JP2017175508A - Communication device and monitoring system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication device and a monitoring system using the same, capable of improving the reliability of a monitoring result by the monitoring device.SOLUTION: A power supply unit 13 receives power supply from a battery 15 and an external power supply 5, to generate the operation power of a first communication unit 11 and a second communication unit 12. A switchover unit 131 switches an operation mode of the power supply unit 13 between a first mode which generates the operation power using the power of the battery 15 and a second mode which generates the operation power using the power of the external power supply 5. In the first mode, a control unit 14 controls the first communication unit 11 to synchronize with equipment in such a manner that the first communication unit 11 is operated in a low consumption state as compared with the second mode, and also controls the first communication unit 11 to intermittently perform reception operation. Further, in the second mode, the control unit 14 is configured to control the first communication unit 11 to perform reception operation at all times.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention generally relates to a communication device and a monitoring system using the communication device, and more particularly, to a monitoring target device provided in a building, and a communication device that communicates with a monitoring device provided away from the building and the same. It relates to a monitoring system.

  Conventionally, a monitoring target device (managed device) provided in various locations of a management target building, a communication device (management device) for monitoring and controlling the monitoring target device, and a monitoring device (remote monitoring device) at a remote location of the building (Remote monitoring) system has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the system described in Patent Document 1, the monitoring target device is a security sensor or the like. The communication device is provided in a building, and transmits a monitoring signal (monitoring information) indicating the state of the monitoring target device to the monitoring device through a public line or the like.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-136468

  In the conventional system as described above, when power is not supplied to the communication device due to, for example, a breaker being interrupted or a power failure, a monitoring signal is not transmitted to the monitoring device, and the monitoring result of the building is reliable. May be low.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above reasons, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication device that can improve the reliability of the monitoring result in the monitoring device, and a monitoring system using the communication device.

  The communication device of the present invention includes a first communication unit that communicates with a monitoring target device provided in a building, a second communication unit that communicates with a monitoring device provided away from the building, a power supply unit, and a switching unit. And a control unit. The power supply unit receives power supply from a battery and an external power supply and generates operating power for the first communication unit and the second communication unit. The switching unit switches the operation mode of the power supply unit between a first mode in which the operation power supply is generated with the power of the battery and a second mode in which the operation power supply is generated with the power of the external power supply. The control unit controls the first communication unit and the second communication unit. In the first mode, the control unit causes the first communication unit to communicate with the monitoring target device synchronously so that the first communication unit operates in a low consumption state compared to the second mode, and The first communication unit is intermittently operated for reception. The control unit is configured to always receive the first communication unit in the second mode.

  The monitoring system of the present invention includes the communication device and the monitoring device.

  The communication device of the present invention has an advantage that the reliability of the monitoring result in the monitoring device can be improved.

  The monitoring system of the present invention has an advantage that the reliability of the monitoring result in the monitoring device can be improved.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the communication apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the whole structure of the monitoring system which concerns on embodiment.

(Embodiment)
(1) Overview First, an overview of a communication device according to the present embodiment and a monitoring system using the communication device will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the monitoring system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a communication device 1, a monitoring device 2, and a plurality of (four in the example of FIG. 2) monitoring target devices (hereinafter simply referred to as “devices”). 31, 32,... The communication device 1 and the plurality of devices 31, 32,... Are provided in the building 4. The monitoring device 2 is provided in a place away from the building 4, that is, in a remote place of the building 4. In the following, when the plurality of devices 31, 32,... Are not particularly distinguished, each of the plurality of devices 31, 32,.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the communication device 1 includes a first communication unit 11, a second communication unit 12, a power supply unit 13, a switching unit 131, and a control unit 14. The 1st communication part 11 communicates with the apparatus 3 (refer FIG. 2) provided in the building 4 (refer FIG. 2). The second communication unit 12 communicates with the monitoring device 2 (see FIG. 2) provided away from the building 4. The power supply unit 13 receives power supply from the battery 15 and the external power supply 5 and generates operating power for the first communication unit 11 and the second communication unit 12. The switching unit 131 switches the operation mode of the power supply unit 13 between a first mode in which the operation power is generated with the power of the battery 15 and a second mode in which the operation power is generated with the power of the external power supply 5. The control unit 14 controls the first communication unit 11 and the second communication unit 12.

  In the first mode, the control unit 14 causes the first communication unit 11 to synchronously communicate with the device 3 so that the first communication unit 11 operates in a low consumption state compared to the second mode, and the first communication unit 11 is intermittently received. In the second mode, the control unit 14 is configured to always receive the first communication unit 11.

  Here, the “battery 15” is a battery built in the communication device 1 in the present embodiment. The battery 15 may be included in the components of the communication device 1 or may not be included in the components of the communication device 1. The battery 15 may be removable from the communication device 1 or may be externally attached to the communication device 1. The “external power supply 5” is a system power supply (commercial power supply) in this embodiment. The external power supply 5 is not included in the components of the communication device 1. The external power source 5 only needs to be outside the building 4, and is not limited to the system power source, and may be a distributed power source such as a solar power generation facility. Further, the “low consumption state” means a state where the amount of power consumption (in the first communication unit 11) is low (small) during a certain period. In the present embodiment, the communication device 1 is provided with the two first communication units 111 and 112. However, when the two first communication units 111 and 112 are not particularly distinguished, the first communication units 111 and 112 Each is referred to as a “first communication unit 11”.

