JP3855392B2 - Wireless housing equipment system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a wireless housing equipment system for controlling housing equipment such as an air conditioner, a ventilator, and a water heater based on information from a wireless environment detecting device installed in and around the house. It is.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In housing equipment that performs control based on environmental conditions, by connecting the environment detection device and housing equipment wirelessly, the degree of freedom in location of environment detection is improved and the equipment is controlled based on appropriate environmental information. Is desired. At this time, the following methods are known for efficiently performing wireless transmission of environmental information.
[0003]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a conventional air conditioner described in JP-A-4-350437. A temperature sensor 10 is built in the wireless remote control 1 of the air conditioner, and when the operation / stop button 3 and the remote control sensor button 7 are pressed, the room temperature data detected by the room temperature detection sensor 10 is directed to the indoor unit 13 via the transmission circuit 9. Is output. Transmission at this time is periodically continued by the first timer means 11 at regular intervals. While such transmission is being performed, if the second timer means 12 informs that a certain period of time has passed without any operation of the wireless remote controller 1, it is useless by stopping the transmission of room temperature data. The transmission is not performed.
[0004]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional air conditioning management system described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-265191. The environmental measurement is performed by the plurality of sensor devices 20 to 27 and collected in the measurement transmission relay device 23 by wireless communication. Further, the measurement data is collected in the air conditioning management device 10 to control the operation of each air conditioning block in total.
[0005]
A method for collecting environmental measurement values to the measurement transmission relay device 23 will be described. First, the measurement transmission relay device wirelessly transmits a transmission request to the sensor device that requires the environmental measurement value. Upon receiving the transmission request, the sensor device wirelessly transmits the environmental measurement value to the measurement transmission relay device. According to the measurement type of the sensor devices 20 to 27, the measurement-system transmission relay device has a short cycle for environmental elements having a relatively fast reaction speed such as temperature, and a long cycle for environmental elements having a slow reaction speed such as humidity. Transmission efficiency is improved by requesting transmission of measured values.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional configuration has the following problems.
[0007]
In the configuration described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-350437, the environment detection value is always transmitted only at a constant period regardless of the detected environment detection value and its change rate. For example, considering the case where the housing equipment controls the temperature, when the rate of change in the rising state is large, it is set to communicate at a time interval that allows the housing equipment to accurately grasp the state of the change. There is a problem in that a large amount of communication is performed unnecessarily in a stable state with little temperature change, resulting in increased power consumption and reduced transmission efficiency. In particular, when the environment detection device is driven by a battery, there is a problem that the battery is frequently replaced and the practicality is lowered. In addition, when communication is performed using radio waves such as specific low-power radio, there is a problem that an increase in traffic volume is caused and communication of other systems using the same radio wave is hindered. On the contrary, if the transmission interval is set long, there is a problem that the house equipment cannot accurately grasp the state of temperature change and cannot perform appropriate temperature control.
[0008]
The configuration described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-265191 also has the same problem as described above when viewed with the same type of sensor. In addition, since the sensor device transmits the environment detection value after receiving a transmission request, the sensor device and the equipment need to have a bidirectional communication function. For this reason, there is a problem that the communication protocol becomes complicated and the cost of the system increases. Further, the sensor device side requires not only transmission but also reception power, and there is a problem of an increase in power consumption that is particularly important in the case of battery driving.
[0009]
The present invention solves such a conventional problem, improves the spatial freedom to obtain environmental information by wirelessly connecting the environment detection device and the housing equipment, and based on more appropriate environmental information. The purpose of the wireless home equipment system to be controlled is to transmit detection information efficiently with low power consumption, and to achieve a simple communication system without requiring a complicated protocol for communication. is there.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the wireless housing equipment system of the present invention uses the following means.
[0011]
The environment detection device installed in and around the house, and the environment and energy usage status of the home based on information intermittently sent from the environment detection device connected to the environment detection device via a wireless line A sensor means for detecting an environmental state and converting it into an environmental detection value, and a transmission means for transmitting the environmental detection value as a radio signal to the household equipment. A transmission interval control means for determining a time interval for transmitting the environment detection value; and a first timer means for measuring a time interval determined by the transmission interval control means and giving a transmission command to the transmission means, The housing equipment includes receiving means for receiving a radio signal from the environment detection device and converting the radio signal as an environment detection value, and transmitting the signal to the control circuit of the housing equipment, and the transmission interval control means is a sensor hand. Determining a transmission interval based on the environmental value detected by.
