JPH01175429A - Communication system and equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow the operation of terminal equipments to be stopped, started, and left freely and to improve the communication speeds of controllers and terminal devices by making the communication devices to perform transmission and reception with one synchronizing signal, and formatting data to be sent that its communication destination and communication contents are contained and discriminated. CONSTITUTION:Data 4 to be sent through a common transmission line 3 consist of data b1, b1...bn which can be converted into binary values. One bit of each data is made to correspond to one function of terminal equipments 51a...51e; and one level of a binary value puts the function in operation and the other stops the operation. Then the synchronizing signal 2 and data 4 are handled in time series and even when all the communication equipments 1a... 1e performs transmission and reception simultaneously, which terminal equipment is to be operated with the signal or which terminal equipment is in operation is discriminated. Therefore, the operation of several terminal equipments is stopped, started, and left freely and the communication speeds among the equipments are increased.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an HA system that organically connects a plurality of terminal devices and a plurality of controllers by connecting household electrical devices as terminals to a common transmission path. (Home automation) System communication method and device.

(Prior Art) In a conventional HA system, as a communication device for an HA (home automation) system that organically connects multiple terminal devices such as air conditioners, home spacers, etc. and multiple controllers, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-1999 As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 142431, the address set for each terminal device is included in the control signal sent from the controller, and when the control signal is sent out, the sendout signal from another controller or other terminal is Control signals are sent to multiple terminals via a common transmission path after confirming that there are no There are things that can be done.

With such a communication device, you can select from multiple terminal devices and stop the operation of some terminal devices.

You can now start and leave it as you like.

(Problems to be solved by the invention), In recent years, HA
The development of systems has been remarkable in response to the tendency to seek comfort in life.

The types of electrical equipment used there have also increased.

As the types of electrical appliances used increase, it is important to check whether the electrical appliances are performing the specified control or whether their operations are being performed safely. If those using the equipment do not know about it, they will not be able to maintain a comfortable living environment.

However, with conventional technology, it has become possible to freely stop, start, or leave the operation of some terminal devices; Since the operating status of the terminal device can only be known after confirming that no status transmission signal is sent, it takes one hour to instruct the operation and know the result.

Therefore, in order to control electrical appliances related to the HA system, it is becoming necessary to increase the communication speed.

The present invention solves such problems, allows you to freely stop, start, or leave the operation of some terminal devices by selecting from a plurality of terminal devices, and also allows you to freely stop, start, or leave the operation of some of the terminal devices, and also allows communication between multiple controllers and multiple terminal devices. To provide a communication device that can increase communication speed.

(Means for Solving the Problem) The communication method according to the first invention is a communication method having a plurality of communication devices 1 and one common transmission path 3, in which the plurality of communication devices can simultaneously transmit data using one synchronization signal 2. Receive 1
This communication method is characterized in that the data 4 to be communicated includes a communication destination and communication content, and has a format that can be distinguished.

The communication device 1 of the second invention is a device for implementing the communication method of the first invention, and its configuration is as shown in FIG.
A synchronizing signal generating means 11 that generates a synchronizing signal that determines the start time of signal transmission/reception at regular intervals, and a switching means 12 that determines whether or not the synchronizing signal from the synchronizing signal generating means 11 can be transmitted prior to communication data. , a transmitting means 13 for sending the communication data from the logic operation means 16 to the transmission line only after receiving a synchronization signal, a demodulation means 14 for demodulating the communication data transmitted to this transmission line, and 9 communication data. synchronous signal discriminating means 15 for discriminating synchronous signals, and data converting means 17 for connecting the terminal equipment and the transmitting means 13 and converting data from the terminal equipment into distinguishable data. Data decoding means 20 for decoding the demodulated communication data from the demodulation means 14. Display output means 23 for outputting data from the data decoding means 20 to a display device for display
．． A means 21 for determining whether to output data to the terminal device based on the data from the data decoding means 20; and a data output means 24 for outputting data to the terminal device only when output is permitted by the means 21 for determining whether to output to the terminal device. This is a communication device characterized by comprising a logic operation means 16 consisting of.

The first invention will be explained below using a concave surface.

