JP2002075562A - Receptacle strip - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a receptacle strip solving shortage of a power outlets without any additional outlet installation when using a power-line carrier home control system. SOLUTION: This receptacle strip is provided with a cord 5B with a plug 5A which is connected to an outlet 10 in a commercial power line 3. This receptacle strip is also provided with first - fourth plug insertion terminals 51-54, to which a power supply plugs of an electric apparatus operated by an alternating current power are inserted, and an infrared signal transmission part 56 generating and transmitting an infrared signal. Supply or a stop of the alternating current to the plug insertion terminals 51 and 52 or an infrared signal transmission command is carried out by remote control using a power-line carrier on the commercial power line 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a table tap used in a home control system for remotely controlling electric appliances and the like at home using a power line carrier system by using communication means such as a portable terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a home control system for remotely controlling an electric device connected to a power line using a power line carrier system has been known. Such a system is also described in, for example, JP-A-61-293126 or JP-A-8-182664. In these systems, the plug of the slave unit of the above system is inserted into the AC power outlet, and the operation of the electric device is controlled via this slave unit, and the power supply to the electric device is controlled. I have.

[0003]

Therefore, when using the above-mentioned home control system, there arises a problem that an outlet in the home is occupied by the slave unit of this system, and there is a shortage of outlets for electrical devices that do not need to be remotely operated. I do. It is only necessary to add outlets, but doing so involves the cost of laying work and the like, which raises another problem that the cost increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and provides a power strip that eliminates a shortage of power outlets without newly adding outlets when using the power line carrier type home control system. As an issue.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a table tap for remotely controlling a plurality of electric devices based on a command from a communication device using a power line carrier system. The control signal indicating the command includes address data indicating an object to be controlled and control content data indicating control content corresponding to the address data. And a cord 5B having a plug 5A that is inserted into a plug insertion terminal of the outlet 10 provided in the power outlet 10; and a control signal that is connected to the cord 5B and that is placed on the commercial power line 3 and receives and demodulates the control signal. Receiving demodulation means 50;
A data extraction means S2 for extracting the address data and the control content from the control signal demodulated by 0, and a power plug of the electric device connected to the cord 5B with a plug and operated by an AC power supply from the commercial power line 3. Switch signal generation for generating first and second switch signals based on the first and second plug insertion terminals 51 and 52 into which the data is inserted and the address data and control content data extracted by the data extraction means S2. Means S4A, S
4B, first switch means 58A for supplying or stopping the supply of the AC power to the first plug insertion terminal 51 in response to the first switch signal, and the first switch means 58A in response to the second switch signal. Second switch means 58 for supplying or stopping the supply of the AC power to the second plug insertion terminal 52
B.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the power strip has a cord 5B with a plug, and the plug 5A is connected to the outlet 10 provided on the commercial power line 3. The power strip has first and second plug insertion terminals 51 and 52 into which a power plug of an electric device operated by an AC power obtained therefrom is inserted. The supply / stop of the AC power to these plug insertion terminals 51 and 52 is performed by remote control using a power line carrier method using the commercial power line 3. The control signal used for the remote control includes address data indicating a control target and control content data indicating control content corresponding to the address data. Based on these data, the plug insertion terminals 51 and 52 are used. Supply / supply stop control of AC power to the power supply is performed. As described above, the present table tap uses one plug insertion terminal of the outlet 10 arranged on the commercial power line 3 to divide and supply AC power to the first and second plug insertion terminals 51 and 52. Also, the supply / stop of the supply of AC power to these plug insertion terminals 51 and 52 is remotely controlled using a power line carrier system.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a table tap according to the first aspect, based on the address data and the control content data extracted by the data extracting means. Infrared signal transmission command means S4C for transmitting an infrared signal for controlling the operation of the electric device, and infrared signal generation transmission means 56 for generating and transmitting the infrared signal in response to the transmission command. It is characterized by.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is further provided the infrared signal transmission command means S4C for transmitting an infrared signal and the infrared signal generation / transmission means 56 for generating and transmitting an infrared signal. Utilize this to remotely control up to three electrical devices. That is, an electric device to be remotely controlled is connected to the first and second plug insertion terminals 51 and 52, and the corresponding electric device is controlled by an infrared signal.
