TWI382787B - Load control system - Google Patents

Description

Load control system

The present invention relates to a load control system that controls a load through operation of a switch.

A load using a time division multiplex signal has conventionally been provided as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Application No. 2003-37879 (paragraphs 0002 to 0010 and Figs. 5 to 7). Control System.

In the load control system, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of operation terminals 102 having switches S1 to S3 and a plurality of control terminals 103 for controlling a lighting load 104 (hereinafter referred to as "load") pass through two lines The signal line Ls is connected to the transmission control device 100.

A specific address (or an individual address) is assigned to the operation terminal 102 and the control terminal 103. The transmission control device 100 accesses the operation terminal 102 and the control terminal 103 using the individual addresses.

The transmission control device 100 delivers the transmission signal Vs having the format illustrated in (a) of FIG. 8 to the signal line Ls. The transmission signal Vs is a time-division multiplex signal, which is a bipolar signal (±24V), including a synchronization signal SY indicating the start of signal delivery, mode data MD indicating a mode of the transmission signal Vs, and a call out. The operation terminal 102 or the address data AD used when controlling the terminal 103, the control data CD used when controlling the load 104, the checksum data CS used when detecting a transmission error, and a response waiting slot (time slot) WT, that is, from the operation terminal 102 Or the time slot during which the control terminal 103 receives a response signal (monitoring data). With the transmission signal Vs, data is transmitted by pulse width modulation (see (b) in Fig. 8).

If the address data AD of the transmission signal Vs received via the signal line Ls coincides with the preset address, the operation terminal 102 and the control terminal 103 capture the control data CD from the transmission signal Vs, and during the response waiting time slot WT The transmission control device 100 returns monitoring data as a current mode signal (a signal delivered by shorting the signal line via a suitable low impedance).

In the case of transmitting data from the transmission control device 100 to the desired one of the operation terminal 102 and the control terminal 103, the transmission control device 100 delivers a transmission signal Vs in which the mode data MD is maintained as control The mode, the address data AD coincides with the address of the operation terminal 102 or the control terminal 103. As the transmission signal Vs is delivered to the signal line Ls, regardless of which of the operation terminal 102 or the control terminal 103 has an address coinciding with the address data AD, both of which capture the control data CD, and during the response waiting time slot WT The monitoring (status) data is returned to the transmission control device 100. Based on the relationship between the delivered control data CD and the monitoring data received during the response waiting time slot WT, the transmission control device 100 confirms that the control data CD has been transmitted to the desired one of the operation terminal 102 and the control terminal 103. In response to the received control data CD, the control terminal 103 generates a load control signal for controlling the load 104. In response to the received control data CD, the operation terminal 102 issues a display signal for performing an operation on the load 104. Confirmed display.

On the other hand, the transmission control device 100 normally delivers a transmission signal Vs (referred to as "normal polling") in which the mode data MD is maintained in a dummy mode for a specified time interval. In this case, the transmission control device 100 accesses any one of the plurality of control terminals 103, as shown in (a) of FIG. 9, and requests the any one of the control terminals to send back a monitoring indicating the state of the load. data. In response, the monitoring data indicating the state of the load 104 connected to the accessed control terminal 103 is transmitted from the control terminal 103 back to the transmission control device 100 (see (b) in Fig. 9). Upon receiving the monitoring data, the transmission control device 100 accesses the address of the operation terminal 102 corresponding to the control terminal 103, and transmits to the corresponding operation terminal 102 the use of the state of the load 104 connected to the corresponding control terminal 103. Control data CD (see (c) in Figure 9).

In the above manner, the operation of accessing the addresses of the control terminal 103 and the operation terminal 102 corresponding thereto is periodically repeated in the normal polling.

When the operation terminal 102 transmits the specific information to the transmission control device 100 under normal polling, the interrupt signal exemplified in (c) of FIG. 8 is generated in synchronization with the synchronization signal SY of the pseudo mode transmission signal Vs. At this time, the operation terminal 102 sets an interrupt flag when preparing to deliver information to and from the transmission control device 100. After receiving the interrupt signal, the transmission control device 100 delivers a transmission signal, in which case the mode data MD is held in the interrupt polling mode, and the upper half of the address data AD (in the address data AD is 8) Bit case The lower four bits are increased in order.

