JP2012195168A - Load controller equipped with human body sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control consumption of a battery housed in a sensor part in a load controller about which the sensor part equipped with a human body sensor is separated from a main body of the load controller and a detection signal is transmitted and received between the sensor part and the main body by radio using a radio wave.SOLUTION: A first radio communication unit 13 transmits a detection signal two times at the same frequency and two times at a different frequency, i.e., four times in total at two different frequencies to a second radio communication unit 22 in a main body 2 located distant from a sensor part 1 in response to the first detection of presence of a human when a human body sensor 11 has detected presence of the human. When the second radio communication unit 22 receives the detection signal, it transmits a response signal to the first radio communication unit 13. When the first radio communication unit 13 has received the response signal, it transmits a response signal once at each of two frequencies, i.e., twice in total while the human body sensor 11 keeps on detecting presence of the human.

Description

  The present invention relates to a load control device that includes a human body sensor and is capable of controlling a load such as a lighting device in accordance with detection of a person by the human body sensor, and in particular, the human body sensor is separated from the load control device body. The present invention relates to a device that transmits and receives a detection signal wirelessly using radio waves.

  Conventionally, the present applicant has commercialized a load control device that includes a human body sensor and activates a load such as a lighting device or a ventilation fan when the human body sensor detects the presence of a person (Non-Patent Document 1). reference). A conventional load control device equipped with a human body sensor is installed on a construction surface (for example, a wall of a building or a toilet), and when a human presence is detected in the detection area of the human body sensor, Turn on the device and activate a ventilation fan if necessary. The human body sensor detects whether or not a person is present in the detection region, and when a person is present, the output signal thereof is changed. The control unit of the load control device resets the timer according to a change in the output signal from the human body sensor and continues the load activation state for a certain time.

  In the conventional load control device including the human body sensor, the human body sensor is provided in the main body of the load control device. Therefore, depending on the installation location of the load control device, the detection area of the human body sensor may actually There is a case where the region where the presence of a person is to be detected does not match. On the other hand, there is a desire to replace an existing load control device with this human body sensor without carrying out complicated wiring work. Therefore, the present applicant separates the sensor unit including the human body sensor from the main body of the load control device, and transmits and receives detection signals between the human body sensor and the main body of the load control device via the wireless communication device. (See Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 2).

  When using infrared signals as wireless communication means between the sensor unit and the main unit of the load control device, if there is an obstacle between the sensor unit and the main unit, transmission and reception of the detection signal is performed reliably. There is a possibility not to be broken. Therefore, even if the human body sensor detects the presence of a person, a load, for example, a lighting device may not be turned on immediately. Therefore, in recent years, it has been proposed to use a specific low-power radio wave as a wireless communication means between the sensor unit and the main body of the load control device.

JP 2006-253092 A

Panasonic Electric Works Electrical Equipment Catalog 2010-2012 Page 110 Panasonic Electric Works Electrical Equipment Catalog 2010-2012, page 55

  When the sensor unit including the human body sensor is separated from the main body of the load control device, the power of the sensor unit is supplied from the built-in battery, so that it is necessary to reduce battery consumption as much as possible. Therefore, a signal is transmitted from the sensor unit to the main body unit at regular time intervals. In the specific low power wireless communication, since the transmission output of the radio signal is small, there may be a case where the radio reception unit on the main body side cannot receive the signal reliably depending on the radio wave environment. For this reason, some conventional load control devices are configured to transmit detection signals from the sensor unit to the main body unit twice at the same frequency. Also, in response to inability to receive due to environmental noise fluctuations or radio wave interference with other wireless communication devices, the detection signal is transmitted twice at the same frequency and four times at two different frequencies. Some are configured. Furthermore, in order to ensure the transmission / reception of the detection signal, there has been proposed one that transmits a response signal (acknowledgement signal) from the main body to the sensor. Regarding the actual power consumption, the power consumption by the wireless transmission device is much larger than the power consumption by the human body sensor. Therefore, in order to suppress battery consumption, it is effective to reduce power consumption by the wireless transmission device. However, if the transmission interval of the detection signal is increased in order to reduce the power consumption by the wireless transmission device, for example, the lighting device is not immediately turned on even though the human body sensor detects the presence of a person. Inconvenience occurs.