By using only one plug insertion terminal, three electric machines can be remotely controlled.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power strip connected to the plug-attached cord and operated by an AC power supply from the commercial power line. The power supply apparatus further includes third and fourth plug insertion terminals 53 and 54 into which a power plug of the electric device is inserted.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there are further provided the third and fourth plug insertion terminals 53 and 54 into which the power plugs of the electric equipment operated by the AC power supply from the commercial power line 3 are inserted. In addition to the effects obtained by the inventions of the items 1 and 2, the number of plug insertion terminals of the outlet 10 that can be used is not reduced by the slave unit required for remote control. That is, a plurality of electric devices are remotely controlled using one plug insertion terminal of the outlet 10, and plug insertion terminals 53 and 54 are provided for electric devices that do not need to be remotely controlled.
Also provide.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a home tap system for remotely controlling a plurality of electric devices based on a command from a communication device using a power line carrier system. The control signal indicating the command is:
A cord with a plug including address data indicating a control object and control content data indicating control content corresponding to the address data, and having a plug 5A inserted into a plug insertion terminal of an outlet 10 provided on the commercial power line 3. 5B, a receiving and demodulating means 50 connected to the plug-attached cord 5B for receiving and demodulating the control signal placed on the commercial power line 3, and the address data from the control signal demodulated by the receiving and demodulating means 50. And data extraction means S2 for extracting control contents and plug insertion terminals 51 and 52 connected to the plug-attached cord 5B and into which power supply plugs of the electric equipment operated by an AC power supply from the commercial power line 3 are inserted. Based on the address data and control content data extracted by the data extraction means S2, a switch A switch signal generating means S4A (S4B) for generating a signal, and an infrared signal for transmitting an infrared signal for controlling the operation of the electric device based on the address data and the control content data extracted by the data extracting means S2. Signal transmission command means S4C;
In response to the switch signal, the plug insertion terminal 5
Switch means 58A (58B) for supplying or stopping the supply of the AC power to the first and the second 52, and an infrared signal generating and transmitting means 56 for generating and transmitting the infrared signal in response to the transmission command. Features.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the power strip has a cord 5B with a plug, and the plug 5A is connected to the outlet 10 provided on the commercial power line 3. Then, the table tap generates a plug insertion terminal 51 (52) into which a power plug of an electric device operated by an AC power source obtained therefrom is inserted, an infrared signal transmission command means S4C for transmitting an infrared signal, and an infrared signal. It has an infrared signal generating and transmitting means 56 for transmitting. The supply / stop of the AC power supply to the plug insertion terminal 51 (52) and the infrared signal transmission command are performed by remote control using a power line carrier method using the commercial power line 3. The control signal used for the remote control includes address data indicating a control target and control content data indicating control content corresponding to the address data. Based on these data, the plug insertion terminal 51 (52) is used. ), Supply / supply stop control of an AC power supply and an infrared signal transmission command are performed. As described above, the present power strip remotely controls the operation of different types of electric devices using one plug insertion terminal of the outlet 10 arranged on the commercial power line 3. That is, using one plug insertion terminal of the outlet 10, the AC power is supplied to the plug insertion terminal 51 (5).
2), supply / stop of AC power to the plug insertion terminal 51 (52) is performed using the power line transfer method, and operation of the electric device is controlled by an infrared signal using the power line transfer method.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a home control system to which a table tap according to the present invention is applied.

