JP2006013703A - Power line communication terminal and system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power line communication system capable of inspecting the communication state in power line communication without using a transmitter and a receiver for inspection, and to provide a power line communication terminal for use therein. <P>SOLUTION: The power line communication system comprises an inquiry processing section 321 for deciding that reception of a communication response signal indicating reception of a communication acknowledge signal from a terminal 4 being controlled is successful if it is received within a predetermined time after the communication acknowledge signal for inspecting the state of power line communication is transmitted to the terminal 4 being controlled and deciding that reception of the communication response signal is unsuccessful if it is not received, a section 321 for deciding whether the state of power line communication is acceptable or not based on the decision results from the inquiry processing section 321, a display section 35 for informing the decision results from the decision processing section 322, and a trigger switch 37 for triggering the inquiry processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a power line carrier communication system capable of checking a communication state, and a power line carrier communication terminal device used in such a power line carrier communication system.

  Power lines are installed in various places such as dwellings and office buildings to supply power. In recent years, power line carrier communication using this power line as a transmission line is being established. In this power line carrier communication, since communication between devices is realized using an existing power line, devices can be networked without newly introducing and constructing a dedicated communication line. For example, there is known a power line carrier communication control system that uses a power line carrier communication to turn on / off (close / open) a load terminal such as a lighting fixture or an air conditioner using a control terminal such as a wall switch. A communication protocol for performing peer-to-peer (peer-to-peer) communication, for example, an SCP (Simple Control Protocol) developed by Microsoft Corporation in the United States, is used for communication between a control terminal as a device and a load terminal. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  By the way, since this power line carrier communication uses a power line, the communication performance may deteriorate depending on how the power line is wired indoors. In addition, communication performance may be degraded due to the influence of noise generated during operation of home appliances connected to the power line. In addition, home appliances are often added or removed later, and if the communication performance of power line carrier communication terminals that have already been installed deteriorates due to the addition of home appliances later, It is necessary to take measures later with a noise filter. Moreover, the communication status of power line carrier communication may change due to the removal of home appliances. Therefore, it may be necessary to check whether communication performance has deteriorated after construction work for attaching the control terminal and the load terminal to the power line or after introduction of home appliances. In addition, when measures are taken with a noise filter, it may be necessary to confirm the effects of the measures.

  However, when the control terminal and the load terminal are used to actually perform the control operation by the power line carrier communication to confirm the deterioration of the communication performance and the effect of the countermeasure by the noise filter, the control terminal performs communication retry, for example. For this reason, the communication performance degradation and the effect of countermeasures are not reflected in the operation of the load terminal, or the communication status is indirectly confirmed as the operation of the load terminal. It was difficult to fully confirm the effect.

Therefore, conventionally, the control terminal and the load terminal are removed, and instead the transmitter and receiver using power line carrier communication for inspection are connected to the power line to check whether data can be transmitted and received satisfactorily by power line carrier communication. Thus, the communication state is inspected, and a decrease in communication performance due to the influence of such power line wiring method and home appliances has been detected.
JP 2002-164823 A

  By the way, as described above, when the power line carrier communication transmitter and receiver are connected to the power line and the communication state is inspected, the power line carrier communication terminal device attached to the power line is removed and inspected instead. Therefore, it is necessary to connect the transmission device and the reception device to the power line, which is inconvenient.

  The present invention is an invention made in view of such a problem, and provides a power line carrier communication system capable of inspecting a communication state in power line carrier communication without using an inspection transmitter and receiver. The purpose is to do. And it aims at providing the power line carrier communication terminal device used for such a power line carrier communication system.

  In order to achieve the above object, a power line carrier communication terminal apparatus according to the first means of the present invention inspects a communication state of power line carrier communication in a power line carrier communication terminal apparatus connected to a power line and performing power line carrier communication. After transmitting a communication confirmation signal to the other power line carrier communication terminal device connected to the power line, the communication confirmation signal is received from the other power line carrier communication terminal device within a preset time. Inquiry to determine that reception of the communication response signal is successful when the communication response signal is received when it is determined that reception of the communication response signal is successful An inquiry processing unit that executes processing, and a determination that determines whether the communication state in the power line carrier communication is good or not based on a determination result of the inquiry processing by the inquiry processing unit A processing section, and a notification unit for notifying the determination result by the determination processing section, and a starting unit that starts the execution of the query processing, comprising the.

  Moreover, in the above-described power line carrier communication control terminal device, the inquiry processing unit repeatedly executes the inquiry processing for a preset number of inquiries, and the determination processing unit is repeated by the inquiry processing unit. When the number of successful receptions in the inquiry process reaches a predetermined number of determinations, the communication state of the power line carrier communication is determined to be good, while when the number of determinations is less than the number of determinations, the power line carrier communication It is characterized in that the communication state is determined to be bad.

  In the above power line carrier communication control terminal device, when the communication state in which the communication of the power line carrier communication is not performed continues for a predetermined time, the activation unit sends the inquiry processing unit to the inquiry processing unit. It is characterized by executing an inquiry process.

  Furthermore, in the above power line carrier communication control terminal device, the power line carrier communication control terminal device further includes a communication availability detection unit that detects whether or not the other power line carrier communication terminal device is in a communication state in which power line carrier communication can be performed, When the communication state detected by the communication availability detecting unit changes, the inquiry processing unit causes the other power line carrier communication terminal device in which the change in the communication state is detected to execute the inquiry process. It is characterized by that.

  Further, in the above power line carrier communication control terminal device, the power line carrier communication control terminal device further includes a communication availability detection unit that detects whether or not the other power line carrier communication terminal device is in a communication state capable of executing power line carrier communication, When the communication state detected by the communication availability detection unit is counted for another power line carrier communication terminal device in which the change in the communication state is detected, and the counted value exceeds a preset number Further, the inquiry processing unit is caused to execute the inquiry processing on another power line carrier communication terminal device for which the number of times is counted.

  Then, in the above power line carrier communication control terminal device, the activation unit transmits a communication signal excluding the communication confirmation signal to another power line carrier communication terminal device by the power line carrier communication, and within a preset time If the response signal indicating that the communication signal has been received from the other power line carrier communication terminal device is not received, the inquiry processing unit sends the inquiry processing to the other power line carrier communication terminal device. It is characterized by executing.