  The present invention provides a load control device in which a sensor unit including a human body sensor is separated from a main body of a load control device, and a detection signal and a response signal are transmitted and received between the sensor unit and the main body by radio using radio waves. An object of the present invention is to suppress the consumption of the battery built in the sensor unit.

  In order to achieve the above object, a load control device including a human body sensor according to the present invention includes a sensor unit including a human body sensor and a main body unit including a load control unit, and the human body sensor includes a human body sensor. When the presence of the first person is detected, the detection signal is transmitted from the sensor unit to the main body unit twice at the same frequency and multiple times at different frequencies according to the detection of the presence of the first person. While the human body sensor continues to detect the presence of a person, the detection signal is transmitted to the load control unit once at a plurality of frequencies at a predetermined time interval or at a timing different from the predetermined interval. The body part transmits a response signal to the sensor part after receiving the detection signal.

In addition, a load control device provided with a human body sensor according to the present invention,
A human body sensor for detecting whether or not a person is present in a predetermined detection area, and a first control for outputting a predetermined detection signal at a first predetermined time interval when the human body sensor detects the presence of a person And a first wireless communication unit that transmits the detection signal at the first predetermined time interval or at a timing different from the first predetermined time interval when the detection signal is output from the signal output unit. Sensor unit,
A second wireless communication unit that receives the detection signal transmitted from the wireless transmission unit; and a first timer that resets a timer each time the second wireless communication unit receives the detection signal, connected to a load A second control unit that counts a second predetermined time longer than the time, activates the load during the counting of the second predetermined time, and stops the load at the end of the counting of the second predetermined time. The main body part
When the human body sensor detects the presence of a person after not detecting the presence of a person in the predetermined detection area for a period of time equal to or longer than the second predetermined time, the first wireless communication unit Transmitting the detection signal twice at different frequencies within a third predetermined time shorter than the second predetermined time,
The second control unit outputs a response signal when the second wireless communication unit receives the detection signal, and the second wireless communication unit transmits the response signal to the first wireless communication unit. And
While the first wireless communication unit receives the response signal at least once and the human body sensor continues to detect the presence of a person, the first wireless communication unit is within the third predetermined time. Alternatively, the detection signal is transmitted once at a plurality of different frequencies within a fourth predetermined time different from the third predetermined time.

  When the first wireless communication unit does not receive the response signal within the first predetermined time after transmitting the detection signal once at the first frequency and further transmitting once at the second frequency. When transmitting a detection signal next time, it is preferable to transmit the detection signal twice at a plurality of different frequencies within a third predetermined time.

  The second wireless communication unit transmits the response signal twice at the plurality of different frequencies within the third predetermined time regardless of the number of detection signals received within the third predetermined time. It is preferable.

  When the second wireless communication unit does not receive the detection signal for a period equal to or longer than the second predetermined time and then receives the detection signal, the response signal is different within the third predetermined time. While transmitting twice at a plurality of frequencies and continuously receiving the detection signal within the second predetermined time, the response signal is transmitted within the third predetermined time or within the fourth predetermined time. It is preferable to transmit once each at a plurality of different frequencies.

  When the human body sensor no longer detects the presence of a person, the first control unit outputs a non-detection signal, and the first wireless communication unit outputs the non-detection signal within the third predetermined time. It is preferable to transmit twice at each of the plurality of different frequencies.

  The first control unit detects the presence of a person after the human body sensor does not detect the presence of a person in the predetermined detection area for a period equal to or longer than the second predetermined time. Preferably, the detection signal is output twice as many as the plurality, and the detection signal is output only a plurality of times while the human body sensor continues to detect the presence of a person.

  It is possible to install a plurality of the main body units with respect to one sensor unit, and the second wireless communication unit of the main body unit has the plurality of the frequency as the frequency for transmitting and receiving the detection signal and the response signal. It is preferable that any one of the frequencies is set.

  Further, it is preferable that the second predetermined time is not less than twice the first predetermined time.

  The human body sensor is preferably a heat ray infrared sensor.

  Alternatively, the human body sensor is preferably a human recognition sensor including an imaging device and an image processing device.

