JP4674558B2 - Housing equipment monitoring and control system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a housing equipment monitoring and control system for controlling and monitoring housing equipment installed in a house, for example, an air conditioner, a lighting fixture, or various security devices.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a housing equipment monitoring and control system that controls and monitors housing equipment such as air conditioners, lighting fixtures, and various security devices has been provided as described in Patent Document 1. Such a conventional system integrates control and monitoring functions for housing equipment such as air conditioners, lighting fixtures, and various security devices, centering on a master unit having an intercom function, and all the houses to be controlled and monitored. The equipment is connected to the main unit by wire or wireless.
JP 2004-135197 A

  However, in the above-described conventional system, all the housing facilities to be controlled and monitored are connected to a single base unit. Therefore, the function of the base unit is changed or changed in accordance with changes in market needs or improvements in the functions of home facilities. It was difficult to respond flexibly and quickly. Conventionally, it has been possible to report abnormality detection from the master unit to a terminal device (for example, a mobile phone) carried by a householder who is out when the abnormality is detected by the security device. Of householders could not know that no abnormality was detected by the security device.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to be able to respond flexibly and quickly to changes in market needs and functional improvements of housing facilities and to know from the outside that there is no abnormality at home. An object of the present invention is to provide a monitoring system for housing equipment that can be used.

In order to achieve the above object, a controller installed in a house is connected to a plurality of subsystems for controlling and monitoring a house facility, and the controllers of the respective subsystems via a transmission line. An integrated management device and a plurality of terminal devices connected to the integrated management device via a transmission path constitute a home network using a general-purpose communication protocol, and are installed in a remote place away from the home. A center device connected to the home network through an external network different from the network, and a portable terminal device that performs data communication with the center device, and is transmitted from the terminal device through the home network or the external network Based on the request message, the subsystem controller controls and supervises the housing equipment. And a response message indicating the result of the control or monitoring is transmitted from the controller to the terminal device through the home network or an external network, and the controller transmits from the controller of another subsystem through the home network. In accordance with the transmitted response message, control or monitor a predetermined home equipment among the home equipment under its control, and the subsystem detects an abnormality in the home. One or a plurality of types of security devices to be collected, a receiver that collects detection information of each security device and receives detection information related to occurrence of a predetermined abnormality, and receives and receives the detection information from the receiver The detection information is sent to the response message. The portable terminal device includes a communication unit that performs data communication through the external network, and information received by the communication unit. Display means for displaying, wherein the security system provides a wireless switching signal to the receiver for switching from a warning state where the receiver collects detection information to a non-warning state where the detection information is not collected 1 Or a plurality of wireless setting devices, and when the controller of the security system has not received detection information regarding the occurrence of an abnormality from any security device, a notification that no abnormality has occurred is periodically sent to the home network. And portable through external network When the receiver is switched to the non-warning state by the wireless setting device, the mobile device is switched to the non-warning state and information for identifying the wireless setting device is transmitted by the response message. The terminal device is notified .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the center device stores detection information received from a controller of the security system and stores the detection information in response to a request message from the terminal device. Is transmitted to the terminal device as a response message.

  According to the present invention, the home equipment is controlled and monitored for each of the plurality of subsystems, and a home network using a general-purpose communication protocol is configured by the plurality of subsystems, and the subsystems are linked through the home network. Therefore, compared to the conventional example where all housing equipment is connected to a single master unit, it is possible to respond flexibly and quickly to changes in market needs and improvements to the functionality of housing equipment. If no detection information regarding the occurrence of an abnormality has been received from any security device, a notification that no abnormality has occurred is periodically transmitted to the portable terminal device via the home network and the external network. Even if you are away for a long period of days or weeks, And it can be found in the band type of terminal equipment can give a sense of security to the user.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the housing equipment monitoring and control system according to this embodiment includes a plurality of (three in the illustrated example) subsystems SS1 in which controllers C1, C2, and C3 installed in the house control and monitor the housing equipment. , SS2, SS3, and the integrated management device TM connected to the controller Cn (n = 1, 2, 3) of each subsystem SSn via a transmission line (enhanced category 5 or category 6 LAN cable). A plurality of (in the illustrated example, two) terminal devices (personal computer PC and display control device CV) connected to the management device TM via a LAN cable, the plurality of controllers C and the integrated management device TM; A home network using a general-purpose communication protocol (TCP / IP, UDP, HTTP, etc.) is configured with the terminal device. This home network is a local area network (LAN) compliant with the 100BASE-TX (IEEE 802.3u) standard, and the controller Cn of each subsystem SSn corresponding to the network terminal is connected to the integrated management device TM corresponding to the switching hub. And terminal devices (personal computer PC and display control device CV) are connected by star wiring. Further, the integrated management device TM is connected to an Internet connection device MD such as an ADSL modem, a cable modem, or an ONU (Optical Network Unit) according to the type of line (phone line, CATV line, optical fiber line, etc.) for connecting to the Internet. The home network is connected to the Internet, which is an external network, through a communication cable (usually a LAN cable) and the Internet connection device MD. In addition, since this kind of internet connection apparatus MD is well-known conventionally, illustration and description about a detailed structure are abbreviate | omitted.