  In short, the communication device 1 of the present embodiment has a communication function with each of the equipment 3 provided in the building 4 and the monitoring device 2 provided apart from the building 4. Therefore, if the communication device 1 is operating normally, the monitoring device 2 provided in a remote place of the building 4 can monitor the state of the equipment 3 in the building 4. For example, if the device 3 is a human sensor, the communication device 1 can receive a detection result of the human sensor and transmit a monitoring signal indicating the presence or absence of a person in the building 4 to the monitoring device 2. The monitoring device 2 monitors the state of the building 4 by monitoring the state of the device 3.

  Here, the switching unit 131 switches the operation mode of the power supply unit 13 between a first mode in which the communication device 1 is driven by the battery 15 and a second mode in which the communication device 1 is driven by the external power supply 5. That is, in the first mode, the power supply unit 13 generates operating power for the first communication unit 11 and the second communication unit 12 with the power of the battery 15. In addition, in the first mode, the control unit 14 causes the first communication unit 11 to communicate with the device 3 synchronously so that the first communication unit 11 operates in a low consumption state compared to the second mode, and the first mode The communication unit 11 is intermittently operated for reception. That is, when the communication device 1 is driven by the battery 15 (first mode), the electric energy consumed by the battery 15 is reduced by operating the first communication unit 11 in a lower consumption state than in the second mode. The operation time can be extended by suppressing.

  Therefore, even when power is not supplied from the external power source 5 to the communication device 1 due to, for example, a breaker being interrupted or a power failure, the communication device 1 can communicate with the device 3 and the monitoring device 2. The reliability of the monitoring result of the building 4 can be improved.

(2) Specific Configuration Hereinafter, the communication device 1 of the present embodiment and the monitoring system 10 using the same will be described in detail. However, the configuration described below is merely an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and the technical idea according to the present invention is not deviated from this embodiment. Various changes can be made in accordance with the design or the like as long as they are not.

  Moreover, in the following description, a detached house is illustrated as the building 4 to which the monitoring system 10 is applied as an example. Note that the building 4 to which the monitoring system 10 is applied is not limited to a detached house, but is a house other than a detached house such as an apartment in a housing complex, or a non-residential such as an office, a store, or a nursing facility. Also good.

(2.1) System Configuration First, the configuration of the monitoring system 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the monitoring system 10, a monitoring target group including a plurality of buildings 4 is a monitoring target of the monitoring device 2. In this case, the communication device 1 provided in the plurality of buildings 4 belonging to the monitoring target group communicates with one monitoring device 2, whereby the monitoring device 2 and the communication device 1 have a one-to-many relationship. However, in the following, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, a case where the monitoring target of the monitoring device 2 is one building 4, that is, a case where the monitoring device 2 and the communication device 1 are in a one-to-one relationship will be described as an example.

  In the monitoring system 10 of the present embodiment, the device 3 is, for example, a human sensor, a camera, a fire detector, a temperature / humidity sensor, a window sensor, and a communication device. The human sensor detects the presence or absence of a person in a monitoring area in the building 4 (for example, a living room such as a living room), and transmits a notification signal to the communication device 1 when a person is present. The camera images an imaging area in the building 4 and transmits the captured image to the communication device 1 as a video signal. The fire detector detects whether a fire has occurred in the building 4, and transmits a notification signal to the communication device 1 when a fire has occurred. The temperature / humidity sensor measures the temperature and humidity in the building 4 and transmits the measurement result to the communication device 1 as a measurement signal. The window sensor detects opening / closing of the window of the building 4 and transmits a notification signal to the communication device 1 when the window is opened. The call device includes a speaker and a microphone, and enables voice communication with the monitoring device 2 via the communication device 1 by transmitting and receiving audio signals to and from the communication device 1. The camera may have a microphone and transmit an audio signal to the communication device 1 together with a video signal.

  In the example of FIG. 2, the device 31 is a “human sensor”, the device 32 is a “camera”, the device 33 is a “fire detector”, and the device 34 is a “temperature / humidity sensor”. However, not limited to this example, a plurality of devices 3 of the same type may be provided, or an air conditioner, a lighting device, or the like may be provided as the device 3.

  These devices 3 not only transmit a signal to the communication device 1 unilaterally but also have a function of receiving a signal from the communication device 1. The signal received by the device 3 from the communication device 1 includes, for example, a signal for alive check (survival confirmation) of the device 3, a signal for control of the device 3 including switching between operation (operation) and stop (standby), There is a signal for changing the setting of the device 3. That is, the communication device 1 also functions as a controller in relation to the device 3.