  According to the present invention, while the human body sensor continues to detect the presence of a person in the detection area, the first wireless communication unit of the sensor unit is changed to the second wireless communication unit of the main body unit as compared with the conventional one. It is possible to reduce the total number of detection signals transmitted. As a result, consumption of the battery built in the sensor unit can be suppressed, and the frequency of battery replacement can be reduced. In particular, when a person continues to exist in the detection region for a long time, the effect is remarkable. Further, since the detection signal is transmitted and received using radio, the detection signal can be transmitted and received with higher probability than when using the infrared rays even if the user is in front of the radio reception unit of the load control device.

The perspective view which shows the installation state of the load control apparatus provided with the human body detection sensor which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The front view which shows the external appearance of the main-body part of the said load control apparatus. Front sectional drawing which shows the structure of the sensor part of the said load control apparatus. The figure which shows the block configuration of the said load control apparatus. The timing chart which shows operation | movement of a load control apparatus when the operation mode of the said load control apparatus is an automatic mode, and signal transmission / reception is performed normally. The timing chart which shows the operation | movement of the modification of the load control apparatus when a response signal cannot be received in the said automatic mode. The timing chart which shows operation | movement of the modification of the load control apparatus when a detection signal cannot be received in the said automatic mode. It is a timing chart which shows operation | movement of the modification of a load control apparatus when the operation mode of the said load control apparatus is an automatic mode. It is a timing chart which shows operation | movement of the other modification of the load control apparatus when a detection signal cannot be received in the automatic mode of the said modification. It is a timing chart which shows operation | movement of the other modification of the load control apparatus when the operation mode of the said load control apparatus is an automatic mode. It is a timing chart which shows the operation | movement in the other application example of the said load control apparatus.

  A load control device including a human body sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows the installation state of the load control device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows the front appearance of the main body of the load control device. FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the sensor unit of this load control device. Further, FIG. 4 shows a block configuration of a load control device including a sensor unit and a main body unit. 5 to 10 are timing charts showing an operation example of the load control device when the operation mode of the load control device is set to the automatic mode. In the following description, only the lighting device is illustrated as the load to be controlled. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the fan and other loads can be controlled.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the load control device includes a sensor unit 1 and a main body unit 2, and the sensor unit 1 is separated from the main body unit 2. The main body 2 is installed on a construction surface (wall surface of the entrance in the figure) such as a wall of a building or a toilet, for example, and is connected to a lighting device (load) 3 via a wiring 4 installed on the back side of the wall. It is connected. On the other hand, the sensor unit 1 can be installed at an arbitrary place by a user, and is attached to a ceiling portion or the like, for example, with a double-sided adhesive tape, an adhesive, a screw or the like. The sensor unit 1 is driven by a built-in battery, and transmits and receives signals to and from the main body unit 2 using radio waves. Therefore, wiring work between the sensor unit 1 and the main body unit 2 is not necessary.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an operation mode changeover switch 20 is provided in the main body 2 of the load control device, and the operation mode of the load control device is switched depending on the position of the operation handle 21. The load control device is a constant activation mode in which the lighting device (load) 3 is always lit (activated), and an automatic mode in which the illumination device 3 is lit only when the human body sensor provided in the sensor unit 1 detects the presence of a person. In addition, a constant stop mode in which the constant illumination device 3 is turned off (stopped) is provided. In FIG. 2, the “continuous on”, “automatic”, and “off” positions of the operation handle 21 of the operation mode changeover switch 20 correspond to the always-on mode, the automatic mode, and the always-stop mode, respectively. It should be noted that the main body 2 of the load control device is not provided with a human body sensor.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the sensor unit 1 includes, for example, a human body sensor (including an illuminance sensor) 11, a first control unit (signal output unit) 12, and a first wireless unit provided in the center of the housing 10. A communication unit 13, a battery 14, an antenna 15 and the like are included. The human body sensor 11 always detects whether or not a person is present in a predetermined detection area. The human body detection sensor 11 is, for example, a hot-wire infrared detection sensor, and its output signal changes when it receives infrared radiation emitted from a human body. That is, the presence of a person in a predetermined detection area is detected by changing the output of the human body sensor 11. When the output of the human body sensor 11 changes, the first control unit 12 functioning as a signal output unit outputs a predetermined detection signal. By the way, since the sensor unit 1 is driven by the power source of the battery 14, it is important to suppress the consumption of the battery 14. Therefore, the first control unit 12 outputs detection signals at regular intervals (first predetermined time intervals). When the detection signal is output from the first control unit 12, the first wireless communication unit 13 functions as a wireless transmission unit, and transmits the detection signal toward the main body unit 2 of the load control device using radio waves. The first control unit 12 includes a general CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like, and includes a timer function and a memory function. Even if the detection signal is not output, another signal (for example, a non-detection signal) may be transmitted from the first wireless communication unit 13 to the second wireless communication unit 22.