  Further, a center device (center server) SV installed at a remote place away from the house is connected to the home network through the Internet, and a notebook personal computer, a mobile phone MP, which can be connected to the Internet, as will be described later. By performing data communication via the Internet between a portable terminal device such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance) and the center device SV, for example, control and monitoring of house facilities from the outside using a mobile phone MP It can be performed. The center device SV is composed of a general-purpose computer device having a network function. The center device SV is a message addressed to the controller Cn transmitted from a terminal device such as the mobile phone MP or the like or a terminal device not belonging to the home network from the controller Cn. It has a function to relay a message to be transmitted. However, since the portable terminal device and the center device SV having the Internet connection function as described above are well known in the art, illustration and description of the detailed configuration are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the integrated management apparatus TM includes a plurality of communication ports 2 _i (i = 1, 2,...) To which the controller Cn of the subsystem SSn is connected via a LAN cable. The transmission path between the communication port 3 to which the Internet connection device MD is connected and the communication ports 2 _i , 3 is switched, the packets transferred between the communication ports 2 _i , 3 are discarded, or the communication port 2 _i or 3 is blocked. Alternatively, a packet processing unit 4 that executes processing such as restriction (hereinafter referred to as packet processing), and a function (route switching function) that switches the transmission path by controlling the packet processing unit 4 with the CPU as a main component. A function to perform virus checking and filtering on the network (network security function), subsystem configuration management function (described later) And the like, the controller Cn, the MAC (Media Access Control) address and network address (private IP address) of the Internet connection device MD, and control information and monitoring information related to each subsystem SSn are stored. And a storage unit 5 for this purpose. The communication ports 2 _i and 3 include a modular jack to which an RJ-45 modular plug provided at the end of the LAN cable is detachably connected. The packet processing unit 4 includes a large number of switch elements. When the switch element is driven by the path switching function of the control unit 1, any one communication port 2 _i or 3 and one or more other communication ports The transmission path between 2 _{i and} 3 is switched, or the network security function of the control unit 1 has caused an abnormality (for example, an inflow or outflow of illegal packets or a large amount of packets that may interfere with the network). The communication port 2 _i or 3 is blocked or restricted. Storage unit 5 is a nonvolatile memory, controllers Cn and the terminal device and connected to the communication port 3 Internet device MAC address or a network address of each communication port 2 _i of MD is connected to each communication port 2 _i , 3 are stored in correspondence with each other. However, since a method for acquiring the MAC addresses of the controller Cn and terminal devices connected to the communication ports 2 _i and 3 and the Internet connection device MD is well known in the art, detailed description thereof will be omitted. Further, the controller 1 automatically assigns network addresses of the controllers Cn and terminal devices, that is, private (or local) IP addresses by using DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). Yes. However, since automatic assignment of network addresses using DHCP is also well known in the art, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The control unit 1 monitors the address (MAC address) of the transmission destination of the packet that enters the packet processing unit 4 from the communication ports 2 _i and 3, for example, the transmission destination of the packet that has entered from the communication port 3. against a MAC address that stores the address in the storage unit 5, the controller Cn and the terminal device MAC address coincident with the destination address (e.g., the controller C1) communication ports are connected to 2 ₁ and the communication port 3 and only controls the packet processing unit 4 as a transmission path is formed, so it sent the packet to the communication port 2 ₁ through the formed transmission paths between the (path switching function). Further, the control unit 1 constantly monitors packets passing through the communication ports 2 _i and 3, discards abnormal packets, or controls the packet processing unit 4 as described above to cause a communication port in which an abnormality has occurred. 2 _i or 3 is blocked or restricted (network security function). Further, the control unit 1 is equipped with a UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) control point function, and uses UPnP to detect a device in UPnP, as described later, using UPnP (Simple Service Discovery Protocol). Each controller Cn corresponding to this device is automatically detected.

  By the way, the integrated management device TM is configured by housing the above-described parts in a box-shaped housing (not shown) made of a synthetic resin molded product, and the housing is installed on a wall surface in the house. It can be stored in a distribution board (residential board). However, the structure of the housing is an example, and it is not always necessary to be housed in a housing board.

  Next, each subsystem SSn will be described.

  The sub-system SS1 includes a lighting equipment, an air conditioner (air conditioner), a housing facility (equipment device) Xm (m = 1, 2,...) Such as an electric lock, and a controller (hereinafter, facilities) that controls and monitors the facility device Xm. It is referred to as a device controller.) C1 and a current measuring device D that measures a current used in a house.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the equipment controller C1 includes a equipment controller controller 10 having a microcomputer as a main component, and a LAN interface for connecting a LAN cable of the home network to interface the equipment controller controller 10 with the home network. Unit 11, HA (home automation) interface unit 12 for interfacing facility equipment X1 (air conditioner, water heater, etc.) and facility equipment controller control unit 10 conforming to the Japan Electric Manufacturers' Association (JEMA) standard, JEMA HA terminal portion 13 having an HA terminal (not shown) conforming to the standard, and a relay terminal having a relay (not shown) inserted into the power supply path to the equipment device X2 (lighting fixture) not conforming to the JEMA standard Under the control of the unit 15 and the equipment controller controller 10. A lighting device interface unit 14 for driving a relay included in the relay terminal unit 15; a memory unit 16 for storing control information and monitoring information such as a program executed by a microcomputer and an operation state of the equipment devices X1 and X2; and a current measuring device D. A local interface unit 17 for performing data communication with each other, and a time measuring unit 18 for measuring the current time. Although not shown in the figure, a power supply circuit is also provided for generating a desired DC power supply from a commercial power supply and supplying operation power to the equipment controller controller 10 and other components.