  In addition, these devices 3 are all battery-driven. However, it is not an essential configuration in the present embodiment that the plurality of devices 3 are all battery-driven, and at least some of the devices 3 may be configured to operate by receiving power supply from the system power supply. . In addition, it is not an essential configuration in the present embodiment that the equipment 3 is provided in the building 4, and at least a part of the equipment 3 is installed outside the building 4 (external wall or the like) so as to be attached to the building 4. May be.

  The communication device 1 is electrically connected to an external power source (system power source) 5 via a distribution board 6 by being connected to an outlet (outlet) in the building 4. Therefore, the communication device 1 can operate by receiving power supply from the external power source 5 in a steady state where power is supplied from the outlet.

  The communication device 1 has a communication function with the device 3 and the monitoring device 2. In the present embodiment, a radio communication method using radio waves as a medium is applied to communication between the communication device 1 and the device 3. Details will be described in the section “(2.2) Configuration of Communication Device”. As a communication method between the communication device 1 and the device 3, a specific low-power radio in the 920 [MHz] band, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and the like. ) And two types of communication methods are applied. These two types of communication methods may be used properly depending on the device 3, or may be used properly on a single device 3 according to the scene.

  As a communication method between the communication device 1 and the monitoring device 2, a carrier network (mobile phone network) 7 such as a 3G (third generation) line or an LTE (Long Term Evolution) line provided by a communication carrier is used. A wireless communication system is applied. That is, in the present embodiment, the communication device 1 is connected to the carrier network 7 and communicates with the monitoring device 2 via the carrier network 7. Here, when communication between the communication device 1 and the device 3 is compared with communication between the communication device 1 and the monitoring device 2, the communication between the communication device 1 and the monitoring device 2 consumes more power. In other words, the communication between the communication device 1 and the device 3 is a communication method that consumes less power than the communication between the communication device 1 and the monitoring device 2.

  The communication device 1 has a function of transmitting a monitoring signal to the monitoring device 2 when receiving a specific signal from the device 3 as a basic function. The “specific signal” here is a specific signal received from the device 3, for example, a notification signal from a human sensor, a fire detector, and a window sensor, a video signal from a camera, and a measurement from a temperature / humidity sensor. It is at least one of a signal and a voice signal from the communication device. Furthermore, the communication device 1 has a function of accepting an operation of a user (a resident of the building 4), a function of outputting various information by display and sound, and the like. The “monitoring signal” is a signal generated by the communication device 1 using a specific signal as a trigger, and may include information included in the specific signal, or may include a fixed message or command corresponding to the specific signal. You may go out.

  The monitoring device 2 is provided in a facility owned by a service provider (such as a security company) using the monitoring system 10, for example, and is connected to the carrier network 7. In the present embodiment, the monitoring device 2 has a computer as a main configuration, and causes the computer to function as the monitoring device 2 by the CPU of the computer executing a program stored in the memory.

  As a basic function, the monitoring device 2 has a function of outputting information contained in the monitoring signal by display or sound when receiving the monitoring signal from the communication device 1. Further, the monitoring device 2 has a function of not only receiving a signal from the communication device 1 unilaterally but also transmitting a signal to the communication device 1. The signal transmitted from the monitoring device 2 to the communication device 1 includes, for example, a signal for alive check (survival confirmation) of the communication device 1 and the device 3, and a signal for requesting the communication device 1 to transmit a monitoring signal and the like. There are a signal for controlling the device 3, a signal for changing the setting of the communication apparatus 1, and the like.

(2.2) Configuration of Communication Device Next, a specific configuration example of the communication device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, broken-line arrows represent signal flows.

  In the present embodiment, the communication device 1 includes an input unit 16, an output unit 17, and a charging unit 18 in addition to the first communication unit 11, the second communication unit 12, the power supply unit 13, the switching unit 131, and the control unit 14. It has. The switching unit 131 is provided in the power supply unit 13. Here, the battery 15 is also included in the components of the communication device 1.

  The first communication unit 11 is a communication module for communication with the device 3 and is controlled by the control unit 14. The first communication unit 11 has a transmission function and a reception function. In the present embodiment, as described above, since two types of communication methods are applied as the communication method between the communication device 1 and the device 3, the communication device 1 includes two first communication units 111 and 112. It has been. One first communication unit 111 is for specific low-power radio, and the other first communication unit 112 is for Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The specific low-power radio here is a low-power radio that does not require a license. For specific low-power radio, specifications such as the frequency band to be used and the antenna power are defined in each country depending on the application.

  The second communication unit 12 is a communication module for communication with the monitoring device 2 and is controlled by the control unit 14. The second communication unit 12 includes a transmission unit 121 and a reception unit 122. That is, the transmission unit 121 transmits a signal to the monitoring device 2, and the reception unit 122 receives a signal from the monitoring device 2. The transmission unit 121 and the reception unit 122 can operate individually, and the second communication unit 12 can operate only the reception unit 122 without operating the transmission unit 121, for example. Due to the difference in communication method, the power consumption of the second communication unit 12 is larger than the power consumption of the first communication unit 11.

