JPH0993670A - Remote control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the entire system from stopping its operation even when part of the system is faulty by adding a conversion section having a conversion function and a changeover section to the system. SOLUTION: When a transmission line Ca1 is broken, the voltage of a repeater 1 at the side of the transmission line Ca1 is zero, a voltage signal detection section 141a outputs a fault signal to a function changeover section 142, to change over switches SW1, SW2 to terminals a, d side. According to the operation, a current signal on a line Ca2 is detected by a current signal detection section 11, a conversion section 13 converts the detection signal into a voltage signal and an output section 17 superimposes the power from a power supply onto an input voltage signal from the conversion section 13 and provides the output of the result onto the transmission line Ca2. When the conversion of the current signal into a voltage signal is disable, a signal coincidence judgement section 141b judges it to be a fault and changes over the switches SW1, SW2 to terminals a, d side thereby preventing the entire system-down.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote control system capable of communicating between terminals.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 10 is an overall configuration diagram showing a remote control system according to a conventional example. Transmission lines Ca1 and Ca2 are connected via a repeater 6, and a signal converter 2 and a terminal are connected to the transmission line Ca1. The devices 5a and 5b are connected, and the terminal devices 5c and 5d are connected to the transmission line Ca2.

When communication is performed between terminals in a conventional remote control system, for example, when a current signal is output from the terminal 5c, it is relayed to the transmission line Ca1 side by the relay 6 and a voltage signal is transmitted by the signal converter 2. Converted to transmission line C
It was output to a1. Then, the voltage signal is relayed to the transmission line Ca2 side by the relay device 6, so that the terminal device 5
The current signal output from c is used for the other terminals 5a, 5b, 5
d was receiving.

[0004]

However, in the remote control system having the above-described configuration, for example, when the transmission line Ca1 side is disconnected or causes an abnormality such as a short circuit, as shown in FIG. Since the current signal from the terminal device 5c is not converted into a voltage signal, communication between the terminal devices 5c and 5d connected to the transmission line Ca2 side becomes impossible even though the transmission line Ca2 side is normal. There was a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a remote control which does not stop the operation of the entire system even when an abnormality occurs in a part of the system. To provide a system.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
Connect a signal converter that converts the input current signal to a voltage signal and superimposes the power supplied to the terminal device and output it, and a plurality of terminal devices that transmit the current signal and receive the voltage signal via the transmission line. By adding a repeater having a repeater having a repeater function on the transmission line, converting the current signal transmitted from the terminal device into a voltage signal by the signal converter and outputting the voltage signal to the terminal device. In a remote control system for communication between devices, a converter having a conversion function for converting a current signal into a voltage signal, and a switching unit for switching between the relay and the converter are added to the relay. It is characterized by having done.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the remote control system according to the first aspect, the repeater determines the state of the signal on the transmission line, and when it determines that there is an abnormality, the switching section has an abnormality. An abnormality determination unit for outputting a signal is added, and the switching unit switches from the relay function of the relay unit to the conversion function of the conversion unit when an abnormality signal is input.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the remote control system according to the second aspect, the abnormality determination section detects the level of the voltage signal on the transmission line, and when it is below a predetermined level, it is determined to be abnormal. Then, a voltage signal detection unit for outputting an abnormal signal is added to the switching unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the remote control system according to the second or third aspect, the data of the current signal input to the repeater and the data of the voltage signal are coincident with each other in the abnormality determining section. It is characterized in that a signal coincidence judging section for outputting an abnormal signal to the switching section is added when it judges whether or not to match.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the remote control system according to the first aspect, a timer is added to the repeater, and the switching unit changes the relay function of the relay unit based on the output from the timer. It is characterized in that the conversion function is switched to the conversion unit.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the remote control system according to the first aspect, a control signal for requesting switching between the relay function and the conversion function is input from the terminal device to the relay device, A signal receiving unit that outputs a function switching signal to the switching unit based on a control signal is added,
The switching unit is configured to switch between the relay function and the conversion function based on the content of the input function switching signal.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

First Embodiment Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a repeater 1 of a remote control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the signal converter 2 according to the present embodiment. In the system configuration of the remote control system according to the present embodiment, the transmission lines Ca1 and Ca2 are connected via the repeater 1 as in FIG. 10, and the signal converter 2 and the terminals 5a and 5b are connected to the transmission line Ca1. Is connected, and terminals 5c and 5d are connected to the transmission line Ca2.

