JP2003309580A - Signal input/output apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a signal input/output apparatus capable of controlling and watching operations of general purpose electrical equipment via a network. <P>SOLUTION: A gateway 30 has a function for translating a TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)/IP (Internet Protocol) protocol into a protocol of a transmission system in a local area, and signals of which protocols have been translated are output to a transmission unit 36. A plurality of signal input/output apparatuses 1 are coupled to the transmission unit 36 via signal lines, and signals are transmitted and received among individual apparatuses 1 by transmitting transmission signals including addresses from the transmission unit 36. The apparatuses 1 have network interfaces 12 for translating protocols of signals from the transmission unit 36, CPUs 10 control operation states of electrical equipment coupled to each interface 11a-11d based on control signals transmitted from the transmission unit 36 and transmit monitoring signals indicating the operation states of the electrical equipment to the transmission unit 36. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a signal input / output device which inputs / outputs a signal for monitoring / controlling the operation of an electric device in a house from / to the outside.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a signal input / output device of this type, a PB which is accessed from an outside place via a public line and inputted
Conventionally, there is provided a telecontrol device that monitors the operating state of a specific electric device (for example, an air conditioner or a light) connected to the HA terminal (JEM-A terminal) based on a signal and controls ON / OFF. Has been done.

[0003]

The above-mentioned signal input / output device has a problem that it can control only a specific electric device connectable to the HA terminal, and since it is accessed via a public line, the communication cost is high. There was also the problem of this.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a signal input / output device capable of controlling and monitoring the operation of a general-purpose electric device via a network. To provide.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the invention of claim 1, the operating state of an electric device installed in a house is controlled based on a control signal inputted from the outside, A supervisory control unit that generates a supervisory signal that indicates the operating state of the device, and a supervisory control unit that converts the supervisory signal into a protocol compatible with the network and transmits the protocol, and also converts the protocol of the control signal input via the network. And a network connection section for outputting to.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the monitoring control unit that controls the operating state of the electric equipment installed in the house based on the control signal input from the outside and that generates the monitoring signal indicating the operating status of the electric equipment. Connected to the gateway that converts the Internet protocol into a protocol that is compatible with the transmission system on the premises via the transmission system on the premises, converts the monitoring signal to the protocol that is compatible with the transmission system on the premises, and sends it to the gateway. And a network connection unit that converts the protocol of the control signal transmitted from the device and outputs the converted control signal to the monitoring control unit.

According to the invention of claim 3, in the invention of claim 2, the protocol adapted to the transmission system on the premises is Ether.
It is characterized by being a rnet (R) protocol.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (Embodiment 1) Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the signal input / output device 1. The signal input / output device 1 is
A CPU 10 as a monitoring control unit, a contact input / output interface 11a to which an electric device is connected between both ends of an internal contact via a commercial power supply, and a terminal device of a so-called home automation system (HA system) are connected to a JEM.
RS232C interface 11c for connecting the A interface 11b and an electric device having a communication port of RS232C to perform serial communication with the electric device.
And an electric device having a communication port of RS485 are connected to perform serial communication with the electric device.
The interface 11d, the network interface 12 that is connected to the transmission unit 36 via a pair of signal lines, and that performs the signal transmission by time division multiplex transmission with the transmission unit 36, and the CPU
ROM 13 that stores the operation program of 10 and RAM 1 that stores data such as monitoring signals indicating the operating state of the electric devices connected to the interfaces 11a to 11d.
4 and 4.

The signal input / output device 1 is installed in, for example, each dwelling unit of an apartment house, and is used for remotely monitoring and controlling the operating state of electric equipment such as an air conditioner and lighting equipment in each dwelling unit. FIG. 2 shows an overall system configuration diagram.

In FIG. 2, A1 shows a common part of an apartment house, and A2 shows individual dwelling units. Connected to the Internet 3 via the router HUB35 in the common area of the apartment,
A gateway 30 that converts an Internet protocol (that is, TCP / IP protocol) into a protocol suitable for a transmission system in a premises, a key box 31 that manages the deposit and lending of keys of each dwelling unit, and an alarm is issued by operating an emergency button. A security light 32 and a video server 34 that transmits a video captured by the security camera 33 to the management server 4 are installed, and the key box 31, the security light 32, and the video server 34 are connected to the gateway 3 via the router HUB 35.
It is connected to 0. Here, a global IP address is assigned to the gateway 30, and in the gateway 30, a protocol of a signal input via the Internet is protocol-converted into a protocol of a local area LAN, and a key box 31, a crime prevention light 32, and a video server. Three
No. 4, the protocol of the signal input via the Internet is converted and output to the transmission unit 36.