  The power supply unit 13 is electrically connected to the battery 15 and the external power supply 5, and is configured to be able to generate an operating power supply regardless of whether the battery 15 or the external power supply 5 receives power supply. The power supply unit 13 is provided with a switching unit 131 that switches the operation mode of the power supply unit 13 between the first mode and the second mode. Therefore, the power supply unit 13 operates in any one of the first mode in which the operation power is generated with the power of the battery 15 and the second mode in which the operation power is generated with the power of the external power supply 5. The switching unit 131 may be configured, for example, as a relay that switches the input destination of the power supply unit 13 between the battery 15 and the external power supply 5, or by changing the control of the power supply unit 13 to the first mode and the second mode. May be configured to switch.

  The power supply unit 13 includes a rectifying / smoothing circuit and a DC / DC converter. In the second mode, the power supply unit 13 converts an AC voltage (for example, 100 V) applied from the external power source 5 into a DC voltage by a rectifying and smoothing circuit, and further converts the DC voltage to a voltage of an operating power source (for example, 5 V by a DC / DC converter). ). On the other hand, in the first mode, the output voltage of the battery 15 is converted into the voltage of the operating power supply by the DC / DC converter. However, if the output voltage of the battery 15 is equal to the voltage of the operating power supply, in the first mode, the power supply unit 13 outputs the power supplied from the battery 15 as it is without passing through the rectifying and smoothing circuit and the DC / DC converter. Also good.

  Although not shown in FIG. 1, the power supply unit 13 is electrically connected to the first communication unit 11, the second communication unit 12, the control unit 14, the input unit 16, and the output unit 17. The operation power generated by the power supply unit 13 provides power for operation of each unit of the communication device 1.

  In the present embodiment, the power supply monitoring unit 132 is provided in the power supply unit 13. The power supply monitoring unit 132 monitors the power supply state from the external power supply 5 to the power supply unit 13. That is, if the power supply from the external power supply 5 to the communication device 1 is stopped due to a power failure of the system power supply as the external power supply 5 or a breaker of the distribution board 6, the power supply monitoring unit 132 receives power from the external power supply 5. It is determined that the power supply to the unit 13 is stopped.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 14 is configured by a microcomputer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory as main components. In other words, the control unit 14 is realized by a computer having a CPU and a memory, and the computer functions as the control unit 14 when the CPU executes a program stored in the memory. The program is recorded in advance in the memory of the control unit 14 here, but may be provided through a telecommunication line such as the Internet or recorded in a recording medium such as a memory card.

  The control unit 14 controls the switching unit 131 based on the monitoring result of the power supply monitoring unit 132 to switch the operation mode of the power supply unit 13 between the first mode and the second mode. Here, the control unit 14 switches to the first mode when power is not supplied from the external power supply 5 to the power supply unit 13 and to the second mode when power is supplied from the external power supply 5 to the power supply unit 13. A switching signal is output to 131. As a result, the switching unit 131 switches to the first mode based on the monitoring result of the power monitoring unit 132 so that the first mode is set when power is not supplied from the external power source 5 and the second mode is set when power is supplied from the external power source 5. The operation mode of the unit 13 is switched.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the storage unit 141 and the clock unit 142 are provided in the control unit 14. The storage unit 141 stores schedule information. The clock unit 142 has a function of measuring the current time (including year, month, day) and is, for example, an RTC (Real-Time Clock). The schedule information is information indicating the timing (date and time) at which a signal is transmitted from the monitoring device 2 to the communication device 1. The schedule information is shared between the monitoring device 2 and the communication device 1. When the monitoring system 10 is introduced into the building 4, schedule information is stored in the storage unit 141 as an initial setting of the communication device 1. Thereafter, if there is a change in the schedule information, the user contacts a service provider (such as a security company) using the monitoring system 10, and the changed schedule information is registered in the monitoring device 2. In this state, when communication between the communication device 1 and the monitoring device 2 is performed, a command instructing change of the schedule information is transmitted from the monitoring device 2 to the communication device 1, and the schedule information in the storage unit 141 is changed according to the command. Rewritten.

  The control unit 14 is configured to cause the first communication unit 11 to perform synchronous communication with the device 3 in the first mode. Furthermore, the control unit 14 is configured to intermittently receive the first communication unit 11 in the first mode. Specifically, when the operation mode of the power supply unit 13 is the first mode, the control unit 14 stops the power supply to the first communication unit 11 during the period until the reception timing that is set intermittently. As a result, the operation of the first communication unit 11 is stopped. When the reception timing is reached, the control unit 14 activates the first communication unit 11 to operate the first communication unit 11 for a predetermined time. At this time, the first communication unit 11 and the device 3 perform synchronous communication (synchronous communication). The synchronization method between the first communication unit 111 and the device 3 is, for example, a character synchronization method or a flag synchronization method. Thereby, the control unit 14 can receive the first communication unit 11 in synchronization with the device 3 while performing the reception operation of the first communication unit 11 intermittently. 1 communication unit 11 can receive.