  The equipment controller controller 10 individually controls each equipment X1 and X2 via the HA interface 12 or the luminaire interface 14 when receiving a control request message from the terminal device via the LAN interface 11. The HA interface unit 12 or the lighting device interface unit is switched when operation (lighting in the case of the lighting device X2) and stop (lighting off in the case of the lighting device X2) are received and a monitoring request message is received from the terminal device through the LAN interface unit 11. 14, the operation state of each equipment device X1 and X2 (operation <lighting> or stop <lighting off>) is individually acquired, and the response to the control request and the monitoring request (operation state of each equipment device X1 and X2) Send a request message from LAN interface unit 11 Function to transmit to the terminal device is based on having the (control monitoring). In addition, the equipment controller controller 10 creates web content (web page) for displaying the names and operation states of the equipment X1 to X4 under its control with characters and symbols, and responds to a request from the terminal device. Accordingly, it has a function (web server function) for providing (distributing) the web content to the terminal device from the LAN interface unit 11.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the current measuring device D is provided on the power source side of a microcomputer block 20 having a microcomputer as a main component and a main circuit breaker (not shown) housed in a housing board, and is connected to a main line from a power line PL. A current sensor (current transformer) CT for detecting a current flowing into the breaker, a current measuring unit 21 for measuring the amount of current used in the house from the current detected by the current sensor CT, and an equipment controller controller 10 of the equipment controller C1 A local interface unit 22 for performing data communication between them, and an HA interface unit 23 for interfacing the equipment block X3, X4 (air conditioners, water heaters, etc.) and the microcomputer block 20 conforming to the unified standard of the Japan Electrical Manufacturers' Association And an HA terminal portion 24 having an HA terminal (not shown) conforming to the JEMA standard. . When the measured value of the used current measured by the current measuring unit 21 exceeds a predetermined upper limit value, the microcomputer block 20 passes the local interface units 22 and 17 to the equipment controller controller 10 of the equipment controller C1. A function for preventing overuse of power by transmitting a stop (power off) command or by controlling the HA interface unit 23 to turn off the power of the equipment X3 or X4 connected to the HA terminal unit 24 (demand Control function) and a function of performing operation control and state monitoring of the equipment devices X3 and X4 according to a command given from the equipment device controller control unit 10 via the local interface unit 22. Here, the priority order in the demand control of the equipment devices X1 to X4 included in the subsystem SS1 is registered in the microcomputer block 20, and when the measured value of the used current exceeds the upper limit value, the equipment with the higher priority order is registered. The power is turned off sequentially from the devices X1,. However, it is not always necessary for the current measuring device D to have the control and monitoring functions of the equipment devices X3 and X4, and the equipment device controller control unit 10 of the equipment device controller C1 may be equipped with the demand control function. Further, the current measuring device D is not an essential constituent element, and may be a subsystem SS1 that does not include the current measuring device D.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the subsystem SS2 includes one or more types of security devices Y1 and Y2 that detect the occurrence of an abnormality in the house, and a security receiver SR that collects detection information of each security device Y1 and Y2. The security system includes a controller (hereinafter referred to as a security controller) C2 that receives detection information collected by the security receiver SR and transmits the received detection information through a home network using a response message.

  For example, the security device Y1 is a crime prevention device that detects a human intrusion into a monitoring area by detecting a heat ray radiated from a human body, detects whether a crescent lock installed in a window is unlocked, and detects whether a window is opened or closed. Has a function to transmit the detection information to the security receiver SR as a wireless signal (or wired signal) when an abnormality (intrusion of a person, unlocking of a crescent lock, etc.) is detected by the sensor. ing. The security device Y2 is equipped with a sensor for disaster prevention that detects fire by detecting smoke and heat, and gas leak detection by detecting city gas or LP gas. A function of transmitting the detection information to the security receiver SR by a wireless signal (or a wired signal) when a leak is detected. However, since the security devices Y1 and Y2 having the functions as described above are well known in the art, illustration and description of the detailed configuration are omitted.

  The security receiver SR collects detection information by receiving wireless signals (or wired signals) transmitted from the security devices Y1 and Y2, and further processes corresponding to the detection information, for example, fire, gas leakage or suspicious Processing to sound an alarm sound to inform the family of the occurrence of an abnormality such as an intruder, and to transmit detection information such as the type and location of the detected abnormality to the security controller C2 by wireless signal (or wired signal) I do. Here, a unique identification code (ID) is assigned to the security devices Y1 and Y2, and the security receiver SR can identify the detection information of the individual security devices Y1 and Y2 by the identification code. Further, as described above, the security receiver SR has two operation states of a warning state in which detection information is collected from the security devices Y1 and Y2 and a non-warning state in which detection information is not collected. For example, a wireless setting unit (not shown) 2) are selectively switched between a warning state and a non-warning state. However, a unique identification code is also assigned to the wireless setting device, and the wireless setting device to which an identification code other than pre-registered identification codes is assigned cannot switch the operation state. Since the security receiver SR having the functions as described above is well known in the art, illustration and description of a detailed configuration are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the security controller C2 includes a security controller control unit 30 having a microcomputer as a main component, and a LAN interface unit 31 that interfaces with the security controller control unit 30 and the home network via a LAN cable of the home network. A communication unit 32 that performs wireless (or wired) data communication with the security receiver SR, a display unit 33 that displays a power on / off state, a communication state, and the like using light emitting elements such as LEDs, and a push button switch. And a memory unit 35 for storing detection information collected from programs executed by a microcomputer and security devices Y1 and Y2. Further, although not shown, a power supply circuit is also provided for generating a desired DC power supply from a commercial power supply and supplying operation power to the security controller control unit 30 and other units.

