JP5872343B2 - Main unit for power strip and power strip control system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a power strip parent device that is provided so as to be able to register a plurality of power strips as slave units and that constructs a computer network with a power strip registered in itself, and a power strip control system using the power strip.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, it has been desired to grasp power consumption and perform remote control of power ON / OFF for each device in each home. To meet this demand, a power strip and a power strip master unit construct a computer network, and a power strip control system capable of controlling predetermined items such as power consumption and relay ON / OFF in predetermined units such as blades and power strips. Is being used. In this type of power strip control system, the power strip master is connected to the personal computer in the user's home, the user's mobile terminal connected to the power strip master via the Internet, or the power strip via the Internet. A command received from another computer such as a management server of a service center connected to the master unit, or a command for reporting monitoring items such as power consumption and power ON / OFF to a power strip in accordance with a predetermined program installed in itself. Various control signals such as a relay ON / OFF switching command are transmitted, and a power tap that receives the control signal responds. The main unit for a power strip transmits information on monitoring items acquired from the power strip to another computer in accordance with a command received from another computer or a predetermined program installed in itself. The user can check the power consumption and the like on the screen output by a browsing program installed in another computer.

  Conventionally, wireless LAN standards related to the IEEE802.11 series and wireless communication standards such as Zigbee and Z-Wave related to the IEEE802.15.4 series have been adopted for communication between the power strip main unit and the power strip (for example, patents) Document 1, Non-Patent Document 1). In wireless communication, by realizing multi-hop communication in which one or more other power taps are interposed as relay stations between the power strip master unit and the power strip, the power strip master unit and the power strip are connected to each other. Even when direct wireless communication is not possible, the communication area can be expanded using another power tap as a relay station. For this reason, the range which a user can arrange | position a power strip as a subunit | mobile_unit can be expanded.

JP 2009-112155 A

“NTT Technology Journal 2011 vol.23 No.9”: Pages 36-39: “Technology Development Initiatives for Smart Community Realization”

  However, in order to spread the power strip control system to general households, it is necessary to make the power strip base unit and the power strip a wireless station that does not require a license in accordance with the Radio Law. Such in-home wireless communication is low power, so when the power strip is placed in an area where the radio wave is not strong and there are obstacles, crossing rooms, straddling, etc. Communication may be disabled or communication stability may be insufficient.

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to expand the home area where communication between the power strip master unit and the power strip registered as the slave unit is possible.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention compensates for the limitations of wireless communication, and as a communication means that contributes to the expansion of the position range in which a user can place a power strip as a slave unit, a single-phase three-wire L1 phase Alternatively, power line communication using one L2 phase system as a transmission path is adopted. This power line communication has a feature that it cannot be expected to ensure practical communication quality between a terminal connected to the L1 phase system and a terminal connected to the L2 phase system. Therefore, the power strip base unit according to the present invention is used for communication with the power strip for each power strip registered to the wireless communication portion that performs wireless communication, the PLC communication portion that performs power line communication, and the self-registered power strip. A communication means determination unit that selects a communication means from among the wireless communication unit and the PLC communication unit by a predetermined determination process. In this determination process, wireless communication is selected for communication between the power strip main unit and a power strip connected to a different system. Therefore, the user can register the power strip having the wireless communication means in the power strip master unit, and can connect to an appropriate outlet of the L1 phase or the L2 phase as usual in an area where wireless communication is possible. . Further, in the determination process, power line communication is selected for communication with a power strip that is not capable of wireless communication and is connected to the same system as the power strip master unit. Therefore, the user can register the power strip with the power line communication means in the power strip master unit in an area where wireless communication is impossible, and connect it to the outlet of the same system as the power strip master unit. Accordingly, the in-house area where the communication between the power strip master unit and the power strip registered as the slave unit can be expanded.

  In the present invention, when a power strip is connected to an outlet capable of wireless communication and power line communication, either wireless communication or power line communication may be used for communication between the power tap and the power strip main unit. In general, since power line communication is more stable than wireless communication, it is preferable to use power line communication as much as possible. That is, in the determination process, it is preferable to preferentially select the PLC communication unit over the wireless communication unit.