A signal input / output device 1 is installed in each dwelling unit of the collective housing, and the signal input / output device 1 of each dwelling unit is connected to a transmission unit 36 via a pair of signal lines. A unique address is assigned to each signal input / output device 1. By transmitting a transmission signal including an address from the transmission unit 36 by time division multiplex transmission, the transmission unit 36
The transmission and reception of the transmission signal is performed between the signal input / output device 1 and the signal input / output device 1. An air conditioner 20, a lighting device 22, and a human body detection sensor 23 are connected to the signal input / output device 1, and the operations of the air conditioner 20, the lighting device 22, and the human body detection sensor 23 are monitored and controlled. Reference numeral 21 in the drawing denotes a distribution board installed in each dwelling unit, and a lighting fixture 22 is connected to the contact input / output interface 11a of the signal input / output device 1 via the distribution board 21.

Also, each dwelling unit is provided with a multimedia port 50 for drawing out multimedia wiring to each room in the dwelling unit from one place, and this multimedia port 50 is connected to the router HUB35 via a signal line. It is connected to the. A multimedia outlet 51 installed in each room is connected to the multimedia port 50, and a network camera 52 having a network function and a portable information terminal 53 are connected to the router HUB3 via the multimedia outlet 51 and the multimedia port 50.
Connected to 5. Further, the human body detection sensor 23 is connected to the multimedia port 50. By the way,
Shows a frame structure of Ethernet adapted to the local area LAN, including ID data D1 assigned to the Ethernet (R) board and the MAC address D of the transmission source.
2, a destination MAC address D3, a data portion D4 indicating a control signal or a supervisory signal, and a checksum D5. Gateway 30, key box 31, crime prevention light 32, video server 34, network camera 52,
The M that is unique to the portable information terminal 53 and the human body detection sensor 23
An AC address is assigned, and signals can be exchanged by designating a MAC address.
As described above, in this embodiment, since the global IP address is assigned only to the gateway 30 and the signal input / output device 1 is given the address of the multiplex transmission system, it is not necessary to assign the global IP address to all devices. There are advantages.

Further, in each dwelling unit of the collective housing, a crime prevention / disaster prevention sensor such as a gas leak alarm 42, a smoke detector 43, a wireless receiver 45 for receiving an alarm signal transmitted by a wireless emergency push button 44 as a wireless signal. A home information board 41 is provided for receiving a warning signal from the home and making a call with the intercom 46 or the lobby intercom 47 installed at the entrance of each dwelling unit. The housing information board 41 of each dwelling unit is connected to the alarm monitoring board 40 installed in the common part via a signal line, and the alarm monitoring board 40 intensively monitors the alarm signal from each dwelling unit. The alarm monitoring board 40 is connected to the gateway 30, and signals from other devices connected via the Internet 3 or the local area LAN are input to the alarm monitoring board 40 via the gateway 30.

The operation of the signal input / output device 1 will now be described. The CPU 10 has each interface 11a-
The operating state of an electric device such as a lighting fixture and an air conditioner connected to 11d is constantly monitored, and when the operating state of the electric device changes, a monitoring signal indicating the operating state of the electric device is generated. This supervisory signal is protocol-converted by the network connection unit 12, output to the transmission unit 36 via the multiplex transmission system, and further output from the transmission unit 36 to the gateway 30. If the electric device is a device compatible with the HA system, only the ON / OFF of the electric device is monitored and controlled. For example, if the lighting device is capable of dimming control, the dimming level data is transmitted and received. By doing so, the dimming level can be controlled or monitored. Also,
Devices such as air conditioners can control and monitor the operation mode and the set temperature by transmitting and receiving the data of the operation mode and the set temperature.