If the high four bits of the address signal AD carried by the transmission signal of the interrupt polling mode coincide with the high four bits of the address set in the operation terminal 102, it is already generated during the response waiting time slot WT. The operation terminal 102 that interrupts the signal transmits back to the transmission control device 100 the lower four bits of the address of the operation terminal. As described above, the transmission control device 100 searches 16 operating terminals at a time to find the interrupt signal generating-operation terminal 102. Therefore, the interrupt signal generating-operation terminal 102 can be found in a relatively short period of time.

Once the transmission control device 100 acquires the address of the operation terminal 102 that generated the interrupt signal, it delivers the transmission signal Vs to the signal line Ls, in which the mode data MD is maintained in the monitoring mode, and the address data AD is thereby The obtained address data. In response to the transmission signal Vs, the operation terminal 102 transmits the desired information back to the transmission control device 100 during the response waiting time slot WT. Finally, the transmission control device 100 delivers a signal for instructing the interrupt signal generation-operation terminal 102 to reset the interrupt, thereby canceling the interrupt flag.

In the above manner, the information transmission from the operation terminal 102 to the transmission control device 100 is transmitted from the transmission control device 100 to the operation by the signal four times (in the pseudo mode, the interrupt polling mode, the monitoring mode, and the terminal reset mode). The terminal 102 is completed. In order for the transmission control device 100 to know the operational state of a desired one of the control terminals 103, it is sufficient to deliver only one transmission signal in which the mode data MD is held in the monitoring mode.

However, if the operation data is generated by operating the switches S1 to S3, the operation terminal 102 transmits the operation data as the monitoring data back to the transmission control device 100. The transmission signal Vs containing the control data CD generated based on the operation data is transmitted from the transmission control device 100 to the control terminal 103, and in response to the transmission signal, the control terminal 103 controls (turns on or off) the load 104. In this regard, the control terminal 103 returns the monitoring data to the transmission control device 100. Based on the monitoring data thus returned, the transmission control device 100 transmits a transmission signal Vs containing the control data CD for displaying the operational state of the load 104 to the operation terminal 102. In response to the transmission signal Vs, the operation terminal 102 turns on or off an indicator light (light emitting diode or the like) for displaying an operation state (on or off) of the load 104.

The conventional example set forth above uses a so-called centralized control system in which the transmission signal Vs is not directly operated by the control terminal 103 for controlling the load 104 and the operation input required for receiving the control load 104. The terminal 102 transmits, but transmits it through the transmission control device 100. Therefore, if the transmission control device 100 is abnormal or if the signal line Ls is cut off, the system becomes inoperable as a whole. Further, in the case where a load to be controlled is newly added, a control terminal for controlling the new load and an operation terminal for receiving a plurality of operation inputs need to be added to the system. This makes the system costly.

In view of the above, the present invention provides a load control system that is less expensive than conventional centralized control systems and that is capable of improving system stability.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a load control system comprising: at least one operation control terminal coupled to a control target load; and at least one operation terminal coupled to said signal through a signal line The operation control terminals are connected, wherein an address for signal transmission is assigned to the operation control terminal and the operation terminal.

Further, the operation control terminal includes at least one operation switch; an operation input receiving unit for receiving an operation input of the operation switch; and a control unit for responding to an operation input received in the operation input receiving unit, so that Controlling the load controlled by the control unit itself; and a signal transmission unit for transmitting signals to and receiving signals from the operation terminal through the signal line.

The operation terminal includes at least one operation switch; an operation input receiving unit configured to receive an operation input of an operation switch of the operation terminal; and a signal transmission unit configured to transmit a signal to the operation control terminal through the signal line And receiving a signal from the operation control terminal; the storage unit configured to store a correlation between an operation input received in the operation input receiving unit of the operation terminal and an address assigned to the operation control terminal; And a control unit configured to: when the operation input is received in the operation input receiving unit, obtain an address corresponding to the operation input by referring to the storage unit, and generate a load for controlling connection with the operation control terminal Controlling a command, and transmitting, by the signal line, the control command from the signal transmission unit to the address obtained from the storage unit.

If the destination address of the control command is assigned to the operation control The address of the terminal is identical, and the signal transmission unit of the operation control terminal receives the control command transmitted from the operation terminal through the signal line, and the control unit of the operation control terminal responds according to the control command thus received The load controlled by itself is controlled.