  Further, in the first mode, the control unit 14 is configured to cause the second communication unit 12 to perform reception operation at a timing based on the schedule information. Specifically, when the operation mode of the power supply unit 13 is the first mode, the control unit 14 sets the second communication unit during the period until the current time represented by the clock unit 142 matches the date and time represented by the schedule information. The operation of the second communication unit 12 is stopped by stopping the power supply to 12. When the current time represented by the clock unit 142 coincides with the date and time represented by the schedule information, the control unit 14 activates the second communication unit 12 and activates the reception unit 122 of the second communication unit 12 for a predetermined time (for example, one minute). Make it work. Thereby, the control unit 14 can cause the second communication unit 12 to perform reception operation in accordance with the transmission timing from the monitoring device 2 while intermittently performing the reception operation of the second communication unit 12. This signal can be received by the second communication unit 12.

  In the present embodiment, the battery 15 is a secondary battery that is housed in the housing of the communication device 1 and is charged by the power of the external power source 5. The battery 15 is electrically connected to the external power source 5 via the charging unit 18. The charging unit 18 includes a rectifying / smoothing circuit and a DC / DC converter, and charges the battery 15 using power from the external power supply 5. The battery 15 is, for example, a lithium battery or a nickel / cadmium battery.

  The input unit 16 is connected to the operation unit and outputs an input signal corresponding to a user operation on the operation unit to the control unit 14. The output unit 17 is connected to a display unit, an audio output unit (speaker), and the like, receives an output signal from the control unit 14, displays various information on the display unit, and outputs audio from the audio output unit. . When the communication device 1 receives the specific signal from the device 3 and transmits the monitoring signal to the monitoring device 2, the communication device 1 performs a predetermined display and audio output at the output unit 17. Thereby, when the communication device 1 receives a specific signal from the device 3, not only the monitoring device 2 but also a user in the building 4 can be notified. Note that the input unit 16 and the output unit 17 may be connected to an operation unit, a display unit, or the like as a user interface provided in the communication device 1 or a terminal (smart phone, tablet terminal) different from the communication device 1. Etc.) may be connected by communication.

(3) Operation Hereinafter, the operation of the monitoring system 10 of the present embodiment will be briefly described. Here, the operation of the monitoring system 10 will be described by taking as an example the case where the presence or absence of an intruder into the building 4 is monitored when the resident of the building 4 is absent (outing). Since the devices 3 mainly used in this case are a device 31 composed of a human sensor and a device 32 composed of a camera, the case where the devices 31 and 32 and the communication device 1 communicate with each other will be exemplified below. explain.

(3.1) Second Mode First, the operation of the monitoring system 10 when power is supplied from the external power supply 5 to the power supply unit 13, that is, when the operation mode of the power supply unit 13 is in the second mode will be described.

  In this case, the communication device 1 always operates the first communication unit 11 and the second communication unit 12. However, in “normal time” when no intruder exists, the communication device 1 operates only the first communication unit 111 for specific low-power radio among the two first communication units 111 and 112, and Wi-Fi ( The operation of the first communication unit 112 for (registered trademark) is stopped. Further, in the “normal time”, the communication device 1 operates only the reception unit 122 of the second communication unit 12 and the operation of the transmission unit 121 is stopped.

  In “normal time”, the communication device 1 periodically transmits a beacon to the device 3 (for example, once a day) for the alive check of the device 3. The device 3 that has received the beacon transmits an alive signal to the communication device 1. If there is a device 3 that does not send back an alive signal, the communication device 1 determines that the device 3 is out of order, the battery is dead, or a communication error. Note that the device 32 including a camera is in a standby state at “normal time” and does not perform imaging.

  The monitoring device 2 transmits a request signal periodically (for example, once a day) to the communication device 1 for alive check of the communication device 1 and the device 3. The timing at which the monitoring device 2 transmits the request signal is determined based on the schedule information. The request signal includes, for example, a command for instructing the change of the schedule information described above, and a command for instructing the frequency of the alive check of the device 3 performed by the communication device 1.

  The communication device 1 that has received the request signal temporarily activates the transmission unit 121 of the second communication unit 12 and transmits a response signal to the monitoring device 2 at the transmission unit 121. If there is a communication device 1 that does not send back a response signal, the monitoring device 2 determines that the communication device 1 is faulty or a communication error. At this time, the response signal transmitted by the communication device 1 includes maintenance information indicating the result of the alive check of the device 3 performed by the communication device 1 (failure of the device 3, battery exhaustion, or communication error), the building 4 or the device 3 Contains specific information about. The unique information here includes, for example, the address of the building 4, the name of the owner of the building 4, the device code indicating the type of the device 3, the setting state of the device 3, and the like. In the alive check of the device 3 performed by the communication device 1, when there is a device 3 that does not return an alive signal, the communication device 1 does not wait for a request signal from the monitoring device 2 and sends a response signal to the monitoring device 2. May be sent to.