  The security controller control unit 30 has a function (alarm function) for transmitting detection information received from the security receiver SR via the communication unit 32 as a response message to the terminal device through the home network (or the home network and the external network), a terminal When a control request message is received from the apparatus, a command is transmitted to the security receiver SR via the communication unit 32 to switch the operation state (warning state or non-warning state) of the security receiver SR, or the security receiver When the alarm sound by SR is stopped, or when a monitoring request message is received from the terminal device, a command is transmitted to the security receiver SR via the communication unit 32, and the operating state of the security receiver SR (warning state or (Not alert) A function (control monitoring function) that transmits a message of a response to a control request or a monitoring request (an operation state of the security receiver SR, an alarm sounding state, etc.) from the LAN interface unit 31 to a terminal device that is a transmission source of the request message ). In addition, the security controller control unit 30 creates web content (web page) for displaying the operating state of the security receiver SR under its control with characters and symbols, and in response to a request from the terminal device It has a function (web server function) for providing (distributing) web content to the terminal device from the LAN interface unit 31.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sub-system SS3 detects a camera-equipped doorphone slave unit (hereinafter abbreviated as a doorphone slave unit) DS installed outside the dwelling unit and a heat ray radiated from the human body to enter the monitoring area. A call function for making a call between the sensor camera SC that detects the intrusion of a person and picks up an image of the monitoring area at the time of the intrusion detection, and the intercom unit DS installed in the dwelling unit, and the intercom unit DS and the sensor camera SC. Interphone master unit IM having a function of displaying a captured image, and receiving an image captured by door phone slave unit DS and sensor camera SC from interphone master unit IM and transmitting the received image to center device SV through an external network Controller (hereinafter referred to as an image transfer controller) C3.

  The intercom DS is equipped with a microphone for calling, a speaker and a camera for imaging a visitor, transmits the call voice collected by the microphone to the interphone base unit IM via the telephone line, and interphone base unit IM A call function for ringing the call voice transmitted from the speaker via the call line, a call function for sending a call signal to the intercom base unit IM via the call line when the call button is pressed, and a camera ( For example, it has an image transmission function of transmitting an image captured by a CCD camera (outputting a moving image) to the interphone master unit IM via a communication line by frequency-modulating and multiplexing the image into a call voice. In addition, the sensor camera SC includes a heat ray sensor that detects the intrusion of a person into the monitoring area by detecting a heat ray emitted from the human body, a CCD camera that outputs a moving image, and the like, and is monitored via a signal line. It has a function of transmitting the image of the area to the door phone slave unit DS. In addition, the image transmitted to the door phone slave unit DS is transferred to the interphone master unit IM via the telephone line.

  On the other hand, the interphone base unit IM includes a microcomputer for controlling the whole, a DSP for voice processing, a microphone for calling, a speaker, a liquid crystal display for image display, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory for recording images and calling voice, and the like. When a call signal is received, a call is made between the speaker and the door phone cordless handset DS when the answer button is pressed during a certain period of time after or during the ringing of the ringing tone. A call function for transferring a call voice by forming a call path via a line, and an image picked up and transmitted by the intercom DS during the call (an image of the call partner) are frequency-demodulated to a liquid crystal display The function to display and the image captured by the doorphone slave unit DS or the sensor camera SC and transmitted from the doorphone slave unit DS when not in a call are frequency-demodulated to the liquid crystal display. A function to display (image monitor function) and a function to record an image and call voice transmitted from the intercom cordless handset DS via a call line in a nonvolatile semiconductor memory when a call signal is received during an answering machine setting ( An answering machine function), a function of recording an image captured by the sensor camera SC and transmitted from the doorphone slave unit DS via a telephone line in a non-volatile semiconductor memory (sensor camera recording function), and a doorphone slave unit DS It has a function (notification function for returning home) of notifying the return of a householder with a notification sound that can be distinguished from a normal ringing sound when a specific operation (for example, long press of a call button) is performed.

  Thus, when a visitor presses the call button of the door phone DS, a call signal is transmitted to the interphone base unit IM via the telephone line by the call function that is always effective, and the interphone base unit IM calls the speaker from the speaker. When the sound is generated and the power is supplied from the interphone master unit IM via the communication line, the image transmission function of the door phone slave unit DS becomes effective, and the image captured by the camera of the door phone slave unit DS is displayed as the interphone. It is displayed on the liquid crystal display of base unit IM. Then, if a householder who confirms the visitor with the image displayed on the liquid crystal display presses the response button of the interphone master unit IM, a call path is formed between the doorphone slave unit DS and the doorphone cord DS by the call function. As a result, a loudspeaker call (hands-free call) using a speaker and a microphone can be performed between the interphone master unit IM and the door phone slave unit DS, and the interphone master unit DS is displayed on the liquid crystal display of the interphone master unit IM during the call. It is possible to display an image transmitted from the network. However, the voice call and the image transmission between the interphone master unit IM and the door phone slave unit DS are ended when a predetermined time elapses after the response button is pressed or when the response button is pressed again. When the intrusion of the suspicious person in the monitoring area is detected, the image of the monitoring area captured by the sensor camera SC is transmitted to the interphone master unit IM via the doorphone slave unit DS and displayed on the liquid crystal display. However, since the interphone master unit IM, the door phone slave unit DS, and the sensor camera SC having the functions as described above are well known in the art, illustration and description of detailed configurations are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the image transfer controller C3 includes an image transfer controller control unit 40 having a microcomputer as a main component, and a LAN interface for connecting the LAN cable of the home network to interface the image transfer controller control unit 40 and the home network. A communication unit 42 that performs data communication via a signal line between the unit 41 and the interphone master unit IM, a display unit 43 that displays a power on / off state, a communication state, and the like using light emitting elements such as LEDs, An operation unit 44 having a push button switch and the like, and a memory unit 45 for storing a program executed by a microcomputer and data (image data and call voice data) transmitted from the interphone master unit IM through a signal line are provided. Although not shown, a power supply circuit is also provided for generating a desired DC power supply from a commercial power supply and supplying operation power to the image transfer controller control unit 40 and other units.