  Moreover, the power line carrier communication system according to the second means of the present invention includes one power line carrier communication terminal device that transmits a communication confirmation signal for checking the communication state of the power line carrier communication by the power line carrier communication, When receiving the communication confirmation signal from the power line carrier communication terminal device, the other power line carrier communication terminal device that transmits a communication response signal indicating that the communication confirmation signal is received to the one power line carrier communication terminal device; Is a power line carrier communication system connected via a power line so that power line carrier communication is possible, and the one power line carrier communication terminal device is the power line carrier communication terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. It is characterized by.

  In the power line carrier communication system described above, the notification unit in the one power line carrier communication terminal apparatus is a power line carrier communication terminal apparatus and another power line carrier communication terminal that are subject to an inquiry process by the inquiry processing part. Identification information for identifying a device and the determination result are transmitted by power line carrier communication, and are communicated with the power line carrier communication terminal device via a power line so that communication is possible. A map image storage unit that stores a map image representing a connection relationship between the carrier communication terminal device and the other power line carrier communication terminal device, a display unit that displays a map image stored in the map image storage unit, and the notification The identification information and the determination result transmitted from the unit are received, and the power line carrying is performed on the map image based on the received identification information and the determination result. Is characterized in that illustrates the quality of the communication state in the communication further comprises a display terminal and a control unit for displaying on the display unit.

  In the power line carrier communication terminal apparatus and the power line carrier communication system configured as described above, the inquiry processing by the inquiry processing unit is activated by the activation unit, and a communication confirmation signal for inspecting the state of the power line carrier communication is transmitted to another power line carrier. The communication response signal is determined to have been successfully received when the communication response signal is received from the other power line carrier communication terminal device within a preset time after being transmitted to the communication terminal device. When the response signal is not received, it is determined that reception of the communication response signal has failed. And the quality of the state in power line carrier communication is determined by the determination processing unit based on the determination result of the inquiry processing by the inquiry processing unit. Furthermore, the determination result by the determination processing unit is notified by the notification unit. As described above, in the power line carrier communication terminal apparatus and the power line carrier communication system according to the present invention, it is possible to determine whether the communication state in the power line carrier communication is good or not, so that the power line can be used without using the inspection transmission device and the reception device. The communication state in the carrier communication can be inspected.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the structure and operation | movement which attached | subjected the same code | symbol and step number in each figure show that it is the same structure and operation | movement, The description is abbreviate | omitted.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a power line carrier communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The power line carrier communication system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of control terminals 3-A, 3-B,... Which are one power line carrier communication terminal device and a plurality of other power line carrier communication terminal devices. Of the controlled terminals 4-A, 4-B... And the gateway terminal 5 are connected. The gateway terminal 5 is connected to a network 6 that is configured using, for example, RS485, a telephone line, or the like, or is communicable with an Internet protocol. Client terminal 7 is connected.

  Hereinafter, the control terminals 3-A, 3-B,... Are collectively referred to as the control terminal 3, and the controlled terminals 4-A, 4-B,. The controlled terminal 4 may be one power line carrier communication terminal device, and the control terminal 3 may be the other power line carrier communication terminal device.

  The controlled terminal 4 is a relay terminal that turns on / off the power supply to a lighting device (not shown) connected to the controlled terminal 4, for example. The control terminal 3 is a switch terminal that accepts, for example, a switch on / off operation by the user and instructs the controlled terminal 4 to turn on / off the relay by power line carrier communication.

  The controlled terminal 4 is not limited to a relay terminal, and is a device that can perform power line communication and operate using electricity as an energy source in accordance with the communication signal. For example, an office environment such as a lighting fixture or an air conditioner And adjustment devices that adjust the housing environment, surveillance cameras, intercoms, housing information panels, electric shutters and electric lock devices, etc., security sensors, fire sensors, sensors such as gas leak sensors and humidity sensors, wattmeters, gas meters and Metering devices such as water meters, televisions, video tape recorders, DVD recorders, hard disk recorders, washing machines and other household appliances, computers and other information processing devices, telephones and facsimile devices and other communication devices, pulse meters, thermometers, blood Medical equipment such as medium oxygen analyzer and electrocardiograph. The control terminal 3 is not limited to a switch, and is a device that can perform power line communication and transmit a control signal. For example, the control terminal 3 may be a sensor such as a human sensor or a heat ray sensor. In this case, for example, the lighting fixture that is the controlled terminal 4 may be turned on / off by a report from a sensor serving as the control terminal 3.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4 shown in FIG. The control terminal 3 is an example of a power line carrier communication processing unit 31, a central processing unit 32, a property information storage unit 33, a terminal information management unit 34, a display unit 35 that is an example of a notification unit, an operation unit 36, and an activation unit. For example, a trigger switch 37 including a push button switch is provided.

  The operation unit 36 is a lighting switch attached to a wall, for example. The display unit 35 is a notification unit, and is a display device such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or a liquid crystal display. The property information storage unit 33 is composed of, for example, a memory element such as an EEPROM or a ROM. For example, standard property information for performing communication using the SCP, the address of the controlled terminal 4 to be controlled by the control terminal 3, and the like. Remember. The terminal information management unit 34 stores a current value such as a state value (“ON”, “OFF”) indicating the state of the operation unit 36, an address of the controlled terminal 4 to be linked as a control target, and the like. .

  Based on the property information in the property information storage unit 33, the power line carrier communication processing unit 31 generates a communication signal according to the protocol of the power line carrier communication system from the data from the central processing unit 32 and outputs the communication signal from the power line 2. This is a circuit that converts data into a format that can be processed by the central processing unit 32. The central processing unit 32 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and executes a communication control program to control the power line carrier communication processing unit 31, the property information storage unit 33, and the terminal information management unit 34. Thus, power line carrier communication is executed to control the operation of the controlled terminal 4 based on the state of the operation unit 36. Moreover, it functions as an inquiry processing unit 321 and a determination processing unit 322 by executing a program for the communication state inspection mode. Furthermore, a timer 323 for measuring the communication response time from the control terminal in the inquiry processing by the inquiry processing unit 321 is provided.

