JP2023035583A - Wall-embedded slave machine and machine state determination device - Google Patents

Abstract

To make it possible, even when a plurality of connection machines are connected through a connector of a wall-embedded slave machine, to accurately determine an operation state and a connection state for each connection machine.SOLUTION: A wall-embedded slave machine 4 comprises: a first determination unit 41A for determining an operation state and a connection state of a hand type slave machine 6 and an operation state of a sensor slave machine 7 by comparing voltage generated on a calling line NC4 connected to a connector 40 of the wall-embedded slave machine with a threshold; and a second determination unit 41B for determining a connection state of the sensor slave machine 7 by comparing voltage generated on an LED line EL4 by supply of weak current to the extent of inhibiting an LED 62 of the hand type slave machine 6 from being lit up with a threshold. With respect to the connection state of the sensor slave machine 7, the determination is performed using the voltage generated on the LED line EL4 differing from the calling line NC4, which reduces the number of thresholds to be used for the determination and makes it easy to determine an operation state and a connection state for each connection machine.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a wall-embedded child device and a device status determination device, and is particularly suitable for application to a nurse call system that allows a patient to press a call button to call a nurse. .

Conventionally, even when multiple connected devices are connected to a wall-embedded child device (plate child device), the type of connected device (button type pager, special pager, external device, etc.) can be identified, and the connected device can be dropped. There is known a nurse call system that can detect a drop-out situation for each type of drop-out situation (see, for example, Patent Literature 1). In the nurse call system described in Patent Literature 1, when a connected device falls off, which connected device has fallen off is detected from a resistance value unique to the connected device.

On the other hand, among the plurality of signal lines of the connector (connection terminal) that connects the wall-embedded handset and the button-type caller, the call signal used for communication of the call signal that is transmitted when the call button is pressed is used. There is also a nurse call system that uses a line and compares the voltage generated in the call line with a threshold value by a comparator to detect the presence or absence of call operation and the presence or absence of omission. In a nurse call system with this type of detection function, the three states of ringing/waiting/missing of the button-type pager are determined by comparing the voltage on the call line with a threshold.

However, when multiple connected devices are connected to a wall-mounted child device with multiple connectors, or when a distributor is connected to a wall-mounted child device to connect multiple devices, connection If we attempt to determine thresholds for the three states of calling, standby, and disconnection for each device, the number of thresholds to be used for determination becomes large, making it difficult to accurately identify each state for each connected device. was there.

For example, when two types of connected devices are connected to a wall-embedded slave unit, three states of call/standby/disconnection of the first connected device and three states of call/standby/disconnection of the second connected device are available. In combination with the types of states, a total of nine types of states must be identified by eight thresholds. When three types of connected devices are connected to the wall-embedded child device, it is necessary to identify a total of 27 types of states using 26 thresholds. It is difficult to accurately identify these many conditions by comparing the voltage developed on the call line with a threshold.

JP 2014-168570 A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such problems. The purpose is to facilitate accurate determination of the state by comparing the voltage and the threshold.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention compares the voltage generated in a call line used for call signal communication among a plurality of signal lines connected to a connector of a wall-embedded slave unit with a threshold value. By doing so, the operating state and connection state of some of the plurality of connected devices connected via the connector and the operating state of other connected devices other than the part of the connected devices are determined. . In addition, among the plurality of signal lines, a weak current that does not turn on the LED is supplied to the LED line used for light emission control of the LED provided in the connected device, and the LED line is supplied with the weak current according to the supply of the weak current. By comparing the generated voltage with a threshold value, the connection status of other connected devices is determined.

According to the present invention configured as described above, unlike the prior art that detects the operation state and connection state of all of a plurality of connected devices by comparing the voltage generated on the call line with a threshold value, only a portion of the connection Regarding the connection state of other connected devices other than the device, since the judgment is performed using the voltage generated in the LED line different from the call line, the number of thresholds used for judgment in each of the call line and the LED line is can be reduced. As a result, even when a plurality of connected devices are connected via the connector of the wall-embedded child device, it is possible to accurately determine the operating state and connection state of each connected device by comparing the voltage and the threshold value. can be done.