  The image transfer controller control unit 40 receives the image data and call voice data transmitted from the door phone slave unit DS and the sensor camera SC to the interphone master unit IM from the interphone master unit IM via the communication unit 42 and receives the received data. (For example, MPEG4 for moving images, JPEG for still images, MP3 for audio, etc.) and then transferring the response message to the center device SV through the home network and external network (transfer function) And a function of notifying the center device SV through the home network and the external network that the interphone master unit IM has recorded an image and a voice call when the answering function of the interphone master unit IM is valid (visitor notification function) , Intercom parent by return notification function IM to and a function of transferring a response message returned home notifies the center apparatus SV via the home network and the external network when coming home family member is notified (return home notification forwarding function). The image transfer controller control unit 40 also creates web content (web page) that discloses a list of images recorded in the memory unit 45, and sends the web content to the LAN interface unit in response to a request from the terminal device. 41 has a function (web server function) to be provided (distributed) to the terminal device.

  Next, the display control device CV will be described. The display control device CV is embedded in a wall surface in a house. As shown in FIG. 7, a microcomputer unit 50 having a microcomputer as a main component and a LAN cable of a home network are connected to the microcomputer unit 50. LAN interface unit 51 for interfacing with a home network, a liquid crystal display, a display unit 52 having LEDs and their driver circuits, and a touch panel arranged on the screen of a push button switch or a liquid crystal display for operation input It includes an operation unit 53 that accepts, a memory unit 54 that stores a program executed by a microcomputer and various data, and a speaker unit 55 having a speaker and speaker driving circuit. Although not shown, a power supply circuit is also provided for generating a desired DC power supply from a commercial power supply and supplying operating power to the microcomputer unit 50 and other units. The microcomputer unit 50 is equipped with a web browser, and the web content provided from each controller Cn and the like is reproduced by the web browser and displayed on the liquid crystal display of the display unit 52, and the touch panel of the operation unit 53 is operated. An operation input corresponding to the positional relationship between the position and an icon or the like displayed on the liquid crystal display is accepted. In addition, alarm sound and voice message data are compressed and stored in the memory unit 54 in advance, and if the microcomputer unit 50 decompresses the data read from the memory unit 54 and outputs it to the speaker unit 55 as necessary. The alarm sound or voice message is sounded from a speaker.

  In this embodiment, an imaging device (so-called web camera WC) having a function (web server function) for distributing an image captured by itself via a home network is connected to the communication port 2 of the integrated management device TM via a LAN cable. Connected (see FIG. 1). Such a web camera WC is well known in the art and compresses a captured image by a predetermined compression method (for example, MPEG4 for a moving image, JPEG for a still image, etc.) and distributes it through a network, or pans through a network. And remote control of tilt.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, the control unit 1 of the integrated management apparatus TM is also equipped with a web server function, and an entrance to web content (homepage of each subsystem SSn) provided by each controller Cn by the web server function; Web content (so-called portal site) is created and provided (distributed) to a terminal device (personal computer PC or display control device CV) in a house through a home network. For example, the portal site created by the integrated management device TM is usually displayed on the liquid crystal display of the display control device CV. In this portal site, links to web contents (homepages of each subsystem SSn) provided by each controller Cn are displayed as icons. If a touch panel is operated on any icon, the icon is displayed. A web content transmission request message is transmitted from the display control device CV to the linked URL (IP address of each controller Cn). When the controller Cn that has received the transmission request message transmits its own web content to the display control device CV, the web content of the controller Cn (the home page of each subsystem SSn) is displayed on the liquid crystal display instead of the portal site. Is displayed.

  Next, a case where a new subsystem (for example, SS1) is added to the home network will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

  When the equipment device controller C1 is activated (powered on) after the wiring of the subsystem SS1 is completed, the integrated equipment corresponding to the UPnP control point from the equipment device controller control unit 10 of the equipment device controller C1 corresponding to the UPnP device The TM is notified of participation in the home network (NOTIFY) (1). The control unit 1 of the integrated management apparatus TM that has received the notification searches for a UPnP device (2), and as a response from the facility device controller C1 that is the notification source, the controller type (facility device controller C1), MAC address, etc. Receive information (3). Further, the control unit 1 of the integrated management apparatus TM that has received the notification assigns a network address (private IP address) to the equipment controller C1 that newly joins the home network using the function of the DHCP server, and The MAC address and network address of the controller C1 are stored in the storage unit 5, and the network address is registered in the link destination list of the portal site stored in the storage unit 5 (4), and the assigned network address is notified. Message to be transmitted to the equipment controller C1 (5). Then, when the equipment device controller control unit 10 of the equipment device controller C1 that has received the message stores the notified network address in the memory unit 16 as its own address (6), the work of adding the subsystem SS1 to the home network Is completed. Note that, when the other subsystems SS2 and SS3 are added, the same procedure is performed, and the description is omitted.

  Next, an operation in the case where the equipment device Xm is controlled and monitored using a home terminal device (for example, the display control device CV) will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

  First, when the push button switch of the operation unit 53 is pressed, the microcomputer unit 50 transmits a portal site transmission request message from the LAN interface unit 51 to the integrated management device TM (1). The control unit 1 of the integrated management apparatus TM that has received the message indicates an icon indicating a link to the home page of the subsystems SS1 to SS3 registered in the list of the storage unit 5 and the names of the individual subsystems SS1 to SS3. A portal site that displays characters and the like is created, and data of the portal site is transmitted to the display control device CV that is the transmission request source (2).

