and the adapter connection unit 21 are connected via a power line 24 that transmits power from the device 6 connected to the device connection unit 20a. That is, the relay device 2 and the communication adapter 3 are supplied with power from the home appliance (any of the devices 6a to 6c) connected to the device connection unit 20a. The power line 24 is an example of a power transmission unit according to the present invention.
　制御回路２２は、図６に示すように、プロセッサ２２０と、ＲＯＭ２２１と、ＲＡＭ２２２と、二次記憶装置２２３とを備える。これらの構成部は、バス２２４を介して相互に接続される。プロセッサ２２０は、この中継装置２を統括的に制御する。プロセッサ２２０によって実現される中継装置２の機能の詳細については後述する。 As shown in FIG. 6, the control circuit 22 includes a processor 220, a ROM 221, a RAM 222, and a secondary storage device 223. These components are connected to each other via a bus 224. The processor 220 controls the relay device 2 in an integrated manner. Details of the functions of the relay apparatus 2 realized by the processor 220 will be described later.
　ＲＯＭ２２１は、複数のファームウェア及びこれらのファームウェアの実行時に使用されるデータを記憶する。ＲＡＭ２２２は、プロセッサ２２０の作業領域として使用される。 The ROM 221 stores a plurality of firmware and data used when executing these firmware. The RAM 222 is used as a work area for the processor 220.
　二次記憶装置２２３は、ＥＥＰＲＯＭ、フラッシュメモリ等の読み書き可能な不揮発性の半導体メモリで構成される。二次記憶装置２２３には、機器６ａ～６ｃの各々と通信アダプタ３との間でやり取りされる通信フレームを中継するためのプログラム（以下、中継プログラム）を含む各種のプログラムと、これらのプログラムの実行時に使用されるデータが記憶される。 The secondary storage device 223 is composed of a readable / writable nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as an EEPROM or a flash memory. The secondary storage device 223 includes various programs including a program for relaying a communication frame exchanged between each of the devices 6a to 6c and the communication adapter 3 (hereinafter referred to as a relay program), Data used at runtime is stored.
　続いて、中継装置２の機能について説明する。なお、以下の説明では、機器接続部２０ａに機器６ａが接続され、機器接続部２０ｂに機器６ｂが接続され、機器接続部２０ｃに機器６ｃが接続されているものとする。中継装置２は、機能的には、図７に示すように、通信方式取得部２００と、機器オブジェクト取得部２０１と、フレーム中継部２０２とを備える。これらの機能部は、プロセッサ２２０が二次記憶装置２２３に記憶されている上記の中継プログラムを実行することで実現される。 Subsequently, the function of the relay device 2 will be described. In the following description, it is assumed that the device 6a is connected to the device connection unit 20a, the device 6b is connected to the device connection unit 20b, and the device 6c is connected to the device connection unit 20c. The relay apparatus 2 functionally includes a communication method acquisition unit 200, a device object acquisition unit 201, and a frame relay unit 202 as shown in FIG. These functional units are realized by the processor 220 executing the relay program stored in the secondary storage device 223.
　通信方式取得部２００は、本発明に係る通信方式取得手段の一例である。通信方式取得部２００は、中継装置２の起動時に、アダプタ接続部２１に接続される通信アダプタ３及び機器接続部２０ａ～２０ｃに接続される機器６ａ～６ｃとネゴシエーションを行い、通信アダプタ３及び機器６ａ～６ｃの各々から通信速度と通信方式を含む通信情報を取得する。この場合、通信方式取得部２００は、機器接続部２０ａ～２０ｃの信号線２３ａ～２３ｃのプルアップ用電圧を監視し、予め定めた電圧（５Ｖ）が検出された機器接続部２０のみに絞って、上記のネゴシエーションを行ってもよい。 The communication method acquisition unit 200 is an example of a communication method acquisition unit according to the present invention. When the relay device 2 is activated, the communication method acquisition unit 200 negotiates with the communication adapter 3 connected to the adapter connection unit 21 and the devices 6a to 6c connected to the device connection units 20a to 20c. Communication information including a communication speed and a communication method is acquired from each of 6a to 6c. In this case, the communication method acquisition unit 200 monitors the pull-up voltages of the signal lines 23a to 23c of the device connection units 20a to 20c, and narrows down only to the device connection unit 20 in which a predetermined voltage (5 V) is detected. The above negotiation may be performed.