With the above configuration, the control target load connected to the operation control terminal can be directly controlled by operating the operation switch of the operation control terminal. Remote control of the load can also be performed by operating an operation switch of an operation terminal connected to the operation control terminal via the signal line. Further, the control command is directly transmitted between the operation terminal and the operation control terminal through the signal line. Therefore, even when the signal line is cut off or even if the operation terminal is abnormal, the system as a whole cannot become inoperable. As a result, a load control system can be provided that is less expensive than conventional centralized control systems and that can enjoy improved system stability.

The control unit of the operation control terminal may determine whether a control command received from the operation terminal corresponds to a load controlled by itself, and wherein the operation control terminal is if the control command is determined to correspond to the load The control unit controls the load, and if the control command is determined not to correspond to the load, the control unit of the operation control terminal does not control the load.

With the above configuration, if the load includes two kinds of lighting loads, for example, a dimmable lighting load and a non-dimmable lighting load, even a control command indicating a brightness level is sent to control the non-dimmable lighting load When operating the control terminal, the control unit of the operation control terminal is also It is not possible to control the non-dimmable lighting load. Due to this feature, it is possible to prevent the load from being erroneously operated.

Preferably, a plurality of loads are connected to the operation control terminal, and the operation control terminal includes a storage unit for storing an identification code used when identifying the plurality of loads, wherein the plurality of loads are to be connected The address of the operation control terminal and the identification code used when identifying the plurality of loads connected to the operation control terminal are stored in a storage unit of the operation terminal in a correlated relationship with the operation input, and When the control unit of the operation terminal generates a control command to be transmitted to the operation control terminal connected to the plurality of loads, the identification code is included in the control command.

With the above configuration, the operation terminal can independently remotely control a plurality of loads connected to a single operation control terminal.

A multicast address may preferably be stored in a storage unit of the operation control terminal as an address assigned to the operation control terminal, wherein the control unit of the operation terminal transmits the control command from the signal through a signal line The unit transmits to the multicast address set to a destination address of a control command generated when an operation input is received in the operation input receiving unit, wherein the storage unit of the operation control terminal stores the multicast address An operational state of the load of the correlation, wherein the control unit of the operation control terminal controls the load controlled by itself in the following manner: if the destination address of the control command is stored in the storage unit If the broadcast addresses are consistent, the load enters an operational state corresponding to the multicast address.

With the above configuration, when a plurality of loads connected to the individual operation control terminal are collectively controlled by a single operation control terminal made in the operation terminal, it is not necessary to unicast to the individual operation control terminal Each transfer control command. Due to this feature, an increase in traffic can be suppressed.

The storage unit of the operation terminal may store a single multicast address in a public correlation relationship with a plurality of operation inputs, and also store an identification code for identifying the plurality of operation inputs associated with the single multicast address And the storage unit of the operation control terminal stores at least one multicast address, at least one identification code associated with the multicast address, and an operation status associated with the multicast address and the identification code.

When an operation input is received in the operation input receiving unit, the control unit of the operation terminal generates a control command including an identification code corresponding to the operation input by referring to the storage unit, and the control is performed by a signal line Commands are transmitted from the signal transmission unit to a multicast address set to the destination address, and the control unit of the operation control terminal controls the load controlled by itself in the following manner: if the control command is When the destination address coincides with the multicast address stored in the storage unit, the load enters an operational state corresponding to the identification code included in the control command.

With the above configuration, when a plurality of loads connected to the plurality of individual operation control terminals are collectively controlled by a single operation control terminal made in the operation terminal, it is not necessary to control the terminal to the plurality of individual operations based on unicast Each of them transmits a control command. In addition, you can reduce the multicast The frequency of use of the address.

Controlling the operation control terminal for controlling the load when receiving an operation input in an operation input receiving unit of the operation terminal and for receiving another operation input in the operation input receiving unit of the operation terminal The load operation control terminal is the same, and the storage unit of the operation terminal may store a single multicast address in a public correlation relationship with the one operation input and the another operation input.

With this configuration, the same effect as the previous configuration can be obtained.

The control unit of the operation control terminal may preferably allow the signal transmission unit to pass the signal line if a predetermined waiting time has elapsed after the load has been controlled by receiving a control command from the operation terminal And transmitting a response signal, in which the source address of the control command is set to the destination address.