  The master unit for power strip includes unique identification information of the power strip, communication permission information to the power strip using the wireless communication unit, and communication permission information to the power tap using the PLC communication unit. Is further provided with a slave unit information storage unit that registers and associates, and the determination process selects the wireless communication unit or the PLC communication unit based on the availability information registered in the slave unit information storage unit It is also preferable that In general, as long as the power strip is connected to the same outlet, it is considered that the reachability to the power strip by wireless communication and power line communication does not change. The reachability of wireless communication and power line communication to a certain power strip can be determined on the base unit side at the time of the first communication. Therefore, the communication availability information using the wireless communication unit and the PLC communication unit is associated with the unique identification information. It can be registered in the machine information storage unit. Even if the reachability is lost after this registration, the slave unit information storage unit can be updated on the master unit side at the time of communication immediately after. The main unit for the power strip selects the communication means for each communication with the power strip, but each time it is selected, the wireless communication unit and the PLC communication unit do not need to physically check the reachability, and the determination process is quick. Can finish.

  When constructing a power strip control system including one or more power strips and a power strip master device according to the present invention, the power strip is a wireless communication unit corresponding to a wireless communication unit of the power strip master device. It is preferable that a PLC communication unit corresponding to the PLC communication unit of the power strip main unit is provided. If a power supply tap including a wireless communication unit selected on the base unit side, a wireless communication unit corresponding to the PLC communication unit, and a PLC communication unit is used, the user can determine whether the area is capable of wireless communication, You can try to build a network without worrying about whether it is a power strip connected to an outlet of the same system as the machine.

  This invention provides a plurality of power strips that can be registered as slave units, and in a power strip base unit that constructs a computer network with a power strip registered in itself, a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication, and a single phase A PLC communication unit that performs power line communication using one line of the L1 phase or L2 phase of a three-wire system as a transmission path, and a communication unit that is used for communication with the power tap for each of the registered power taps. And a communication means determination unit that selects from among the PLC communication unit by a predetermined determination process, wherein the determination process is performed by the wireless communication for communication with the power strip connected to the one system and a different system. The communication unit is selected, and the PLC communication unit is selected for communication with the power strip connected to the same system as the one system. The adoption, a power strip for base unit, it is possible to expand the capable home area communication power strip that has been registered as slave units.

The conceptual diagram which shows the in-home communication environment of the main | base station for power strips and power strips concerning embodiment Functional block diagram of a main unit for a power strip according to an embodiment Conceptual diagram of the table managed by the handset information storage unit of FIG. The flowchart figure of the determination process which the communication means determination part of FIG. 2 performs Sequence diagram of processing for initial registration of power strip in power strip base unit according to embodiment The sequence diagram of the process which the main | base station for power strips which concerns on embodiment confirms a link state with a power strip Sequence diagram of processing in which main unit for power strip according to embodiment confirms status of power strip Sequence diagram of processing in which main unit for power strip according to embodiment performs ON / OFF control of power strip Sequence diagram of processing for browsing the status of the power strip registered in the master unit for power strip according to the embodiment

  Hereinafter, an embodiment as an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the power strip control system according to the embodiment includes one or more power strips 10 and a power strip master device 20 provided so that a plurality of power strips 10 can be registered as slave devices. Each of the power strip master unit 20 (hereinafter simply referred to as “master unit 20”) and the power strip 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as “tap 10”) are the L1 and L2 phases of the distribution board. It is used by connecting to a single-phase three-wire AC power outlet distributed to the system. In the illustrated example, the master unit 20 is connected to the L1 phase system, and two or more taps 10 include those connected to the L1 phase system and those connected to the L2 phase system. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the base unit 20 includes a wireless communication unit 21 that performs wireless communication, and a PLC communication unit 22 that performs power line communication using a single-phase three-wire L1 phase or L2 phase as a transmission path. A slave unit information storage unit 23 that manages information on predetermined items for each tap 10 registered as a slave unit, and a communication used for communication with the tap 10 for each tap 10 registered in the slave unit information storage unit 23 And a communication means determination unit 24 for selecting a means from a wireless communication unit 21 and a PLC communication unit 22 by a predetermined determination process.

  The tap 10 includes a wireless communication unit 11 corresponding to the wireless communication unit 21 of the parent device 20 and a PLC communication unit 12 corresponding to the PLC communication unit 22 of the parent device 20.