  The display control device CV displays the portal site on the liquid crystal display by opening the data (file) received from the integrated management device TM with a web browser executed by the microcomputer unit 50 (3). If the touch panel is operated on the icon of the subsystem SS1 (4), the web browser (the homepage of the URL) of the link destination (the IP address of the equipment controller C1) displayed by the icon is displayed by the web browser. ) Transmission request message is transmitted (5). When the equipment controller controller 10 of the equipment controller C1 that has received the transmission request message transmits the data of its own home page to the display controller CV (6), the data ( (File) is opened, the home page of the subsystem SS1 is displayed on the liquid crystal display of the display unit 52 (7). In this homepage, the names of the equipment devices X1 to X4 included in the subsystem SS1 and characters indicating the installation locations (for example, “living air conditioner”, “living lighting”, etc.), and the operating states of the respective equipment devices X1 to X4 , A button corresponding to an operation for inverting the operation state of each equipment device X1 to X4, a button for returning to the portal site of the integrated management device TM, and the like are displayed. Therefore, it is possible to monitor (confirm) the operating state of each equipment device X1 to X4 from the information displayed on the homepage (8).

  Here, in the case of performing control for reversing the operating state of any of the equipment devices Xm, for example, control for turning off the currently lit lighting fixture (facility device X2), the operating state of the equipment device X4 is reversed on the homepage. The touch panel is operated on the button corresponding to the operation (9). Then, a message indicating that the button has been operated by the web browser, that is, a message (request message) for requesting to turn off the lighting device (facility device X2) is sent to the network address of the facility device controller C1 through the home network. It is transmitted (10). Then, in the equipment controller controller 10 of the equipment controller C1 that has received this request message, the lighting equipment (facility equipment X2) is turned off by turning off the relay of the relay terminal section 15 via the lighting equipment interface section 14. (11). Then, if the equipment controller controller 10 updates the contents of the homepage in response to the lighting equipment (equipment X4) being turned off, and transmits the updated homepage data to the display control device CV (12), the display control is performed. By opening the data (file) with a web browser executed by the microcomputer unit 50 of the apparatus CV, the updated home page of the subsystem SS1 is displayed on the liquid crystal display of the display unit 52 (13). In the homepage, the operating state of the lighting fixture (equipment device X2) is changed from lighting to extinguishing.

  Next, the operation in the case of controlling and monitoring the equipment device Xm from outside the house using a portable terminal device (for example, the mobile phone MP) will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. Here, if the web server function of each controller Cn always opens a port to the external network (Internet), for example, there is a high possibility that a malicious intruder will cause an abnormality in the system. In the embodiment, the web server function of each controller Cn normally polls the center device SV while closing the port, and the request message received from the portable terminal device is held in the center device SV. Then, the home network is protected by transferring the request message from the center device SV at the time of polling by the controller Cn that is the destination of the request message.

  As described above, each controller Cn periodically polls the center device SV, and if the center device SV does not hold a request message from the mobile phone MP, the center device SV simply receives an acknowledgment (ACK). ) Is simply returned to the controller Cn. Here, the householder uses the mobile phone MP to send a request message (for example, a monitoring request message for the operating state of the lighting fixture) to the center device SV (1), and after the monitoring request message is held by the center device SV. When polled from the equipment controller C1 (2), the center apparatus SV transmits (transfers) the monitoring request message received and held from the mobile phone MP to the equipment controller C1 (3). In the equipment controller C1 that has received this monitoring request message, the equipment controller controller 10 creates a monitoring response message indicating the current operating state (for example, lighting) of the lighting fixture (facility equipment X2) and sends it to the center apparatus SV. Reply (4). The monitoring response message is transferred from the center device SV to the cellular phone MP (5), and the monitoring response message transferred from the sensor device SV is displayed on the liquid crystal screen of the cellular phone MP, so that the operating state (lighting) of the lighting fixture is displayed. Can be confirmed.

  Further, the householder transmits a request message (for example, a control request message for turning off the lighting fixture) to the center apparatus SV using the mobile phone MP (6), and the equipment is stored after the control request message is held in the center apparatus SV. When polled from the controller C1 (7), the center device SV transmits (transfers) the control request message received and held from the mobile phone MP to the equipment device controller C1 (8). In the equipment device controller C1 that has received this control request message, the equipment device controller control section 10 turns off the lighting equipment (facility equipment X2) by turning off the relay of the relay terminal section 15 via the lighting equipment interface section 14. 9). Thereafter, the equipment device controller control unit 10 creates a control response message indicating that the lighting equipment (facility equipment X2) has been turned off and sends it back to the center apparatus SV (10). The control response message is transferred from the center device SV to the mobile phone MP (11), and it is confirmed that the lighting fixture is turned off by displaying the control response message transferred from the sensor device SV on the liquid crystal screen of the mobile phone MP. it can. However, when it takes a considerable time (for example, several minutes) from sending the control request message to returning the control response message, a message indicating that the control request message has been received is sent from the center device SV to the mobile phone MP. It is desirable to send.

  Next, in the security system (subsystem SS2), the operation when the security controller C2 obtains detection information indicating the occurrence of an abnormality (for example, the occurrence of a fire or gas leak or the entry of a suspicious person) from the security receiver SR. This will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

  When an abnormality is detected in any one of the security devices Y1 and Y2, and the security controller control unit 30 of the security controller C2 acquires detection information on the occurrence of the abnormality from the security receiver SR (1), the security controller control unit 30 detects the detection information. A response message (hereinafter referred to as a linkage message) including the message is created and broadcasted (broadcast) in the home network (2), and a message for notifying the occurrence of an abnormality is also transmitted to the center device SV (3) ).