  On the other hand, in an “emergency” where an intruder is present, the device 31 including a human sensor detects the intruder. The device 31 transmits a notification signal to the communication device 1 by specific low-power radio. When the communication device 1 receives the notification signal from the device 31 at the first communication unit 111, the communication device 1 transmits an activation signal from the first communication unit 111 to the device 32 including the camera. At this time, the communication device 1 activates the first communication unit 112 for Wi-Fi (registered trademark) and puts the first communication unit 112 into a standby state. When the device 32 receives the activation signal from the communication device 1 by the specific low power radio, the device 32 is activated and starts imaging, and transmits a video signal to the communication device 1 by Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The device 32 captures an image for a certain period of time (for example, 30 seconds) by one activation signal, and streams the image being captured as a video signal. The trigger for transmitting the activation signal to the device 32 is not limited to the notification signal from the human sensor (device 31), and may be a notification signal from a window sensor, for example. While the first communication unit 112 is operating, the operation of the first communication unit 111 for specific low power radio may be stopped.

  In addition, when the communication device 1 receives the specific signal from the device 3 in the first communication unit 11, the communication device 1 temporarily activates the transmission unit 121 of the second communication unit 12, and transfers the second communication unit 12 to the monitoring device 2. Send a monitoring signal. The specific signal here is a notification signal from the device 31 or a video signal from the device 32. At this time, the monitoring signal transmitted by the communication device 1 includes a notification (notification information) that the specific signal (notification signal) from the device 31 has been received and information included in the specific signal (video signal) from the device 32 ( Video). The monitoring signal may include maintenance information and unique information like the response signal described above. Therefore, the video imaged by the device 32 is relayed by the communication device 1 and transmitted to the monitoring device 2. Thereby, in the “emergency”, the monitoring device 2 can check the video in the building 4.

  Furthermore, since the receiving unit 122 of the second communication unit 12 is always operating in both “normal time” and “emergency”, the monitoring device 2 is optional in communication between the communication device 1 and the monitoring device 2. It is possible to transmit a signal to the communication apparatus 1 at the timing. Thereby, in the monitoring apparatus 2, the state of the building 4 and the apparatus 3 can be confirmed by transmitting a request signal to the communication apparatus 1 at an arbitrary timing and receiving a response signal from the communication apparatus 1, for example. Similar to the monitoring signal, the response signal may include information based on the specific signal from the device 3 (report information, video, etc.).

  In addition, at least in “normal time”, the first communication unit 111 for specific low-power radio always operates, so that in communication between the communication device 1 and the device 3, the device 3 can communicate with the communication device 1 at an arbitrary timing. It is possible to transmit a notification signal or the like. Thereby, when the device 31 composed of the human sensor detects the intruder, the communication device 1 can immediately receive the notification signal from the device 31 and transmit the activation signal to the device 32 composed of the camera. it can.

(3.2) First Mode Next, the operation of the monitoring system 10 when there is no power supply from the external power supply 5 to the power supply unit 13, that is, when the operation mode of the power supply unit 13 is in the first mode will be described. Hereinafter, differences from the case where the operation mode of the power supply unit 13 is in the second mode will be described.

  When the operation mode of the power supply unit 13 is in the first mode, the communication device 1 causes the first communication unit 11 to operate intermittently rather than constantly. Specifically, in “normal time” when no intruder exists, only the first communication unit 111 for the specific low-power radio among the two first communication units 111 and 112 performs the reception operation intermittently, and Wi− The operation of the first communication unit 112 for Fi (registered trademark) stops. At this time, the first communication unit 111 performs synchronous communication with the device 3. Thereby, the communication apparatus 1 can receive the signal transmitted from the device 3 intermittently by the first communication unit 111. The reception operation of the first communication unit 111 may be periodic (constant time interval) or non-periodic.

  Thus, when the operation mode of the power supply unit 13 is in the first mode, the first communication unit 111 intermittently performs the reception operation, whereby the power supply to the first communication unit 111 is intermittently performed. Therefore, compared with the second mode in which the first communication unit 111 always operates, the power consumption in the first communication unit 111 during a certain period (for example, one day) is reduced, and the first communication unit 111 is in a low consumption state. Operate.

  However, with regard to the operation of the monitoring system 10 when a specific signal is transmitted from the device 3 to the communication device 1 as in “emergency”, for example, even when the operation mode of the power supply unit 13 is in the first mode, This is the same as when the operation mode of the unit 13 is in the second mode.

  Further, when the operation mode of the power supply unit 13 is in the first mode, the communication device 1 causes the reception unit 122 of the second communication unit 12 to operate intermittently rather than operating constantly. Here, the control unit 14 is configured to perform the reception operation of the second communication unit 12 at the timing based on the schedule information stored in the storage unit 141 as described above. Thereby, the communication device 1 can receive the request signal transmitted from the monitoring device 2 at the timing based on the schedule information by the second communication unit 12. On the other hand, the signal transmitted from the monitoring device 2 to the communication device 1 at an arbitrary timing is not received by the communication device 1. Note that the reception operation of the second communication unit 12 may be periodic (a constant time interval) or aperiodic.

  Thus, when the operation mode of the power supply unit 13 is in the first mode, the second communication unit 12 intermittently performs the reception operation, whereby the power supply to the second communication unit 12 is intermittently performed. Therefore, compared with the 2nd mode in which the 2nd communication part 12 always operates, the power consumption in the 2nd communication part 12 in a fixed period (for example, 1 day) becomes small, and the 2nd communication part 12 is in a low consumption state. Operate.