  The main body 2 of the load control device includes a second wireless communication unit 22, a second control unit (load control unit) 23, and the like. The second wireless communication unit 22 receives the detection signal transmitted from the first wireless communication unit 13 of the sensor unit 1 and transmits a response signal to the first wireless communication unit 13 when receiving the detection signal or the like. . The second control unit 23 functions as a load control unit, and controls lighting and extinguishing (starting and stopping) of the lighting device (load) 3 in accordance with the setting of the operation mode changeover switch 20 or reception of the detection signal. The second control unit 23 uses an electronic switch such as a triac as a main opening / closing unit, and includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and has a timer function, a memory function, and the like.

  When this load control device is installed in a place where a person stays for a certain period of time, such as an entrance or a toilet, for example, the human body sensor 11 continues to detect the presence of a person. On the other hand, when the load control device is installed in a place where a person passes, such as a corridor or a staircase, the human body sensor 11 detects the presence of the person only once by the passage of the person. Therefore, after receiving the detection signal, the second control unit 23 turns on the lighting device 3 for an arbitrary predetermined time set by the user (second predetermined time described later), and newly generates a detection signal within the predetermined time. Upon receipt, the timer count is reset.

  The second predetermined time can be arbitrarily set by the user by adjusting a time setting switch (time adjustment volume). The time setting switch for setting the second predetermined time may be provided in either the sensor unit 1 or the main body unit 2. When the time setting switch is provided in the sensor unit 1, lighting time information is transmitted as the detection signal together with a command to turn on the lighting device 3. On the other hand, when the time setting switch is provided in the main body 2, a command for turning on the lighting device 3 may be transmitted as the detection signal. By adjusting this time setting switch, the third predetermined time can be set to an arbitrary time between 10 seconds and 10 minutes, for example.

  The first wireless communication unit 13 and the second wireless communication unit 22 perform transmission / reception of detection signals and the like by radio waves using, for example, a specific low power wireless communication method. In specific low power wireless communication, a specific frequency is shared by a plurality of wireless communication devices. Therefore, when trying to transmit the detection signal, the first wireless communication unit 13 and the second wireless communication unit 22 determine whether another wireless communication device is transmitting a radio wave of the specific frequency. And when the other radio | wireless communication apparatus is not transmitting the electromagnetic wave of the specific frequency, the 1st radio | wireless communication part 13 and the 2nd radio | wireless communication part 22 transmit a detection signal or a response signal rapidly. On the other hand, when other wireless communication devices are transmitting radio waves of the specific frequency, the first wireless communication unit 13 and the second wireless communication unit 22 transmit a detection signal after a predetermined time has elapsed. In specific low-power wireless communication, since a specific frequency is shared by a plurality of wireless communication devices, there is a limit on the time (transmittable time) during which each wireless communication device can continuously transmit radio waves. (For example, continuously within 5 seconds). In addition, in order to give another radio communication device an opportunity to transmit radio waves, the first radio communication unit 13 and the second radio communication unit 22 use a certain transmission prohibition time (for example, 2 seconds) after transmitting the detection signal, Cannot be sent. That is, even when there is no wireless device that transmits a signal with a large amount of data near the load control device, the first wireless communication unit 13 and the second wireless communication unit 22 send the detection signal or the response signal. After transmission, the next detection signal or response signal cannot be transmitted for at least a certain transmission prohibition time. Accordingly, the first predetermined time is set to be at least a waiting time for periodically transmitting the detection signal or the response signal. In addition, when used for controlling a limited type of load like this load control device, even if it interferes with a transmission signal with another wireless communication device and fails to transmit a detection signal, there is a particular problem. Does not occur. Therefore, when transmitting the detection signal or the response signal, it is not always necessary to determine whether another wireless communication device is transmitting a radio wave of the specific frequency.