As shown in FIG. 1a, a plurality of communication W1s include la,
lb, ], c, Id, le... are connected to one common transmission path 3, and each communication device 1 has a terminal device 5.
In an HA system in which 1a, 51b, 51c, 51d, 51e, etc. are connected, the data 4 communicated on one common transmission path 3 is binary as shown in Figure 1. Data b that can take. , b3. ...b
, and one bit of the data 4 is sent to the terminal devices 51 a, 5 l b, 51 c,
51d, 51e, etc., one of the two values is determined to operate that function, and the other is determined to stop the operation, as shown in Figure 1C. The synchronization signal 2 and the data 4 are handled in chronological order, and all communication devices 1a, lb, lc, ld, 1e, etc.
Even if ... transmits and receives at the same time, which terminal device 51a, 51
b, 51c, 51d, 51e, etc., or which terminal device 51a, 51b, 51c,
It is possible to distinguish whether 51d, 51e, etc. are operating.

The means that can be used for the second invention will be specifically described below.

The synchronizing signal generating means 11 that generates the synchronizing signal 2 that determines the start time of signal transmission at regular intervals can be constructed using a frequency dividing circuit that is a combination of a generally known oscillation circuit and a logic gate. Also, microcomputer
When using a clock signal as a reference for its operation, it can be constructed using a frequency divider circuit that is a combination of logic gates in hardware, or the same operation can be performed in software. This synchronization signal,
In order to distinguish 2 from 5 communication data 4, it is used by changing it to a signal of a different level from the signal of 1 communication data 4, by using a special code, or by applying a different modulation to the signal data.

Switching means 1 for determining whether or not to transmit the synchronizing signal 2 from the synchronizing signal generating means 11 before the communication data 4
2, any switch can be used as long as it is used as a switch. This switch is the first transmission line 3.
Out of the plurality of communication devices 1 connected to 9, only those used as communication controllers are closed and used, and the other communication devices 1 are not closed. Any means may be used instead of this switch as long as it is not connected on the circuit.

The transmission means 13 for sending the communication data 4 from the logic operation means 16 to the transmission path only after receiving the synchronization signal 2 temporarily stores the communication data 4 and transmits the communication data by inputting the synchronization signal 2. A parallel-serial converter for outputting data 4 in time series, a circuit that handles the output from the parallel-serial converter as a voltage signal, a circuit that converts it into an optical signal, and a circuit that converts it into a tone burst wave. You can use either.

In addition, 2 communication data 4 is temporarily stored and the synchronization signal 2
In order to output the communication data 4 in chronological order according to the input of the logic operation means 16, a program may be incorporated in the logic operation means 16 to perform this function, and the configuration of each is not particularly limited as long as it is currently used. .

As the demodulating means 14 for demodulating the communication data 4 transmitted on this transmission line, the signal from the transmitting means 13 can be converted to a photocoupler for the optical transmission line, a circuit for demodulating the tone burst wave, or a voltage signal can be converted as it is. Any of the demodulation circuits to be used and the communication data 4 demodulated by the demodulation circuit
It consists of a serial-to-parallel converter for converting time-series data into parallel data that is easy to handle and temporarily storing it. In this case, a program may be built into the logic operation means 16 to convert the communication data 4 demodulated by the demodulation circuit from time-series data into parallel data that is easy to handle, and to temporarily store the data. However, each configuration is not particularly limited as long as it is currently used.

The synchronizing signal discriminating means 15 for discriminating between the communication data 4 and the synchronizing signal 2 is as shown in FIG. 3a.

If the levels of the synchronization signal 2 and the data 4 signal are different, a comparator is used for comparison using a reference level matched to each threshold level. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, when the signals are of the same level and have a special code, a circuit for decoding the code or a program provided in the logic operation means 16 is used. Alternatively, if a modulation different from that of the signal data is applied, a circuit that demodulates only that modulation is used.

The communication device according to the second invention can be roughly divided into three or more synchronizing signal generating means 11. Switching means]2. Transmission means 13. Demodulation means 14. Synchronous signal discrimination means 15 and logic operation means 16
It consists of. This logic operation means 16 can usually be realized by a circuit constructed by combining two logic elements, or a circuit incorporating software such as a microcomputer system, but this is possible due to the expandability of the configuration and the degree of freedom in design.

A circuit with built-in software such as a microcomputer system is preferable.

This logic operation means 16 includes 9 or less data conversion means 17.
Data decoding means 20. It consists of a means 212 for deciding whether to output to a terminal device, a display output means 23, and an output means 24 for outputting to the terminal device.

The data converting means 17 that connects the terminal device and the transmitting means 13 and converts the data 4 specifying the communication destination and communication content from the terminal device into distinguishable data 5 is a terminal device consisting of many switches such as a keyboard. The signal from
This can be realized by a combination of predetermined logic gates built into the logic operation means 16 or by a program that converts according to a certain format.

The data decoding means 20 for decoding the data 4 from the data conversion means 17 can be realized by a combination of a predetermined set of logic gates built into the logic operation means 16, or by a program for converting according to a certain format.