1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a nurse call system including a wall-embedded slave device according to this embodiment; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of connection pins of the connector of the wall-embedded child device according to the present embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a wall-embedded child device according to the present embodiment, together with configurations of a distribution outlet, a hand-type child device, and a sensor child device; It is a figure which shows an example of the content of determination by the 1st determination part and the 2nd determination part. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing voltages output to LED lines when a light emission control unit performs light emission control of LEDs; FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing the voltage appearing on the LED line EL when the second determination unit determines whether or not the sensor child device has come off; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of determination contents by the first determination unit and the second determination unit; It is a figure which shows the structural example in which two sensor child devices are connected. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of determination contents by the first determination unit and the second determination unit; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of determination contents by the first determination unit and the second determination unit;

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a nurse call system including a wall-embedded child device according to this embodiment. Although a nurse call system installed in a hospital will be described here as an example, the nurse call system of this embodiment is not limited to one installed in a hospital. For example, it can also be applied when installed in a nursing facility or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the nurse call system of this embodiment includes a nurse call base unit 1, a controller 2, a corridor light 3, a wall-embedded slave unit 4, a distribution outlet 5, a hand-type slave unit 6, and a sensor unit. It is configured with a machine 7. In the following description, the hand-type child device 6 and the sensor child device 7 are collectively referred to as nurse call child devices 6 and 7.

The nurse call master unit 1 receives a call from the nurse call slave units 6 and 7 and performs predetermined notification processing. In this embodiment, the nurse call master unit 1 includes a stationary nurse call master unit installed in a nurse center and a portable nurse call master unit carried by nurses. The predetermined notification processing includes processing for displaying patient information (for example, name, room number, bed number, etc.) relating to the patient who made the call on the display and processing for outputting a ringing tone from the speaker. When the nurse operates the nurse call master unit 1 to respond to a call from the hand-type slave unit 6, a communication path is formed between the hand-type slave unit 6 and the nurse call master unit 1, and the patient and the nurse can have a conversation.

The controller 2 is arranged between the nurse call base unit 1 and the corridor light 3, and controls transmission and reception of various data including call and call signals. A corridor light 3 is installed outside near the entrance of each patient room in the hospital, displays the patient name in the patient room on a display device, and when a call is made using a nurse call handset 6, 7, the call is received. Display what has been done on the display device. Further, the corridor light 3 transfers the call signals transmitted from the nurse call slave units 6 and 7 to the nurse call master unit 1 via the controller 2 .

The wall-embedded child device 4 is embedded in the wall of each bedside of the hospital room, and communicates various data including call and calling signals between the corridor light 3 and the nurse call child devices 6 and 7 . Further, the wall-embedded child device 4 controls light emission of the LED so that the LED provided in the hand-shaped child device 6 functions as a call confirmation light or a night light. That is, when the wall-embedded child device 4 receives the call signal from the hand-held child device 6, it lights the LED with high brightness to inform the patient that the call is being made. Further, when the clock (not shown) indicates the night time, the wall-embedded child device 4 lights the LED with a low luminance to notify the patient of the position of the hand-held child device 6 . It should be noted that the wall-embedded child device 4 may light an LED with a low luminance to inform the patient of the position of the hand-held child device 6 when the illuminance in the hospital room falls below a certain level. .

The wall-embedded child device 4 has a connector 40 connected to a plurality of signal lines, and is configured to be connectable to a connection device via the connector 40 . A connection device that can be connected to the connector 40 of the wall-embedded child device 4 is, for example, the hand-held child device 6 . Moreover, it is also possible to connect the distribution outlet 5 to the connector 40 , and it is also possible to indirectly connect a plurality of connected devices to the wall-embedded child device 4 via the distribution outlet 5 . FIG. 1 shows a state in which the distribution outlet 5 is connected to the connector 40 of the wall-mounted slave 4, and the hand-type slave 6 and the sensor slave 7 are connected to the distribution outlet 5. FIG.

The distribution outlet 5 has two connectors 51 and 52 and is configured to be connectable to one or two connected devices via the connectors 51 and 52 . Connectable devices that can be connected to the distribution outlet 5 are, for example, the hand-type child device 6 and the sensor child device 7 . The first connector 51 is a connector having a pin structure for connecting the hand-type child device 6 and has the same pin structure as that of the connector 40 of the wall-embedded child device 4 . The second connector 52 is a connector having a pin structure for connecting the slave sensor device 7 .

As described above, the wall-embedded child device 4 of the present embodiment can be connected to the distribution outlet 5 via the connector 40, and can be connected to a plurality of connected devices via the distribution outlet 5. . The hand-type child device 6 and the sensor child device 7 are examples of a plurality of connected devices indirectly connected via the connector 40 of the wall-embedded child device 4 .