  In the specific low-power wireless communication, since the transmission output of the wireless signal is small, the second wireless communication unit 22 may not be able to reliably receive the signal depending on the radio wave environment. For this reason, there is also a load control device that is configured to transmit a detection signal twice at the same frequency, changing the frequency a total of four times. In the load control device according to the present embodiment, in order to suppress battery consumption, while the human body sensor 11 continues to detect the presence of a person in the detection area, the first wireless communication unit 13 of the sensor unit 1 is connected to the main body. The total number of detection signal transmissions transmitted to the second wireless communication unit 22 of the unit 2 is reduced. Specifically, after the human body sensor 11 has not detected the presence of a person for a certain period of time, when the presence of a person is first detected, a detection signal is sent from the sensor unit 1 to the main body 2 twice at the same frequency. Transmit four times at two different frequencies. On the other hand, while the human body sensor 11 continues to detect the presence of a person, a detection signal 2 is sent from the sensor unit 1 to the main body unit 2 at a first predetermined time interval or at a timing different from the first predetermined interval. Transmit twice at a frequency once.

  Next, the operation of the load control device in the automatic mode will be described with reference to the timing chart shown in FIG. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, it is assumed that a time setting switch is provided in the main body 2 and a command to turn on the lighting device 3 is transmitted as a detection signal.

  After the human body sensor 11 does not detect the presence of a person in the detection area for a predetermined period, when detecting the presence of a person for the first time, that is, when turning on the lighting device 3 that has been turned off, It is necessary to reliably transmit from the sensor unit 1 to the main body unit 2. Therefore, the first wireless communication unit 13 of the sensor unit 1 transmits the detection signal twice at the first frequency within the third predetermined time shorter than the first predetermined time, and further detects at the second frequency. Send the signal twice. That is, the detection signal is transmitted four times in total. Depending on whether the entire signal transmitted from the first wireless communication unit 13 is defined as a detection signal or only the payload portion is defined as a detection signal, the first wireless communication unit 13 transmits one detection signal. The time required for this is about 100 milliseconds. In general, the first wireless communication unit 13 continuously transmits the detection signal four times. However, it is not always necessary to transmit the detection signal continuously, and the first wireless communication unit 13 may transmit the detection signal with a certain time interval. In addition, according to the latter definition, the detection signal is transmitted after a certain time. In this case, the time required to transmit the detection signal four times is about 400 milliseconds to 1 second. The time required for this detection signal to be transmitted four times is defined as a third predetermined time. The detection signal is output from the first control unit (sensor control unit) 12 in response to detection of the presence of a person by the human body sensor 11, and in this case, the first control unit 12 outputs the detection signal four times in succession. It shall be. The first wireless communication unit 13 transmits the four detection signals output from the first control unit 12 within the transmittable time. When the second wireless communication unit 22 of the main body 2 receives the detection signal transmitted from the first wireless communication unit 13 of the sensor unit 1, the second control unit 23 turns on the lighting device 3. At this time, the second wireless communication unit 22 only needs to receive any one of the four detection signals transmitted from the first wireless communication unit 13.

  When the second wireless communication unit 22 receives the detection signal transmitted from the first wireless communication unit 13, the second control unit 23 outputs a response signal. The second wireless communication unit 22 transmits this response signal to the first wireless communication unit 13. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 5, regardless of the number of detection signals, the second control unit 23 outputs the response signal four times, and the second wireless communication unit 22 outputs the response signal within the third predetermined time. It transmits twice at the frequency and further transmits twice at the second frequency.

  A response signal is transmitted from the second wireless communication unit 22 of the main body 2, the first wireless communication unit 13 of the sensor unit 1 receives the response signal within a first predetermined time, and a person detects the human body sensor 11. When remaining in the area, the human body sensor 11 detects the presence of a person, and the first controller 12 outputs a detection signal at a first predetermined interval. In this case, the first control unit 12 outputs the detection signal twice. The first wireless communication unit 13 transmits the detection signal once at the first frequency within the third predetermined time or within a fourth predetermined time different from the third predetermined time, and further transmits once at the second frequency. To do. As described above, the second predetermined time for lighting the lighting device 3 is longer than the first predetermined time. If the shortest settable time of the second predetermined time is set to at least twice as long as the first predetermined time, the second wireless communication unit 22 can perform the first wireless communication while the lighting device 3 is lit in the automatic mode. The detection signal from the unit 13 can be received at least four times. In this case, the lighting device 3 is already turned on, and even if the detection signal transmitted from the first wireless communication unit 13 is not received by the second wireless communication unit 22, the lighting device 3 is not immediately turned off. If the response signal is not received within the first predetermined time after the detection signal is transmitted four times, it is considered that the communication state is bad and the detection signal is not received by the second wireless communication unit 22. Therefore, the 1st control part 12 outputs a detection signal 4 times. The first wireless communication unit 13 transmits the detection signal twice at the first frequency and further twice at the second frequency within the third predetermined time.