  In addition, the tap 10 includes a plug, one or more blade supports, and a wiring plug connector portion including a power ON / OFF switching relay in the blade support unit, and a control unit 13 that controls the relay in the blade support unit. And a power measurement function unit 14 that measures the amount of power in blade units, a storage unit 15 that stores predetermined information, and an instruction to start an initial registration process in the base unit 20 using the wireless communication units 11 and 21. A button 16 used for input and a button 17 used for inputting a start command for initial registration processing to the base unit 20 using the PLC communication units 12 and 22 are provided.

  The wireless communication units 21 and 11 are realized by hardware and device drivers compliant with a wireless communication standard capable of executing multi-hop communication. The multi-hop communication is a wireless network communication in which the wireless communication unit 11 of another tap 10 is interposed as a relay station between the wireless communication unit 21 and the wireless communication unit 11 of the power tap 10 serving as a source or final destination. That means. As a wireless communication standard corresponding to multi-hop communication, wireless communication standards such as a wireless LAN standard related to the IEEE 802.11 series, ZigBee (registered trademark), and Z-Wave (registered trademark) related to the IEEE 802.15 series are compliant. Wireless communication using the 920 MHz band and 950 MHz band such as ZigBee and Z-Wave is suitable for the wireless communication units 21 and 11 in that the communication stability in the home is superior to the 2.4 GHz band wireless communication. If the wireless communication units 21 and 11 are made detachable with a dongle for the base unit 20 and the tap 10, the user can change to a different wireless communication standard.

  The PLC communication units 22 and 12 are realized by hardware and a device driver that function as a power line communication modem.

  1 is a communication device provided integrally with a gateway that connects the tap 10 and a home computer network to be constructed to the Internet or a WAN (wide area network). The base unit 20 does not need to be provided integrally with the gateway as shown in FIG. 1, and can be a separate device connected under the gateway, and may be determined appropriately according to the usage form.

  The subunit | mobile_unit information storage part 23 is a database which manages the item shown in FIG. The item “home ID” is unique identification information of the parent device 20. The “home ID” can be used as information for identifying another parent computer 20 connected to the parent device 20. As for the home ID, as long as the parent device 20 can be recognized from another computer, an appropriate assignment method and registration method may be employed.

  The item “node ID” is unique identification information of the tap 10 registered as a slave unit. The slave unit information storage unit 23 is executed first in the process of initial registration of the tap 10 as a slave unit for wireless communication with the master unit 20 or the process of initial registration of the tap 10 as a slave unit for power line communication with the master unit 20. The registration processing of “node ID” is performed at the time of the processing of which one has been performed. The process for initially registering the tap 10 in the master unit 20 as a wireless slave unit and a power line communication slave unit includes initial registration processing between a general wireless master unit and a wireless slave unit, and between the power line communication modem master unit and the slave unit. The same technology as the initial registration process can be applied. As long as the base unit 20 can recognize wireless communication and power line communication with the same tap 10 as the node ID, an appropriate allocation method and registration method may be employed. For example, when different communication addresses are assigned to the wireless communication unit 11 and the PLC communication unit 12 of the tap 10 and the tap 10 is provided to the user, the tap 10 in which the node ID is written in the storage unit 15 is provided to the user. When the tap 10 performs wireless communication or power line communication with the parent device 20, the node ID is also transmitted to the parent device 20, and this node ID can be registered in the child device information storage unit 23. In addition, when a common communication address is assigned to the wireless communication unit 11 and the PLC communication unit 12 of the tap 10 and the tap 10 is provided to the user, the slave unit information storage unit 23 is the wireless communication unit 21 or the PLC communication unit 22. It is possible to assign a node ID in association with the communication address of the tap 10 notified from or register this communication address as a node ID. The communication address may be information unique to the device, such as a MAC address.

  The item “power system” is availability information indicating whether communication to the tap 10 of the “node ID” using the PLC communication unit 22 is possible. The handset information storage unit 23 describes this availability information as “enable” indicating that communication is possible or “disable” indicating that communication is not possible, and registers this information in association with the “node ID”. For example, when the PLC communication unit 22 recognizes the reachability in the PLC link state confirmation process for determining the reachability of the power line communication with the tap 10 with the node ID: “tap000001”, the slave unit information storage unit 23 notified of this Is described as “enable” in the item “power system” in association with the node ID “tap000001”, and when the PLC communication unit 22 denies reachability, the slave unit information storage unit 23 similarly sets “disable”. Describe. Power system: “enable” corresponds to the same system as one system of the L1 phase or L2 phase to which the parent device 20 is connected, and the power system: “disable” corresponds to a different system. . What is necessary is just to apply the link state confirmation process between the common power line communication modem main | base station and the subunit | mobile_unit according to the communication protocol employ | adopted for a PLC link state confirmation process.