With this configuration, it is possible to improve the reliability in transmission by returning a response signal from the operation control terminal to the operation terminal serving as the source of the control command after receiving the control command by the operation control terminal.

The storage unit of the operation control terminal may store a specific address assigned to the operation control terminal, wherein the storage unit of the operation terminal stores a specific address of the operation control terminal to which the multicast address is allocated in a corresponding relationship and An operation state of the load corresponding to the multicast control operation terminal, and wherein the control unit of the operation control terminal receives a control command from the operation terminal, and controls the load according to the control command, so that the The load enters an operational state stored in the storage unit, and then an operational state with respect to the load through the signal line Information is transmitted from the signal transmission unit to a source address of the control command set to the destination address.

With this configuration, based on the operation state information transmitted from the operation control terminal, the control unit of the operation terminal can know whether the operation state of the load has been correctly controlled in the operation control terminal.

The storage unit of the operation control terminal may further store a correlation between an operation input received in the operation input receiving unit and an address assigned to another operation control terminal, and wherein in the operation input receiving unit Upon receiving the operation input, the control unit of the operation terminal acquires an address corresponding to the operation input by referring to the storage unit, and generates control for controlling the load connected to the operation control terminal. Commanding, and transmitting, by the signal line, the control command from the signal transmission unit to the address obtained from the storage unit.

With this configuration, it is possible to remotely control the load which is a control target of another operation control terminal by operating an operation switch of an operation control terminal without using the operation terminal.

The load control system may further include a power transmitter for superimposing a direct current on the signal line, wherein the operation control terminal and the operation terminal are configured with a power acquisition unit for receiving an overlay The DC current on the signal line is described and the electrical power required to operate the various units is generated.

With this configuration, it is not necessary to arrange a power supply line for supplying electric power to the operation control terminal and the operation terminal in addition to the signal line. This provides the advantage of improving the ease of installation.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a load control system comprising: a plurality of operation control terminals, wherein each operation control terminal is connected to at least one control target load; the plurality of operation control terminals are mutually connected by signal lines Connected, wherein a plurality of addresses for signal transmission are assigned to the plurality of operation control terminals.

Each of the plurality of operation control terminals includes at least one operation switch; an operation input receiving unit for receiving an operation input of the operation switch; and a storage unit for storing in the operation input receiving unit a correlation between the received operation input and an address assigned to the remaining operation control terminal; a signal transmission unit configured to transmit a signal to the remaining operation control terminal through the signal line and from the remaining The operation control terminal receives the signal; and the control unit has a function of controlling the load controlled by itself in response to the operation input received in the operation input receiving unit, and by referring to the storage unit Obtaining an address corresponding to the operation input, generating a control command for controlling the load connected to the remaining operation control terminal to which the address is allocated, and transmitting the control command from the signal line through the signal The signal transmission unit transmits to an address obtained from the storage unit.

With this configuration, a plurality of control target loads connected to the operation control terminal can be directly controlled by operating an operation switch of the operation control terminal. It is also possible to perform, by operating an operation switch of one of the plurality of operation control terminals, the remaining connected to the one of the plurality of operation control terminals via the signal line Remote control of the load of the operating terminal. Since the control command is directly transmitted between the plurality of operation control terminals through the signal line, the system functions as the signal line is cut off or even if one of the operation control terminals is abnormal The whole cannot be made inoperable. As a result, a load control system can be provided that is less expensive than conventional centralized control systems and that can enjoy improved system stability.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a load control system which is less expensive than a conventional centralized control system and which can improve system stability.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more <RTIgt;

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, which form a part thereof.

(First Embodiment)

Fig. 1 shows a system diagram of a load control system in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The load control system of the present embodiment includes a plurality of operation control terminals 1 (four in the exemplary embodiment) connected to the load L, respectively, and an operation terminal connected to each operation control terminal 1 through the two-wire signal line Ls. 2. The load L is, for example, a lighting load, and is connected to a commercial alternating current power source AC via a power line Lp. However, the load L to be controlled by the load control system is not limited to the lighting load, but may include, for example, an empty Tuning, ventilation fans, electric curtains and all other types of electric equipment.