  In FIG. 6, the detection signal from the first wireless communication unit 13 is received by the second wireless communication unit 22, but the response signal from the second wireless communication unit 22 is not received by the first wireless communication unit 13. Shows the behavior of the case. FIG. 7 shows the operation when the detection signal from the first wireless communication unit 13 is not received by the second wireless communication unit 22 and the response signal from the second wireless communication unit 22 is not transmitted. . As described above, even if the detection signal is not received by the main body unit 2 once, the lighting device 3 is not immediately turned off, and no particular problem occurs. However, in these two cases, it is considered that the communication state has deteriorated. Therefore, when the detection signal is transmitted next, the first control unit 12 outputs the detection signal four times, and the first wireless communication unit 13 outputs the detection signal at the first frequency within the third predetermined time. You may comprise so that it may transmit twice and further transmit twice with a 2nd frequency. Thereby, the detection signal can be transmitted from the sensor unit 1 to the main body unit 2 more reliably.

  When the second wireless communication unit 22 receives the detection signal, the second control unit 23 starts counting the second predetermined time, and resets the count value when the second predetermined time has already been counted. Redo the count. Further, the second controller 23 keeps the lighting device 3 on while the timer counts the second predetermined time. Then, after the human body sensor 11 no longer detects the presence of a person and receives the last detection signal, the second control unit 23 turns off the lighting device 3 when the second predetermined time is counted.

  In this way, the human body sensor 11 transmits a detection signal twice at two different frequencies for a total of four times only when the presence of a person is detected for the first time after the person has not detected the presence for a predetermined period of time. While the human body sensor continues to detect the presence of a person, it transmits twice at two frequencies once in total. Thereby, as compared with the conventional one, while the human body sensor continues to detect the presence of a person in the detection area, the first wireless communication unit 13 of the sensor unit 1 to the second wireless communication unit 22 of the main body unit 2. The total number of transmissions of the detection signal transmitted to can be reduced. As a result, consumption of the battery 14 built in the sensor unit 1 can be suppressed, and the frequency of battery replacement can be reduced. In particular, when a person continues to exist in the detection region for a long time, the effect is remarkable. The “predetermined period” may be a period equal to or longer than the second predetermined time.

  FIG. 8 shows a configuration example in which the number of response signals transmitted from the main unit 2 to the sensor unit 1 is reduced while the human body sensor continues to detect the presence of a person in the detection area. When the main body 2 is a two-wire load control device connected in series between a load and a power supply, the self-power supply of the main body 2 is secured even when the lighting device 3 as a load is turned off. In order to do so, a minute current flows through the illumination device 3. In recent years, lighting devices using LEDs and the like have become widespread, and when the power consumed by the main body 2 of the load control device increases, the current flowing through the lighting device 3 increases, and troubles such as lighting of the LED may occur. There is sex. Therefore, it is desirable to make the power consumption of the main body 2 of the load control device as small as possible when the lighting device 3 is turned off. Therefore, while the second wireless communication unit 22 continuously receives the detection signal within the second predetermined time, the response signal is transmitted once at the first frequency within the third predetermined time or within the fourth predetermined time. You may comprise so that it may transmit and may also transmit once with a 2nd frequency. Thereby, the total number of transmissions of the response signal transmitted from the main body 2 is reduced, and the power consumption by the main body 2 of the load control device can be reduced. As shown in FIG. 9, when the communication state is poor and the first wireless communication unit 13 cannot receive the response signal, the next time the detection signal is transmitted, the detection signal is transmitted within the third predetermined time. It may be configured to transmit twice at the frequency and further transmit twice at the second frequency.