  The item “wireless reachability” is availability information indicating whether or not communication with the tap 10 of the node ID using the wireless communication unit 21 is possible. This availability information is also registered as in the case of the item “power system”. For example, when the wireless communication unit 21 recognizes or denies the reachability in the wireless link state confirmation process for determining the reachability of the wireless communication with the tap 10 having the node ID “tap000001”, the slave unit information storage unit 23 Is described as “enable” or “disable” in the item “wireless reachability” in association with the node ID: “tap000001”. For the wireless link state confirmation process, a general link state confirmation process between the wireless parent device and the child device in accordance with the adopted communication protocol may be applied.

  The item “routing table” is hop route information used for wireless communication to the tap 10 of the node ID. The wireless communication unit 21 notifies the child device information storage unit 23 of the route information recognized as reachable in the wireless link state confirmation process, and the child device information storage unit 23 registers the route information in association with the node ID. . This route information is described by the node ID of the tap 10 that constructs the route. For example, when reachability of the wireless communication from the parent device 20 to the node ID: “tap000001” is recognized by multi-hop communication, the route information associated with the node ID: “tap000001” includes a tap serving as a relay station. 10 node IDs: “tap000003” and node ID: “tap000002” are included. In addition, when the reachability of the wireless communication from the parent device 20 to the node ID: “tap000001” is recognized by direct wireless communication, only “tap000001” is included in the route information associated with the node ID: “tap000001”. Described. The route information may be a general route information collection process in accordance with the adopted multi-hop communication protocol.

  The item “end point” is identification information for specifying the blade support provided in the tap 10 of the node ID. As for the end point, as long as the control of the tap 10 from the parent device 20 is possible, an appropriate allocation method and registration method may be adopted.

  The item “power amount” is information indicating the power amount measured for each end point by the power measurement function unit 14 provided in the tap 10 of the node ID. The subunit | mobile_unit information storage part 23 matches and registers the electric energy notified from the electric power measurement function part 14 for every endpoint.

  The item “ON / OFF state” is information indicating the power ON / OFF state of the blade support unit in the tap 10 of the node ID. This information is described as “on” indicating that power can be supplied when the relay is closed, and “off” indicating that power cannot be supplied when the relay is open.

  The communication means determination unit 24 determines whether the item “power system” is registered in association with the “node ID” of the tap 10 that is a control command transmission destination other than the relay station, and whether the item “wireless reachability” is available. Based on the information, a communication means used for communication with the power strip 10 of the “node ID” is selected by a predetermined determination process.

  As shown in FIG. 4, this determination process will be specifically described by taking as an example the case where the tap 10 with the node ID “tap000001” is set as a control command transmission destination (hereinafter, refer to FIG. 2 as appropriate). . First, the communication means determination unit 24 acquires the availability information of the “power system” registered in association with the node ID: “tap000001” from the child device information storage unit 23, and determines reachability (S1).

  In (S1), when the availability information is “enable”, the communication means determination unit 24 selects to use the PLC communication unit 22, and ends the determination process (S2). In (S1), when the availability information is “disabled”, the communication means determination unit 24 sets the “radio reachability” availability information and the “routing table” registered in association with the node ID: “tap000001”. The route information is acquired from the handset device information storage unit 23, and it is determined whether direct wireless communication is possible (S3).

  In (S3), when the availability information is “enable” and the route information is only the node ID of the tap 10 as the control command transmission destination, that is, “tap000001”, the communication means determination unit 24 Selects direct wireless communication using the wireless communication unit 21, and ends the determination process (S4). In (S3), when the availability information is “disable”, or when the route information includes a plurality of node IDs, for example, “tap000002; tap000001”, the communication means determination unit 24 performs wireless communication by multihop communication. It is determined whether or not communication is possible (S5).

  In (S5), when the route information includes a plurality of node IDs, the communication means determination unit 24 selects the multi-hop communication using the wireless communication unit 21 and the relay station, and ends the determination process (S6). If the availability information is “disabled” in (S5), the communication means determination unit 24 determines that communication is not possible, and ends the determination process (S7).