The connector 40 of the wall-mounted child device 4 (as well as the first connector 51 of the distribution outlet 5) is connected to a plurality of signal lines as described above. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the connector 40 has six connection pins P1-P6 to which six signal lines are connected.

A first signal line is a speaker line used for communication for outputting sound to the hand-held child device 6 . A second signal line is a microphone line used for communication for inputting voice from the handheld child device 6 . The third signal line is the ground line and the sixth signal line is the power supply line. A fourth signal line is a call line used for communication of call signals, and receives call signals from the nurse call subunits 6 and 7 . A fifth signal line is an LED line used for light emission control of an LED provided in the hand-shaped child device 6 .

The hand-type handset 6 has a call button for the patient to call the nurse, a microphone and a speaker for the patient to talk with the nurse. The hand-type handset 6 outputs a call signal in response to pressing of the call button. In addition, the hand-type child device 6 is equipped with an LED (not shown) that functions as a call confirmation light and a night light as described above, and the LED is turned on according to the control signal supplied from the wall-embedded child device 4 . to turn on/off. It should be noted that the configuration of the hand-type child device 6 is not limited to this. For example, it may be one without a microphone and speaker (for example, a grip push button).

The sensor slave device 7 is, for example, any one of various sensors such as a bed-leaving sensor installed on the bed, a mat sensor installed under the bed, a breath sensor, a voice sensor installed on the bedside, and a contact sensor. The sensor child device 7 outputs a call signal when a predetermined state is detected by the sensor. For example, the out-of-bed sensor outputs a ringing signal when it detects that the patient has left the bed. Also, the mat sensor outputs a call signal when it detects that the patient has stepped on the mat under the bed. Also, the breath sensor and voice sensor output a call signal when detecting the patient's breath or voice. Also, the contact sensor outputs a call signal when it detects that the patient has touched a predetermined position.

In this embodiment, the wall-embedded child device 4 has a function as a device status determination device, and determines the operating state (whether or not there is a calling operation) and the connection state (whether or not there is a disconnection) of the nurse call child devices 6 and 7. judge. For example, the wall-embedded child device 4 determines three types of states of call/standby/dropout of the hand type slave device 6 and three types of states of call/standby/dropout of the sensor slave device 7 . The wall-mounted slave unit 4 makes this determination by comparing the voltage on the call line with a threshold value and the voltage on the LED line with a threshold value.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the wall-embedded child device 4 related to execution of this determination, together with the configurations of the distribution outlet 5, the hand-type child device 6, and the sensor child device 7. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the wall-embedded child device 4 of this embodiment includes a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as microcomputer) 41 including a CPU, RAM, ROM, A/D converter, D/A converter, and the like. there is The microcomputer 41 and the 4th pin P4 of the connector 40 are connected by a call line NC4, and the microcomputer 41 and the 5th pin P5 of the connector 40 are connected by an LED line EL4. The connection between the microcomputer 41 and other connection pins P1 to P3, P6 is omitted from the drawing.

The distribution outlet 5 is provided with two connectors 51 and 52 for connecting the hand-type child device 6 and the sensor child device 7, as well as a plug 53 for connecting to the connector 40 of the wall-embedded child device 4. FIG. The 4th pin P4' of the plug 53 and the 4th pin P4 of the first connector 51 are connected by a call line NC5, and the 5th pin P5' of the plug 53 and the 5th pin P5 of the first connector 51 are connected. are connected by the LED line EL5. Both the call line NC5 and the LED line EL5 have a branch on the way, and the second connector 52 is connected to the branch destination. Between the call line NC5 and the LED line EL5 and the second connector 52 there are resistors R1 and R2, respectively.

Hand-type child device 6 has a plug 61 that connects to first connector 51 of distribution outlet 5 . A call line NC6 is connected to the 4th pin P4' of the plug 61, and an LED line EL6 is connected to the 5th pin P5' of the plug 61. FIG. A resistor R3 and a switch SW1 are connected in parallel to the call line NC6. When the call button of the hand-type handset 6 is pressed, the switch SW1 is turned on and a call signal is issued. The issued call signal is sent to the microcomputer 41 through call lines NC6, NC5 and NC4. A resistor R4 and an LED62 are directly connected to the LED line EL6.