In FIG. 1, the home control system 1 includes a communication device 2, a power supply line 3, a main control device 4, and a power strip 5. Among these configurations, the power supply line 3, the main control device 4, and the power strip 5 are provided on the home (home) 8 side, and the communication device 2 is used outside 9 (communication device depending on the type). 2 can also be used in the home 8).

First, the above configuration will be described. The communication device 2 includes a mobile phone, a PHS,
Various types of push-button dial-type telephones (for example, push phones) and the like can be mentioned as targets. The communication device 2 may be a device (for example, a car navigation system) mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile or a device (for example, a portable (personal) computer) connected through the Internet. In the communication device 2, a button corresponding to a telephone number, a control number described below, or the like is pressed by the user 29.

The power supply line 3 is a known AC 100 V commercial AC power supply line laid in the home 8, and has outlets 10 disposed at various places in each room (not shown) (AC 200 V power supply line). May be used). FIG.
Although only one power supply line 3 shown in FIG. 1 is shown, the invention is not limited to this. The same applies to the number of outlets 10. Reference numeral 1 to which one end of the power supply line 3 is connected
Reference numeral 1 denotes a switchboard of a known configuration.

The main controller 4 has a telephone 12 integrated with it and generates a control signal by receiving a command corresponding to a command sent from the outside 9 via the telephone line 13, ie, from the communication device 2. Is configured. Further, main controller 4 has cord 14 with a plug, and can transmit the generated control signal to power strip 5 connected to outlet 10 through cord 14 with the plug and power supply line 3. It is configured to be able to. Further, the main controller 4 is configured to perform DTMF signal identification (push signal) and perform automatic incoming call control. Further, it is configured so that a voice message can be transmitted to the communication device 2.

The control signal is transmitted by a known power line carrier system. Further, the control signal is coded to enhance confidentiality. In the present embodiment, for example, chaos (chaos block cipher) is used as an encoding method to improve confidentiality. The control signal includes address data (in this embodiment, an ID of a plug insertion terminal) indicating a control target and control content data indicating a control content (ON / OFF command or the like) corresponding to the address data. I do. Note that the main control device 4
Is used to encrypt the control signal,
It is configured to be able to decrypt the completion signal and the like, which will be described later, encrypted from. The main controller 4
Since the telephone 12 is configured integrally,
The setting is completed only by connecting the telephone line 13 and connecting the cord 14 with a plug to the nearest outlet 10, for example.

On the other hand, the table tap 5 is configured to be detachably connected to the nearest outlet 10. That is, the power strip 5 has the plug 5 </ b> A connected to the nearest outlet 10. The power strip 5 is configured to control, for example, start and stop (ON / OFF) of the lighting device 21 inserted and connected to the power strip 5 based on the control signal from the main control device 4. In addition, the table tap 5 has first to fourth plug insertion terminals 51 into which plugs of electric equipment are inserted.
To 54.

For example, a power plug of the lighting device 21 is inserted into the first plug insertion terminal 51, and similarly, the feeding device 22, the TV and the TV are inserted into the second, third and fourth plug insertion terminals 52, 53 and 54, respectively. It is assumed that respective power plugs of the device 23 and the radio device 24 are inserted. The devices 21 and 22 connected to the first and second plug insertion terminals 51 and 52 are ON / OFF controlled based on the control signal as described later. The third and fourth plug insertion terminals 53 and 54 are equivalent to normal plug insertion terminals.

The table tap 5 is connected to the air conditioner 2.
An infrared signal for controlling an electric device whose operation is controlled in response to the infrared signal, such as 8, is transmitted based on a command from the communication device 2. Although not shown, the air conditioner 28 is supplied with AC power from, for example, an AC 200 V power supply line, and includes an infrared signal receiving unit that receives an infrared signal for instructing ON / OFF control, temperature setting, and the like.

After the ON / OFF control and the transmission of the infrared signal, the power strip 5 transmits a completion signal to the main controller 4 via the outlet 10 and the power line 3 by the power line carrier system. Then, a voice message corresponding to the completion signal is transmitted from the main control device 4 to the communication device 2 via the existing communication line including the telephone line 13.