  Thus, the communication means determination unit 24 selects the wireless communication unit 21 for communication between the parent device 20 and the tap 10 connected to a different system. Further, the communication means determination unit 24 selects the PLC communication unit 22 for communication with the tap 10 connected to the same system as the parent device 20 because communication by the wireless communication unit 21 is impossible. Here, as shown in (S1) to (S2), the communication means determination unit 24 preferentially selects the PLC communication unit 22 over the wireless communication unit 21 and terminates the determination process. This judgment can be omitted. Further, as shown in (S3) to (S4), the communication means determination unit 24 preferentially selects direct wireless communication with the tap 10 over multi-hop communication, and ends the determination process. The determination of hop communication can be omitted.

  FIG. 5 shows a sequence of processing for initially registering each tap 10 as a slave unit in the master unit 20. Base unit 20 connected to the outlet periodically transmits an initial registration request using wireless communication or power line communication, for example, by transmitting a broadcast MAC address (within a home broadcast domain). . Instead of or in addition to the periodic transmission, the user issues a command to start the initial registration process to the master unit 20 using the registration processing program and input means of another computer 30 connected to the master unit 20 over the network. You may make it transmit.

  Next, the user connects the tap 10 to be registered to an outlet near the parent device 20 and presses the buttons 16 and 17 on the tap 10. The pressed tap 10 responds to the master unit 20 with information necessary for initial registration as a wireless slave unit and power line communication slave unit written in the storage unit 15 and information necessary for tap control by the master unit 20. . Receiving this, the slave unit information storage unit 23 of the master unit 20 registers the node ID and finishes the initial registration process. The user can confirm that the registration as the slave unit is completed by appropriate means such as a lamp display of the master unit 20 or a screen output by the computer 30. When the tap 10 is additionally registered, the same initial registration process is repeated.

  In addition, in the same system of L1 phase or L2 phase to which the master unit 20 is connected, or in different systems, for example, if the initial registration as a power line communication slave unit fails due to disconnection of the power line, etc., the user May connect the tap 10 to another outlet and press the button 17 again. Further, the buttons 16 and 17 of the tap 10 may be integrated into one, and the initial registration process as a wireless slave unit and a power line communication slave unit may be executed by pressing the button once. Either the initial registration of the wireless slave unit or the initial registration of the power line communication slave unit may be performed first. Further, when the base unit 20 wants to transmit the initial registration request to the communication address of the wireless communication unit 11 or the PLC communication unit 12 of the tap 10 by unicast, the user can register the registration processing program of the other computer 30 and Information necessary for the registration process including the communication address of the tap 10 may be transmitted to the parent device 20 using the input means, and the parent device 20 may use this information. In addition, when the address of the tap 10 used for wireless communication or the address of the tap 10 used for power line communication is not used for the node ID, it is a matter of course that the base unit 20 stores these in association with each other.

  The user can connect the tap 10 that has been registered as the slave unit to an arbitrary outlet by the initial registration process.

  When the master unit 20 has the tap 10 as a slave unit, the master unit 20 periodically checks the link state. FIG. 6 shows a sequence of link status confirmation processing for wireless communication and power line communication between the tap 10 connected to an arbitrary outlet and the parent device 20. A power line communication request is transmitted to the tap 10 registered as a power line communication slave. The tap 10 that has received the request responds to the parent device 20 with a message “OK” indicating that communication is possible or a message “NG” indicating that communication is not possible. After confirming no response due to a response or timeout, base unit 20 transmits a power line communication request to the remaining taps 10 and taps 10 respond in the same manner. When the base unit 20 confirms the link state of the power line communication for all the taps 10, the handset information storage unit 23 registers the power system: “enable” in association with the node ID of the tap 10 that responded “OK”. The power system: “disable” is registered in association with the node ID of the tap 10 that has responded “NG” or the tap 10 that has not responded, and the link state confirmation processing for power line communication is completed.