The operation control terminal 1 used in the present embodiment includes three types: an operation control terminal 1A having a single operation switch S11, and is used to turn a single load L on or off when the operation switch S11 is operated (hereinafter referred to as "Simple switching function"); an operation control terminal 1B having a plurality of (two in the example embodiment) operation switches S21 and S22, and a plurality corresponding to the operation switches S21 and S22 (in the example implementation) In the example, two) load L is connected, the operation control terminal 1B has a simple switching function of individually turning on or off the load L in response to the operation of the operation switches S21 and S22; and operating the control terminal 1C or 1D It has a plurality of (three in the exemplary embodiment) operation switches S31 to S33 or S41 to S43 having the following functions (hereinafter, referred to as "dimming switch function (dimming) Switch function)"): turning on or off the load L in response to the operation of the operation switch S31 or S41, increasing the light output of the load L when the operation switch S32 or S42 is operated, and at the operation switch Reduce the load L when S33 or S43 is operated Output.

In the following description, reference numerals 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D will be added to distinguish the three types of operation control terminals from each other, and reference numeral 1 will be used to collectively designate all kinds of operation control terminals.

No load is connected to the operation terminal 2. The operation terminal 2 has a plurality of (three in the exemplary embodiment) operation switches S51 to S53. After operating the operation switches S51 to S53, the operation terminal 2 transmits a packet including a control command (described later) through the signal line Ls, thereby making One of the operation control terminals 1 controls the load L as its control target (hereinafter, this function will be referred to as "remote control function").

The appearance of the operation control terminal 1 and the operation terminal 2 is similar to a wide hand type switch standardized in Japanese Industrial Standards (see JTS C 8304). Use an attachment frame (a dedicated attachment frame in JTS C 8304) or a wide hand-held switchboard (see JTS C 8316) to place them on the wall of a building such as a house and embed it in a wall, Among them, the attachment frame and the wide hand-held switchboard are also standardized in the Japanese Industrial Standard.

2 is a block circuit diagram of an operation control terminal 1. The operation control terminal 1 includes a signal transmission unit 12 that transmits a transmission signal generated by encoding and digitally modulating a packet having the format illustrated in FIG. 4 through a signal line Ls, and by using The transmission signal received by the signal line Ls is digitally demodulated to decode the original packet. The signal transmission unit identifies a signal destination and a signal source based on a specific address assigned to each of the operation control terminal 1 and the operation terminal 2.

The specific address may be a hardware specific physical address assigned by a hardware manufacturer, such as a MAC address or the like, or an address arbitrarily assigned by a user. Moreover, the same address cannot be repeatedly assigned to a plurality of terminals (operation control terminal 1 and operation terminal 2) in the same system (network). The transmitted packet includes data such as a preamble for ensuring synchronization, a control bit for setting the type of data, a destination address, a source address and a control command, and a checksum used in error detection. In this embodiment, the CSMA/CD method is known in accordance with the prior art. Multi-line transmission.

The operation control terminal 1 includes an operation input receiving unit 11 that monitors an operation state of each operation switch S11, . . . , and receives an operation input when operating the operation switch S11, . And generating an operation signal corresponding to each of the operation switches S11, . The operation input receiving unit 11 can generate a different operation signal (operation input) by distinguishing between a short-time push operation and a long-time push operation, for example, the same operation switch S11, .

The operation control terminal 1 includes a control unit 10 mainly composed of a CPU. The control unit 10 captures an operation signal output from the operation input receiving unit 11, and a control signal corresponding to the thus captured operation signal is output to the load driving unit 14. In the case of the operation control terminals 1A and 1B having a simple switching function, the load driving unit 14 has a function of turning on or off the supply of electric power from the commercial alternating current power source AC to the load L in response to the control signal. In the case of the operation control terminals 1C and 1D having the dimming switch function, the load driving unit 14 not only has a function of turning on or off the supply of electric power, but also has control from the commercial AC power source AC to the load in response to the control signal. The supply per unit time of the electric power supplied by L, thereby increasing or decreasing the function of the light output of the load L.

The function of turning on or off the supply of electric power can be realized by a well-known conventional method using a relay. Also, the function of controlling the supply of electric power can be realized by a well-known conventional phase control method using a triac. So a detailed picture of these features The description and description will be omitted.