[0012]
By the said means, the transmission space | interval with respect to a housing equipment apparatus can be appropriately controlled according to the environmental state to detect.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention according to claim 1 is based on an environment detection device installed in and around a house, and information transmitted intermittently from the environment detection device connected to the environment detection device via a wireless line. In the system composed of house equipment that controls the environment of the house and energy use, the environment detection device detects the environmental state and converts it into an environment detection value, and the house equipment Transmitting means for transmitting the environment detection value as a radio signal, transmission interval control means for determining a time interval for transmitting the environment detection value, and counting the time interval determined by the transmission interval control means to the transmitting means First housing means for giving a transmission command is provided, and the home equipment receives a radio signal from the environment detection device, converts it as an environment detection value, and transmits it to the control circuit of the home equipment Comprising a signal means, the transmission interval control means is for determining a transmission time interval based on the measured environmental parameters. According to this configuration, it is possible to control the transmission interval of the detection value according to the environment detection value.
[0016]
Then, the housing equipment uses the fourth timer means for periodically operating the receiving means, and the reception timing at the receiving means to determine the operation timing of the receiving means by the fourth timer means from the transmission timing from the environment detection device. Timer detection means for synchronizing with each other, the environment detection device transmits the environment detection value at a time interval that is an integral multiple of the minimum time interval restricted by the transmission interval restriction means, and the housing equipment performs the operation of receiving the environment detection value. It is started intermittently in synchronism with the timing of transmission possibility. According to this configuration, the household equipment can receive in an intermittent operation in which the reception operation is started only at a time when the environment detection value may be transmitted.
[0017]
【Example】
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0018]
Example 1
Reference numeral 101 denotes an environment detection device, and reference numeral 102 denotes a housing equipment, which is described here as an air conditioner. Reference numeral 103 denotes a sensor means including a temperature sensor and a human detection sensor, and the environment detection apparatus 101 transmits the presence / absence of a person and room temperature information to the air conditioner 102. The human detection sensor outputs a binary value (1) or no (0) that a person is present, and the temperature sensor outputs an AD converted value. Reference numeral 104 denotes a radio wave transmission means, 105 denotes a first timer means for measuring a transmission interval time, 106 denotes a transmission interval control means, 107 denotes an environment detection value storage means, 108 denotes a second timer means, 109 denotes a transmission interval limit Means, 110 is a receiving means by radio waves, 111 is a control means for equipment (here, an air conditioner), 112 is a third timer means, and 113 is a communication state monitoring means.
[0019]
Next, a case where the transmission interval is determined based on the environment detection value will be described. In FIG. 1, the transmission interval control means 106 is time interval T ₁ when the output of the human detection sensor 103 is present (1) with respect to the first timer means 105, and when it changes to absent (0), the time interval. At T ₂ , when no more people are detected and time T ₄ has elapsed, a request is made to transmit the detected value at time interval T ₃ . If T ₁ <T ₂ <T ₃ , the transmission interval is short when there is a person and long when there is no person.
[0020]
Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIG. 2, (i) is the output of the human detection sensor 103 input to the transmission interval control means 106, (ii) is the presence / absence of a person from the environment detection device 101, and the transmission timing of temperature information, and (iii) is air. The detected temperature value received by the conditioner 102 and output to the control means 111, (iv), shows the change over time of the operating frequency of the compressor of the air conditioner 102. During this time, it is assumed that the air conditioner 102 has been continuously cooled. The equipment control means 111 is configured such that when the person is “present”, the room temperature becomes the set temperature (Th ₁ ). When the person is “absent”, the standby temperature ( The compressor frequency of the air conditioner 102 is controlled so as to be Th ₀ ). When a person enters the room and is detected, the environment detection device 101 transmits a temperature detection value at a short time interval (T ₁ ), and the facility equipment control means 111 is based on the received temperature detection value (iii) ( As shown in iv), the compressor frequency of the air conditioner 102 is controlled to quickly stabilize the room temperature, which had been Th ₀ until then, to Th ₁ . When the person leaves the room and is no longer detected, the stable speed may be set to the standby temperature Th ₀ without causing a problem. Therefore, the environment detection apparatus 101 transmits and receives the temperature detection value at a long time interval (T ₂ ). The compressor frequency of the air conditioner 102 is controlled based on the detected temperature value. Further, after the absence time T ₄ which is considered to be stable at room temperature Th ₀ after elapse of time, the environment detection apparatus 101 transmits the temperature detection value at a longer time interval (T ₃ ).
[0021]
By controlling the transmission interval in the absence of a person as described above, transmission is performed in a short time interval when a detailed temperature detection value is required when there is a person, and in a long time interval when there is no person. Therefore, the environment detection value can be transmitted efficiently. Moreover, since unnecessary transmission can be suppressed, power consumption is reduced.
[0022]
In this embodiment, the transmission interval is determined based on the output of the human detection sensor. However, the transmission interval is not limited to this, and based on another environmental detection value such as a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an optical sensor, or a CO2 sensor. The transmission interval may be controlled.