  When the master unit 20 finishes the link state confirmation process for power line communication, it starts the link state confirmation process for wireless communication. That is, base unit 20 transmits a wireless communication request to tap 10 registered as a wireless slave unit. The tap 10 that has received the request responds to the parent device 20 with a message “OK” indicating that communication is possible or a message “NG” indicating that communication is not possible. After confirming no response by response or timeout, base unit 20 transmits a wireless communication request to the remaining taps 10 and taps 10 respond in the same manner. When the base unit 20 confirms the link state of the wireless communication for all the taps 10, the handset information storage unit 23 associates the node ID of the tap 10 that responded “OK” with the wireless reachability: “enable”, Routing table: Node ID on the route to the tap 10 is registered, and wireless reachability: “disable” is registered in association with the node ID of the tap 10 that responds “NG” or the tap 10 that does not respond. The communication link status confirmation process is completed.

  In addition, you may make it perform registration, such as an electric power grid | system and radio reachability, whenever the presence or absence of the response from the tap 10 is confirmed. Either the link state confirmation process for power line communication or the link state confirmation process for wireless communication may be executed first. Regardless of which one is executed first, instead of or in addition to periodically transmitting a communication request to the tap 10 registered as a slave unit, the user can use the link status confirmation process of another computer 30. You may make it transmit the start command of a link state confirmation process to the main | base station 20 using a program and an input means. When the address of the tap 10 used for wireless communication is not used for the node ID, and when there is wireless reachability in multi-hop communication, the base unit 20 corresponds to the node ID of the relay station and the address of the relay station in the route information. Of course, it is memorized.

  When the link status confirmation processing for the wireless communication and power line communication between the tap 10 and the parent device 20 is completed, the parent device 20 periodically executes the status confirmation processing for the tap 10. A sequence of this status confirmation processing is shown in FIG. Base unit 20 uses communication means determination unit 24 to select a communication means used for communication with tap 10 that is the transmission destination of the power amount report command. This selection is performed for each tap 10. When selection is completed for all the taps 10, the base unit 20 uses the wireless communication unit 21 or the PLC communication unit 22 of the selected one for the tap 10 registered at the head of the handset information storage unit 23. Send quantity reporting instructions. The tap 10 that has received this acquires the amount of power for each end point using the power measurement function unit 14, and uses the wireless communication unit 11 or the PLC communication unit 12 that has received the report command for each end point. Responds to the amount of power. Base unit 20 sequentially transmits report commands to the remaining taps 10 in the same manner, and taps 10 that have received the same also respond in the same manner. When the base unit 20 receives responses for all the taps 10, the base unit information storage unit 23 registers the power amount for each end point in association with the node ID of each tap 10. This registration may be executed every time a response is received from the tap 10.

  Next, when the master unit 20 finishes registering the electric energy for all the taps 10, the base unit 20 uses the wireless communication unit 21 or the PLC communication unit 22 that is selected first for the top tap 10 to turn on / off. Send status reporting instructions. Upon receiving this, the tap 10 inquires the control unit 13 about the ON / OFF state for each end point, and the acquired ON / OFF state for each end point indicates the wireless communication unit 11 or the PLC communication unit 12 that has received the report command. Use to respond. Base unit 20 sequentially transmits report commands to the remaining taps 10 in the same manner, and taps 10 that have received the same also respond in the same manner. When the base unit 20 receives responses for all the taps 10, the base unit information storage unit 23 registers the ON / OFF state for each endpoint in association with the node ID of each tap 10. This registration may be executed every time a response is received from the tap 10.