  The controlled terminal 4 includes a power line carrier communication processing unit 41, a central processing unit 42, a property information storage unit 43, a terminal information management unit 44, a display unit 45, a load control unit 46, and a trigger switch 47 including, for example, a push button switch. I have. The load control unit 46 is, for example, a relay switch that turns on / off power supply to a lighting device (not shown). The display unit 45 is a display device such as an LED or a liquid crystal display. The property information storage unit 43 is composed of, for example, a memory element such as an EEPROM or a ROM. For example, standard property information for performing communication using the SCP, an address of the control terminal 3 that controls the operation of the controlled terminal 4, etc. Remember. The terminal information management unit 44 stores a current value such as a state value (“ON”, “OFF”) indicating the state of the load control unit 46.

  Based on the property information in the property information storage unit 43, the power line carrier communication processing unit 41 generates a communication signal according to the protocol of the power line carrier communication system from the data from the central processing unit 42 and outputs the communication signal from the power line 2. This is a circuit that converts data into a format that can be processed by the central processing unit 42.

  The central processing unit 42 includes, for example, a CPU and the like. The central processing unit 42 executes the communication control program to control the property information storage unit 43 and the terminal information management unit 44, thereby controlling the control terminal 3 by the power line carrier communication processing unit 41. The load control unit 46 is turned on and off in accordance with the control instruction signal received from Moreover, it functions as an inquiry processing unit 421 and a determination processing unit 422 by executing a program for the communication state inspection mode. Furthermore, a timer 423 for measuring a communication response time from the control terminal 3 in the inquiry process by the inquiry processing unit 421 is provided.

  The gateway terminal 5 performs protocol conversion between the communication protocol used on the network 6 and the communication protocol used on the power line 2 such as SCP or ECHONET, and the control terminal. 3 is a device that enables data transmission / reception between the client terminal 3 and the client terminal 7.

  Next, the operation of the power line carrier communication system 1 configured as described above will be described. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the power line carrier communication system 1. First, when the user presses the trigger switch 37 in the control terminal 3 to check the communication state, the central processing unit 32 detects that the trigger switch 37 has been pressed (step S1). Shifts to the communication state inspection mode (step S2).

  Next, in the controlled terminal 4, when the trigger switch 47 is pressed within a predetermined time, for example, within 20 seconds or within 10 seconds after the trigger switch 37 is pressed by the user, the trigger switch 47 is pressed. Is detected by the central processing unit 42 (step S3), and the central processing unit 42 shifts to the communication state inspection mode (step S4).

  Next, in the control terminal 3, in the communication state inspection mode, for example, simultaneous transmission from the power line carrier communication processing unit 31 to the controlled terminals 4 connected to the power line 2 according to the control signal from the inquiry processing unit 321. The communication confirmation signal is transmitted by the information, and the time measurement is started by the timer 323 to monitor the time until the communication response signal is returned. (Step S5).

  Next, the communication confirmation signal transmitted from the control terminal 3 is received by the power line carrier communication processing unit 41 of the controlled terminal 4 in the communication state inspection mode among the controlled terminals 4 connected to the power line 2. In response to the control signal from the inquiry processing unit 421, the communication response signal is transmitted from the power line carrier communication processing unit 41 to the control terminal 3 through the power line 2 (step S6), and the controlled response is transmitted. The terminal 4 shifts to the normal mode to operate as a relay terminal (step S7). In the controlled terminal 4, the central processing unit 42 may be configured to cause the timer 423 to count the elapsed time after shifting to the communication state inspection mode and shift to the normal mode after a certain time, for example, 30 seconds. .

  In this case, the user does not know the addresses of the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4 to check the communication state, and the trigger switch 37 of the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4 to check the communication state. By pressing and 47, the communication status can be inspected between the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4.

  Then, in the control terminal 3, when the inquiry processing unit 321 receives the communication response signal from the controlled terminal 4 within the time set by the timer 323 in advance, the communication response signal is successfully received. On the other hand, if the communication response signal from the controlled terminal 4 is not received even when the time measured by the timer 323 exceeds a preset time, it is determined that reception of the communication response signal has failed.

  Furthermore, when the inquiry processing unit 321 determines that the communication processing unit 321 has successfully received the communication response signal, the display unit 35 displays a display screen indicating a determination result indicating that the communication state is good. . On the other hand, when the inquiry processing unit 321 determines that reception of the communication response signal has failed by the determination processing unit 322, a display screen indicating a determination result that the communication state is defective is displayed on the display unit 35. (Step S8).

  In this case, if the display part 35 is comprised by LED, for example, you may make it light, if a communication state is favorable, and may blink if a communication state is bad. Moreover, if the display part 35 is comprised, for example with the liquid crystal display, you may make it display the determination result of a communication state with a message. In addition, for example, an on-state display LED (not shown) for always turning on the operation unit 36 and an off-state display LED (not shown) for displaying the off state are provided. If it is defective, the ON state display LED (not shown) and the OFF state display LED (not shown) may alternately blink at 1 second intervals to notify the communication state determination result. In this case, it is not necessary to separately provide a display unit for displaying the determination result of the communication state in addition to the on-state display LED (not shown) and the off-state display LED (not shown), thereby reducing the cost of the control terminal 3. be able to. In addition, you may make it alert | report the determination result of a communication state with a sound using a buzzer instead of the display part 35. FIG.

  Next, in response to the control signal from the determination processing unit 322, information indicating the determination result of the communication state is transmitted from the power line carrier communication processing unit 31 to the client terminal 7 via the power line 2, the gateway terminal 5, and the network 6. (Step S9). In this case, the power line carrier communication processing unit 31 functions as an example of a notification unit. The determination processing unit 322 may cause the power line carrier communication processing unit 31 to transmit information indicating the determination result of the communication state regardless of whether the determination result of the communication state is good or not. Only when it is defective, the power line carrier communication processing unit 31 may transmit information indicating that the determination result of the communication state is defective.

  Thereby, for example, when the user is away from the control terminal 3 that performed the communication state inspection, or because the control terminal 3 is installed on the back side of the wall or ceiling, the display unit 35 included in the control terminal 3 is provided. Even when it is difficult to visually recognize the display, it is possible to know the determination result of the communication state using a personal computer that is the client terminal 7, a mobile phone, or the like.

  In addition, the determination processing unit 322 may transmit, to the client terminal 7, addresses that are identification information of the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4 that have performed the communication state inspection together with information indicating the communication state determination result.