The sensor slave unit 7 has a plug 71 that connects to the second connector 52 of the distribution outlet 5 . A switch SW2 is connected to one of the plurality of connection pins of the plug 71 . When a predetermined state is detected in the sensor of the sensor child device 7, the switch SW2 is turned on and a calling signal is issued. The issued call signal is sent to the microcomputer 41 through call lines NC5 and NC4.

With the above configuration, whether or not the hand-type slave unit 6 is connected to the call line NC4 and the LED line EL4 of the wall-embedded slave unit 4 via the distribution outlet 5 can be checked via the distribution outlet 5. Whether or not the sensor child device 7 is connected, whether or not the switch SW1 of the hand type child device 6 is turned on and a call is being made, and whether or not the switch SW2 of the sensor child device 7 is turned on and a call is made. Depending on the combination of states, such as whether or not the device is connected, different voltage values appear. The microcomputer 41 determines the operation state and connection state of the nurse call slave units 6 and 7 based on the voltage values appearing on the call line NC4 and the LED line EL4.

The microcomputer 41 includes, as a functional configuration, a first determination section 41A, a second determination section 41B, a call control section 41C, and a light emission control section 41D. The first judging section 41A compares the voltage generated in the call line NC4 with the threshold value to determine whether the hand-type child device 6 (some of the plurality of connected devices) is connected via the connector 40. corresponding) and the operating state of the sensor child device 7 (corresponding to other connected devices other than some connected devices). As for the connection state of the hand-type slave unit 6, the current of a predetermined magnitude is supplied to the call line NC4, and the voltage generated in the call line NC4 is compared with the threshold at predetermined intervals. Determine the presence or absence of omission.

In addition, the second determination unit 41B repeatedly supplies a weak current to the LED line EL4 at a predetermined cycle so that the LED 62 of the hand-shaped child device 6 does not light up, and the current is generated in the LED line EL4 in response to the supply of the weak current. The connection state of the sensor child device 7 is determined by comparing the voltage and the threshold.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the first determination unit 41A compares the voltage generated in the call line NC4 with five thresholds Th ₁₁ to Th ₁₅ to determine the operating state (standby or call) and connection state (disconnection), and the operation state of the sensor child device 7 (standby or call). In this example, the first determination unit 41A identifies whether the operating state of the connected device is the calling operation of the hand-type child device 6 or the calling operation of the sensor child device 7 . Further, the second determination unit 41B determines the connection state (whether or not there is a disconnection) of the sensor child device 7 by comparing the voltage generated in the LED line EL4 with one threshold value _Th21 .

When the hand-type child device 6 is connected to the wall-mounted child device 4 via the connector 40 and the distribution outlet 5 without falling off, the voltage generated in the call line NC4 is the resistance of the hand-type child device 6. It fluctuates under the influence of on/off of R3 and switch SW1. Also, if the hand-type handset 6 is dropped, the influence of the resistor R3 is lost and the voltage generated in the call line NC4 fluctuates. Similarly, when the sensor slave unit 7 is connected to the wall-embedded slave unit 4 via the connector 40 and the distribution outlet 5 without falling off, the voltage generated in the call line NC4 is the resistance of the distribution outlet 5. It fluctuates under the influence of ON/OFF of switch SW2 provided in R1 and sensor child device 7 . The first judging section 41A judges which of the six states shown in FIG. 4 by comparing the voltage value of the call line NC4, which fluctuates in this way, with the five thresholds Th ₁₁ to Th ₁₅ . Is possible.

Further, when comparing the case where the sensor child device 7 is connected to the wall-embedded child device 4 via the connector 40 and the distribution outlet 5 without falling off, and the case where the sensor child device 7 has fallen off, , the voltage generated in the LED line EL4 when a weak current is passed through the LED line EL4 fluctuates depending on whether it is affected by the resistor R2 provided in the distribution outlet 5 or not. Note that the weak current output from the second determination unit 41B to the LED line EL4 is a weak current to the extent that the LED 62 does not emit light. The portion of the resistor R4 and the LED 62 of the handset 6 is synonymous with the circuit being open. Therefore, the influence of the resistor R4 can be almost ignored. The second determination unit 41B determines _which of the two states shown in FIG. It is possible to determine whether

In the case of the prior art in which determination is made only by comparing the voltage generated in the calling line NC4 with a threshold value, there are three states of call/standby/missing of the hand-type slave unit 6 and calling/standby/missing of the sensor slave unit 7. It was necessary to identify a total of 9 types of states with 8 thresholds in combination with the 3 types of states of . On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, the operational states of the hand-type child device 6 and the sensor child device 7 can be determined by simply using the five thresholds Th ₁₁ to Th ₁₅ even in the first determination unit 41A, which is the larger number. and connection status can be determined.