The first and second plug insertion terminals 5
The electric devices connected to 1 and 52 may be other devices as long as the devices are operation-controlled by ON / OFF, such as the lighting device 21 and the feeding device 22. Further, the electric device controlled by the infrared signal is not limited to the air conditioner 28, and may be, for example, a television or an AV device. In addition, as the control of the air conditioner 28 in the present embodiment, in addition to starting and stopping (ON / OFF), there are temperature setting, timer setting, air volume setting, wind direction setting, and the like. It can be set arbitrarily by input.

Next, the basic operation between the user, the communication device, the main control device and the terminal control device shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation between the user, the communication device, the main control device, and the power strip.

In FIG. 2, a block indicated by reference numeral 29 represents a user. The block indicated by reference numeral 2 represents a communication device. Communication device 2
Here, a mobile phone will be described as an example. It is assumed that a reference numeral 2 is attached to the mobile phone. The above is the external configuration (the portion indicated by reference numeral 9 in FIG. 1). On the other hand, on the home side (reference numeral 8 in FIG. 1)
In the following, the block indicated by reference numeral 4 indicates a main controller. Also, reference numeral 5
Is a lighting device 2 which is one of the home appliances.
1 is a terminal control device that controls the terminal 1.

Here, the home lighting device 2 is remotely controlled.
Function (operation procedure) to control 1 (power ON / OFF)
Will be described as an example.

The user 29 makes the mobile phone 2 in procedure T1.
And then enter the phone number. Then, the mobile phone 2 calls the main controller 4 as a procedure T2. The main controller 4 receives a call after, for example, calling 10 times, and returns the incoming signal to the mobile phone 2 in step T3. Upon receiving the incoming signal, the user 29 proceeds to the procedure T.
In step 4, one of the buttons 0 to 9, #, and * is pressed (push signal is pressed). A push signal for the pressed button is transmitted via the mobile phone 2 (procedure T
5), detected by main controller 4.

When the main controller 4 detects the push signal, the main controller 4 transmits a voice message to the mobile phone 2 as a procedure T6. The voice message is, for example, "Please press a password." User 29
Presses the password in step T7. Mobile phone 2
Then, a push signal for the pressed password is transmitted (procedure T8).

In response to this, main controller 4 confirms the password through the push signal. If the password is correct, main controller 4 transmits a voice message to mobile phone 2 in step T9. The voice message is, for example, "Please press the control number." If the password is incorrect, a message "Press the password again" is issued, and the process waits for the execution of the procedure T7 again.

The user is prompted to press a control number, and the user 29 presses the control number in step T10. In the mobile phone 2, the push signal for the pressed control number is transmitted in step T1.
Transmit as 1. The push signal is a command according to the control content of the lighting device 21. As the control number, a number (or symbol) corresponding to the address data indicating the control target and the control content data included in the control signal generated by the main controller 4 described above is input. In this example, the number corresponding to the address data is the first
Number indicating the ID of the plug insertion terminal 51 (for example, C1)
And the number corresponding to the control content data is ON / OFF
This is a number indicating a command. That is, the control number is the first
The lighting device 21 connected to the plug insertion terminal 51 is turned ON / OFF.
Command OFF.

An electric device other than the lighting device 21, for example, a feeding device 22 connected to the second plug insertion terminal 52
When an ON / OFF command is issued, the control number indicating the ID (for example, C2) of the second plug insertion terminal 52 may be pressed as the address data, and the control number corresponding to the ON / OFF command may be pressed as the control content data. . When the air conditioner 28 is instructed to be turned on / off, a control number (for example, C
3) The control number corresponding to the ON / OFF command may be pressed as control content data.