  The client terminal 7 is composed of, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a memory card that stores a map image showing a floor plan G1 of a building where the power line carrier communication system 1 shown in FIG. 4A is actually installed. An unillustrated map image storage unit, an unillustrated display unit including a liquid crystal display panel for displaying the sketch G1 stored in the map image storage unit, and an address transmitted from the determination processing unit 322 of the control terminal 3 The communication state determination result is received, and based on the address and the determination result, the determination result of the communication state is illustrated on the sketch G1 displayed on the display unit (not shown), for example, using a CPU. It may be a display terminal provided with a control unit (not shown).

In this case, when the client terminal 7 receives, for example, the address of the control terminal 3-A, the address of the controlled terminal 4-A, and information indicating that the determination result of the communication state is good from the control terminal 3 For example, by displaying the arrow G2 shown in FIG. 4B, it may be illustrated that the communication state between the control terminal 3-A and the controlled terminal 4-A is good. As will be described later, for example, the transmission state from the control terminal 3-B to the controlled terminal 4-B is bad and the transmission state from the controlled terminal 4-B to the control terminal 3-B is good. The arrow G3 indicates that the transmission state from the control terminal 3-B to the controlled terminal 4-B is bad by the arrow from the controlled terminal 4-B to the control terminal 3-B. Also good. Note that the display method of the determination result of the communication state is not limited to the arrow, and for example, the color of the communication path may be changed or the thickness of the line of the communication path may be changed according to the determination result.

  Thereby, since the communication state in the power line carrier communication system 1 can be confirmed on the sketch G1, the visibility of the user is improved. In addition, for example, when the communication state is poor due to noise from the home appliance connected to the power line 2, the location where the communication state is bad can be confirmed in the sketch G1, so the user can see the sketch G1 It becomes easy to estimate that the household electrical appliance installed in the vicinity of the defective part is a noise source. And it becomes easy to take measures, such as attaching a noise filter to the household electrical appliance estimated to be a noise source, or changing the installation place of the household electrical appliance.

  Note that the client terminal 7 is not limited to the example connected to the network 6. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the client terminal 7 is connected to the power line 2, and the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal are connected via the power line 2. 4 and power line carrier communication may be possible.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the central processing unit 32 shifts to the normal mode to operate as a switch terminal (step S10). As described above, the operation of steps S1 to S10 allows the power line carrier communication system 1 and the control terminal 3 used therefor to check the communication state in the power line carrier communication. Since it is not necessary to replace the attached control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4 and connect the transmission device for inspection and the reception device to the power line instead, the inspection can be performed easily.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, after the control terminal 3 shifts to the communication state inspection mode in step S2, the control terminal 3 transmits a mode shift signal to the controlled terminal 4 (step S11). When the mode transition signal is received from the mobile station, the communication state inspection mode may be entered (step S4). In this case, since the user can cause the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4 to execute the communication state inspection simply by pressing the trigger switch 37 provided in the control terminal 3, the operation is easy.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the controlled terminal 4 may be configured to shift to the communication state inspection mode (step S4) when receiving the communication confirmation signal in step S5. In this case, since it is not necessary to transmit a mode transition signal from the control terminal 3 to the controlled terminal 4 (step S11), the processing can be simplified.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the controlled terminal 4 may operate in the same manner as the control terminal 3. In FIG. 8, the operations in steps S21, S22, S23, and S24 in the controlled terminal 4 are the same as the operations in steps S5, S6, S8a, and S9a in the control terminal 3, respectively. That is, in the communication state inspection mode, the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4 operate in the same manner.

  In the control terminal 3, when the inquiry processing unit 321 receives a communication confirmation signal from the controlled terminal 4 (step S <b> 21), the power line carrier communication processing unit 31 according to the control signal from the inquiry processing unit 321. A communication response signal is transmitted to the controlled terminal 4 from the power line 2 (step S22). In step S8a in FIG. 8, in the control terminal 3, the inquiry processing unit 321 determines whether or not the communication response signal has been received in the same manner as in step S8 in FIG. 3, and the measurement time by the timer 323 is set in advance. It is confirmed whether or not a communication confirmation signal is received from the controlled terminal 4 within the specified time.

  When the inquiry processing unit 321 determines that the reception of the communication response signal is successful by the determination processing unit 322, the communication state is good in both directions between the control terminal 3 to be inspected and the controlled terminal 4 If the inquiry processing unit 321 determines that reception of the communication response signal has failed and a communication confirmation signal is received from the controlled terminal 4, When the communication state in the direction of transmission from the control terminal 3 to the controlled terminal 4 is determined to be bad, and the inquiry processing unit 321 determines that reception of the communication response signal has failed, and the controlled When the communication confirmation signal is not received from the terminal 4, the communication state in the direction of transmission from the inspection target control terminal 3 to the controlled terminal 4 and / or the inspection target controlled terminal 4 transmits to the control terminal 3. Determined communication state countercurrent is to be defective, the display screen indicating the determination result is displayed on the display unit 35. (Step S8a). Further, information indicating the determination result by the determination processing unit 322 is transmitted to the client terminal 7 (step S9a).

  On the other hand, in the controlled terminal 4 as well, the same processing as in steps S8a and S9a in the control terminal 3 is performed in steps S23 and S24. As a result, the inquiry processing unit 421 receives the communication response signal by the determination processing unit 422. Is determined to be successful, the communication state is determined to be good in both directions between the controlled terminal 4 to be inspected and the control terminal 3, and the inquiry processing unit 421 fails to receive the communication response signal. If the communication confirmation signal is received from the control terminal 3 and the communication state in the direction of transmission from the controlled terminal 4 to be inspected to the control terminal 3 is poor. This is a case where the inquiry processing unit 421 determines that reception of the communication response signal has failed, and the communication confirmation signal has not been received from the control terminal 3 In this case, it is determined that the communication state in the direction of transmission from the controlled terminal 4 to be controlled to the control terminal 3 and / or the communication state in the direction of transmission from the control terminal 3 to be controlled to the controlled terminal 4 is bad. A display screen showing the determination result is displayed on the display unit 45. (Step S23). Further, information indicating the determination result by the determination processing unit 422 is transmitted to the client terminal 7 (step S24).