　また、通信方式取得部２００は、機器６ａ～６ｃに対してアドレスを割り振る。アドレスは、各機器６が接続される機器接続部２０に応じて決定される。本実施の形態では、機器接続部２０ａに接続される機器６ａには、０ｘ０１が割り振られ、機器接続部２０ｂに接続される機器６ｂには、０ｘ０２が割り振られ、機器接続部２０ｃに接続される機器６ｃには、０ｘ０３が割り振られる。 Further, the communication method acquisition unit 200 allocates addresses to the devices 6a to 6c. The address is determined according to the device connection unit 20 to which each device 6 is connected. In the present embodiment, 0x01 is assigned to the device 6a connected to the device connection unit 20a, and 0x02 is assigned to the device 6b connected to the device connection unit 20b, and is connected to the device connection unit 20c. 0x03 is allocated to the device 6c.
　通信方式取得部２００は、機器接続部２０毎に、接続される機器６のアドレスと、上記の通信情報とを対応付けた情報を生成し、二次記憶装置２２３に保存する。 The communication method acquisition unit 200 generates, for each device connection unit 20, information that associates the address of the device 6 to be connected with the communication information described above, and stores the information in the secondary storage device 223.
　機器オブジェクト取得部２０１は、通信方式取得部２００による上記のネゴシエーションが完了すると、機器６ａ～６ｃの各々から機器オブジェクトデータを取得する。機器オブジェクトデータは、当該機器６について、固有の情報と、操作可能な制御項目とが含まれるデータである。機器オブジェクト取得部２０１は、取得した各機器オブジェクトデータと、当該機器６のアドレスとを対応付けたデータをアダプタ接続部２１を介して通信アダプタ３に送信する。本実施の形態では、通信方式取得部２００及び機器オブジェクト取得部２０１による一連の処理を中継装置２の立ち上げ処理という。 The device object acquisition unit 201 acquires device object data from each of the devices 6a to 6c when the negotiation by the communication method acquisition unit 200 is completed. The device object data is data including unique information and operable control items for the device 6. The device object acquisition unit 201 transmits data in which each acquired device object data is associated with the address of the device 6 to the communication adapter 3 via the adapter connection unit 21. In the present embodiment, a series of processing by the communication method acquisition unit 200 and the device object acquisition unit 201 is referred to as start-up processing of the relay device 2.
　フレーム中継部２０２は、本発明に係る通信手段の一例である。フレーム中継部２０２は、上記の立ち上げ処理の完了後、機器６ａ～機器６ｃの何れかから対応する機器接続部２０を介して通信フレームを受信すると、受信した通信フレームをアダプタ接続部２１を介して通信アダプタ３に送信する。その際、当該送信元の機器６が、第１通信方式に対応する場合は、フレーム中継部２０２は、受信した通信フレームを第２通信方式の通信フレームに変換し、変換後の通信フレームを通信アダプタ３に送信する。 The frame relay unit 202 is an example of communication means according to the present invention. When the frame relay unit 202 receives a communication frame from any one of the devices 6a to 6c via the corresponding device connection unit 20 after completion of the above startup processing, the frame relay unit 202 transmits the received communication frame via the adapter connection unit 21. To the communication adapter 3. At this time, if the transmission source device 6 is compatible with the first communication method, the frame relay unit 202 converts the received communication frame into a communication frame of the second communication method, and communicates the converted communication frame. Send to adapter 3.