The call control unit 41C transmits different types of call signals to the corridor lights 3 based on the determination results of the first determination unit 41A and the second determination unit 41B. That is, the call control unit 41C determines that a call is made by the hand-type child device 6 (the sensor child device 7 is on standby), and when it is determined that a call is made by the sensor child device 7 (the hand-type child device 7 is on standby). When it is determined that the hand-type slave unit 6 has fallen off, and when it is determined that the sensor slave unit 7 has fallen off, the corridor light 3 outputs different types of call signals. Send to

It should be noted that the operation when it is determined that both the hand-type child device 6 and the sensor child device 7 have been called may be set arbitrarily. For example, the one called earlier may be preferentially processed, and the one called later may wait until the previous process is completed. Similarly, it is also possible to arbitrarily set the operation when it is determined that a call has been made from the sensor child device 7 while the hand-type child device 6 has fallen off. For example, it is possible to arbitrarily set which of the dropout call of the hand-type child device 6 and the sensor call of the sensor child device 7 should be preferentially processed.

The light emission control section 41D performs light emission control of the LED 62 of the hand-shaped child device 6 so that the LED 62 functions as a call confirmation light based on the determination result of the first determination section 41A. That is, when it is determined that the hand-type child device 6 has been called (the sensor child device 7 is on standby), the light emission control unit 41D turns the LED to high brightness to notify the patient that the call is being made. to turn it on. Further, the light emission control unit 41D controls the LED 62 to function as a night light when the clock (not shown) detects that it is nighttime regardless of the determination result of the first determination unit 41A. Then, the LED 62 is lit with low luminance.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing voltages output to the LED line EL4 for light emission control of the LED 62 by the light emission control section 41D. FIG. 5(a) shows the voltage output by the light emission control section 41D when the LED 62 of the hand-shaped child device 6 is caused to emit light as a calling confirmation light. As shown in FIG. 5(a), when causing the LED 62 to emit light as a call confirmation lamp, the light emission control unit 41D applies a voltage V1 having a magnitude such that a current sufficient for the LED 62 to emit light continues for a certain period of time T1. Apply to LED line EL4.

FIG. 5(b) shows the voltage output by the light emission control section 41D when the LED 62 of the hand-shaped child device 6 emits light as a night light. As shown in FIG. 5(b), when the LED 62 is made to emit light as a night light, the light emission control unit 41D applies a voltage V1 having a magnitude such that a current sufficient for the LED 62 to emit light flows for a period shorter than the fixed period T1. A pulse of T2 is intermittently applied to the LED line EL4.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the voltage appearing on the LED line EL4 when the second determination unit 41B determines whether or not the sensor child device 7 has come off. FIG. 6(a) shows the voltage that the second determination section 41B outputs to the LED line EL4. As shown in FIG. 6A, the second determination unit 41B applies a voltage V2 (V2<V1) with a magnitude that causes a weak current to flow so that the LED 62 does not emit light, and continues for a certain period of time T3 (T3<T1). is applied to the LED line EL4.

FIG. 6(b) shows how the voltage actually occurs in the LED line EL4 when the second determination unit 41B applies the voltage shown in FIG. 6(a) to the LED line EL4. . As shown in FIG. 6B, the voltage value is not stable immediately after the second determination unit 41B applies the voltage to the LED line EL4. Therefore, the second determination unit 41B detects the voltage value occurring in the LED line EL4 after a certain output stabilization time T4 has elapsed since the voltage was output to the LED line EL4, and compares it with the threshold value _Th21 . .

The second determination unit 41B constantly monitors the connection state of the sensor child device 7 by repeatedly executing the process of outputting a weak current to the LED line EL4 at predetermined intervals and detecting the voltage generated in the LED line EL4. The first determination unit 41A also constantly monitors the operating state and connection state of the hand-type child device 6 and the operating state of the sensor child device 7 by repeatedly detecting the voltage generated in the call line NC4 at a predetermined cycle.