  Then, the client terminal 7 receives information indicating the determination result of the communication state from the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4. When the information indicating the determination result received from the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4 by the client terminal 7 indicates that the communication state is good in both directions, for example, the arrow G2 in FIG. In this way, an arrow indicating the bidirectional communication between the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4 is displayed, and the communication state in the direction in which the information indicating the determination result received from the control terminal 3 is transmitted from the control terminal 3 to the controlled terminal 4 is In the case of indicating a failure, an arrow indicating only the direction from the controlled terminal 4 to the control terminal 3 is displayed as indicated by an arrow G3 in FIG. 4B, and information received from the controlled terminal 4 is displayed. When the communication state in the direction of transmission from the control terminal 4 to the control terminal 3 is poor, an arrow indicating only the direction from the control terminal 3 to the controlled terminal 4 is displayed contrary to the arrow G3. Terminal 3 and controlled terminal The communication state in the direction in which all the information received from the controlled terminal 4 is transmitted from the controlled terminal 4 to the controlled terminal 3 and / or the communication state in the direction in which the information is transmitted from the control terminal 3 to be controlled to the controlled terminal 4 is poor. In the case of indicating, the arrow is not displayed to indicate that the communication state is bad in both directions.

  Thereby, the quality of the communication state between the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4 can be inspected including the communication direction, and the inspection result can be confirmed on the sketch drawing G1 by the client terminal 7. User visibility is improved.

  Further, the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4 store the communication state determination results in the property information storage units 33 and 43, respectively, and the client terminal 7 accesses each of the control terminals 3 and the controlled terminals 4 The information indicating the determination result of the communication state obtained by each control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4 may be collected and the collected information may be configured as illustrated on the sketch drawing G1.

  In addition, the communication state inspection is not limited to an example in which one communication terminal 3 and one controlled terminal 4 execute one-to-one. For example, as shown in FIG. With respect to each controlled terminal 4, the above-described communication state inspection such as the processing similar to steps S <b> 1 to S <b> 10 in FIG. May be configured to be executed sequentially or simultaneously. Alternatively, an N-to-1 relationship between a plurality of control terminals 3 and a single controlled terminal 4 or an N-to-M relationship between a plurality of control terminals 3 and a plurality of controlled terminals 4 In relation, the above-described communication state inspection may be performed.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a power line carrier communication system according to a second embodiment of the present invention, a control terminal used therefor, and a controlled terminal will be described. The configurations of the power line carrier communication system 1, the control terminal 3, and the controlled terminal 4 according to the present embodiment are shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, and the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4 are the first embodiment. The operation of is different.

  Hereinafter, operations of the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining operations of control terminal 3 and controlled terminal 4 according to the present embodiment. First, similarly to the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 3, the processes of steps S1 to S6 are executed. Further, the inquiry processing unit 321 transmits a communication confirmation signal from the control terminal 3 to the controlled terminal 4 in step S5, and a communication response signal transmission process from the controlled terminal 4 to the control terminal 3 in step S6. Is repeated for a set number of times, for example, 10 times stored in advance in the terminal information management unit 34 (step S31).

  In step S31, the inquiry processing unit 321 counts the number of times it is determined that the communication response signal has been successfully received (step S32). Furthermore, if the number of successful receptions of the communication response signal counted by the inquiry processing unit 321 by the determination processing unit 322 is the number of determinations stored in advance in the terminal information management unit 34, for example, 7 times or more, the communication state is good. On the other hand, if the number of successful receptions of the communication response signal is less than 7, the communication state is determined to be bad, and the determination result is displayed on the display unit 35 (step S8b).

  Since the subsequent operation is the same as the sequence diagram shown in FIG.

  Thus, in the operation shown in the sequence diagram of FIG. 3, when the inquiry process in steps S5 and S6 is accidentally succeeded once or accidentally failed once, communication is performed depending on the success or failure of the one inquiry process. Although the quality of the state is determined, in the operation shown in the sequence diagram of FIG. 10, the number of successful receptions of the communication response signal is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of determinations as a result of executing the inquiry process in steps S5 and S6 multiple times. If it is, the communication state is determined to be good, while if the communication response signal reception success count is less than the preset determination count, the communication status is determined to be bad. Can be improved.

  In addition, the number of successful receptions of the communication response signal is such that the higher the number of times, the better the communication state, and the lower the number of times, the worse the communication state, so this successful reception number is used as an index indicating the quality of the communication state Can be used. For example, by displaying the number of successful receptions on the display unit 35, the user can determine the degree of quality of the communication state. Alternatively, the determination processing unit 322 determines that the communication state is good when the number of successful receptions is 10, the communication state is slightly poor when the number is 9 to 6, the communication state is poor when the number is 5 to 1, and the communication is impossible when the number is 0. You may display on the display part 35. FIG. In this case, if the display unit 35 is an LED, it may be turned off when the communication state is good, blinks at 1 second intervals when the communication state is slightly bad, lighted when the communication state is bad, and communication is impossible. Further, the probability of successful reception instead of the number of times may be displayed on the display unit 35, for example, “communication status 100%”.

  Further, the determination processing unit 322 may transmit the reception success count and the reception success probability to the client terminal 7 in step S9. In this case, the client terminal 7 displays the number of successful receptions and the probability of successful reception as well as changing the color and thickness of the arrows G2 and G3 according to the number of successful receptions, thereby allowing the user to determine whether the communication state is good or bad. Can be visually informed.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a power line carrier communication system according to a third embodiment of the present invention, a control terminal used therefor, and a controlled terminal will be described. The configurations of the power line carrier communication system 1, the control terminal 3, and the controlled terminal 4 according to the present embodiment are shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, and the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4 are the first embodiment. The operation of is different.

  Hereinafter, operations of the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram for explaining operations of control terminal 3 and controlled terminal 4 according to the present embodiment. First, the control terminal 3 operates as a switch terminal in the normal mode (step S41), and the controlled terminal 4 operates as a relay terminal in the normal mode (step S42). In the normal mode, between the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4, a control instruction signal for controlling the operation of the controlled terminal 4 or a communication response indicating that the controlled terminal 4 has received the control instruction signal Various power line carrier communications such as a signal or a state notification signal for notifying the control terminal 3 of the state of the controlled terminal 4 are performed.