  However, as for the operation of the monitoring system 10 when transmitting a signal from the communication device 1 to the monitoring device 2 such as “Emergency”, for example, even when the operation mode of the power supply unit 13 is in the first mode, This is the same as when the 13 operation modes are in the second mode.

(4) Effects According to the communication device 1 of the present embodiment described above, the switching unit 131 includes the first mode in which the communication device 1 is driven by the battery 15 and the second mode in which the communication device 1 is driven by the external power source 5. The operation mode of the power supply unit 13 is switched. Therefore, in the first mode, the power supply unit 13 generates operation power for the first communication unit 11 and the second communication unit 12 with the power of the battery 15, and the external power supply 5 from the external power supply 5 to the communication device 1. The communication device 1 can continue to operate even in a situation where the power supply is not performed. In addition, in the first mode, the control unit 14 causes the first communication unit 11 to communicate with the device 3 synchronously so that the first communication unit 11 operates in a low consumption state compared to the second mode, and the first mode The communication unit 11 is intermittently operated for reception. Thereby, in the first mode, the communication device 1 operates the first communication unit 11 in a low consumption state as compared with the second mode while continuing the operation of receiving the signal from the device 3, and the battery 15 The operation time can be extended by suppressing the consumption of electrical energy.

  Therefore, for example, when a resident of the building 4 is away for a long time due to a trip, a business trip, a disaster, or the like, even if the breaker of the distribution board 6 may be interrupted, the communication device 1 is It is possible to communicate with the device 3 and the monitoring device 2 by operating in the mode. Further, the communication device 1 can communicate with the device 3 and the monitoring device 2 by operating in the first mode even during a power failure of the system power supply as the external power supply 5. In short, even when power is not supplied from the external power supply 5 to the communication device 1, the communication device 1 can communicate with the device 3 and the monitoring device 2, and the reliability of the monitoring result of the building 4 by the monitoring device 2. There is an advantage that the performance can be improved.

  Further, as in this embodiment, when the control unit 14 receives a specific signal from the device 3 in the first communication units 111 and 112 in the first mode, the control unit 14 sends a monitoring signal to the monitoring device 2 from the second communication unit 12. It is preferably configured to transmit. According to this configuration, in the first mode, the communication device 1 operates the first communication unit 11 in a low consumption state compared to the second mode while continuing the operation of receiving the specific signal and transmitting the monitoring signal. Accordingly, the consumption of electric energy of the battery 15 can be suppressed and the operation time can be extended. However, this configuration is not an essential configuration for the communication device 1. For example, the monitoring signal may not be transmitted from the second communication unit 12 to the monitoring device 2 in the first mode.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the communication apparatus 1 further includes a power supply monitoring unit 132 that monitors a power supply state from the external power supply 5 to the power supply unit 13 as in the present embodiment. In this case, the switching unit 131 switches to the first mode based on the monitoring result of the power monitoring unit 132 so that the first mode is set when power is not supplied from the external power source 5 and the second mode is set when power is supplied from the external power source 5. It is preferable that the operation mode of the unit 13 is switched. According to this configuration, since the operation mode of the power supply unit 13 is automatically switched, there is no need for the user to perform an operation for switching the operation mode, and the communication device 1 does not operate when the user forgets the operation. Such a situation can be avoided.

  In addition, as in the present embodiment, the battery 15 is preferably a secondary battery that is charged with the power of the external power supply 5. According to this configuration, even if the communication device 1 operates in the first mode and the electric energy of the battery 15 decreases, the decrease in the electric energy of the battery 15 can be supplemented with the electric power from the external power source 5. The communication device 1 can repeat the operation in the first mode many times.

  The monitoring system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a communication device 1 and a monitoring device 2. According to the monitoring system 10, the communication device 1 can transmit a monitoring signal to the monitoring device 2 even when power is not supplied from the external power supply 5 to the communication device 1. There is an advantage that the reliability of the monitoring result 4 can be improved.

  The monitoring system 10 preferably further includes a device (monitored device) 3. According to this configuration, the state of the equipment 3 in the building 4 can be monitored by the monitoring device 2.

  Further, as in the present embodiment, in the first mode, the control unit 14 intermittently receives the second communication unit 12 so that the second communication unit 12 operates in a low consumption state compared to the second mode. It is preferable to operate. According to this configuration, not only the first communication unit 11 but also the second communication unit 12 operates in a lower consumption state in the first mode than in the second mode, so that the electric energy consumption of the battery 15 is further suppressed. The operation time can be further extended. In particular, when the second communication unit 12, which consumes more power than the first communication unit 11, operates in a low consumption state, the effect of suppressing the electric energy consumption of the battery 15 is great.

  Further, since the communication device 1 can be driven by the battery 15, if the battery-driven device 3 is used and the communication method between the device 3 and the monitoring device 2 in the communication device 1 is both a wireless communication method, The entire monitoring system 10 can be constructed wirelessly. If the entire monitoring system 10 can be constructed wirelessly, the monitoring system 10 can be easily introduced and removed.