The operation control terminal 1 includes a storage unit 13 which is formed of a rewritable nonvolatile semiconductor memory (for example, an EEPROM). The storage unit 13 stores information such as a specific address, a multicast address to be described below, an identification code for identifying a plurality of loads L, and the like. The operation control terminal 1 includes an operation display unit 15 that displays an operation state (ON state and OFF state) of the load L controlled by itself. The operation display unit 15 includes light-emitting elements LD11, ..., such as light-emitting diodes and the like, and a driving circuit (not shown) for driving the light-emitting elements LD11, .

In response to a control signal output from the control unit 10, when the load L is in operation (in an on state), the driving circuit turns on the light emitting elements LD11, ..., and when the load is not in operation (in the off state) In the off state), the driving circuit turns off the light emitting elements LD11, . As shown in Fig. 1, the light-emitting elements LD11, ... of the operation display unit 15 are arranged in the vicinity of the corresponding operation switches S11, . The operation control terminal 1 includes a power supply unit 16 that converts alternating current power supplied from a commercial alternating current power source AC through a power source line Lp into direct current power, thereby generating electric power required to operate each unit.

Now, an operation for controlling the load L controlled by itself by the operation control terminal 1 will be described. If the operation switch S11 is operated in the operation control terminal 1A, an operation signal is output from the operation input receiving unit 11 to the control unit 10. In response to the operation signal, the control unit 10 outputs an operation for inverting the load L to the load driving unit 14. A control signal for the state (ie, for turning off the load L when the load L is in the on state, and turning on the load L when the load L is in the off state). In response to the control signal output from the control unit 10, the load driving unit 14 turns on or off an electric power, thereby inverting the operation of the load L.

After outputting the control signal to the load driving unit 14, the control unit 10 outputs a control signal for inverting the operational state of the light emitting element LD11 to the operation display unit 15 (i.e., for turning off the light when the light emitting element LD11 is in the on state) The element LD11 turns on the light-emitting element LD11) when the light-emitting element LD11 is in the off state. In response to the control signal, the driving circuit that operates the display unit 15 turns on or off the light emitting element LD11.

In the operation control terminal 1B, if one operation switch S21 is operated, the operation state of one load L and the operation state of the light-emitting element LD21 of the operation display unit 15 corresponding to the operation switch S21 are reversed. If another operation switch S22 is operated, the operation state of the other load L and the operation state of the light-emitting element LD22 of the operation display unit 15 corresponding to the operation switch S22 are reversed.

In the operation control terminals 1C and 1D, if the operation switches S31 and S41 are operated, the operation state of the load L and the operation states of the light-emitting elements LD31 and LD41 of the operation display unit 15 corresponding to the operation switches S31 and S41 are reversed. If the operation switches S32 and S42 are operated and the load L is in the ON state, an operation signal is output from the operation input receiving unit 11 to the control unit 10. In response to the operation signal, the control unit 10 outputs a control signal for increasing the light output (brightness level) of the load L to the load driving unit 14. In response to a control signal output from the control unit 10, The load driving unit 14 increases the amount per unit time of electric power supplied to the load L by the drive circuit.

If the operation switches S33 and S43 are operated and the load L is in the ON state, an operation signal is output from the operation input receiving unit 11 to the control unit 10. In response to the operation signal, the control unit 10 outputs a control signal for lowering the light output (brightness level) of the load L to the load driving unit 14. In response to the control signal output from the control unit 10, the load driving unit 14 reduces the amount of electric power per unit time supplied to the load L by the drive circuit.

When the operation switches S32 and S42 or S33 and S43 are operated and the load L is in the off state, the load L may be first turned on, and then the light output (brightness level) of the load L may be increased or decreased. In the case where the load L is turned off by operating the operation switches S31 and S41, the control unit 10 allows the storage unit 13 to store the brightness level when the load L is turned off. If the operation switches S31 and S41 are operated later, the control unit 10 reads out the previous brightness level stored in the storage unit 13, and outputs to the load driving unit 14 for corresponding to the brightness level thus read. The amount of control signal used to deliver electrical power. This makes it possible to immediately return to the previous light output (brightness level).

FIG. 3 is a block circuit diagram of the operation terminal 2. The operation terminal 2 includes a signal transmission unit 22 that transmits a transmission signal generated by encoding and digitally modulating a packet having the format illustrated in FIG. 4 through the signal line Ls, and by The transmission signal received by the signal line Ls is digitally demodulated to decode the original packet. Signal transmission The transmission unit 22 identifies the signal destination and the signal source based on the specific addresses assigned to the respective operation control terminals 1 and the operation terminal 2.