The repeater 1 comprises a current signal detecting section 11, a current signal repeating section 12, a converting section 13, a switching section 14, a voltage signal repeating section 15, a power source section 16 and an output section 17. The switching unit 14 also includes switches SW1 and SW2, an abnormality determination unit 141, and a function switching unit 142. The current signal detection unit 11 detects a current signal transmitted from the terminals 5c and 5d through the transmission line Ca2 and outputs it as a detection signal to the switch SW1. Current signal relay unit 12
Is for relaying a current signal, and outputs the detection signal input from the current signal detection unit 11 via the terminal b to the transmission line Ca1 as a current signal. Converter 13
Is for converting a detection signal input from the current signal detection unit 11 via the terminal a into a voltage signal and outputting the voltage signal to the terminal d. The switching unit 14 switches between a "relay function" for relaying a current signal and a voltage signal and a "conversion function" for converting a current signal into a voltage signal. Abnormality judgment part 1
Reference numeral 41 is for judging an abnormality in the current signal and the voltage signal on the transmission lines Ca1 and Ca2, and the voltage signal detection unit 141
a and a signal coincidence determination unit 141b. The voltage signal detection unit 141a rectifies the voltage signal input via the transmission line Ca1 and outputs an abnormal signal to the function switching unit 142 when the voltage value falls below a predetermined level. The signal matching determination unit 141b compares the data of the voltage signal input via the transmission line Ca1 and the data of the current signal input from the current signal relay unit 12, and if they do not match, the function switching unit 142 is abnormal. It outputs a signal. The function switching unit 142 switches the switches SW1 and SW2 based on the abnormality signal input from the abnormality determination unit 141. In the present embodiment, when the abnormality signal is not input, the switches SW1 and SW2 respectively. The switches SW1 and SW2 are connected to the terminals b and c, respectively, and when an abnormal signal is input, the switches SW1 and SW2 are connected to the terminals a and d, respectively. In addition, the conversion unit 13 is connected to the terminal a, the current signal relay unit 12 is connected to the terminal b, the voltage signal relay unit 15 is connected to the terminal c, and the conversion unit 13 is connected to the terminal d. There is. Voltage signal relay unit 1
Reference numeral 5 is for relaying a voltage signal, and the transmission line Ca1
The voltage signal input via the terminal is output to the transmission line Ca2 via the terminal c and the output unit 17. The output unit 17 superimposes the power supplied from the power supply unit 16 to the terminal device 5 on the voltage signal input from the conversion unit 13 and the voltage signal relay unit 15 via the switch SW2, and outputs the superimposed voltage to the transmission line Ca2. is there. The terminal device 5 according to the present embodiment uses a current signal as a transmission method and a voltage signal as a reception method.

The signal converter 2 includes a detector 21 and a converter 22.
And a power supply section 23 and an output section 24. Detector 21
Is to detect a current signal input from the terminals 5a to 5d through the transmission line Ca1 and output it as a detection signal to the conversion unit 22. When the detection signal is input from the detection unit 21, the conversion unit 22 converts the detection signal into a voltage signal and outputs the voltage signal to the output unit 24. The output unit 24 superimposes the power supplied from the power supply unit 23 to the terminal device 5 on the voltage signal input from the conversion unit 22 and outputs the voltage signal to the transmission line Ca1.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. 3 to 5 are timing charts showing an example of the operation of the remote control system according to the present embodiment. First, when the repeater 1 is operated as the "relay function", the switches SW1 and SW2 are connected to the terminals b and c, respectively, so that the signal flow is as shown in FIG.
The current signal from the terminal device 5c is detected by the current signal detection unit 11 of the repeater 1 and output as a detection signal, and the current signal relay unit 12 causes the current signal detection unit 11 to switch the switch S.
The detection signal input via W1 is output to the transmission line Ca1 as a current signal.

When the detector 21 detects the current signal output from the repeater 1, the signal converter 2 outputs it as a detection signal to the converter 22, and the converter 22 receives the detection signal. The voltage signal is converted and output to the output unit 24. The output unit 24 superimposes the power supplied from the power supply unit 23 to the terminals 5a to 5d on the voltage signal input from the conversion unit 22 and outputs the superimposed power to the transmission line Ca1.