　具体的には、フレーム中継部２０２は、受信した通信フレームの“ＳＴＸ”を０ｘ０２から０ｘ０３に変更すると共に、“ＤＡ”及び“ＳＡ”を加入する。この場合、“ＤＡ”には、通信アダプタ３のアドレスである０ｘ０３が格納される。また、“ＳＡ”には、送信元の機器６のアドレス（０ｘ０１又は０ｘ０２）が格納される。これにより、機器６ａ又は機器６ｂ（即ち、第１機器）から受信した第１通信方式に対応する通信フレーム（本発明に係る第１通信フレームの一例）が、第２通信方式の通信フレーム（本発明に係る第２通信フレームの一例）に変換される。 Specifically, the frame relay unit 202 changes “STX” of the received communication frame from 0x02 to 0x03, and joins “DA” and “SA”. In this case, “DA” stores 0x03 which is the address of the communication adapter 3. In “SA”, the address (0x01 or 0x02) of the transmission source device 6 is stored. As a result, a communication frame (an example of the first communication frame according to the present invention) corresponding to the first communication method received from the device 6a or the device 6b (that is, the first device) becomes a communication frame (this book) of the second communication method. An example of the second communication frame according to the invention.
　一方、送信元の機器６が、第２通信方式に対応する場合、フレーム中継部２０２は、受信した通信フレームを加工せずに、アダプタ接続部２１を介して通信アダプタ３へ転送する。 On the other hand, when the transmission source device 6 supports the second communication method, the frame relay unit 202 transfers the received communication frame to the communication adapter 3 via the adapter connection unit 21 without processing the received communication frame.
　また、フレーム中継部２０２は、上記の立ち上げ処理の完了後、通信アダプタ３からアダプタ接続部２１を介して通信フレームを受信すると、当該通信フレームの“ＤＡ”で示される機器６へ当該通信フレームを対応する機器接続部２０を介して送信する。その際、当該送信先の機器６が、第１通信方式に対応する場合、フレーム中継部２０２は、受信した通信フレームを第１通信方式の通信フレームに変換し、変換後の通信フレームを当該機器６に送信する。具体的には、フレーム中継部２０２は、受信した通信フレームから“ＤＡ”及び“ＳＡ”を取り除き、さらに、“ＳＴＸ”を０ｘ０３から０ｘ０２に変更する。これにより、通信アダプタ３から受信した第２通信方式に対応する通信フレーム（本発明に係る第３通信フレームの一例）が、第１通信方式の通信フレーム（本発明に係る第４通信フレームの一例）に変換される。 When the frame relay unit 202 receives a communication frame from the communication adapter 3 via the adapter connection unit 21 after completion of the start-up process, the frame relay unit 202 transmits the communication frame to the device 6 indicated by “DA” of the communication frame. Is transmitted via the corresponding device connection unit 20. At this time, if the destination device 6 is compatible with the first communication method, the frame relay unit 202 converts the received communication frame into a communication frame of the first communication method, and converts the converted communication frame into the device. 6 to send. Specifically, the frame relay unit 202 removes “DA” and “SA” from the received communication frame, and further changes “STX” from 0x03 to 0x02. Thereby, a communication frame (an example of the third communication frame according to the present invention) corresponding to the second communication method received from the communication adapter 3 is converted into a communication frame of the first communication method (an example of the fourth communication frame according to the present invention). ).
　一方、送信先の機器６が、第２通信方式に対応する場合、フレーム中継部２０２は、受信した通信フレームを加工せずに、対応する機器接続部２０を介して当該機器６へ転送する。 On the other hand, when the destination device 6 is compatible with the second communication method, the frame relay unit 202 transfers the received communication frame to the device 6 via the corresponding device connection unit 20 without processing the received communication frame.
　図８及び図９は、立ち上げ処理の完了後に中継装置２（詳細には、フレーム中継部２０２）が実行するフレーム中継処理の手順を示すフローチャートである。図８は、通信アダプタ３から通信フレームを受信した場合のフレーム中継処理を示し、図９は、機器６ａ～６ｃの何れかから通信フレームを受信した場合のフレーム中継処理を示す。 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing the procedure of the frame relay process executed by the relay device 2 (specifically, the frame relay unit 202) after the start-up process is completed. FIG. 8 shows frame relay processing when a communication frame is received from the communication adapter 3, and FIG. 9 shows frame relay processing when a communication frame is received from any of the devices 6a to 6c.