  FIG. 10 shows a timing chart in the case where the sensor unit 1 is provided with a time setting switch, and lighting time information is transmitted as a detection signal together with a command to turn on the lighting device 3. Each time the second wireless communication unit 22 receives the detection signal, the second control unit 23 resets the count value of the timer, counts the second predetermined time according to the lighting time information included in the detection signal, and outputs the second predetermined time. During the time counting, the lighting device 3 is turned on. When the human body sensor 11 no longer detects the presence of a person in the predetermined detection area, a non-detection signal (in this case, a turn-off signal) is sent from the sensor unit 1 to the main body unit 2 instead of a detection signal. 3 Transmitted twice at the first frequency and further transmitted twice at the second frequency within a predetermined time. The second control unit 23 of the main body unit 2 may be configured to turn off the lighting device 3 after the fifth predetermined time has elapsed when the second wireless communication unit 22 receives this non-detection signal. The fact that the human body sensor 11 no longer detects the presence of a person means that the person is moving away from the detection area. Therefore, the fifth predetermined time may differ depending on the setting of the second predetermined time. It may be the same time or a shorter time. In this way, the lighting device 3 is reliably turned on by transmitting important signals related to turning on and off of the lighting device 3 such as the first detection signal and the non-detection signal twice at different frequencies for a total of four times. And can be turned off. In addition, when the communication state is poor and the first wireless communication unit 13 cannot receive the response signal, when transmitting the detection signal next time, the detection signal is transmitted twice at the first frequency within the third predetermined time, Further, it may be configured to transmit twice at the second frequency.

  FIG. 11 is a timing chart in the case where a plurality of main bodies 2 exist for one sensor unit 1 and the lighting devices 3 are turned on when the human body sensor 11 of the sensor unit 1 detects the presence of a person. Is shown. Here, two main body sections 2 and two illumination devices 3 are installed, and the second wireless communication section 22 of each main body section 2 is replaced with a 2-1 wireless communication section, a 2-2 wireless communication section, The lighting devices are a first lighting device and a second lighting device. In addition, when the two main body units 2 are installed, the frequencies for transmitting and receiving the detection signal and the response signal are registered, the 2-1 wireless communication unit is the first frequency, and the 2-2 wireless communication unit is It is assumed that a detection signal is awaited and a response signal is transmitted at the second frequency. Moreover, you may comprise so that the receiving frequency of a 2-1 radio | wireless communication part and a 2-2 radio | wireless communication part can switch a 1st frequency and a 2nd frequency suitably. Further, the response signal may be transmitted twice, or, similar to the detection signal from the sensor unit 1, the response signal is transmitted only once while the detection signal is continuously received within the second predetermined time. You may make it do.

  According to such a configuration, a plurality of lighting devices 3 can be controlled by one sensor unit 1 and a plurality of main body units 2. In addition, by registering in advance the frequency at which the second wireless communication unit 22 of each main unit 2 transmits and receives signals, the first control unit of the sensor unit 1 transmits a response signal from which main unit 2, It is possible to identify which body unit 2 has not received the response signal. Then, when a response signal from any of the main body units 2 cannot be received, the detection signal may be transmitted twice at two different frequencies for a total of four times. Alternatively, when a response signal from any of the main body units 2 cannot be received, the detection signal is transmitted twice at that frequency only to the main body unit 2 that has not received the response signal. Also good. Furthermore, the number of installable main body portions 2 is not limited to two, and may be three or more. In that case, you may comprise so that a detection signal and a response signal may be transmitted / received from a sensor part with three or more frequencies.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to description of the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible. In the above embodiment, the case where the detection signal and the response signal are transmitted and received at the two frequencies of the first frequency and the second frequency between the sensor unit and the main body unit has been described, but the frequency may be three or more. Further, two or more wireless communication units may be provided in one main body unit, and the detection signal and the response signal may be transmitted and received at different frequencies. Further, the human body sensor is not limited to the heat ray infrared sensor, and may be a human recognition sensor including an imaging device and an image processing device. As is well known, the hot-wire infrared detection sensor has an advantage that the structure is simple, but also has a drawback that it reacts even when a heat source other than a person such as a pet passes through the detection region. . A human recognition sensor including an imaging device and an image processing device has a disadvantage that the structure and image processing are complicated, but has an advantage that it does not react to a heat source other than a human.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sensor part (of load control apparatus) 2 Main body part (of load control apparatus) 3 Illumination device (load)
11 Human Body Sensor 12 First Control Unit (Signal Output Unit)
Reference Signs List 13 First wireless communication unit 20 Operation mode changeover switch 21 Operation handle 22 Second wireless communication unit 23 Second control unit (load control unit)