When the voltage signal from the transmission line Ca1 is input to the voltage signal relay section 15, the relay 1 switches SW2.
Is input to the output unit 17 via the, and the output unit 17 outputs the input voltage signal to the transmission line Ca2. By the above operation, the signal output from the terminal 5c is transferred to the terminals 5a, 5
b and 5d can be received.

Here, it is assumed that the transmission line Ca1 is broken for some reason. At this time, the voltage on the transmission line Ca1 side of the repeater 1 becomes 0 as shown in FIG. The voltage signal detection unit 141a outputs an abnormal signal to the function switching unit 142 because the voltage of the transmission line Ca1 has fallen below the detection level at which it is determined to be abnormal. When the abnormal signal is input, the function switching unit 142 switches the switches SW1 and SW2 to the terminals a and d, respectively. By this operation, the repeater 1
Is switched from the "relay function" to the "conversion function" and enables communication between the terminals 5c and 5d connected to the transmission line Ca2. That is, the current signal output from the terminal 5c is detected by the current signal detection unit 11 and output as a detection signal, the conversion unit 13 converts the input detection signal into a voltage signal, and the output unit 14 outputs the conversion unit 13 The power signal supplied from the power supply unit 16 to the terminals 5c and 5d is superimposed on the voltage signal input from the power supply unit 16 and is output to the transmission line Ca2.

It is also assumed that the current signal cannot be converted into a voltage signal due to the abnormality of the signal converter 2. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the current signal relayed by the current signal relay unit 12 is different from the data of the voltage signal relayed by the voltage signal relay unit 15. Therefore, the signal coincidence determination unit 141b determines that there is an abnormality and outputs an abnormality signal to the function switching unit 142. When the abnormal signal is input, the function switching unit 142 switches the switches SW1 and SW2 to the terminals a and d, respectively. By this operation, the repeater 1 has a "relay function".
Is switched to the "conversion function" to enable communication between the terminals 5c and 5d connected to the transmission line Ca2. That is, the current signal output from the terminal 5c is detected by the current signal detection unit 11 and output as a detection signal, and the conversion unit 1
3 converts the input detection signal into a voltage signal, and outputs the output signal from the output unit 1.
In 4, the voltage signal input from the conversion unit 13 is superimposed on the power supplied from the power supply unit 16 to the terminals 5c and 5d and output to the transmission line Ca2.

In this way, even if an abnormality occurs in the signal on the transmission line Ca1, the terminals 5c connected to the transmission line Ca2,
It is possible to secure communication between 5d and prevent the operation of the entire system from being stopped.

As the switches SW1 and SW2,
It may be mechanical, such as a relay, or electronic.

Second Embodiment FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a repeater 3 of a remote control system according to another embodiment of the present invention. In addition,
The system configuration of the remote control system according to this embodiment is
Similar to FIG. 10, the transmission lines Ca1 and Ca2 are connected via the repeater 1, the signal converter 2 is connected to the other end of the transmission line Ca1, and the terminals 5a and 5b are connected to the transmission line Ca1. Terminals 5c and 5d are connected to the transmission line Ca2. Moreover, the signal converter 2 of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the signal converter 2 shown in FIG. Furthermore, in the repeater 3 according to the present embodiment,
Parts that operate in the same manner as the repeater 1 shown in FIG. 1 are given the same names and explanations thereof are omitted.

The repeater 3 comprises a current signal detecting section 31, a current signal repeating section 32, a converting section 33, a switching section 34, a voltage signal repeating section 35, a power source section 36 and an output section 37. The switching unit 34 has switches SW3 and SW4, a timer 341, and a function switching unit 342. The function switching unit 342 switches between the “relay function” and the “conversion function” by switching the switches SW3 and SW4 by the output from the timer 341.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the remote control system according to this embodiment. Note that description of portions that perform the same operations as in the first embodiment will be omitted. In this embodiment, the repeater 3 switches between the “relay function” and the “conversion function” by the output from the timer 341. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the repeater 3 has the “relay function”, the current signal from the terminal 5c is output to the transmission lines Ca1 and Ca2, and the repeater 3
Is a "conversion function", the current signal from the terminal 5c is not output to the transmission line Ca1.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the transmission line C
Even if an abnormality occurs in a1, the communication between the terminals 5c and 5d periodically occurs on the transmission line Ca2 side, so that the operation stop of the entire system can be prevented.