In response to the push signal corresponding to the control number, the main controller 4 executes a control signal to the power strip 5 (here, the first plug insertion terminal 51) as a procedure T12.
Of the lighting device 21 connected to the lighting device 21), and transmits the control signal by the power line carrier method via the power supply line 3 (see FIG. 1).

The power strip 5 controls the power ON or OFF of the illumination device 21 (see FIG. 1) based on the received control signal (step T13). In the procedure T13, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 4, the extraction of the address data and the control content data included in the control signal and the determination of the control target and the control content based on the extraction are performed. When the control of the lighting device 21 illustrated here is completed, the power strip 5 turns on or off the lighting device 21 as a procedure T14.
A completion signal indicating that the FF control has been completed is generated, and the completion signal is transmitted to the main controller 4 by the power line carrier method via the power supply line 3 (see FIG. 1).

In response to the completion signal, main controller 4 transmits a voice message to portable telephone 2 in step T15. The voice message is, for example, “turn on the power (or turn off the power)”. After confirming the voice message, the user 29 presses the ON hook (step T16). Thereby, the mobile phone 2 is disconnected (procedure T17). At this time, the main control device 4 detects the ON hook of the mobile phone 2, and performs the ON hook operation of the main control device 4 itself (procedure T18).

Next, an embodiment of the table tap 5 which operates as described above will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of the power strip according to the present invention.

In the schematic diagram of FIG.
Are connected to the power supply line 3 via a plug 5A connected to the outlet 10 described above and a cord 5B connected to the plug 5A.

The table tap 5 includes a power supply multiplexing section 50, first to fourth plug insertion terminals 51 to 54, a control section 55, an infrared transmitting section 56, an infrared receiving section 57, and a relay 58A.
58B.

The power supply multiplexing section 50 is connected to the cord 5B, and is connected to the power line 3 via the plug 5A and the cord 5B.
It is connected to the. The power supply multiplexing unit 50 has a transmission / reception function including a modulation / demodulation unit based on the power line carrier system. At the time of reception, the modulated AC signal is demodulated to obtain the control signal and supplied to the control unit 55. At the time of transmission, the AC signal is modulated by, for example, the completion signal from the control unit 55, and the code 5B and the plug are transmitted. It is put on the power supply line 3 via 5A. The power supply multiplexing section 50 supplies AC power obtained from the cord 5B to the first to fourth plug insertion terminals 51 to 54.

The first to fourth plug insertion terminals 51 to 54
A power plug of an existing electric device is inserted into the terminal, and has a terminal shape equivalent to a plug insertion terminal provided in an existing outlet. First to fourth plug insertion terminals 51 to 54
Are supplied with AC power, of which the first and second plug insertion terminals 51 and 52 are respectively connected to the control unit 5.
The switching control is performed by the relays 58A and 58B that are switched to open / close state by the third and fourth plug insertion terminals 53.
And 54, just like the existing plug insertion terminals, only supply AC power to the corresponding electric device.

As described above, in addition to the first and second plug insertion terminals 51 and 52 controlled remotely, the third and fourth plug insertion terminals 53 and 54 are provided as described above. The number of outlets for plugs that can be used depends on the machine.

The control section 55 includes a central processing section for performing various controls, a ROM section for storing programs and fixed data, and a RAM section having various storage areas for storing various data generated in the course of processing. It consists of. As will be described later, the control unit 55 extracts address data and control contents from a control signal supplied from the power supply multiplexing unit 50, and opens and closes the relays 58A and 58B based on the extracted address data and control contents data. The first and second switch signals for control are generated and output, and an infrared signal for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 28 and the like is transmitted to the infrared transmitter 56 based on the extracted address data and control content data. Or Also,
Upon completion of these commands, a completion signal is generated and output to the power supply multiplexing unit 50. The address data (C1, C
2, C3) and a correspondence table between the control target (relay 58A, relay 58B, and infrared transmission unit 56) corresponding to the address are stored in the ROM unit.