The display output means 23 that outputs the communication data 4 from the data decoding means 20 to a terminal device for display is a combination of predetermined logic gates built in the logic operation means 16 or conversion according to a fixed format. This can be achieved by using a program.

In this case, when the display device 3 uses current from an LED or the like, there is a launch circuit for holding the data 4 until the primary data 4 is received, and a launch circuit for displaying the data held in the launch circuit on the LED. A current amplifier is used and also 2
If a display device that can be connected to a microcomputer system or the like is used, an interface and a program that manages data output via the interface can also be used.

The data 4 from the data decoding means 20 determines whether the data can be output to the terminal device 21, and the means 21 determines whether or not the data can be output to the terminal device. The communication content output means 24 that outputs the communication data 4 includes the logical operation means 1.
This can be realized by a combination of predetermined logic gates built into the computer 6 or by a program that converts according to a certain format.

(Function) By using the system and the configuration of the communication device described above, the present invention enables a communication system that has a common transmission path with a plurality of communication devices to select from a plurality of terminal devices and connect some terminal devices. It is possible to freely stop, start, and leave the operation unattended, and it is also possible to increase the communication speed between multiple controllers and multiple terminal devices.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1d, in a communication system having a common transmission path with a plurality of communication devices, the number of communication devices is 4. Each number is la.

A clock signal in a microcomputer system as a logic operation means 16 as a synchronization signal generation means 11 that generates a synchronization signal 2 determining the start time of signal transmission and reception inside the communication device 1a at regular intervals with lb, Ic, and Id. All the communication devices transmit and receive at the same time using the synchronization signal 2, and as shown in FIG. ,b,,b2.
Using b3, bo is connected to the terminal device 51a connected to the communication device 1a, and the electric light 71 is output as the output of the terminal device.
Represents the lighting/extinguishing function of a, and similarly, b2, b3
shall include the communication destination and communication content representing the function of turning on and off the lights 71b, 71c, and 71d, and have a format that can be distinguished by one.

Each communication device has a synchronization signal generation means 11 that generates a synchronization signal at regular intervals to determine the start time of signal transmission/reception, and converts the synchronization signal from the synchronization signal generation means 11 into communication data. The switching means 12, which determines whether or not to transmit in advance, is enabled for the communication device 1a and disabled for other communication devices, and the logical operation means 1 is switched on only after receiving a synchronization signal.
The transmitting means 13 for sending the communication data from 6 to the transmission path has the configuration shown in FIG. 4, and the demodulating means 14 for demodulating the communication data transmitted to this transmission path is shown in FIG. 4. The configuration of the synchronization signal discriminating means 15 for discriminating between communication data and synchronization signals is shown in FIG. The data conversion means 17 converts each terminal device 51a, 51b, 5
1c, 51d are switches 72a, 72b, 72c.

72d is provided to instruct the lights 7], a, 71b, 71c, and 71d to turn on and off, and one of these is connected to the power supply voltage V.
CC is added, and the other is connected to the data line of the terminal equipment connected to the logical operation means 16. Also.

Data decoding means 20 for decoding the demodulated communication data from the demodulation means 14. A means 21 for determining whether to output data to the terminal device based on the data from the data decoding means 20; and a data output means 24 for outputting data to the terminal device only when output is permitted by the means 21 for determining whether to output to the terminal device. The logic operation means 16 consisting of a microcomputer system is used.

The flowchart I- is set as shown in FIG. 1f.

Using this system, lights can be turned on and off from four separate locations in the following manner. In the communication device 1a, the terminal device 51a
When the switch 72a is pressed, the signal is in the communication device la. bit is set to 1, and after synchronization signal 2, 1. O, O,
Since O is sent to the transmitting means 13 and input to the base terminal of the transistor 81a, O, Vcc, VゎC+ ``CC+'' are output on the collector terminal side of the transistor 81a.
appears on the transmission line 3 as a signal, and if no switch is pressed in the external communication device, following the synchronization signal 2 from the external communication device, Vec, Vcc,
V. C+ "CC1 signal is transmitted to the transmission line 3, but at that time, the collector-emitter of the transistor 81a of the 4th communication device 1a is electrically connected, so the transmission line 3 has the following signals: O, Vcc, Vcc, Vcc. Appears as a signal.If the outside switch is pressed at this time.