As switches SW3 and SW4,
It may be mechanical, such as a relay, or electronic.

= Embodiment 3 = FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a repeater 4 of a remote control system according to another embodiment of the present invention. In addition,
The system configuration of the remote control system according to this embodiment is
Similar to FIG. 10, the transmission lines Ca1 and Ca2 are connected via the repeater 1, the signal converter 2 is connected to the other end of the transmission line Ca1, and the terminals 5a and 5b are connected to the transmission line Ca1. Terminals 5c and 5d are connected to the transmission line Ca2. Moreover, the signal converter 2 of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the signal converter 2 shown in FIG. Furthermore, in the repeater 4 according to the present embodiment,
Parts that operate in the same manner as the repeater 1 shown in FIG. 1 are given the same names and explanations thereof are omitted.

The repeater 4 comprises a current signal detector 41, a current signal repeater 42, a converter 43, a switch 44, a voltage signal repeater 45, a power supply 46 and an output 47. Further, the switching unit 44 includes switches SW5 and SW6, a signal receiving unit 441, and a function switching unit 442. When the control signal for switching the function between the "relay function" and the "conversion function" is input from the terminals 5a to 5d, the signal receiving unit 441 outputs the function switching signal to the function switching unit 442. The function switching unit 442 switches the switches SW5 and SW6 based on the function switching signal from the signal receiving unit 441.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the remote control system according to this embodiment. Note that description of portions that perform the same operations as in the first embodiment will be omitted. In this embodiment, the function control of the repeater 4 is performed by the terminals 5a to 5d connected to the transmission lines Ca1 and Ca2. For example, when the control signal for switching the repeater 4 from the "relay function" to the "conversion function" is output from the terminal 5c when the repeater 4 has the "relay function", the current signal detection unit 41 of the repeater 4 controls the control signal. The signal is detected and output to the signal receiving unit 441. When the control signal is input, the signal receiving unit 441 outputs a function switching signal for switching the relay 4 to the “conversion function” to the function switching unit 442 based on the control signal output from the terminal 5c. .. When the function switching signal is input, the function switching unit 442 connects the switches SW5 and SW6 to the terminals i and l, respectively, and switches the repeater 4 to the “conversion function”.

The terminal device 5 connected to the transmission line Ca1
The operation of switching the repeater 4 from a and 5b from the "conversion function" to the "relay function" can be performed by performing the same operation as described above.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the terminal 5
The "relay function" and the "conversion function" of the repeater 4 can be switched based on the control signals from a to 5d.