[0023]
(Example 2)
In the present embodiment, a case where the transmission interval is determined based on the change rate of the environment detection value will be described. In FIG. 1, the temperature detection value is stored at the time interval T ₁ in the environment detection value storage means 107 by the second timer means 108. When the first timer means 105 is sent to a time-up, 3-step ranking of calculating the absolute value of this period the temperature change rate from the temperature detection value of the transmission interval control means current and previous (T ₁ before) The transmission intervals T ₁ , T ₂ , and T ₃ are assigned in order from the largest rank, and set in the first timer means 105. However, T ₁ <T ₂ <T ₃ .
[0024]
An actual operation example will be described with reference to FIG. 3, (i) is a temperature detected by the sensor means (Th _s ), (ii) is a transmission timing of an environment detection value (temperature and absence of a person) from the environment detection apparatus 101, and (iii) is an air conditioner. The difference (ΔTh) between the detected temperature (Th _s ) evaluated by the control means 111 and the set temperature (Th _set ), (iv) is the operating frequency of the compressor controlled by the control means 111 of the air conditioner based on ΔTh Each time change is shown about (f).
[0025]
Fluctuation of the temperature before the air conditioner 102 is operated is small environment detection value is transmitted at T ₃ intervals. The cooling operation is started at time t ₀ , and the compressor is driven at f ₀ based on the temperature difference ΔTh ₀ at that time. When the temperature starts to drop, the transmission interval is also shortened as T ₃ → T ₂ → T _1, and the drive frequency of the compressor is controlled as shown in (iv) based on the temperature difference (ΔTh) from the received data. To do. When the temperature becomes stable and it becomes unnecessary to finely control the drive frequency, the transmission interval becomes longer as T ₁ → T ₂ → T ₃ again.
[0026]
According to the above embodiment, when the temperature change rate is large, the transmission interval is shortened, and when it is small, the transmission interval is controlled so that the transmission is performed effectively, and the state of the temperature change is more accurately detected on the air conditioner side. Can be caught. Further, useless transmission can be suppressed, so that power consumption is reduced.
[0027]
In the present embodiment, the transmission interval is set in three stages, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be set in multiple stages or continuously.
[0028]
Example 3
In this embodiment, a case where the communication state is monitored from the reception interval of the environment detection value will be described. In FIG. 1, the maximum value of the transmission interval that can be determined by the transmission interval control means 106 by the transmission interval restriction means 109 is limited to Ti _(MAX) . On the other hand, on the air conditioner side, the reception interval of the environment detection value is measured by the third timer unit 112, and the communication state monitoring unit 113 always compares this measurement time with a predetermined time Ti _(ERR) , and Ti ₍ If it exceeds ( _ERR) , it is judged as a communication error and error processing is performed. However, the following relationship shall be satisfied.
[0029]
Ti _(MAX) <Ti _(ERR)
As the communication error processing, low-capacity driving determined in advance as the driving capacity at the time of error is performed. Although not particularly specified in FIG. 1, for example, an error indicator lamp may be provided in the air conditioner 102 and blinked to notify the resident of a communication error.
[0030]
An actual operation example will be described with reference to FIG. 4, (i) is the output timing of the first timer means 105, (ii) is the transmission timing of the environment detection apparatus 101, (iii) is the reception timing, and (iv) is the measurement time of the third timer means 112. Each is shown. After receiving at time t ₁ and receiving at time interval Ti ₀ within the limit range (time t ₂ ), the measurement value of the third timer means is reset and measurement is started again. After that, when the measurement time exceeds Ti _(MAX) and further exceeds Ti _(ERR) , the reception error is notified at time t4 when reception is not possible.
[0031]
According to the above embodiment, even if the transmission interval from the environment detection device changes, the environment detection value is reliably transmitted within a predetermined time (Ti _(MAX) ), and even if the housing equipment exceeds this predetermined time. When the environment detection value cannot be received, it is determined as a communication error and error processing can be performed.
[0032]
Example 4
In the present embodiment, a case where the reception operation on the air conditioner side is performed intermittently will be described. In FIG. 1, the transmission interval that can be determined by the transmission interval control unit 106 by the transmission interval limiting unit 109 is limited to a minimum value Ti _(MIN) and an integral multiple thereof, and an environmental detection value or a rate of change thereof is selected from these. Select the transmission interval according to. On the other hand, on the air conditioner side, the fourth timer means 114 measures the time interval Ti _(MIN) , and when the time is up, the receiving means 110 is activated for the reception waiting time (T _W ). If the environment detection value is not received during this time, the reception operation is stopped until the fourth timer means 114 starts again.