The infrared transmitter 56 responds to a transmission command from the controller 55, for example, by turning on / off the air conditioner 28.
An infrared signal 27 (see FIG. 1) for instructing OFF is transmitted.

As described above, the infrared signal 2
7 is further provided, so that the power strip 5 can remotely control up to three electric devices using one plug insertion terminal of the outlet 10. In particular, a plurality of electric devices (illumination device 2) whose operation is controlled by supplying or stopping supply of AC power.
1. When the feeding device 22) and the electric device (air conditioner 28) whose operation is controlled by the infrared signal 27 are mixed,
This table tap 5 becomes very effective.

The infrared receiving section 57 receives an infrared signal for making the control section 55 perform initial settings such as an infrared learning function.

The relays 58A and 58B open and close in response to the first and second switch signals supplied from the control unit 55, respectively.
And the supply of AC power to and 52 is stopped.

The control unit 55, the infrared transmitting unit 56, and the infrared receiving unit 57 are supplied with a predetermined drive power generated by using an AC power obtained from the code 5B by a power supply circuit (not shown). .

The controller 5 of the table tap 5 as described above
The control flow according to the present invention performed in step 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a part of a process performed by the control unit in FIG.

In step S1 of FIG. 4, the control unit 55 detects the control signal output by the main control unit 4 from the demodulated signal supplied from the power supply multiplexing unit 50.
Step S1 is repeated unless a control signal is detected (N in step S1).
5 moves to step S2 (Y in step S1).

In step S2, the control unit 55 extracts address data and control content data from the control signal, and proceeds to step S3A and subsequent steps.

In steps S3A, S3B, and S3C, the control unit 55 refers to the above-mentioned address and control target correspondence table stored in the ROM, and indicates the I data indicated by the address data extracted in step S2.
D is determined. That is, when the ID matches C1 (Y in step S3A), the electric device (illumination device 21) connected to the first plug insertion terminal 51 is controlled according to the control content data (ON / OFF command). To step S5A. When the ID matches C2 (N in step S3A and Y in step S3A), the electric device (feeding device 22) connected to the second plug insertion terminal 52 is set to the control content data (ON / OFF command). The process moves to step S5B to perform the corresponding control. Furthermore, I
When D matches C3 (N in step S3A, N in step S3B and Y in step S3C), control is performed on the electric device (air conditioner 28) connected to the third and fourth plug insertion terminals 53 and 54. The process proceeds to step S5C to perform operation control according to the content data. If the ID does not belong to any of them (N in step S3A, N in step S3B, and N in step S3C), the process returns to step S1 to detect the next control signal.

In step S5A, the control unit 55 sets the relay 58 based on the control content data corresponding to C1.
A by generating a first switch signal for controlling the opening and closing of the relay A and supplying it to the relay 58A.
, And returns to step S1. Similarly, in step S5B, the control unit 55 generates a second switch signal for controlling the opening and closing of the relay 58B based on the control content data corresponding to C2, and transmits the second switch signal to the relay 58B.
To control the opening and closing of the relay 58B and return to step S1. In step S5C, the control unit 55 sends a transmission command for transmitting an infrared signal for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 28 to the infrared transmission unit 56 based on the control content data corresponding to C3, and in step S1. Return to

The step S2 corresponds to the data extracting means, the steps S4A and S4B correspond to the switch signal generating means, and the step S4C corresponds to the infrared signal transmitting command means.

By opening and closing the relays 58A and 58B, the electric devices connected to the first and second plug insertion terminals 51 and 52 are ON / OFF controlled. In addition, the electric device is controlled in a predetermined manner by the infrared signal.