　図８において、フレーム中継部２０２は、受信した通信フレームの“ＤＡ”を参照して、対応する機器接続部２０を特定し、特定した機器接続部２０に対応する通信方式を特定する。換言すると、フレーム中継部２０２は、送信先の機器６に対応する通信方式を特定する（ステップＳ１０１）。送信先の機器６が第１通信方式に対応する場合（ステップＳ１０２；ＹＥＳ）、フレーム中継部２０２は、受信した通信フレームを上述したようにして第１通信方式の通信フレームに変換する（ステップＳ１０３）。そして、フレーム中継部２０２は、特定した機器接続部２０を介して変換した通信フレームを当該送信先の機器６に送信する（ステップＳ１０４）。 In FIG. 8, the frame relay unit 202 refers to “DA” in the received communication frame, identifies the corresponding device connection unit 20, and identifies the communication method corresponding to the identified device connection unit 20. In other words, the frame relay unit 202 specifies a communication method corresponding to the transmission destination device 6 (step S101). If the destination device 6 is compatible with the first communication method (step S102; YES), the frame relay unit 202 converts the received communication frame into a communication frame of the first communication method as described above (step S103). ). Then, the frame relay unit 202 transmits the communication frame converted through the identified device connection unit 20 to the transmission destination device 6 (step S104).
　一方、送信先の機器６が第２通信方式に対応する場合（ステップＳ１０２；ＮＯ）、フレーム中継部２０２は、受信した通信フレームを加工することなく、特定した機器接続部２０を介して当該送信先の機器６に転送する（ステップＳ１０５）。 On the other hand, when the transmission destination device 6 is compatible with the second communication method (step S102; NO), the frame relay unit 202 performs the transmission via the specified device connection unit 20 without processing the received communication frame. Transfer to the previous device 6 (step S105).
　図９において、フレーム中継部２０２は、通信フレームを受信した機器接続部２０に対応する通信方式を特定する。換言すると、フレーム中継部２０２は、受信した通信フレームの送信元の機器６に対応する通信方式を特定する（ステップＳ２０１）。送信元の機器６が第１通信方式に対応する場合（ステップＳ２０２；ＹＥＳ）、フレーム中継部２０２は、受信した通信フレームを上述したようにして第２通信方式の通信フレームに変換する（ステップＳ２０３）。そして、フレーム中継部２０２は、変換した通信フレームをアダプタ接続部２１を介して通信アダプタ３に送信する（ステップＳ２０４）。 In FIG. 9, the frame relay unit 202 identifies a communication method corresponding to the device connection unit 20 that has received the communication frame. In other words, the frame relay unit 202 identifies a communication method corresponding to the transmission source device 6 of the received communication frame (step S201). When the transmission source device 6 is compatible with the first communication method (step S202; YES), the frame relay unit 202 converts the received communication frame into a communication frame of the second communication method as described above (step S203). ). Then, the frame relay unit 202 transmits the converted communication frame to the communication adapter 3 via the adapter connection unit 21 (step S204).
　一方、送信元の機器６が第２通信方式に対応する場合（ステップＳ２０２；ＮＯ）、フレーム中継部２０２は、受信した通信フレームを加工することなく、アダプタ接続部２１を介して通信アダプタ３に転送する（ステップＳ２０５）。 On the other hand, when the transmission source device 6 is compatible with the second communication method (step S202; NO), the frame relay unit 202 transmits the received communication frame to the communication adapter 3 via the adapter connection unit 21. Transfer (step S205).
　以上説明したように、本実施の形態の通信システム１によれば、１つの家電機器に対して１つの通信アダプタの接続が前提の第１通信方式に対応した複数の家電機器（機器６ａ，６ｂ）と、１つの通信アダプタに複数の家電機器が接続され得る第２通信方式に対応した通信アダプタ３とを互いに通信可能に接続させることができる。 As described above, according to the communication system 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality of home appliances ( devices 6a and 6b) corresponding to the first communication method on the assumption that one communication adapter is connected to one home appliance. ) And a communication adapter 3 compatible with the second communication method in which a plurality of household electrical appliances can be connected to one communication adapter.
　なお、本発明は、上記の実施の形態に限定されず、本発明の要旨を逸脱しない範囲での種々の変更は勿論可能である。 In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, Of course, the various change in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention is possible.
　例えば、上記の実施の形態では、中継装置２は、３台の機器６と接続可能であったが、複数台の機器６と接続可能な構成であればよく、その台数に限定はない。 For example, in the above-described embodiment, the relay device 2 can be connected to the three devices 6, but it may be configured to be connectable to a plurality of devices 6, and the number is not limited.