By the way, when the second determination unit 41B outputs a weak current to the LED line EL4 at predetermined intervals as described above, the light emission control unit 41D may control the light emission of the LED 62 at the output timing. obtain. Therefore, the second determination unit 41B determines whether or not the LED 62 is lit under the control of the light emission control unit 41D. After turning off the LED 62, the connection state of the sensor child device 7 is determined by supplying a weak current to the LED line EL4. After the determination, an instruction is issued to the light emission control section 41D to turn on the LED 62 again.

In this way, even when the LED 62 is turned on by the light emission control section 41D, it is possible to determine the connection state of the sensor child device 7 using the LED line EL4. Although the LED 62 is turned off for a moment by this process, the period T3 (that is, the period in which the LED 62 is turned off) during which the second determination unit 41B is flowing a weak current can be made short, and the LED 62 is turned off. It can be said that the patient hardly notices that the light has been momentarily turned off.

As described in detail above, in the present embodiment, among the plurality of signal lines connected to the connector 40 of the wall-mounted child device 4, the voltage generated in the call line NC4 is compared with the threshold to detect the hand-held device. The operating state and connection state of the child device 6 and the operating state of the sensor child device 7 are determined. In addition, by supplying a weak current to the LED line EL4 to the extent that the LED 62 of the hand-shaped child device 6 does not turn on, and comparing the voltage generated in the LED line EL4 in response to the supply of the weak current with the threshold, The connection state of the sensor child device 7 is determined.

According to this embodiment configured in this way, the conventional technology detects all of the operation states and connection states of the hand-type child device 6 and the sensor child device 7 by comparing the voltage generated in the call line with the threshold value. Unlike the connection state of the sensor slave unit 7, the voltage generated in the LED line EL4 different from the call line NC4 is used to determine the connection state. It is possible to reduce the number of As a result, even when a plurality of connected devices are connected via the connector 40 of the wall-embedded child device 4, it is easy to accurately determine the operating state and connection state of each connected device by comparing the voltage and the threshold value. can do.

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which eight states as shown in FIG. 4 are determined by the first determining section 41A and the second determining section 41B has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, eight states as shown in FIG. 7 may be determined. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the hand-shaped handset 6 has three call buttons, and depending on which call button is pressed, it is possible to make a general call, a toilet assistance call, or a drip end call. It's becoming In the example shown in FIG. 7, the first determination section 41A determines the connection state of the handheld terminal 6 by comparing the voltage generated on the call line NC4 with two threshold values Th ₁₁ to Th ₁₂ . The first determination unit 41A also compares the voltage generated in the call line NC4 with three thresholds Th ₁₃ to Th ₁₅ with respect to the operation state of the connected device to determine whether the call operation is performed by the hand-type slave device 6. It is determined whether the call operation is for the sensor child device 7, and if it is the call operation for the hand type child device 6, the type of the call operation is further identified.

Further, in the above embodiment, a configuration in which one sensor slave unit 7 can be connected to the distribution outlet 5 has been described, but a configuration in which two or more sensor slave units can be connected to the distribution outlet 5 may be employed. . FIG. 8 shows a configuration in which two sensor child devices 7A and 7B can be connected to the distribution outlet 5, and shows a state in which the two sensor child devices 7A and 7B are actually connected. In this case, one of the plurality of connected devices connected via the connector 40 is the hand-type child device 6, and the other connected devices are the two sensor child devices 7A and 7B.

In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the first determination unit 41A compares the voltage generated in the call line NC4 with eleven threshold values Th ₁₁ to Th ₁₁₁ to determine the operation state of the hand-type slave device 6. (standby or call) and connection state (disconnection), the operation state (wait or call) of the first sensor child device 7A, and the operation state (standby or call) of the second sensor child device 7B. It is determined which one of the states is. In this example, the first determination unit 41A determines which of the hand-type child device 6, the first sensor child device 7A, and the second sensor child device 7B is the calling operation with respect to the operation state of the connected device. have identified.

Further, the second determination unit 41B compares the voltage generated in the LED line EL4 with the three thresholds Th ₂₁ to Th ₂₃ to determine the connection state (whether or not there is a disconnection) of the first sensor slave unit 7A and the second determination unit 41B. It is determined which one of the four states is the combination with the connection state (whether or not there is a disconnection) of the sensor child device 7B. In this example, the second determination unit 41B identifies which of the two sensor child devices 7A and 7B is in the missing state.