Similarly, the signal corresponding to that switch appears as 0 on the transmission line 3. Therefore, at this time, the demodulation means 14 connected to the transmission line 3 simultaneously demodulates the signal, and if only the switch 1a is pressed, demodulates it as 1.0.0.0 and sends it to the data decoding means 20. In the first communication device 1a, the means 21 for deciding whether or not to output to the terminal device based on the data from the data decoding means 20 determines yes, and the other communication device determines no, so the terminal device only outputs the output when it is possible. The data output means 24 outputs data to the 9 communication device f1.
It outputs only at point a, and as a result, only the electric light 71a is turned on. In addition, the 3 display output means 18.

LE for displaying the data from the data decoding means 20.
Since D is lit when the data is 1, it is possible to check which light is lit in any communication device.

Example 1 A one-chip microcomputer HDD4010 is used to generate a synchronization signal that determines the start of signal transmission at regular intervals.
A clock signal was extracted from a clock circuit manufactured by Hitachi Ltd. No. 10 (trade name, manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd.), and a synchronizing signal generation circuit 41 was created using a frequency dividing circuit that inputs the clock signal as shown in FIG. 4a. At this time, the synchronization signal is the fourth
It is shown in the figure.

A snap switch 42 is used to determine whether or not to transmit the synchronization signal generation circuit 41 prior to communication data.
was used to connect to the output of the synchronizing signal generating circuit 21. This switch 42 is connected to the transmitting circuit 4 as shown in FIG. 4C.
Connected to the synchronization signal input terminal 52 of No. 4, the No. 2 communication device is connected to the HA
Only when used as the communication controller 43 of the system.

Used in closing. Also, the transmitting circuit 44 of the communication device other than the 1 communication controller. Demodulation circuit 45. The synchronous signal discrimination circuit 46 rectifies and rectifies the synchronous signal from one communication controller.
Smooth it and use it as electrode #i70. The configuration is shown in FIG. 4C.

When the communication device is not used as a communication controller, the timing of transmission and reception is determined by the synchronization signal extracted by the synchronization signal discrimination circuit 46.

As shown in FIG. 4d, the transmission circuit 44, which sends the transmission data to the transmission line for the first time after receiving a synchronization signal, temporarily stores the transmission data in the user work area of the memory in the one-chip microcomputer. The data output terminal 56 is connected to the parallel input terminal of a shift register as a parallel-to-serial converter that starts converting at the falling edge of the synchronizing signal, and its output is output as shown in FIG. 4C. is connected to the data input terminal 53 of.

A demodulation circuit 45 for demodulating the communication data 4 transmitted on this transmission line uses a synchronization signal 2 discriminated by a comparator 55 whose inverting input terminal is connected to the transmission line 3, as shown in FIG. 4e. By detecting the falling edge of , the subsequent communication data 4 is converted from time-series data to easy-to-handle parallel data through a comparator 57 with 2.5cm as a reference voltage and temporarily stored. The data is stored in a shift register as a serial-to-parallel converter, and after the storage is completed, by detecting the rise of the synchronization signal 2, the data is stored in an area different from the area in which the transmitted data of the one-chip microcomputer is stored.

As described above, the logic operation means 16 uses the one-chip microcomputer HD401010 (trade name, manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd.). This microcontroller is capable of 58-bit parallel processing.

In the controller, as shown in Fig. 4f, many switches such as a keyboard are arranged in a matrix and an address selector is connected so that one address can be selected for each - line 61 in one row. The address was swept so that when the switch was pressed, output appeared on two lines 62. The data to be transmitted was created by a program that transferred the signal from the line 62 in that row to the memory built into the microcomputer and changed the focus-only state to another state corresponding to the function of the terminal device to be controlled.

Further, as a display output circuit 47 for outputting the received data 5 to a terminal device, an 8-bit launch is used for the output interface of the microcomputer, and the base terminal of a transistor is connected to the output of the display output circuit 47. As shown in the figure, it was decided to light up the LEDs corresponding to the respective functions of the terminal device 51.

In order to determine whether or not to output to the terminal device based on the received data 5 in the terminal device being controlled.

8 to output data corresponding to the function of each communication device.
A bit depth inch is provided, and the data is exclusive ORed and only if all bits are 1, it matches the function of the depth inch, and only in that case is the communication from the two communication devices to the terminal The gate of the buffer, which is the output interface that outputs the communication contents, is opened.

Example 2 The logic operation means 16 used was the same as in the fifth embodiment.

The common data format between communication devices was also the same as in the first embodiment.

Instead of the shift register as a parallel-to-serial converter for transmission used in the first embodiment, a program is built into the microcomputer, and an accumulator 65 of the CPU in the microcomputer converts the data in the accumulator 65 one bit at a time. Alternately repeating commands that are output to the upper level,
As shown in FIGS. 5a-h, the most significant address Q was connected to the data input terminal 59 of the transmitting circuit.