　また、図３及び図４は、あくまで第１通信方式及び第２通信方式のフォーマットの一例を示すものであり、したがって、上記の実施の形態に係る中継装置２による通信フレームの変換の手法もあくまで一例である。本発明に係る中継装置において、第１通信フレームから第２通信フレームへの変換及び第３通信フレームから第４通信フレームへの変換には、第１通信方式及び第２通信方式のフォーマットに応じた様々な手法が採用され得る。 3 and 4 merely show an example of the format of the first communication method and the second communication method. Therefore, the method of converting the communication frame by the relay device 2 according to the above embodiment is also only It is an example. In the relay device according to the present invention, the conversion from the first communication frame to the second communication frame and the conversion from the third communication frame to the fourth communication frame correspond to the formats of the first communication method and the second communication method. Various techniques can be employed.
　また、制御装置４が、ユーザからの操作を受け付けるための入力デバイスと、ユーザに情報を提示するための表示デバイスの少なくとも何れかをさらに含んで構成されるようにしてもよい。 Further, the control device 4 may further include at least one of an input device for receiving an operation from the user and a display device for presenting information to the user.
　また、通信アダプタ３が、家屋Ｈ内に設置される図示しないブロードバンドルータを介してインターネットに接続するための通信インタフェースを備え、図示しないクラウドサーバと通信するようにしてもよい。 Further, the communication adapter 3 may be provided with a communication interface for connecting to the Internet via a broadband router (not shown) installed in the house H and communicate with a cloud server (not shown).
　上記の実施の形態では、プロセッサ２２０によって二次記憶装置２２３に記憶されている中継プログラムが実行されることで、中継装置２の各機能部（図７参照）が実現された。しかし、中継装置２の機能部の全部又は一部が、専用のハードウェアで実現されるようにしてもよい。専用のハードウェアとは、例えば、単一回路、複合回路、プログラム化されたプロセッサ、ＡＳＩＣ（Application Specific Integrated Circuit）、ＦＰＧＡ（Field-Programmable Gate Array）、又は、これらの組み合わせである。 In the above embodiment, each functional unit (see FIG. 7) of the relay device 2 is realized by the processor 220 executing the relay program stored in the secondary storage device 223. However, all or part of the functional units of the relay device 2 may be realized by dedicated hardware. The dedicated hardware is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated 、 Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof.
　また、上記の中継プログラムは、ＣＤ－ＲＯＭ（Compact Disc Read Only Memory）、ＤＶＤ（Digital Versatile Disc）、光磁気ディスク（Magneto-Optical Disc）、ＵＳＢ（Universal Serial Bus）メモリ、メモリカード、ＨＤＤ等のコンピュータ読み取り可能な記録媒体に格納して配布することが可能である。 In addition, the above relay program includes CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), magneto-optical disc (Magneto-Optical Disc), USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, memory card, HDD, etc. It can be stored in a computer-readable recording medium and distributed.
　また、上記の中継プログラムをイントラネット、インターネット等のネットワーク上のサーバが有するディスク装置等に格納しておき、このサーバから中継装置２に中継プログラムがダウンロードされるようにしてもよい。 Alternatively, the relay program may be stored in a disk device or the like of a server on a network such as an intranet or the Internet, and the relay program may be downloaded to the relay device 2 from this server.
　本発明は、広義の精神と範囲を逸脱することなく、様々な実施の形態及び変形が可能である。また、上述した実施の形態は、本発明を説明するためのものであり、本発明の範囲を限定するものではない。つまり、本発明の範囲は、実施の形態ではなく、請求の範囲によって示される。そして、請求の範囲内及びそれと同等の発明の意義の範囲内で施される様々な変形が、本発明の範囲内とみなされる。 The present invention can be variously modified and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the broad sense. The above-described embodiments are for explaining the present invention and do not limit the scope of the present invention. In other words, the scope of the present invention is shown not by the embodiments but by the claims. Various modifications within the scope of the claims and within the scope of the equivalent invention are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.