The gateway 30 converts the protocol of the supervisory signal input from the transmission unit 36 into the TCP / IP protocol, and sends it to the management server 4 via the Internet 3. The management server 4 accumulates the monitoring signals transmitted from the gateway 3 and creates an HTML file of a web screen showing a list of operating states of the electric devices connected to the signal input / output device 1. FIG. 4 shows an example of a web screen (device control management screen) created by the management server 4, in which the names of electric devices connected to the signal input / output device 1 and their operating states are displayed side by side. For example, in the case of a device compatible with the HA system, its on / off is displayed. If the lighting device is capable of dimming control, its lighting state (full lighting state, unlit state or dimming state) is displayed. Further, in the case of a device such as an air conditioner in which the operation mode and the set temperature can be set, the operation mode (cooling, dehumidification, heating, stop, etc.) and the set temperature are also displayed.

Then, the user accesses the management server 4 via the Internet 3 by using a terminal connectable to the Internet 3 such as the mobile phone 5 and the personal computer 6, and the above-mentioned operation is performed using a general-purpose browser. By browsing the web screen, it is possible to remotely confirm the operating states of a plurality of electric devices installed in the house at one time.

Further, in the HTML file of the web screen created by the management server 4, the activation code of the CGI program for passing the control signal for controlling the operating state of each electric device from the browser to the management server 4 is described. For example, in the case of a device compatible with the HA system, the CGI program is started and managed by selecting the “ON” or “OFF” characters displayed on the web screen with an input device such as a mouse or keyboard. A control signal is output to the server 4. Also, in the case of a device that can be operated in an analog manner other than on / off, such as a dimmable lighting fixture, the CGI program is started by inputting the dimming level with the input device in addition to the on / off operation. Then, a dimming signal for performing dimming control is output to the management server 4. In the case of an air conditioner whose operation mode and set temperature can be operated, characters indicating the operation mode displayed on the web screen (for example, "cooling""dehumidification""heating").
By selecting "stop" or the like with an input device or inputting a set temperature, the CGI program is started, and a control signal for switching the operation mode or the set temperature is output to the management server 4. The management server 4 transmits this control signal to the gateway 30 via the Internet 3. In the gateway 30, the protocol of the control signal input from the management server 4 is protocol-converted into a protocol suitable for the transmission system in the premises, and is output to the transmission unit 36, and the transmission unit 36 controls the corresponding signal input / output device 1. The signal is transmitted. Then, in the signal input / output device 1, the network interface 12 converts the protocol of the control signal transmitted from the transmission unit 36 into C
It is output to the PU 10 and the CPU 10
Interface 11 to which the corresponding electrical equipment is connected
a to 11d are controlled to control the operating state of this electric device.

In this way, the user can access the Internet 3
If the terminal that can be connected to the terminal can be used to remotely monitor and control the operating state of a general-purpose electric device installed at home, and if a continuous connection environment between the terminal and the management server 4 is established, It is possible to monitor and control a general-purpose electric device that does not have a function of connecting to a network without newly incurring communication costs, and it is possible to operate other network devices connected to the Internet 3 in an interconnected manner.

The gateway 30 has an alarm monitoring panel 4
Lobby intercom 47 is connected via 0,
For example, by performing personal authentication such as fingerprints and retinas by the lobby intercom 47, the lobby intercom 47 outputs a control signal to the gateway 30 via the alarm monitoring panel 40, and the gateway 30 outputs this control signal to the transmission unit 36. By doing so, it is possible to monitor and control the operating state of the electric device installed in the resident's house.

It is also possible to operate the electric equipment connected to the signal input / output device 1 and other equipment connected to the local area LAN in an interconnected manner. For example, by the control program installed in the signal input / output device 1, the human body detection sensor 23
It is also possible to coordinate the operations of the lighting equipment 22 and the network camera 52 with each other, and the detection signal from the human body detection sensor 23 installed in the house is input to the signal input / output device 1 via the gateway 30 and the transmission unit 36. Then, the CPU 10 causes the corresponding interface 11a to
The lighting device 22 is turned on by controlling the ... And a control signal is output from the network connection unit 12 to control the operation of the network camera 52 via the transmission unit 36 and the gateway 30. It is also possible to operate devices that do not have a system interconnected.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
And it demonstrates based on FIG. Since the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the signal input / output device 1. This signal input / output device 1 is a CP as a monitoring control unit.
U10, contact input / output interface 11a, JE
MA interface 11b, RS232C interface 11c, RS485 interface 11d
, Which is connected to the gateway 30 via the router HUB35, and transmits the below-mentioned supervisory signal to the local LAN.
Gateway 3 after converting to rnet (R) protocol
A network interface 12 serving as a network connection unit that transmits the control signal transmitted from the gateway 30 to the CPU 10 by converting the protocol of the control signal transmitted from the gateway 30, and the ROM 13 and the RAM 14.