Even when a plurality of sensor child devices 7A and 7B are connectable, the type of calling operation of the hand-type child device 6 may be further identified as shown in FIG. 10, for example. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 10, the first determination unit 41A compares the voltage generated in the call line NC4 with six thresholds Th ₁₁ to Th ₁₆ to determine the operating state (standby or 3 types of call) and connection state (disconnection), the operation state (standby or call) of the first sensor child device 7A, and the operation state (standby or call) of the second sensor child device 7B. It is determined which one of the states is.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a configuration has been described in which a plurality of connected devices are indirectly connected to the connector 40 of the wall-embedded child device 4 via the distribution outlet 5, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the wall-embedded child device 4 may be provided with a plurality of connectors 40 and a plurality of connected devices may be directly connected to the plurality of connectors 40 . In such a configuration, when calling lines and LED lines are branched from the microcomputer 41 and connected to a plurality of connectors 40, the microcomputer 41, as in the above embodiment, controls the combined voltage generated in the calling lines and the LED line voltage. A comparison with a threshold value is performed on the basis of the resultant voltage generated at .

Further, in the above-described embodiment, some of the plurality of connected devices connected via the connector 40 are one hand-type child device 6, and the other connected device is one sensor child device. Although a configuration example of seven or two sensor slave units 7A and 7B has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, some connected devices may be plural. As an example, the hand-type child device 6 and the grip push button may be directly or indirectly connectable to the wall-embedded child device 4 as part of the connection device.

In addition, the above-described embodiments are merely examples of specific implementations of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed in a limited manner. Thus, the invention may be embodied in various forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics.

4 Wall-embedded slave unit 5 Distribution outlet 6 Hand-held slave unit (connection device)
7, 7A, 7B Sensor slave unit (connected device)
40 connector 41 microcomputer 41A first determination unit 41B second determination unit 41C call control unit 41D light emission control unit 62 LED
NC4 Call line EL4 LED line

Claims (7)

A wall-embedded slave unit having a connector connected to a plurality of signal lines and capable of being connected to a connected device via the connector,
The plurality of signal lines includes a call line used for call signal communication and an LED line used for light emission control of an LED provided in the connection device,
By comparing the voltage generated in the call line with a threshold value, the operating state and connection state of some of the plurality of connected devices directly or indirectly connected via the connector, and the above-mentioned one a first determination unit that determines the operation state of other connected devices other than the connected device of the
By supplying a weak current to the LED line to the extent that the LED does not light up, and comparing the voltage generated in the LED line according to the supply of the weak current with a threshold value, the connection state of the other connected device is determined. A wall-embedded child machine characterized by comprising a second judging section that The second determination unit determines whether or not the LED is lit, and if it is determined that the LED is lit, the LED is extinguished and then the weak current is supplied to the 2. The wall-embedded slave device according to claim 1, wherein the connection state of other connected devices is determined, and the LED is relighted after the determination. The first determination unit compares the voltage generated in the call line with a threshold regarding the operation state of the connected equipment, and determines whether the operation state of the connected equipment is the operation of the part of the connected equipment or the operation of the other connected equipment. 3. The wall-embedded slave unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it identifies whether there is one. The first determination unit compares the voltage generated in the call line with a threshold regarding the operation state of the connected equipment, and further identifies the type of operation when the part of the connected equipment is operated. 4. The wall-embedded child machine according to claim 3, wherein When a plurality of other connected devices are connected, the first determination unit compares the voltage generated in the call line with a threshold value with respect to the operation state of the connected devices, thereby determining the plurality of other connected devices. 5. The wall-embedded slave unit according to claim 3, further identifying which of the connected devices is operated. The second determination unit compares the voltage generated in the LED line with a threshold value when a plurality of other connected devices are connected, and determines which of the plurality of other connected devices is in a disconnected state. 6. The wall-embedded child device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it identifies whether the Among the signal lines connected to the connector of the wall-embedded slave unit, by comparing the voltage generated in the call line used for communication of the call signal with the threshold, directly or indirectly through the connector a first determination unit that determines the operating state and connection state of some of the plurality of connected devices connected to the device and the operating state of other connected devices other than the some of the connected devices;
Among the plurality of signal lines, a weak current that does not turn on the LED is supplied to an LED line used for light emission control of the LED provided in the connected device, and the LED is controlled according to the supply of the weak current. and a second determination unit that determines the connection state of the other connected device by comparing the voltage generated in the line with a threshold value.

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