Claims (11)

  It is composed of a sensor unit having a human body sensor and a main body unit having a load control unit, and when the human body sensor detects the presence of a person, in response to detection of the first person's presence, from the sensor unit While the detection signal is transmitted to the main body part twice at the same frequency and multiple times at different frequencies, and thereafter the human body sensor continues to detect the presence of a person, at predetermined time intervals or at predetermined intervals The detection signal is transmitted to the load control unit once at the plurality of frequencies at a timing different from the interval, and the main body unit receives the detection signal and then sends a response signal to the sensor unit. A load control device comprising a human body sensor characterized by transmitting. A human body sensor for detecting whether or not a person is present in a predetermined detection area, and a first control for outputting a predetermined detection signal at a first predetermined time interval when the human body sensor detects the presence of a person And a first wireless communication unit that transmits the detection signal at the first predetermined time interval or at a timing different from the first predetermined time interval when the detection signal is output from the signal output unit. Sensor unit,
A second wireless communication unit that receives the detection signal transmitted from the wireless transmission unit; and a first timer that resets a timer each time the second wireless communication unit receives the detection signal, connected to a load A second control unit that counts a second predetermined time longer than the time, activates the load during the counting of the second predetermined time, and stops the load at the end of the counting of the second predetermined time. The main body part
When the human body sensor detects the presence of a person after not detecting the presence of a person in the predetermined detection area for a period of time equal to or longer than the second predetermined time, the first wireless communication unit Transmitting the detection signal twice at different frequencies within a third predetermined time shorter than the second predetermined time,
The second control unit outputs a response signal when the second wireless communication unit receives the detection signal, and the second wireless communication unit transmits the response signal to the first wireless communication unit. And
While the first wireless communication unit receives the response signal at least once and the human body sensor continues to detect the presence of a person, the first wireless communication unit is within the third predetermined time. Alternatively, the load control device including a human body sensor, wherein the detection signal is transmitted once at a plurality of different frequencies within a fourth predetermined time different from the third predetermined time.   When the first wireless communication unit does not receive the response signal within the first predetermined time after transmitting the detection signal once at the first frequency and further transmitting once at the second frequency. 3. The human body sensor according to claim 2, wherein when the detection signal is transmitted next, the detection signal is transmitted twice at a plurality of different frequencies within a third predetermined time. 4. Load control device provided.   The second wireless communication unit transmits the response signal twice at the plurality of different frequencies within the third predetermined time regardless of the number of detection signals received within the third predetermined time. A load control device comprising the human body sensor according to claim 2 or 3.   When the second wireless communication unit does not receive the detection signal for a period equal to or longer than the second predetermined time and then receives the detection signal, the response signal is different within the third predetermined time. While transmitting twice at a plurality of frequencies and continuously receiving the detection signal within the second predetermined time, the response signal is transmitted within the third predetermined time or within the fourth predetermined time. 4. The load control device having a human body sensor according to claim 2, wherein transmission is performed once at each of the plurality of different frequencies.   When the human body sensor no longer detects the presence of a person, the first control unit outputs a non-detection signal, and the first wireless communication unit outputs the non-detection signal within the third predetermined time. The load control device including the human body sensor according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein transmission is performed twice at each of the plurality of different frequencies.   The first control unit detects the presence of a person after the human body sensor does not detect the presence of a person in the predetermined detection area for a period equal to or longer than the second predetermined time. The detection signal is output by a plurality of times, and the detection signal is output only a plurality of times while the human body sensor continues to detect the presence of a person. A load control device comprising the human body sensor according to claim 6.   It is possible to install a plurality of the main body units with respect to one sensor unit, and the second wireless communication unit of the main body unit has the plurality of the frequency as the frequency for transmitting and receiving the detection signal and the response signal. The load control device including the human body sensor according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein any one of the frequencies is set.   The load control device with a human body sensor according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the second predetermined time is at least twice as long as the first predetermined time.   The load control device including the human body sensor according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the human body sensor is a hot-wire infrared sensor.   10. The load control device including a human body sensor according to claim 2, wherein the human body sensor is a human recognition sensor including an imaging device and an image processing device. 11.

Images