The signal input / output device 1 is installed in, for example, each dwelling unit of an apartment house, and is used for remotely monitoring and controlling the operating states of electric devices such as an air conditioner and lighting equipment in each dwelling unit. FIG. 6 shows an overall system configuration diagram.

In FIG. 6, A1 shows a common part of an apartment house, and A2 shows individual dwelling units. Connected to the Internet 3 via the router HUB35 in the common area of the apartment,
The TCP / IP protocol of the Internet 3 is used as a local LA
A gateway 30 for converting to an Ethernet (R) protocol suitable for N, a key box 31, a security light 32, and a video server 34 for transmitting a video image captured by the security camera 33 to the management server 4 are installed. The key box 31, the crime prevention light 32, and the video server 34 are connected to the gateway 30 via the router HUB 35.

In each dwelling unit of the housing complex, a multimedia port 50 for drawing out multimedia wiring to each room in the dwelling unit from one place is installed. The multimedia port 50 is a router via a signal line. It is connected to the HUB 35. A signal input / output device 1 is installed in the multimedia port 50, and the signal input / output device 1 is connected to the router HUB 35 via a signal line. Here, the signal input / output device 1 is connected to an air conditioner 20, a lighting device 22, and a human body detection sensor 23, and monitors and controls the operations of the air conditioner 20, the lighting device 22, and the human body detection sensor 23. . Reference numeral 21 in the drawing denotes a distribution board installed in each dwelling unit, and a lighting fixture 22 is connected to the contact input / output interface 11a of the signal input / output device 1 via the distribution board 21.

A multimedia outlet 51 installed in each room is connected to the multimedia port 50, and a network camera 52 having a network function or a portable information terminal is provided through the multimedia outlet 51 and the multimedia port 50. 53 is router H
It is connected to the UB35.

Here, a global IP address is assigned to the gateway 30, and the gateway 30
Then, the signal input via the Internet is transferred to the LA
Converted to N-compliant Ethernet protocol,
The signal is transmitted to the signal input / output device 1, the key box 31, the crime prevention light 32, the moving image server 34, the network camera 52, the portable information terminal 53, and the like. A unique MAC address is assigned to the gateway 30, the signal input / output device 1, the key box 31, the crime prevention light 32, and the video server 34, and signals can be exchanged by designating the MAC address. ing. In this embodiment, a global IP address is assigned only to the gateway 30, and a MAC address is assigned between the gateway 30 and the signal input / output device 1, the key box 31, the crime prevention light 32, the video server 34, the network camera 52, and the portable information terminal 53. Since signals are transmitted and received by using them, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to assign a global IP address to all devices.

In addition, in each dwelling unit of the housing complex, a crime prevention / disaster prevention sensor such as a gas leak alarm 42, a smoke detector 43, a wireless receiver 45 for receiving an alarm signal transmitted by a wireless emergency push button 44 as a wireless signal. A home information board 41 is provided for receiving a warning signal from the home and making a call with the intercom 46 or the lobby intercom 47 installed at the entrance of each dwelling unit. The housing information board 41 of each dwelling unit is connected to the alarm monitoring board 40 installed in the common part via a signal line, and the alarm monitoring board 40 intensively monitors the alarm signal from each dwelling unit. The alarm monitoring board 40 is connected to the gateway 30, and signals from other devices connected via the Internet 3 or the local area LAN are input to the alarm monitoring board 40 via the gateway 30.

The operation of the signal input / output device 1 will now be described. The CPU 10 has each interface 11a-
The operating state of electrical equipment such as lighting equipment and air conditioner connected to 11d is constantly monitored, and when the operating state of the electrical equipment changes, a monitoring signal indicating the operating state of the electrical equipment is sent to the gateway 30 via the local area LAN. Output to. The gateway 30 converts the protocol of the supervisory signal input from the signal input / output device 1 into a TCP / IP protocol, and transmits it to the management server 4 via the Internet 3. The management server 4 accumulates the monitoring signals transmitted from the gateway 3, and the HT of the web screen showing a list of the operating states of the electric devices connected to the signal input / output device 1.
Create an ML file. FIG. 4 shows an example of a web screen (device control management screen) created by the management server 4, showing the names of electrical devices connected to the signal input / output device 1,
The operation state is displayed side by side. For example, in the case of a device compatible with the HA system, its on / off is displayed. If the lighting device is capable of dimming control, its lighting state (full lighting state, unlit state or dimming state) is displayed. Further, in the case of a device such as an air conditioner in which the operation mode and the set temperature can be set, the operation mode (cooling, dehumidification, heating, stop, etc.) and the set temperature are also displayed.