As described above, the power strip 5 of the present embodiment includes the first and second plug insertion terminals 51 and 52 which are remotely controlled, and the third and fourth plug insertion terminals 53 and 53 which are ordinary plug insertion terminals. 54, and an infrared transmitter 56 for transmitting the infrared signal 27 by remote control. These use only one plug insertion terminal of the outlet 10 arranged on the commercial power line 3. Therefore, when the power line carrier type home control system is used, the number of plug insertion terminals of usable outlets is not reduced by the slave unit, and the problem of insufficient outlets is solved. In addition, since the operation of a plurality of electric devices including electric devices of different types can be controlled only by the table tap 5, the number of slave units used in the power line carrier type home control system can be reduced, and the size and size of the slave units can be reduced. Pricing is also possible. Further, since the table tap 5 uses the power line carrier method, it goes without saying that there is a great merit that a control line dedicated to remote control is not required at all.

Of course, the present invention can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0056]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the outlet 10 provided on the commercial power line 3 is provided.
, The AC power is dividedly supplied to the first and second plug insertion terminals 51 and 52, and the supply / supply of the AC power to these plug insertion terminals 51 and 52 is stopped. In addition, since remote control is performed using the power line carrier system, shortage of outlets unlike the conventional case does not occur. For example, the first plug insertion terminal 51
Can be connected to an electrical device to be remotely controlled, and an electrical device that does not need to be remotely controlled can be connected to the second plug insertion terminal 52. In this case, it can be used by a slave unit required for remote control. The number of plug insertion terminals of the outlet 10 does not decrease. In addition, by connecting an electric device to be remotely controlled to each of the first and second plug insertion terminals 51 and 52, it is possible to use one plug insertion terminal to
Remote control of two electrical devices,
In this case, it is useful to prevent a shortage of outlets when remotely controlling a plurality of electric devices.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the apparatus further includes the infrared signal transmission command means S4C for transmitting an infrared signal and the infrared signal generation / transmission means 56 for generating and transmitting an infrared signal. By using this, three electrical devices can be remotely controlled. That is, by connecting an electric device to be remotely controlled to the first and second plug insertion terminals 51 and 52 and further controlling the electric device by an infrared signal, only one plug insertion terminal of the outlet 10 is used. Since the three electric machines can be remotely controlled, it becomes useful to solve the shortage of the outlet when remotely controlling more electric appliances. In particular, the present invention is very effective when a plurality of electric devices whose operation is controlled by supplying or stopping supply of AC power and electric devices whose operation is controlled by infrared light are mixed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there are further provided the third and fourth plug insertion terminals 53 and 54 into which the power plugs of the electric equipment operated by the AC power supply from the commercial power line 3 are inserted. In addition to the effects obtained by the inventions of the items 1 and 2, the number of plug insertion terminals that can be used for the outlet is not reduced by the slave unit required for remote control. That is, since a plurality of electric devices are remotely controlled using one plug insertion terminal of the outlet 10 and plug insertion terminals 53 and 54 for electric devices that do not need to be remotely controlled are also provided. Remote control does not reduce the number of plug insertion terminals for ordinary electrical equipment.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the operation of electric devices of different types is remotely controlled using one plug insertion terminal of the outlet 10 provided on the commercial power line 3. That is, using one plug insertion terminal of the outlet 10, the AC power is supplied to the plug insertion terminal 51 (5).
2) supply / stop supply of AC power to the plug insertion terminal 51 (52) using the power line carrier method, and control the operation of the electric device by an infrared signal using the power line carrier method. I have to. That is,
When remotely controlling the operation of different types of electrical equipment,
Since only one plug insertion terminal is used, the number of plug insertion terminals occupied by the remote control slave unit can be minimized, which helps prevent shortage of the outlet by the remote control slave unit. When only operation control using infrared rays is performed, the plug insertion terminal 51 (52) can be used freely.
In this case, there is no reduction in usable outlets.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a home control system to which a table tap of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation among a user, a communication device, a main control device, and a power strip.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing one embodiment of a power strip according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a part of a process performed by a control unit in FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 home control system 2 communication device 3 power line (commercial power line) 4 main control device 5 table tap 8 home 9 outside 10 outlet 12 telephone 13 telephone line 21 lighting device 22 feeding device 23 TV device 24 radio device 27 infrared signal 28 air conditioner 29 User 50 Power supply multiplexing unit (reception and demodulation unit) 51 to 54 First to fourth plug insertion terminals 55 Control unit 56 Infrared transmission unit (infrared signal generation transmission unit) 57 Infrared reception unit 58A and 58B Relay (first and second switches) means)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification FI FI Theme Court ゛ (Reference) H04Q 9/00 311 H04Q 9/00 311S (72) Inventor Hiroki Hamaguchi 1500 Onjuku 1500, Susono City, Shizuoka Prefecture Yazaki Sogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tadashi Iwata 1500 Onjuku, Susono City, Shizuoka Prefecture Yazaki Sogyo Co., Ltd. Inside (72) Inventor Fumiaki Nishiyama 1500 Onjuku 1500, Susono City, Shizuoka Prefecture Yazaki Sogyo Co., Ltd.F-term (reference) 5K046 AA03 BA00 BB06 CC05 PS02 PS05 PS33 PS44 PS47 YY02 5K048 BA12 BA13 DB04 DC06 DC07 EB01 EB02 EB14 HA11 5K101 KK11 LL01 LL11 PP04