  When the link status confirmation processing of the wireless communication and power line communication between the tap 10 and the base unit 20 is finished, as shown in FIG. 8, the user uses the ON / OFF control program and the input unit of the other computer 30, An ON / OFF control request in units of taps 10 and blade supports can be transmitted to the main unit 20. Receiving this, base unit 20 uses communication means determination unit 24 to select communication means used for communication with tap 10 that is the transmission destination of the ON / OFF control command. The master device 20 that has completed this selection transmits an ON / OFF control command designating an endpoint to the tap 10 using the selected wireless communication unit 21 or PLC communication unit 22. The tap 10 that has received this performs the relay ON / OFF switching of the designated endpoint using the control unit 13, and the execution result is used as the wireless communication unit 11 or the PLC communication unit that has received the ON / OFF control command. Respond with 12 The master device 20 that has received this response registers the ON / OFF state for each endpoint in association with the node ID of the tap 10 by the slave device information storage unit 23.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the user uses the browsing program and the input means of the other computer 30 to make a request for browsing the status information of the tap 10 registered in the slave unit information storage unit 23 to the master unit 20. Can be sent. The master device 20 that has received the response responds to the computer 30 with registration information to be requested. The computer 30 that has received the response outputs a browsing screen by the browsing program.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the following communication environment is taken as an example when a large number of taps 10 that have been registered as slave units in the master unit 20 and have been subjected to link status confirmation processing are connected to outlets in various rooms in the house. A home area where the base unit 20 and the tap 10 can communicate will be described. For convenience of explanation, the branch number N corresponding to the circled number in the figure is added as “tap 10-N” below. First, the tap 10-1 in the same room A as the parent device 20 is in an area where direct wireless communication with the parent device 20 is possible, and is connected to the same L1 phase system as the parent device 20. Therefore, both direct wireless communication and power line communication can be used for communication between base unit 20 and tap 10-1. Before starting communication with tap 10-1, base unit 20 performs the determination process of FIG. 4 and selects power line communication in steps (S1) to (S2). If the power line communication is disabled due to a change in the communication environment such as disconnection of the power line after the link state confirmation process of the power line communication, for example, the base unit 20 in FIG. 1 fails in the power line communication with the tap 10-1. The base device 20 that has detected the failure updates the item “power system” associated with the node ID of the tap 10-1 to “disable”. Thereafter, base unit 20 tries communication with tap 10-1 again, and selects direct wireless communication through steps (S 1) to (S 4) of the determination process in FIG. 4. The tap 10-1 in FIG. 1 responds with the same communication means as the selection of the parent device 20.

  The tap 10-2 in the room B that spans the floor from the base unit 20 and spans the room cannot perform direct wireless communication with the base unit 20, and multi-hop communication using the tap 10-1 in the room A as a relay station is not possible. It is in a possible area and is connected to the same L1 phase system as the base unit 20. Therefore, both the wireless multi-hop communication and the power line communication can be used for communication between the parent device 20 and the tap 10-2. Before starting communication with tap 10-2, base unit 20 preferentially selects power line communication for communication with tap 10-2 through steps (S1) to (S2) of the determination process of FIG. When the power line communication with the tap 10-2 fails, the base unit 20 in FIG. 1 updates the item “power system” associated with the node ID of the tap 10-2 to “disable”, and then taps. The communication with 10-2 is attempted again, and the wireless multi-hop communication is selected by the steps (S1) to (S6) of the determination process of FIG. The tap 10-2 in FIG. 1 responds with the same communication means as the selection of the parent device 20.

  The tap 10-3 in the room C that spans the floor from the parent device 20 and spans the room cannot perform direct wireless communication with the parent device 20, and the tap 10-2 in the room B and the tap 10-1 in the room A. Are connected to the same L1 phase system as the base unit 20. Therefore, both the wireless multi-hop communication and the power line communication can be used for communication between the parent device 20 and the tap 10-3. Before starting communication with tap 10-3, base unit 20 preferentially selects power line communication for communication with tap 10-3 through steps (S1) to (S2) of the determination process of FIG. When the power line communication with tap 10-3 fails, base unit 20 in FIG. 1 updates item “power system” associated with the node ID of tap 10-3 to “disable”, and then taps. The communication with 10-3 is attempted again, and the wireless multi-hop communication is selected through the determination processing steps (S1) to (S6) in FIG. The tap 10-3 in FIG. 1 responds with the same communication means as the selection of the parent device 20.

  The tap 10-4 in the room C is in an area where direct wireless communication and multi-hop communication with the parent device 20 is not possible, and is connected to the same L1 phase system as the parent device 20. Therefore, only power line communication can be used for communication between base unit 20 and tap 10-4. Before starting communication with tap 10-4, base unit 20 selects power line communication for communication with tap 10-4 in steps (S1) to (S2) of the determination process of FIG. The tap 10-4 in FIG. 1 responds with the same communication means as the selection of the parent device 20.

  The tap 10-5 in the room D that spans the room from the parent device 20 is in an area where direct wireless communication with the parent device 20 is possible, and is connected to an L2 phase system that is different from the parent device 20. . Therefore, only direct wireless communication can be used for communication between base unit 20 and tap 10-5. Before starting communication with tap 10-5, base unit 20 selects direct wireless communication through steps (S1) to (S4) of the determination process in FIG. The tap 10-5 in FIG. 1 responds with the same communication means as the selection of the parent device 20.