  The display control device CV that has received the cooperation message determines the content of the abnormality (for example, the occurrence of a fire or gas leak or the intrusion of a suspicious person) from the detection information included in the cooperation message received by the microcomputer unit 50. , An alarm sound (for example, a voice message such as “A fire has occurred. Please evacuate immediately.” Or “A suspicious person has entered.” Or a buzzer sound) is sent to the speaker unit 55. In addition to ringing, an alarm display corresponding to the content of the abnormality (for example, a message such as “A fire has occurred at XX” or “A suspicious person has entered XX”) is displayed on the liquid crystal display of the display unit 52 (4). If the detected abnormality is an intrusion of a suspicious person, the security controller C2 activates the web camera WC, acquires an image captured by the web camera WC via the home network, and further acquires the acquired image. Transfer to the center device SV.

  Further, the center device SV goes out of the occurrence of the abnormality by transmitting the abnormality report message received from the security controller C2 and the image captured by the web camera WC to the e-mail address of the mobile phone MP registered in advance. Notify the housekeeper inside (5).

  On the other hand, in other controllers that have received the cooperation message, that is, the equipment device controller C1 and the image transfer controller C3, generated from the detection information included in the cooperation message received by the equipment device controller control unit 10 and the image transfer controller control unit 40. The content of the abnormality is judged, and a control operation according to the content of the abnormality is executed if necessary according to a predetermined rule (6). For example, when a fire is occurring, the facility device controller control unit 10 can turn on the luminaire to facilitate evacuation. However, when a gas leak has occurred, if the operating state of the equipment Xm is switched, there is a risk that the spark generated when the power is turned on or off may ignite the leaked gas. Then, even if a control request message is received, the control for all the equipment devices Xm is invalidated.

  By the way, when the user is away for a long period of several days or weeks on a trip or the like, the user (household) may be anxious even if no abnormality actually occurs. Therefore, in the present embodiment, on the premise that no detection information has been received from the security controller C2, a message indicating that no abnormality has occurred in the mail address of the mobile phone MP registered in advance is sent to the center device. It is transmitted periodically (for example, once a day) from the SV. As a result, it is possible to give a sense of security to the user (housekeeper) by regularly confirming that no abnormality is detected in the security system SS2. Further, the detection information received from the security controller C2 in the center device SV is recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk, and the recording of the center device SV is performed using a terminal device (such as a personal computer PC, a display control device CV, or a mobile phone MP). It is also possible to browse the history of detection information recorded on the medium, or to erase the detection information from the recording medium.

  Further, in the security controller C2, when the operating state of the security receiver SR is switched to the non-warning state by the wireless setting device, switching to the non-warning state and information (identification code) for specifying the wireless setting device are provided. The security controller control unit 30 transmits to the center device SV through the LAN interface unit 31. On the other hand, the center device SV transmits a message (for example, “Warning has been lifted by the number ○ wireless setting device”) to the mail address of the mobile phone MP registered in advance when the information is received. It can be set as follows. That is, the householder who received the message can know that the family carrying the wireless setting device has come home from the number (identification code) of the wireless setting device that has released the alert state.

  Next, the image captured by the intercom system (subsystem SS3) door phone slave unit DS is stored in the center device SV and the stored image is played back by the terminal device (for example, the mobile phone MP). This will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. However, in the following description, a case where only an image is stored will be described, but a call voice can be stored in the center device SV together with the image and can be reproduced by the terminal device.

  As described above, when the visitor presses the call button (1), the image transmission function of the doorphone slave unit DS is enabled, and the image (image data) captured by the camera of the doorphone slave unit DS becomes the interphone parent. To the machine IM. The intercom master unit IM transmits the image data received from the door phone slave unit DS to the image transfer controller C3 (2). In the image transfer controller C3, the image data received from the interphone master unit IM is compressed by the image transfer controller control unit 40 using a predetermined compression method (for example, MPEG4 for moving images, JPEG for still images). (3) The compressed image data is transferred as a response message to the center apparatus SV through the home network and the external network (4). The center device SV records (accumulates) the image data received from the image transfer controller C3 on a recording medium such as a hard disk (5).

  Further, when the answering function of the interphone master unit IM is enabled by the display control device CV via the image transfer controller C3 (6), the answering device setting is notified from the display control device CV to the center device SV. A message is sent (7). Then, when the visitor presses the call button when the answering machine function is set to be effective (8), the image transmission function of the doorphone slave unit DS is enabled and the image is captured by the camera of the doorphone slave unit DS. The image (image data) is transmitted to the interphone master unit IM, and the interphone master unit IM transmits the image data received from the door phone slave unit DS to the image transfer controller C3 (9) and the image data to the memory unit 45. Store (record) (10). The image data received from the interphone master unit IM is compressed by the image transfer controller control unit 40 (11), and the compressed image data is transferred as a response message to the center device SV through the home network and the external network (12). .

  In the center device SV, when the image data is transferred from the image transfer controller C3, a message is sent to the e-mail address of the mobile phone MP registered in advance to notify the resident who is out (13), and The image data is stored in a recording medium (14).

  When the householder who has received the message wishes to confirm the visitor, the mobile phone MP may transmit an image reproduction request message to the center device SV (15). The center device SV that has received the request message processes (converts) the image data stored in the recording medium into a file format that can be played back by the mobile phone MP (16), and transmits the processed image data to the mobile phone MP. (17). As a result, the housekeeper who is out can check the visitor by viewing the image reproduced by the mobile phone MP.

  Next, the operation when the image captured by the doorphone slave unit DS is reproduced on the terminal device (for example, the mobile phone MP or the display control device CV) using the image monitor function of the interphone master unit IM is shown in the sequence of FIG. This will be described with reference to the drawings.