(5) Modifications Modifications of the embodiment are listed below.

  It is not essential that a plurality of devices 3 to be monitored in the monitoring system 10 are provided for one building 4, and only one device 3 may be provided.

  In addition, intermittent reception operation of the second communication unit 12 when the operation mode of the power supply unit 13 is in the first mode is not an essential configuration for the communication device 1, and the first mode is always the first mode. The receiving unit 122 of the two communication unit 12 may operate. In this case, the communication operation between the communication device 1 and the monitoring device 2 is the same as when the operation mode of the power supply unit 13 is in the second mode even when the operation mode of the power supply unit 13 is in the first mode.

  Further, the communication method between the communication device 1 and the device 3 is not limited to the method described above. For example, a specific low-power radio in the 426 [MHz] band, DECT (registered trademark, Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications), Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc. It may be. Furthermore, the communication method between the communication device 1 and the device 3 is not limited to wireless communication using radio waves as a medium, but may be infrared communication or wired communication. Similarly, the communication method between the communication device 1 and the monitoring device 2 is not limited to the method described above, and may be, for example, wired communication using a dedicated line or a telephone line for a fixed telephone. However, in any case, in order for the communication device 1 to ensure communication between the device 3 and the monitoring device 2 in the first mode, it is preferable to use a communication path that can be used even during a power failure.

  Further, the charging unit 18 may be included in the power supply unit 13. In this case, the rectifying / smoothing circuit and the DC / DC converter of the power supply unit 13 can be used as the charging unit 18, and the circuit configuration can be simplified.

  Further, the battery 15 is not limited to a secondary battery but may be a primary battery. If the battery 15 is a primary battery, the charging part 18 becomes unnecessary. The battery 15 may be a large-capacity capacitor such as an electric double layer capacitor.

  The switching unit 131 is not limited to a configuration that automatically switches between the first mode and the second mode based on the monitoring result of the power supply monitoring unit 132, but a configuration that switches between the first mode and the second mode by a user operation. It may be. In this case, the control unit 14 outputs a switching signal for switching between the first mode and the second mode to the switching unit 131 according to the input signal from the input unit 16.

  The switching unit 131 and the power supply monitoring unit 132 are not limited to be provided integrally with the power supply unit 13, and at least one of the switching unit 131 and the power supply monitoring unit 132 may be provided separately from the power supply unit 13. For example, the switching unit 131 may be provided integrally with the control unit 14. Similarly, the storage unit 141 and the clock unit 142 are not limited to be provided integrally with the control unit 14, and at least one of the storage unit 141 and the clock unit 142 may be provided separately from the control unit 14.

  In addition, when the operation mode of the power supply unit 13 is in the second mode, the communication device 1 may operate the reception unit 122 of the second communication unit 12 intermittently instead of always operating. In this configuration, the second communication unit 12 performs a reception operation intermittently regardless of whether the operation mode of the power supply unit 13 is the first mode or the second mode. In this case, if the operation mode of the power supply unit 13 is in the first mode, the operation interval of the reception unit 122 is lengthened and the frequency at which the second communication unit 12 performs the reception operation is lower than that in the second mode. Thus, the second communication unit 12 operates in a low consumption state compared to the second mode.

1 Communication Device 2 Monitoring Device 3, 31, 32, 33, 34 Device (Monitored Device)
4 Building 5 External Power Supply 10 Monitoring System 11, 111, 112 First Communication Unit 12 Second Communication Unit 13 Power Supply Unit 14 Control Unit 15 Battery 131 Switching Unit 132 Power Supply Monitoring Unit

Claims (6)

A first communication unit that communicates with a monitoring target device provided in the building;
A second communication unit that communicates with a monitoring device provided away from the building;
A power supply unit that receives power supply from a battery and an external power supply and generates an operating power supply for the first communication unit and the second communication unit;
A switching unit that switches an operation mode of the power supply unit between a first mode in which the operation power supply is generated with power of the battery and a second mode in which the operation power supply is generated with power of the external power supply;
A control unit for controlling the first communication unit and the second communication unit,
The controller is
In the first mode, the first communication unit is synchronously communicated with the monitoring target device so that the first communication unit operates in a low consumption state compared to the second mode, and the first communication unit Is intermittently received,
In the second mode, the first communication unit is configured to always perform a receiving operation. The control unit is configured to transmit a monitoring signal from the second communication unit to the monitoring device when the first communication unit receives a specific signal from the monitoring target device in the first mode. The communication apparatus according to claim 1. A power supply monitoring unit for monitoring a power supply state from the external power supply to the power supply unit;
Based on the monitoring result of the power supply monitoring unit, the switching unit is in the first mode when power is not supplied from the external power supply and is in the second mode when power is supplied from the external power supply. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is configured to switch an operation mode of the unit. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the battery is a secondary battery that is charged with electric power of the external power source. A monitoring system comprising: the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4; and the monitoring device. The monitoring system according to claim 5, further comprising the monitoring target device.

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