  The tap 10-6 in the room D cannot be directly wirelessly communicated with the parent device 20, and is in an area where multi-hop communication is possible using the tap 10-5 in the room D as a relay station. It is connected to the L2 phase system which is a different system. Therefore, only wireless multi-hop communication can be used for communication between the base unit 20 and the tap 10-6. Before starting communication with tap 10-6, base unit 20 selects wireless multi-hop communication through steps (S1) to (S6) of the determination process in FIG. The tap 10-6 in FIG. 1 responds with the same communication means as the selection of the parent device 20.

  The tap 10-7 in the room C cannot be directly wirelessly communicated with the parent device 20, and is in an area where multi-hop communication is possible using the tap 10-6 and the tap 10-5 in the room D as a relay station. The main unit 20 is connected to an L2 phase system that is a different system. Therefore, only wireless multi-hop communication can be used for communication between the base unit 20 and the tap 10-7. Before starting communication with tap 10-7, base unit 20 selects wireless multi-hop communication through steps (S1) to (S6) of the determination process in FIG. The tap 10-7 in FIG. 1 responds with the same communication means as the selection of the parent device 20.

  The tap 10-8 in the room C is in an area where direct wireless communication and multi-hop communication with the parent device 20 is not possible, and is connected to an L2 phase system different from the parent device 20. Therefore, the tap 10-8 is in a home area where communication with the parent device 20 is not possible. Before starting communication with tap 10-8, base unit 20 determines that communication is not possible in steps (S1) to (S7) of the determination process in FIG. 4, and issues a control command for tap 10-8 in FIG. Do not send.

  If the power tap control system is constructed only by wireless communication with the base unit 20 and the taps 10-1 to 10-8, the tap 10-4 and the tap 10-8 are in-home areas that cannot communicate with the base unit 20. Will be placed. On the other hand, in this embodiment, power line communication can be used together for communication between the parent device 20 and the tap 10, so that communication between the parent device 20 and the tap 10-4 in the same system is possible. Also, if the power tap control system is constructed only by power line communication with the base unit 20 and the taps 10-1 to 10-8, the taps 10-5 to 10-8 cannot be communicated with the base unit 20. Will be placed in the area. On the other hand, in this embodiment, since it is possible to use wireless communication together with communication between the parent device 20 and the tap 10, communication between the tap 10-5 and the tap 10-7 that allows wireless communication with the parent device 20 becomes possible. Thus, this embodiment can expand the in-house area in which communication between the parent device 20 and the tap 10 registered as a child device is possible. The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes all modifications within the scope of the technical idea based on the description of the scope of claims.

10 Taps 11 and 21 Wireless communication units 12 and 22 PLC communication unit 20 Master unit 23 Slave unit information storage unit 24 Communication means determination unit

Claims (3)

In the main unit (20) for power strips that is provided so that a plurality of power strips (10) can be registered as slave units and that constructs a computer network with the power strips registered in itself.
A wireless communication unit (21) for performing wireless communication;
PLC communication unit (22) for performing power line communication using a single-phase three-wire L1 phase or L2 phase as a transmission path;
For each registered power strip (10), communication means used for communication with the power strip (10) is selected from the wireless communication section (21) and the PLC communication section (22) by a predetermined determination process. A communication means determination unit (24) for
With
The determination process selects the PLC communication unit for communication with the power tap connected to the same system as the one system, and the power tap (10) connected to the one system and a different system. power strip for base unit, characterized that it is processing of selecting the radio communication unit to the communication (21). Unique identification information of the power strip (10), information on availability of communication to the power strip (10) using the wireless communication unit (21), and the power strip (10) using the PLC communication unit (22) ) Further includes a handset information storage unit (23) for registering information indicating whether or not communication is possible.
The determination process is a process of selecting the wireless communication unit (21) or the PLC communication unit (22) based on the availability information registered in the slave unit information storage unit (23). 1. The power strip main unit according to 1. It comprises one or more power strips (10) and the power strip master unit (20) according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The power tap (10) includes a wireless communication unit (11) corresponding to the wireless communication unit (21) of the power tap base unit (20) and a PLC communication unit (22) of the power tap base unit (20). And a PLC communication unit (12) corresponding to the power strip control system.

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