  After the power line carrier communication as described above is executed, the elapsed time is counted by the timer 323, and when the elapsed time exceeds a preset time Tw set in the timer 323, for example, 5 minutes (in step S43). YES), the central processing unit 32 shifts to step S2 to shift to the communication state inspection mode, but if power line carrier communication is executed again before the elapsed time exceeds the set time Tw (NO in step S43). Then, the timer 323 is reset, and the routine proceeds to step 41 to continue the operation in the normal mode again. In this case, the central processing unit 32 functions as an activation unit. Thereby, when the state where the power line carrier communication is not executed continues for a preset time Tw, the communication state inspection mode is entered and the communication state inspection such as the inquiry processing by the inquiry processing unit 321 is performed. Executed.

  Next, after the control terminal 3 shifts to the communication state inspection mode in step S2, it transmits a mode shift signal to the controlled terminal 4 (step S11), and the controlled terminal 4 receives the mode shift signal from the control terminal 3. Then, a transition is made to the communication state inspection mode (step S4). Then, the communication state is checked between the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4 (steps S44 and S45). Steps S44 and S45 are, for example, steps S5, S6, S8 and S9 in FIGS. 3, 6 and 9, steps S5, S6, S21, S22, S8a, S9a, S23 and S24 in FIG. 8, and step S5 in FIG. , S 6, S 31, S 32, S 8 b, S 9, etc., are communication state inspection processing including inquiry processing by the inquiry processing unit 321.

  As in the sequence diagram of FIG. 7, the communication confirmation signal in step S5 may be used instead of the mode transition signal in step S11.

  In this case, in order to check the communication state, the user does not perform the operation of pressing the trigger switch 37, and automatically when the state where the power line carrier communication is not executed continues for a preset time Tw. Since the communication state inspection mode is executed by shifting to the communication state inspection mode, the convenience is improved and the user can always grasp the quality of the communication state.

  In addition, when a new home appliance is connected to the power line 2, it is possible to automatically detect a change in the communication state such as a deterioration in the communication state due to the influence of the new home appliance. Based on the determination result, it is easy to take measures such as attaching a noise filter to a new home appliance or changing the installation location.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a control terminal and a controlled terminal according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the control terminal 3 according to the present embodiment, in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the central processing unit 32 further detects whether or not the controlled terminal 4 is in a state capable of executing power line carrier communication. It functions as a communication availability detector. Since other configurations are the same as those of the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4 shown in FIG. 2, description thereof will be omitted, and operations of the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4 according to the present embodiment will be described below. In the following description, the state in which the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4 are capable of executing power line carrier communication is referred to as “survival”, and the state in which power line carrier communication is not possible is referred to as “non-survival”. ".

  FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram for explaining operations of control terminal 3 and controlled terminal 4 according to the present embodiment. First, in the control terminal 3, for example, when the power is turned on by connecting the control terminal 3 to the power line 2 (step S51), a start process is executed by the communication availability detection unit (not shown) (step S52). . In the activation process, communication availability information indicating whether the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4 connected to the power line 2 are alive or non-alive is acquired by a communication availability detection unit (not shown). . First, the communication availability information of the control terminal 3 itself that has been turned on is stored in the terminal information management unit 34 as a live state by a communication availability detection unit (not shown).

  On the other hand, when the controlled terminal 4 is turned on by connecting the controlled terminal 4 to the power line 2, for example (step S53), the central processing unit 42 executes the startup process (step S54). An activation message is transmitted to the control terminal 3 together with the address of the controlled terminal 4 to indicate that the terminal 4 has entered the survival state (step S55), and the communication state inspection mode is entered (step S4).

  In the control terminal 3, the activation message of the controlled terminal 4 and the address of the controlled terminal 4 are received by a communication availability detection unit (not shown), and the address of the controlled terminal 4 is received by the terminal information management unit 34. Correspondingly, the communication availability information of the controlled terminal 4 is stored as the survival state. The central processing unit 32, which is an activation unit, has changed the communication availability information corresponding to the address of the controlled terminal 4 to be controlled stored in the terminal information management unit 34 from the non-survival state to the surviving state. When detected, the central processing unit 32 shifts to the communication state inspection mode to cause the inquiry processing unit 321 to start execution of the inquiry process (step S2).

  Next, as in steps S44 and S45 in FIG. 11, the communication state is inspected between the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4 to be controlled from which a change in communication availability information is detected (step S44). , S45), and then shifts to the normal mode.

  As a result, for example, at the time of initial startup or at the time of recovery from a power failure, the communication state is automatically inspected, so that the user can connect the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4 attached to the power line 2. Instead, it is not necessary to connect the inspection transmission device and the reception device to the power line or to press the trigger switch 37, so that convenience is improved.

  In addition, although the control terminal 3 showed the example which transfers to communication state test | inspection mode after receiving a starting message in step S55, the own communication availability information changes from a non-living state to a living state by the starting process in step S52. After that, it may be configured to shift to the communication state inspection mode.

  Further, the controlled terminal 4 periodically transmits the activation message at intervals of, for example, about 30 seconds to 1 minute, and the communication availability detection unit (not shown) has a fixed period, for example, a period of about 3 minutes, When the activation message is not received, the terminal information management unit 34 may store the communication availability information of the controlled terminal 4 as non-viable. In this case, after the controlled terminal 4 temporarily becomes unable to execute the power line carrier communication, the communication state is automatically checked even when the controlled terminal 4 recovers.

  Then, the controlled terminal 4 transmits a startup message to the control terminal 3 after executing the startup process, and then periodically transmits a survival notification signal notifying that the own terminal is alive to the control terminal 3, The control terminal 3 may be configured to shift to the communication state inspection mode in step S2 by receiving the activation message or the survival notification signal. With this configuration, the controlled terminal 4 is powered on before the control terminal 3, and the activation message is sent from the controlled terminal 4 to the control terminal before the activation process of step S52 in the control terminal 3 ends. 3, the control terminal 3 can shift to the communication state inspection mode in step S2 using the survival notification signal as a trigger.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a control terminal and a controlled terminal according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The control terminal 3 according to the present embodiment differs from the third embodiment in terms of the conditions for shifting to the communication state inspection mode in the control terminal 3, and communication is omitted as in the control terminal 3 according to the fourth embodiment. The availability detection part is provided. Since other configurations are the same as those of the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4 shown in FIG. 2, description thereof will be omitted, and hereinafter, operations of the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the operations of the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4. First, the control terminal 3 operates as a switch terminal in the normal mode (step S41), and the controlled terminal 4 operates as a relay terminal in the normal mode (step S42). In the normal mode, between the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4, a control instruction signal for controlling the operation of the controlled terminal 4 or a communication response indicating that the controlled terminal 4 has received the control instruction signal Various power line carrier communications such as a signal or a state notification signal for notifying the control terminal 3 of the state of the controlled terminal 4 are performed. In addition, a survival notification signal for notifying that the own terminal is alive is periodically sent from the controlled terminal 4 to the controlling terminal 3 at intervals of, for example, about 30 seconds to 1 minute, together with the address of the controlled terminal 4 It is transmitted to the control terminal 3 (step S60).