The operation terminal 2 includes an operation input receiving unit 21 that monitors operation states of the operation switches S51, S52, and S53, receives operation inputs when operating the operation switches S51, S52, and S53, and generates and generates Each of the operation switches S51, S52 and S53 operates an operation signal corresponding to the switch. The operation terminal 2 includes a control unit 20 mainly composed of a CPU. The control unit 20 captures an operation signal output from the operation input receiving unit 21, and generates a control command corresponding to the operation signal thus captured. The operation terminal 2 includes a storage unit 23 which is formed of a rewritable nonvolatile semiconductor memory (for example, an EEPROM). The storage unit 23 stores information such as a group number or a pattern number corresponding to the operation switches S51, S52, and S53.

The operation terminal 2 includes an operation display unit 24 that displays the state (execution or non-execution) of group control or pattern control (described later) corresponding to the operation switches S51, S52, and S53. The operation display unit 24 includes light-emitting elements LD51, LD52 and LD53, such as light-emitting diodes and the like, and a driving circuit (not shown) for driving the light-emitting elements LD51, LD52, LD53. In response to a control signal output from the control unit 20, when the group control or pattern control is being executed, the drive circuit turns on the light-emitting elements LD51, ..., and when the group control or pattern control is not performed, the drive circuit The light-emitting elements LD51, ... are turned off. As shown in FIG. 1, the light-emitting elements LD51, LD52 and LD53 of the operation display unit 24 are arranged at the corresponding operation switches S51, S52. And near S53.

The operation terminal 2 includes a power supply unit 25 that converts alternating current power supplied from a commercial alternating current power source AC through a power source line Lp into direct current power, thereby generating electric power required to operate each unit.

A brief description of group control and pattern control is now available. The group control refers to a control method that utilizes common control of loads L belonging to the same group to enter the same operational state. The pattern control refers to a control method that utilizes a common control of the load L belonging to the same pattern group to enter an operation state set by a load-by-load.

In the present embodiment, the operation switch S51 corresponds to the group control, and the operation switches S52 and S53 correspond to the pattern control. The group control corresponding to the operation switch S51 is, for example, simultaneously turning on or off all of the operation control terminals 1 in the group to which all of the operation control terminals 1 (1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D) connected to the signal line Ls belong. control. The operation signal (operation input) associated with the operation switch S51 and the address (first multicast address) used when the control command is collectively transmitted to the group are stored in the storage unit 23 in correspondence.

As will be described later, the user can arbitrarily select the operation control terminal 1 belonging to the group to perform group control. The pattern control corresponding to the operation switch S52 is in the first pattern group to which all of the operation control terminals 1 (1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D) belong, the load L of the operation control terminal 1A is turned off, and the operation control terminal 1B is turned on. Two loads L, using a 50% brightness level to turn on the load L of the operation control terminal 1C and utilizing a brightness level of 70% Do not turn on the control of the load L of the operation control terminal 1D (first pattern control). An operation signal (operation input) associated with the operation switch S52 and an address (second multicast address) used when the control command is collectively transmitted to the first pattern group are stored in the storage unit 23 in correspondence. The pattern control corresponding to the operation switch S53 is in the second pattern group to which the operation control terminals 1C and 1D belong, the load L of the operation control terminal 1C is turned on by the 70% brightness level, and the operation is performed with the brightness level of 30%. Control of the load L of the terminal 1D (second pattern control). The operation signal associated with the operation switch S53 and the address (third multicast address) used when the control command is collectively transmitted to the second pattern group are stored in the storage unit 23 in a correspondence relationship.

At the same time, the multicast address corresponding to the group to which the operation control terminal 1 (1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D) and the pattern group belong, and the operation state (on, off, and brightness in each multicast address) The level is stored in the storage unit 13 of each of the operation control terminals 1 (1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D) in correspondence.

Next, an operation of performing group control and pattern control on the plurality of loads L using the operation terminal 2 will be described.

First, if the operation switch S51 of the operation terminal 2 is operated, an operation signal is output from the operation input reception unit 21 to the control unit 20. In response to the operation signal, the control unit 20 acquires the first multicast address corresponding to the operation signal by referring to the correspondence stored in the storage unit 23, and sets the thus obtained first multicast address as a destination. address. The control unit 20 allows the signal transmission unit 22 to transmit a packet through the signal line Ls A packet containing data about the control command to collectively turn the load L on or off.