[0032]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the current signal is transmitted via the transmission line to the signal converter that converts the input current signal into a voltage signal and superimposes the power supplied to the terminal device and outputs the superimposed signal. Connect a plurality of terminals that receive the voltage signal, add a repeater that has a relay section with a relay function on the transmission line, and convert the current signal sent from the terminal into a voltage signal with a signal converter In the remote control system in which communication is performed between the terminals by outputting the current signal to the terminals, the converter has a conversion function of converting a current signal into a voltage signal, and the relay section and the conversion section. Since a switching unit for switching between and is added, it is possible to prevent the entire system from stopping by switching the repeater to a converting unit having a converting function when an abnormality occurs in the signal on the transmission line. But Can, it was possible to provide a remote control system without the entire system stops operation when the abnormality occurs in some systems.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the remote control system according to the first aspect, the state of the signal on the transmission line is judged by the repeater, and when it is judged as abnormal, an abnormal signal is output to the switching section. An abnormality determination unit is added, and the switching unit switches from the relay function in the relay unit to the conversion function in the conversion unit when an abnormal signal is input, so that the entire system can operate when an error occurs in the signal on the transmission line. It is possible to prevent the operation from stopping.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the remote control system according to the second aspect, the abnormality determination section detects the level of the voltage signal on the transmission line, and when it falls below a predetermined level, it is determined to be abnormal and switching is performed. Since the voltage signal detection unit that outputs an abnormal signal is added to the unit, it is possible to prevent the entire system from stopping when the signal on the transmission line is abnormal.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the remote control system according to the second or third aspect, whether the abnormality determination unit has the data of the current signal and the data of the voltage signal which are input to the repeater coincide with each other. Since a signal matching judgment unit that judges whether or not there is a mismatch and outputs an abnormal signal to the switching unit is added, it is possible to prevent the entire system from stopping when an error occurs in the signal on the transmission line. be able to.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the remote control system according to the first aspect, a timer is added to the repeater,
The switching unit switches from the relay function in the relay unit to the conversion function in the conversion unit based on the output from the timer, so that the communication between the terminals is regularly performed even when the signal on the transmission line is abnormal. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operation of the entire system from being stopped.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the remote control system according to the first aspect, a control signal for requesting switching between the relay function and the conversion function is input from the terminal device to the relay device. A signal receiving unit for outputting a function switching signal to the switching unit based on the control signal is added, and the switching unit switches between the relay function and the conversion function based on the content of the input function switching signal. Therefore, the function can be switched based on the request from the terminal device to switch between the relay function and the conversion function.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a repeater of a remote control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a signal converter according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the remote control system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the remote control system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the remote control system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a repeater of a remote control system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the remote control system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a repeater of a remote control system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the remote control system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an overall configuration diagram showing a remote control system according to a conventional example.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the remote control system according to the conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Repeater 2 Signal converter 3,4 Repeater 5a-5d Terminal device 6 Repeater 11 Current signal detection part 12 Current signal relay part 13 Conversion part 14 Switching part 15 Voltage signal relay part 16 Power supply part 17 Output part 21 Detection part 22 conversion unit 23 power supply unit 24 output unit 31 current signal detection unit 32 current signal relay unit 33 conversion unit 34 switching unit 35 voltage signal relay unit 36 power supply unit 37 output unit 41 current signal detection unit 42 current signal relay unit 43 conversion unit 44 Switching unit 45 Voltage signal relay unit 46 Power supply unit 47 Output unit 141 Abnormality determination unit 141a Voltage signal detection unit 141b Signal matching determination unit 142 Function switching unit 341 Timer 342 Function switching unit 441 Signal receiving unit 442 Function switching unit SW1 to SW6 switch Ca1 , Ca2 transmission line

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Mitsunobu Kuroda 1048 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Works Co., Ltd.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A transmission line comprising: a signal converter for converting an input current signal into a voltage signal and superimposing and outputting power supplied to the terminal device; and a plurality of terminal devices for transmitting the current signal and receiving the voltage signal. And a relay unit having a relay unit having a relay function on the transmission line.
In the remote control system in which the current signal transmitted from the terminal device is converted into the voltage signal by the signal converter and output to the terminal device to perform communication between the terminal devices, the current signal is transmitted to the relay device. A remote control system comprising: a conversion unit having a conversion function for converting to a voltage signal; and a switching unit for switching between the relay unit and the conversion unit. 2. The relay unit is further provided with an abnormality judging unit for judging a state of a signal on the transmission line and outputting an abnormal signal to the switching unit when judging that the signal is abnormal. 2. The remote control system according to claim 1, wherein when the abnormal signal is input, the relay function of the relay unit is switched to the conversion function of the conversion unit. 3. A voltage signal detection circuit that detects the level of a voltage signal on the transmission line to the abnormality judging section, judges that the voltage signal is abnormal when the level is below a predetermined level, and outputs an abnormal signal to the switching section. The remote control system according to claim 2, wherein a part is added. 4. The abnormality judgment unit judges whether or not the data of the current signal and the data of the voltage signal input to the repeater match, and if they do not match, the abnormality signal is sent to the switching unit. 4. The remote control system according to claim 2 or claim 3, further comprising a signal coincidence determination unit for outputting. 5. A timer is added to the repeater, and the switching unit switches from a relay function in the relay unit to a conversion function in the conversion unit based on an output from the timer. The remote control system according to claim 1. 6. A control signal for requesting switching between the relay function and the conversion function is input from the terminal device to the relay device, and a function switching signal is output to the switching unit based on the control signal. 2. The remote controller according to claim 1, further comprising a signal receiving unit for switching, wherein the switching unit switches between the relay function and the conversion function based on the content of the input function switching signal. Control system.