Then, the user accesses the management server 4 via the Internet 3 by using a terminal connectable to the Internet 3 such as the mobile phone 5 or the personal computer 6, and the above-mentioned operation is performed using a general-purpose browser. By browsing the web screen, it is possible to remotely confirm the operating states of a plurality of electric devices installed in the house at one time.

Further, in the HTML file of the web screen created by the management server 4, the activation code of the CGI program for passing the control signal for controlling the operation state of each electric device from the browser to the management server 4 is described. For example, in the case of a device compatible with the HA system, the CGI program is started and managed by selecting the “ON” or “OFF” characters displayed on the web screen with an input device such as a mouse or keyboard. A control signal is output to the server 4. Also, in the case of a device that can be operated in an analog manner other than on / off, such as a dimmable lighting fixture, the CGI program is started by inputting the dimming level with the input device in addition to the on / off operation. Then, a dimming signal for performing dimming control is output to the management server 4. In the case of an air conditioner whose operation mode and set temperature can be operated, characters indicating the operation mode displayed on the web screen (for example, "cooling""dehumidification""heating").
By selecting "stop" or the like with an input device or inputting a set temperature, the CGI program is started, and a control signal for switching the operation mode or the set temperature is output to the management server 4. The management server 4 transmits this control signal to the gateway 30 via the Internet 3. In the gateway 30, the protocol of the control signal input from the management server 4 is protocol-converted into a protocol suitable for the transmission system in the premises, and is output to the transmission unit 36, and the transmission unit 36 controls the corresponding signal input / output device 1. The signal is transmitted. Then, in the signal input / output device 1, the network interface 12 converts the protocol of the control signal transmitted from the transmission unit 36 into C
It is output to PU10, and CPU10 is output based on this control signal.
Interface 11 to which the corresponding electrical equipment is connected
a to 11d are controlled to control the operating state of this electric device.

In this way, the user can access the Internet 3
If the terminal that can be connected to the terminal can be used to remotely monitor and control the operating state of a general-purpose electric device installed at home, and if a continuous connection environment between the terminal and the management server 4 is established, It is possible to monitor and control an electric device that does not have a function of connecting to a network without newly incurring communication cost, and it is possible to operate another network device connected to the Internet 3 in an interconnected manner.

The gateway 30 has an alarm monitoring panel 4
Lobby intercom 47 is connected via 0,
For example, by performing personal authentication such as fingerprints and retinas by the lobby intercom 47, a control signal is output from the lobby intercom 47 to the gateway 30 via the alarm monitoring panel 40, and the gateway 30 transmits the control signal to the local area LA.
By outputting the signal to the signal input / output device 1 via N, it is possible to monitor or control the operating state of the electric device installed in the resident's house.

It is also possible to operate the electric equipment connected to the signal input / output device 1 and other equipment connected to the local area LAN in an interconnected manner. For example, by the control program installed in the signal input / output device 1, the human body detection sensor 23
It is also possible to coordinate the operations of the network camera 52 and the luminaire 22. When the detection signal from the human body detection sensor 23 is input to the CPU 10, the CPU 10 controls the corresponding interface 11a ... to turn on the lighting fixture 22, and the network interface 12 sends the MA to the network camera 52.
By specifying the C address and transmitting the control signal,
The lighting fixture 22 and the network camera 52 can be interconnected according to the detection signal of the human body detection sensor 23, and devices that originally do not have an interconnecting function can be interconnected.

In this embodiment, the signal input / output device 1 is connected to the Internet 3 via the gateway 30. However, a global IP address is assigned to the signal input / output device 1 and the signal input / output device 1 is connected to the Internet. 3 is directly connected to the network connection section 1 of the signal input / output device 1.
In step 2, the monitoring signal generated by the CPU 10 may be converted into a TCP / IP protocol and transmitted, and the protocol of the control signal input via the Internet 3 may be converted and output to the CPU 10.