　本発明は、様々な機器と制御装置とがネットワークを介して接続するシステムに好適に採用され得る。 The present invention can be suitably employed in a system in which various devices and control devices are connected via a network.
　１　通信システム、２　中継装置、３　通信アダプタ、４　制御装置、５　操作端末、６ａ～６ｃ　機器、２０ａ～２０ｃ　機器接続部、２１　アダプタ接続部、２２　制御回路、２３ａ～２３ｄ　信号線、２４　電源線、４０，２２０　プロセッサ、４１　通信インタフェース、４２，２２１　ＲＯＭ、４３，２２２　ＲＡＭ、４４，２２３　二次記憶装置、４５，２２４　バス、２００　通信方式取得部、２０１　機器オブジェクト取得部、２０２　フレーム中継部 1 communication system, 2 relay device, 3 communication adapter, 4 control device, 5 operation terminal, 6a-6c device, 20a-20c device connection unit, 21 adapter connection unit, 22 control circuit, 23a-23d signal line, 24 power line , 40, 220 processor, 41 communication interface, 42, 221 ROM, 43, 222 RAM, 44, 223 secondary storage device, 45, 224 bus, 200 communication method acquisition unit, 201 device object acquisition unit, 202 frame relay unit

Claims (5)

  1. 　第１通信方式より新しい通信方式である第２通信方式で通信する通信アダプタと接続されるアダプタ接続手段と、
    　複数の機器と一対一で接続される複数の機器接続手段と、
    　前記複数の機器接続手段の各々に接続される各機器から通信方式を取得する通信方式取得手段と、
    　前記複数の機器に、前記第１通信方式に対応する第１機器が含まれている場合、前記第１機器から前記第１機器に接続される機器接続手段を介して第１通信フレームを受信すると、前記第１通信フレームを前記第２通信方式の第２通信フレームに変換して、前記アダプタ接続手段を介して前記通信アダプタに送信し、前記通信アダプタから前記アダプタ接続手段を介して前記第１機器に対する第３通信フレームを受信すると、前記第３通信フレームを前記第１通信方式の第４通信フレームに変換して、前記第１機器に接続される機器接続手段を介して前記第１機器に送信する通信手段と、を備える、中継装置。     Adapter connection means connected to a communication adapter that communicates with a second communication method that is a communication method newer than the first communication method;
    A plurality of device connection means connected one-to-one with a plurality of devices;
    Communication method acquisition means for acquiring a communication method from each device connected to each of the plurality of device connection means;
    When the first device corresponding to the first communication method is included in the plurality of devices, the first communication frame is received from the first device via device connection means connected to the first device. The first communication frame is converted into a second communication frame of the second communication method, transmitted to the communication adapter via the adapter connection means, and from the communication adapter to the first communication via the adapter connection means. When the third communication frame for the device is received, the third communication frame is converted into a fourth communication frame of the first communication method, and the first device is connected to the first device via the device connection means connected to the first device. And a communication means for transmitting.
  2. 　前記複数の機器接続手段の何れか１つに接続される機器から受電した電力を、前記通信方式取得手段、前記通信手段及び前記通信アダプタに送電する送電手段をさらに備える、請求項１に記載の中継装置。 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a power transmission unit configured to transmit power received from a device connected to any one of the plurality of device connection units to the communication method acquisition unit, the communication unit, and the communication adapter. Relay device.