In addition, instead of using a shift register as a serial-to-parallel converter for reception, the demodulated serial data is put into the top of another specific address N, all other digits are set to 0, and the CPU in the microcontroller starts from that address. An instruction to transfer data to the accumulator 65 of the accumulator 6
An instruction to move the data in 5 to the upper part by l bits and take the most significant bit, and to logically OR the moved data with the serial data which is then placed in the most significant part of address N and all other digits are set to 0. Serial data was converted to parallel data using a program.

The other configurations were the same as in Example 1.

Example 3 This example was the same as Example 2 except that a photocoupler for an optical transmission line was used as a transmitter and a demodulator, and a separate power supply was built in for each communication device.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, according to the present invention, a plurality of communication devices simultaneously transmit and receive data using a single synchronization signal, and the data to be communicated includes the communication destination and the communication content, and the data can be distinguished. Since it has a format that allows you to select from multiple terminal devices and freely stop, start, or leave the operation of some terminal devices, it also increases the communication speed between multiple controllers and multiple terminal devices. It is possible to provide a communication method and device that can perform

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1a is a block diagram for detailed explanation of the present invention;
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the structure of data for explaining the present invention in detail, FIG. 1 C is a diagram showing the relationship between synchronization signals and data for explaining the present invention in detail, and FIG. FIG. 1e is a block diagram for explaining the detailed explanation of the present invention. FIG. 1e is a diagram showing the waveform of a data signal for explaining the present invention in detail. FIG. Flowchart, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a communication device according to the present invention, FIG. 3 a and b are diagrams showing the relationship between data and synchronization signals that can be used in the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a frequency divider. Figure 4b shows the same 3tl used in an embodiment of the present invention] (
Figure 49c shows the waveform of No. 8, Figure 49c shows the transmission circuit used in an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 4d shows the parallel-to-serial conversion of data from the memory into the transmission circuit used in the embodiment of the invention. 4e is a circuit diagram of a demodulation circuit V used in an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4f is a circuit diagram of a switch matrix circuit used in an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of a switch matrix circuit used in an embodiment of the present invention. A conceptual diagram showing the operation of a program for converting parallel data into serial data used in another embodiment. FIG. 6 shows the operation of a program for converting serial data into parallel data used in another embodiment of the present invention. A conceptual diagram, FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit for displaying data used in an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing how data is output to a terminal device used in an embodiment of the present invention. be. Explanation of symbols 1. Communication device 2. Synchronization signal 3, transmission line 46 communication data 11, synchronization signal generation means 12, switching means 13. Transmission means 14, demodulation means 15. Synchronous signal discrimination means 16, logic operation means 17. Data converting means 20, means 21 for decoding data, means 23 for deciding whether or not to output to a terminal device, means 24 for outputting to a display device, means for outputting to a terminal device Attorney Patent Attorney Akira Hirose - -'JE-;(U'ε Nagi 1j Original writing (method) April 27, 1988 Patent Application No. 334213, filed in 1988 2, Title of invention Communication method and device 3, Relationship with amendment person case Patent application Address: 2-1-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Name (4
45) Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd. Representative: Ryoji Yokoyama 4, Agent ■163 Address: 1-1 Nishi-Shinjuku 2-chome, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Telephone: Tokyo 346-3111 (main representative) No change)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a communication system having a common transmission path with a plurality of communication devices, the plurality of communication devices transmit and receive at the same time using a single synchronization signal, and the data to be communicated is transmitted to and from the communication destination. 1. A communication method characterized by including communication content and having a distinguishable format. 2. A synchronizing signal generating means (11) that generates a synchronizing signal that determines the start time of signal transmission/reception at regular intervals, and transmitting the synchronizing signal from the synchronizing signal generating means (11) prior to communication data. a switching means (12) for determining whether or not the
Transmitting means (13) for transmitting the communication data from the logic operation means (16) to the transmission line only after receiving a synchronization signal; and demodulation means (14) for demodulating the communication data transmitted to the transmission line. , a synchronization signal discriminator (15) for discriminating between communication data and a synchronization signal, and a terminal device and a transmission means (15).
3) and a data converting means (17) for converting the data from the terminal equipment into distinguishable data, and a demodulating means (1
data decoding means (20) for decoding the demodulated communication data from 4), and display output means (23) for outputting the data from the data decoding means (20) to a display device for displaying the data.
, means (21) for determining whether or not to output to the terminal device based on the data from the data decoding means (20), and means (21) for determining whether or not to output to the terminal device to transmit data to the terminal device only when output is possible. Data output means (
24) A communication device comprising: logical operation means (16);