  When an image monitor request message is transmitted from the mobile phone MP to the center device SV (1), the center device SV is polled by the image transfer controller C3 of the intercom system SS3 (2). Is transmitted to the image transfer controller C3 (3). In the image transfer controller C3 that has received the image monitor request message, the image transfer controller control unit 40 transmits a control signal for enabling the image monitor function of the interphone master unit IM from the communication unit 42 (4). By receiving the control signal, the image monitor function of the intercom master unit IM is enabled (5). Then, the interphone master unit IM activates the image transmission function of the door phone slave unit DS by supplying power via the telephone line, receives the image captured by the camera of the door phone slave unit DS, and displays the image data as an image. The data is transmitted to the transfer controller C3 (6). In the image transfer controller C3, the image data received from the interphone master unit IM is compressed by the image transfer controller control unit 40 (7), and the compressed image data is sent as a response message to the center device SV through the home network and the external network. Transfer (8). Then, the image data transferred by the center device SV is transmitted to the mobile phone MP (9), and as a result, the image captured by the door phone slave unit DS can be reproduced and confirmed by the mobile phone MP.

  In addition, an icon for enabling the image monitor function of the interphone master unit IM is prepared on the homepage of the intercom system SS3, and when the operation of the icon is accepted by the operation unit 53 of the display control device CV. The microcomputer unit 50 transmits an image monitor request message to the image transfer controller C3 through the LAN interface unit 51 (10). In the image transfer controller C3 that has received this image monitor request message, the image transfer controller control unit 40 transmits a control signal for enabling the image monitor function of the interphone master unit IM from the communication unit 42 (11). Receiving the control signal enables the image monitor function of the intercom master unit IM (12). Then, the interphone master unit IM activates the image transmission function of the door phone slave unit DS by supplying power via the telephone line, receives the image captured by the camera of the door phone slave unit DS, and displays the image data as an image. The data is transmitted to the transfer controller C3 (13). In the image transfer controller C3, the image data received from the interphone master unit IM is compressed by the image transfer controller control unit 40 (14), and the compressed image data is transferred as a response message to the display control device CV (15). . In the display control unit CV, the received image data is decompressed by the microcomputer unit 50 and output to the display unit 52, so that the image captured by the door phone slave unit DS is displayed on the liquid crystal display of the display unit 52.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, residential equipment is controlled and monitored for each of the plurality of subsystems SS1 to SS3, and a home network using a general-purpose communication protocol is configured by the plurality of subsystems SS1 to SS3. Therefore, since the subsystems SS1 to SS3 can be linked through the home network, it is more flexible in changing market needs and improving the function of housing equipment than in the conventional case where all housing equipment is connected to a single master unit. And it can respond quickly. Moreover, on the premise that no detection information has been received from the security controller C2 as described above, a message indicating that no abnormality has occurred in the mail address of the mobile phone MP registered in advance is sent to the center device SV. Therefore, it is possible to give a sense of security to the user (housekeeper) by regularly confirming that no abnormality is detected in the security system SS2.

It is a system configuration figure of this embodiment. It is a block diagram of the integrated management apparatus same as the above. It is a block diagram of the equipment controller in the same as the above. It is a block diagram of the electric current measurement apparatus same as the above. It is a block diagram of the security controller in the same as the above. It is a block diagram of the image transfer controller in the same as the above. It is a block diagram of the display control apparatus same as the above. It is a sequence diagram for operation | movement description in the same as the above. It is a sequence diagram for operation | movement description in the same as the above. It is a sequence diagram for operation | movement description in the same as the above. It is a sequence diagram for operation | movement description in the same as the above. It is a sequence diagram for operation | movement description in the same as the above. It is a sequence diagram for operation | movement description in the same as the above.

Explanation of symbols

SS1-SS3 Subsystem TM Integrated Management Device C1 Equipment Controller C2 Security Controller C3 Image Transfer Controller X1-X4 Equipment Equipment D Current Measuring Device SR Security Receiver Y1, Y2 Security Equipment IM Interphone Master Unit DS Doorphone Slave Unit CV Display Control Device SV center device MP mobile phone

Claims (2)

A plurality of subsystems in which a controller installed in a house controls and monitors housing equipment, an integrated management device connected to the controller of each subsystem via a transmission line, and the integrated management device via a transmission line And a plurality of terminal devices connected to each other to form a home network using a general-purpose communication protocol, and to be connected to the home network through an external network that is installed at a remote location away from the home and is different from the home network And a portable terminal device that performs data communication with the center device,
Based on a request message transmitted from the terminal device through the home network or an external network, the controller of each subsystem controls and monitors housing equipment, and a response message indicating the result of the control or monitoring is sent from the controller. Transmitted to the terminal device through the home network or external network,
The controller controls or monitors a predetermined home equipment among the home equipment under its control in response to the response message transmitted from the controller of another subsystem through the home network. And
The subsystem includes one or more types of security devices that detect occurrences of abnormalities in a house, and a receiver that collects detection information of each security device and issues an alarm when receiving detection information related to the occurrence of a predetermined abnormality And a security system configured to receive the detection information from the receiver and transmit the received detection information through the home network and an external network by the response message,
The portable terminal device includes communication means for performing data communication through the external network, and display means for displaying information received by the communication means.
The security system includes one or more wireless setting units that give a switching command to the receiver by a wireless signal to switch from a warning state in which the receiver collects detection information to a non-warning state in which detection information is not collected. ,
When the controller of the security system has not received detection information relating to the occurrence of an abnormality from any security device, a notification that no abnormality has occurred is periodically sent to the portable terminal device via the home network and the external network. And when the receiver is switched to the non-warning state by the wireless setting device, the switch to the non-warning state and information for specifying the wireless setting device are transmitted to the portable terminal device by the response message. A housing equipment monitoring control system characterized by notifying . The center device stores detection information received from a controller of the security system and transmits the stored detection information to the terminal device as a response message in response to a request message from the terminal device. The housing equipment monitoring and control system according to claim 1 .

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