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A table tap used in a home control system for remotely controlling a plurality of electric devices based on a command from a communication device by using a power line carrier method, wherein a control signal indicating the command is a control signal. A plug-equipped code including address data indicating an object and control content data indicating control content corresponding to the address data, the plug having a plug inserted into a plug insertion terminal of an outlet arranged on a commercial power line, and the plug Receiving demodulation means connected to the attached code and receiving and demodulating the control signal placed on the commercial power line; and data extracting means for extracting the address data and control content from the control signal demodulated by the receiving demodulation means. The electric machine connected to the cord with a plug and operated by an AC power supply from the commercial power line Switch signal generating means for generating first and second switch signals based on the first and second plug insertion terminals into which the power plug is inserted, and the address data and control content data extracted by the data extracting means. First switch means for supplying or stopping supply of the AC power to the first plug insertion terminal in response to the first switch signal; and the second plug in response to the second switch signal And a second switch means for supplying or stopping supply of the AC power to the insertion terminal. 2. The table tap according to claim 1, wherein an infrared signal for instructing an operation of the electric device is transmitted based on the address data and the control content data extracted by the data extraction unit. A table tap, further comprising: transmission command means; and infrared signal generation / transmission means for generating and transmitting the infrared signal in response to the transmission command. 3. The third and fourth plug insertion terminals according to claim 2, wherein a power plug of the electric device that is connected to the cord with the plug and that operates on an AC power supply from the commercial power line is inserted. The table tap characterized by further having a. 4. A table tap used in a home control system for remotely controlling a plurality of electric devices based on a command from a communication device using a power line carrier system, wherein the control signal indicating the command is a control signal. A plug-equipped code including address data indicating an object and control content data indicating control content corresponding to the address data, the plug having a plug inserted into a plug insertion terminal of an outlet arranged on a commercial power line, and the plug Receiving demodulation means connected to the attached code and receiving and demodulating the control signal placed on the commercial power line; and data extracting means for extracting the address data and control content from the control signal demodulated by the receiving demodulation means. The electric machine connected to the cord with a plug and operated by an AC power supply from the commercial power line A plug insertion terminal into which the power plug is inserted, a switch signal generating unit that generates a switch signal based on the address data and the control content data extracted by the data extracting unit, and a switch signal generating unit that is extracted by the data extracting unit. Infrared signal transmission command means for transmitting an infrared signal for controlling operation of the electric device based on the address data and the control content data; and the AC power supply to the plug insertion terminal in response to the switch signal. A table tap comprising: a switch unit for supplying or stopping supply of the signal; and an infrared signal generating and transmitting unit for generating and transmitting the infrared signal in response to the transmission command.