[0033]
An actual operation example will be described with reference to FIG. 5, (i) is an output timing of the first timer means 105, (ii) is a transmission timing from the environment detection apparatus 101, (iii) is an output timing of the fourth timer means 114, and (iv) is a reception. The operation timing of the means 110 is shown. When the data 504 is transmitted at the time t ₁ , the receiving means 110 starts the receiving operation and receives the data 507 by the output of the fourth timer means synchronized with this. The reception operation is started again at time t ₂ after Ti _(MIN) , but if the reception signal is not detected during the reception waiting time (T _W ), the reception operation is terminated and waits. In this way, the reception operation is sequentially started at a time interval of Ti _(MIN) , but there is a possibility that synchronization is shifted due to an error in the clocks on the transmission side and the reception side. Then, next, the method to synchronize the transmission timing of an environment detection apparatus and the reception timing of household equipment is demonstrated. When receiving the environment detection value, the reception means 110 sends a reception edge detection signal to the timer synchronization means 115 in synchronization with detection of the head position of the reception data. The timer synchronization means 115 adjusts the timing start timing of the fourth timer means 114 so that the reception edge detection signal is received at the exact center of the reception waiting time (T _W ), so that the timing of the reception operation is the environmental detection value. So as not to deviate from the time when there is a possibility of transmission. Here, the maximum value of the transmission interval from the environment detection apparatus is set in a range in which the reception edge detection signal does not deviate from the reception waiting time (T _W ).
[0034]
According to the above-described embodiment, it is not always necessary to set the reception unit of the air conditioner in a reception waiting state, and the environment detection value can be received by operating only at a time when there is a possibility of being transmitted, thereby reducing the consumption. Electricity can be achieved.
[0035]
In each of the above-described embodiments, an air conditioner is used as a housing equipment, but the present invention is not limited to this. Other equipment that performs control according to the environment, such as a ventilator or a floor heater, or the environment The present invention can be widely used in a wireless centralized management device that provides control information to house equipment after collecting detection values.
[0036]
In each of the above-described embodiments, a system in which the housing equipment and the environment detection device are 1: 1 is assumed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and transmission data from one environment detection device is used by a plurality of equipment ( N: 1), or an identification code for identifying an individual device is given to transmission data from a plurality of environment detection devices, and this is received by a single or a plurality of household equipment (1: N, N: M) Various forms of use are possible.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above embodiment, the wireless housing equipment system of the present invention provides the following effects.
[0038]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the transmission time interval is controlled according to the environment detection value, and the environment detection value can be transmitted from the environment detection device to the house equipment at a frequency corresponding to the environmental state. For this reason, since unnecessary transmission is not performed, the efficiency of data transmission is improved and the power consumption of the environment detection device can be reduced.
[0041]
Then, the home equipment only needs to start the reception operation intermittently only during the time when the environment detection value may be transmitted from the environment detection device, and the power consumption required for reception standby can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless housing equipment system in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of transmission timing and device operation in the first embodiment of the system. FIG. 3 is a transmission timing in the second embodiment of the system. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of transmission timing and device operation in the third embodiment of the system. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of transmission timing and device operation in the fourth embodiment of the system. Block diagram of the wireless equipment system [Fig. 7] Block diagram of the system [Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Environment detection apparatus 102 Housing equipment 103 Sensor means 104 Transmission means 105 First timer means 106 Transmission interval control means 107 Environment detection value storage means 108 Second timer means 109 Transmission interval restriction means 110 Reception means 111 Control of equipment Means 112 Third timer means 113 Communication state monitoring means 114 Fourth timer means 115 Timer synchronization means

Claims (1)

The environment detection device installed in and around the house, and the environment detection device connected to the environment detection device via a wireless line and controlling the environment of the house and the use of energy based on information sent from the environment detection device In a system composed of housing equipment,
The environment detection device includes a sensor unit that detects an environmental state and converts it into an environment detection value, a transmission unit that transmits the environment detection value as a radio signal to the housing equipment, and a time for transmitting the environment detection value. A transmission interval control means for determining an interval; and a first timer means for measuring a time interval determined by the transmission interval control means and giving a transmission command to the transmission means,
The housing equipment includes receiving means for receiving a radio signal from the environment detection device and converting the radio signal as an environment detection value and transmitting the radio detection signal to a control circuit of the housing equipment, and the transmission interval control means is based on the environment detection value. In the wireless housing equipment system that determines the transmission time interval ,
The housing equipment includes a fourth timer unit that periodically operates the reception unit, and an operation timing of the reception unit by the fourth timer unit using the reception timing of the reception unit, and the environment detection Timer synchronization means for synchronizing with the transmission timing from the device,
The environment detection device transmits the environment detection value at a time interval that is an integral multiple of the minimum time interval limited by the transmission interval limiting means, and the housing equipment can transmit the reception operation of the environment detection value. A wireless housing system that is launched intermittently in synchronization with a certain timing.

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