  3. 　制御装置と予め定めたネットワークを介して第１通信方式より新しい通信方式である第２通信方式で通信する通信アダプタと、中継装置と、を備え、
    　前記中継装置は、
    　前記通信アダプタと接続されるアダプタ接続手段と、
    　複数の機器と一対一で接続される複数の機器接続手段と、
    　前記複数の機器接続手段の各々に接続される各機器から通信方式を取得する通信方式取得手段と、
    　前記複数の機器に、前記第１通信方式に対応する第１機器が含まれている場合、前記第１機器から前記第１機器に接続される機器接続手段を介して第１通信フレームを受信すると、前記第１通信フレームを前記第２通信方式の第２通信フレームに変換して、前記アダプタ接続手段を介して前記通信アダプタに送信し、前記通信アダプタから前記アダプタ接続手段を介して前記第１機器に対する第３通信フレームを受信すると、前記第３通信フレームを前記第１通信方式の第４通信フレームに変換して、前記第１機器に接続される機器接続手段を介して前記第１機器に送信する通信手段と、を備える、通信システム。     A communication adapter that communicates with the control device in a second communication method that is newer than the first communication method via a predetermined network, and a relay device;
    The relay device is
    Adapter connection means connected to the communication adapter;
    A plurality of device connection means connected one-to-one with a plurality of devices;
    Communication method acquisition means for acquiring a communication method from each device connected to each of the plurality of device connection means;
    When the first device corresponding to the first communication method is included in the plurality of devices, the first communication frame is received from the first device via device connection means connected to the first device. The first communication frame is converted into a second communication frame of the second communication method, transmitted to the communication adapter via the adapter connection means, and from the communication adapter to the first communication via the adapter connection means. When the third communication frame for the device is received, the third communication frame is converted into a fourth communication frame of the first communication method, and the first device is connected to the first device via the device connection means connected to the first device. And a communication means for transmitting.
  4. 　複数の機器接続手段に一対一で接続される複数の機器の各々から通信方式を取得し、
    　前記複数の機器に、第１通信方式に対応する第１機器が含まれている場合、前記第１機器から前記第１機器に接続される機器接続手段を介して第１通信フレームを受信すると、前記第１通信フレームを、前記第１通信方式より新しい通信方式である第２通信方式の第２通信フレームに変換して、アダプタ接続手段を介して通信アダプタに送信し、前記通信アダプタから前記アダプタ接続手段を介して前記第１機器に対する第３通信フレームを受信すると、前記第３通信フレームを前記第１通信方式の第４通信フレームに変換して、前記第１機器に接続される機器接続手段を介して前記第１機器に送信する、通信方法。     Obtaining a communication method from each of a plurality of devices connected one-to-one to a plurality of device connection means
    When the first device corresponding to the first communication method is included in the plurality of devices, when receiving the first communication frame from the first device via the device connection means connected to the first device, The first communication frame is converted into a second communication frame of a second communication method that is a communication method newer than the first communication method, and is transmitted to a communication adapter via adapter connection means. When a third communication frame for the first device is received via the connection means, the third communication frame is converted into a fourth communication frame of the first communication method, and device connection means connected to the first device A communication method of transmitting to the first device via
  5. 　第１通信方式より新しい通信方式である第２通信方式で通信する通信アダプタと接続されるアダプタ接続手段と、複数の機器と一対一で接続される複数の機器接続手段と、を備えたコンピュータを、
    　前記複数の機器接続手段の各々に接続される各機器から通信方式を取得する通信方式取得手段、
    　前記複数の機器に、前記第１通信方式に対応する第１機器が含まれている場合、前記第１機器から前記第１機器に接続される機器接続手段を介して第１通信フレームを受信すると、前記第１通信フレームを前記第２通信方式の第２通信フレームに変換して、前記アダプタ接続手段を介して前記通信アダプタに送信し、前記通信アダプタから前記アダプタ接続手段を介して前記第１機器に対する第３通信フレームを受信すると、前記第３通信フレームを前記第１通信方式の第４通信フレームに変換して、前記第１機器に接続される機器接続手段を介して前記第１機器に送信する通信手段、として機能させるためのプログラム。     A computer comprising: an adapter connection unit connected to a communication adapter that communicates with a second communication method that is a communication method newer than the first communication method; ,
    A communication method acquisition means for acquiring a communication method from each device connected to each of the plurality of device connection means;
    When the first device corresponding to the first communication method is included in the plurality of devices, the first communication frame is received from the first device via device connection means connected to the first device. The first communication frame is converted into a second communication frame of the second communication method, transmitted to the communication adapter via the adapter connection means, and from the communication adapter to the first communication via the adapter connection means. When the third communication frame for the device is received, the third communication frame is converted into a fourth communication frame of the first communication method, and the first device is connected to the first device via the device connection means connected to the first device. A program for functioning as a communication means for transmission.
PCT/JP2018/010699 2018-03-19 2018-03-19 Relaying device, communication system, communication method, and program WO2019180761A1 (en)

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