  Then, the existence notification signal of the controlled terminal 4 and the address of the controlled terminal 4 are received by the communication availability detection unit (not shown) in the control terminal 3, and the address of the controlled terminal 4 is received by the terminal information management unit 34. Correspondingly, the communication availability information of the controlled terminal 4 is stored as the survival state. Further, when the existence notification signal is not received by a communication availability detection unit (not shown) for a certain period, for example, about 3 minutes, the communication availability information of the controlled terminal 4 is stored in the terminal information management unit 34 as non-survival. (Step S61). Alternatively, when the controlled terminal 4 is powered off, the controlled terminal 4 is temporarily operated by a battery, for example, and a non-survival signal for notifying that the controlled terminal 4 is non-surviving and The address of the controlled terminal 4 is transmitted to the control terminal 3, and the communication availability detection unit (not shown) in the control terminal 3 sets the communication availability information of the controlled terminal 4 as non-live when receiving the non-live signal. It is good also as a structure memorize | stored in the terminal information management part 34. FIG.

  Next, the communication processing propriety information corresponding to the address of the controlled terminal 4 to be controlled, which is stored in the terminal information management unit 34, is changed from the non-survival state to the surviving state by the central processing unit 32 which is an activation unit, or The change from the living state to the non-viable state is detected, the number of changes is counted cumulatively, and the count value is stored in the terminal information management unit 34 in association with the address of the controlled terminal 4 ( Step S62).

  Then, the central processing unit 32 compares the count value of the number of changes of the survival / non-survival state stored in the terminal information management unit 34 with a preset number of times, for example, 5 times, and calculates the total number of changes. If the numerical value is less than or equal to the set number of times (NO in step S63), the operations in steps S41 to S63 are repeated again. On the other hand, if the count value of the number of changes exceeds the set number of times (YES in step S63), the total number of changes is calculated. After resetting the numerical value to zero, the process proceeds to the communication state inspection mode, and the process proceeds to step S2 in order to cause the inquiry processing unit 321 to start executing the inquiry process.

  Thereafter, in the same manner as steps S2, S11, S4, S44, and S45 shown in FIG.

  In this case, for example, the controlled terminal 4 that frequently cannot perform power line carrier communication due to the influence of noise or unstable operation increases the number of changes in the survival / non-survival state. The control terminal 4 can be automatically detected to check the communication state.

  Further, the central processing unit 32 displays the address of the controlled terminal 4 whose count value of the number of changes in the survival / non-survival state exceeds the set value on the display unit 35 or transmits the address to the client terminal 7 for display. May be. Accordingly, the user can identify the controlled terminal 4 that is affected by noise or unstable in operation. For example, a noise filter is attached to the controlled terminal 4 or the operation of the controlled terminal 4 is confirmed. It is easy to take measures to improve the communication state, such as

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a control terminal and a controlled terminal according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the control terminal 3 according to the present embodiment, the control terminal 3 according to the present embodiment, and the controlled terminal 4 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the third embodiment is different from the control terminal 3. The conditions for shifting to the communication state inspection mode are different. Since other configurations are the same as those of the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4 shown in FIG. 2, description thereof will be omitted, and operations of the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4 according to the present embodiment will be described below.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining operations of the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4. First, in the normal mode, between the control terminal 3 and the controlled terminal 4, a control instruction signal for controlling the operation of the controlled terminal 4 or that the controlled terminal 4 has received the control instruction signal is indicated. Various power line carrier communications such as a communication response signal or a state notification signal for notifying the control terminal 3 of the state of the controlled terminal 4 are performed (steps S41 and S42).

  Next, when a control instruction signal is output from the control terminal 3 to the controlled terminal 4, the time required for a response until the control response signal is received by the timer 323 is started (step S71). When the controlled terminal 4 receives the control instruction signal, the controlled terminal 4 outputs the control response signal to the control terminal 3, and the control terminal 3 receives the control response signal (step S72). At this time, if the time measured by the timer 323 exceeds the reply setting time set in the timer 323 in advance, for example, 2 seconds (YES in step S73), the central processing unit 32 as the activation unit shifts to the communication state inspection mode. If the control response signal is received before the measured time exceeds the reply setting time (NO in step S73), the process proceeds to step S2 to activate the inquiry processing unit 321 to execute the inquiry process. The timer 323 is reset, and the process proceeds to step 41 to continue the operation in the normal mode again. In step S73, the central processing unit 32 may shift to the communication state inspection mode when a control response signal is not received and a communication error occurs due to a communication timeout.

  As a result, for example, when a communication error occurs due to a delay in communication processing due to an increase in communication load or due to noise or unstable operation, the communication state inspection mode is automatically entered. Thus, the communication status check such as an inquiry process by the inquiry processing unit 321 is executed.

  The control terminal 3 measures the time until the control response signal is returned from the controlled terminal 4 in response to the control instruction signal, and communicates when the measured time exceeds a preset reply setting time. Although an example of executing the state check has been shown, for example, a confirmation signal indicating that the controlled terminal 4 has received the state notification signal from the control terminal 3 in response to the state notification signal transmitted to the control terminal 3 is returned. It is also possible to measure the communication time and to check the communication state when the measured time exceeds a preset reply setting time.

  Further, in step S73, the central processing unit 32 causes the timer 323 to measure the response required time from when the control instruction signal is transmitted until the control response signal is received, to the response required time. The communication state may be checked based on the frequency distribution. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, for example, the reference number of times for each response time is stored in the property information storage unit 33 in advance. In this case, the response time is divided into four categories, for example, when the response time is 500 msec or less, when the response time is 501 msec to 2000 msec, when the response time is 2001 msec or more, and when communication fails. In addition, the property information storage unit 33 stores the number of determination criteria for determining whether or not to shift to the communication state inspection mode based on the number of communications that require a response time corresponding to each category.