[0036]

As described above, according to the invention of claim 1, the operating state of the electric equipment installed in the house is controlled based on the control signal inputted from the outside, and the operating state of the electric equipment is shown. A supervisory control unit that generates a supervisory signal, and a network connection unit that converts the supervisory signal into a protocol compatible with the network and transmits it, and also converts the protocol of the control signal input via the network and outputs it to the supervisory control unit. In the network connection unit, the protocol of the control signal input through the network is converted and output to the monitoring control unit, and the protocol of the monitoring signal input from the monitoring control unit is also included. Since it is converted and output to the network, the operating status of general-purpose electrical equipment connected to the signal input / output device via the network is monitored. Or, there is an effect that can be controlled. Further, since the signal input / output device is connected to the network, there is also an effect that a linked operation can be performed between another network device connected to the network and an electric device connected to the signal input / output device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the monitoring control for controlling the operating state of the electric equipment installed in the house based on the control signal inputted from the outside and for generating the monitoring signal indicating the operating state of the electric equipment. And a gateway for converting the Internet protocol into a protocol adapted to the transmission system in the premises via the transmission system in the premises, and converting the supervisory signal into a protocol adapted to the transmission system in the premises and transmitting it to the gateway. And a network connection unit that converts the protocol of the control signal transmitted from the gateway and outputs the protocol signal to the monitoring control unit. The network connection unit converts the protocol of the control signal input from the gateway. Output to the supervisory control unit and convert the protocol of the supervisory signal input from the supervisory control unit. Since the output gateway Te, there is an effect that the operation state of the general-purpose electrical device connected to the signal input and output apparatus via the network and monitors can be controlled via the gateway. Also,
Since the signal input / output device is connected to the gateway,
There is also an advantage that other devices connected to the transmission system in the premises and an electric device connected to the signal input / output device can be linked to each other.

In the invention of claim 3, in the invention of claim 2, the protocol adapted to the transmission system in the premises is Ether.
Rnet (R) protocol, E
There is an effect that it is possible to monitor and control electric devices in the home via the Internet.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a signal input / output device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a system using the same as above.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a communication protocol of the above.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a device control management screen of the management server of the above.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a signal input / output device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a system using the same as above.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Signal input / output device 10 CPU 11a Contact input / output interface 11b JEMA interface 11c RS232C interface 11d RS485 interface 12 network interface 30 gateways 36 Transmission unit

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Yoshihisa Honma             1048, Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric Works Co., Ltd.             Inside the company (72) Inventor Yasushi Shinyashiki             1048, Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric Works Co., Ltd.             Inside the company (72) Inventor Toshiaki Tanaka             1048, Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric Works Co., Ltd.             Inside the company (72) Inventor Nobuo Hisamatsu             1048, Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric Works Co., Ltd.             Inside the company (72) Inventor Kazuhiko Mori             1048, Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric Works Co., Ltd.             Inside the company (72) Inventor Tomoo Kanayama             1048, Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric Works Co., Ltd.             Inside the company (72) Inventor Norio Isozaki             1048, Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric Works Co., Ltd.             Inside the company F term (reference) 5K033 AA09 CB02 DA01 DA16 DB16                       DB18                 5K048 AA04 AA13 BA12 DA07 DA08                       HA03

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A supervisory control unit for controlling an operating state of an electric device installed in a house based on a control signal inputted from the outside, and for generating a supervisory signal indicating an operating state of the electric device, and a supervisory signal. And a network connection unit that converts the protocol of the control signal input via the network and outputs the converted control signal to the monitoring control unit. Output device. 2. A monitor control unit for controlling an operating state of an electric device installed in a house on the basis of a control signal input from the outside and generating a monitor signal indicating an operating state of the electric device, and an internet protocol. Is connected to the gateway for converting the protocol into a protocol suitable for the transmission system in the premises via the transmission system in the premises, and the supervisory signal is transmitted to the gateway while being converted into the protocol suitable for the transmission system in the premises and transmitted from the gateway. And a network connection unit for converting the protocol of the control signal and outputting the protocol to the monitoring control unit. 3. The signal input / output device according to claim 2, wherein the protocol adapted to the transmission system in the premises is an Ethernet (R) protocol.