  Then, the central processing unit 32 counts the number of communications that required response time corresponding to each category, and when the number of communications exceeds the determination reference number stored in the property information storage unit 33, the communication state The process proceeds to step S2 to shift to the inspection mode. For example, when the required response time is 500 msec or less and 501 msec to 2000 msec, the determination reference count is not set because the communication state is good and it is not necessary to shift to the communication state inspection mode. If the response time is 2001 msec or more, there may be a problem in the communication state. Therefore, the number of determination criteria is set to 20, and the number of communication corresponding to the response time of 2001 msec or more is 20 times or more. In this case, the communication state inspection mode is entered. If communication fails, there is a high possibility that a problem has occurred in the communication state. Therefore, the number of times of determination is set to 5 times, which is smaller than the case where the response time is 2001 msec or more, and communication fails 5 times. Then, a transition to the communication state inspection mode is made.

  As a result, for example, when a communication error occurs due to an increase in communication load or a communication error occurs due to the influence of noise or unstable operation, the communication state inspection mode is automatically entered. Therefore, the communication condition can be set according to the communication performance and the required reliability in the power line carrier communication system 1 by appropriately setting the response time classification and the number of times of determination. It becomes easy to execute the inspection.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the power line carrier communication system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the control terminal shown in FIG. 1, and a controlled terminal. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating operation | movement of the power line carrier communication system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of the client terminal shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows another example of the power line carrier communication system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification of the sequence diagram shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification of the sequence diagram shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification of the sequence diagram shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification of the sequence diagram shown in FIG. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating operation | movement of the power line carrier communication system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating operation | movement of the power line carrier communication system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating operation | movement of the power line carrier communication system which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the power line carrier communication system which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the power line carrier communication system which concerns on the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the response required time memorize | stored in the property information storage part, and the frequency | count of determination criteria.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Power line carrier communication system 2 Power line 3 Control terminal 4 Controlled terminal 5 Gateway terminal 6 Network 7 Client terminal 31 Power line carrier communication processing part 32 Central processing part 33 Property information storage part 34 Terminal information management part 35 Display part 36 Operation part 37 Trigger Switch 321 Query processing unit 322 Judgment processing unit 323 Timer

Claims (8)

In the power line carrier communication terminal device connected to the power line and performing power line carrier communication,
After transmitting a communication confirmation signal for inspecting the communication state of power line carrier communication to another power line carrier communication terminal device connected to the power line, the other power line carrier communication terminal device within a preset time. When the communication response signal indicating that the communication confirmation signal has been received is received, it is determined that the communication response signal has been successfully received, and when the communication response signal is not received, the communication response signal is received. An inquiry processing unit for executing an inquiry process for determining that the
A determination processing unit that determines the quality of the communication state in the power line carrier communication based on the determination result of the inquiry processing by the inquiry processing unit;
An informing unit for informing a determination result by the determination processing unit;
An activation unit that activates execution of the inquiry process;
A power line carrier communication terminal apparatus comprising: The inquiry processing unit repeatedly executes the inquiry process for a predetermined number of inquiries,
The determination processing unit determines that the communication state of the power line carrier communication is good when the number of successful receptions in the inquiry processing repeated by the inquiry processing unit reaches a predetermined number of determinations. The power line carrier communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the communication state of the power line carrier communication is judged as bad when the number of determinations is not reached.   The said starting part makes the said inquiry process part perform the said inquiry process, when the communication state in which the communication of the said power line carrier communication is not performed continues beyond the preset time. Item 3. The power line carrier communication terminal device according to Item 1 or 2. A communication availability detector that detects whether or not the other power line carrier communication terminal device is in a communication state capable of performing power line carrier communication;
When the communication state detected by the communication availability detector changes, the activation unit makes an inquiry to another power line carrier communication terminal device in which the change of the communication state is detected by the inquiry processing unit. The power line carrier communication terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the process is executed. A communication availability detector that detects whether or not the other power line carrier communication terminal device is in a communication state capable of performing power line carrier communication;
The activation unit counts the number of times the communication state detected by the communication availability detection unit has changed with respect to another power line carrier communication terminal device in which the change in the communication state is detected, and the count value is set in advance. 4. When the number exceeds the above, the inquiry processing unit is caused to execute the inquiry processing on another power line carrier communication terminal device for which the number of times is counted. Power line carrier communication terminal device.   The activation unit transmits a communication signal excluding the communication confirmation signal to another power line carrier communication terminal device by the power line carrier communication, and then transmits the communication signal from the other power line carrier communication terminal device within a preset time. The said inquiry process part is made to perform the said inquiry process with respect to the said other power line carrier communication terminal apparatus, when the response signal which shows that the signal was received is not received. 4. The power line carrier communication terminal device according to any one of 3 above. One power line carrier communication terminal device that transmits a communication confirmation signal for inspecting the communication state of power line carrier communication by power line carrier communication;
When the communication confirmation signal is received from the one power line carrier communication terminal device, the other power line carrier communication that transmits a communication response signal indicating that the communication confirmation signal is received to the one power line carrier communication terminal device A power line carrier communication system connected to a terminal device via a power line so that power line carrier communication is possible,
The power line carrier communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the one power line carrier communication terminal device is the power line carrier communication terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The notifying unit in the one power line carrier communication terminal device includes identification information for identifying the power line carrier communication terminal device and the other power line carrier communication terminal device that are subject to the inquiry process by the inquiry processor, and the determination The result is notified by transmitting by power line carrier communication,
Map image storage for storing a map image representing a connection relationship between the power line carrier communication terminal device and the other power line carrier communication terminal device, which is communicably connected to the power line carrier communication terminal device via a power line. A display unit that displays a map image stored in the map image storage unit, identification information and a determination result transmitted from the notification unit, and based on the received identification information and the determination result The power line carrier communication system according to claim 7, further comprising a display terminal including a control unit that displays on a display unit whether the communication state in the power line carrier communication is good or bad on a map image.

Images