In the operation control terminal 1 in which the first multicast address is stored in the storage unit 13, the signal transmission unit 12 receives the packet and delivers it to the control unit 10. In response to the control command contained in the packet thus received, the control unit 10 outputs a control signal for turning on or off the load L controlled by itself to the load driving unit 14. In response to the control signal received from the control unit 10, the load driving unit 14 turns the power on or off, thereby turning the load L on or off. After a predetermined waiting time (which changes with each operation control terminal 1) has elapsed since the reception of the control command, the control unit 10 allows the signal transmission unit 12 to transmit a response signal (confirmation packet) through the signal line Ls, where In the response signal, the source address of the control command (i.e., the address of the operation terminal 2) is set as the destination address.

After receiving the response signal sent back from all the operation control terminals 1 belonging to the group, the operation terminal 2 outputs an operation state for inverting the light-emitting element LD51 to the operation display unit 24 (from the off state to the on state) And a control signal from the on state to the off state. In response to the control signal, the drive circuit of the operation display unit 24 turns on or off the light-emitting element LD51, thereby displaying the operation state of the load L controlled by the operation control terminal 1 belonging to the group.

Next, if the operation switch S52 of the operation terminal 2 is operated, an operation signal is output from the operation input reception unit 21 to the control unit 20. In response to the operation signal, the control unit 20 acquires the second multicast location corresponding to the operation signal by referring to the correspondence stored in the storage unit 23. Address, and set the second multicast address thus obtained as the destination address. The control unit 20 allows the signal transmission unit 22 to transmit a packet containing data on the control command through the signal line Ls to perform the first pattern control.

In the operation control terminal 1 in which the second multicast address is stored in the storage unit 13, the signal transmission unit 12 receives the packet and delivers it to the control unit 10. In response to the control command contained in the packet thus received, the control unit 10 controls the load L controlled by itself. In other words, the operation control terminal 1A turns off the load L, the operation control terminal 1B turns on all the two loads L, the operation control terminal 1C turns on the load L with a brightness level of 50%, and the operation control terminal 1D allows the control unit 10 to The load driving unit 14 outputs a control signal for turning on the load L with a brightness level of 70%. In response to the control signal received from the control unit 10, the load driving unit 14 turns the power on or off, thereby turning the load L on or off. Further, the load driving unit 14 turns on the load L in a brightness-adjustable manner by performing phase control on the three-terminal bidirectional controllable switching element and controlling the supply amount of electric power per unit time.

Even if the operation switch S52 is operated again during the first pattern control, the first pattern control is performed in the same steps as described above. Therefore, no change occurs in the operating state of the load L.

If the operation switch S53 of the operation terminal 2 is operated, an operation signal is output from the operation input reception unit 21 to the control unit 20. In response to the operation signal, the control unit 20 acquires a third multicast address corresponding to the operation signal by referring to the correspondence stored in the storage unit 23, and sets the thus obtained third multicast address as a destination. address. control unit The 20 permission signal transmission unit 22 transmits a packet containing data on the control command through the signal line Ls to perform the second pattern control.

In the operation control terminals 1 (1C and 1D) in which the third multicast address is stored in the storage unit 13, the signal transmission unit 12 receives the packets and delivers them to the control unit 10. In response to the control command contained in the packet thus received, the control unit 10 controls the load L controlled by itself. In other words, the operation control terminal 1C turns on the load L with a brightness level of 70%, and the operation control terminal 1D allows the control unit 10 to output a control signal for turning on the load L with the brightness level of 30% to the load driving unit 14. In response to the control signal received from the control unit 10, the load driving unit 14 turns on the load in a brightness-adjustable manner by performing phase control on the triac and controlling the supply per unit time of the electric power. L.

Even if the operation switch S53 is operated again during the second pattern control, the second pattern control is performed in the same steps as described above. Therefore, no change occurs in the operating state of the load L.

With the above load control system, the control target load L connected to the operation control terminal 1 can be directly controlled by operating the operation switches S11, ... of the operation control terminal 1. Remote control of the load can also be performed by operating the operation switches S51, S52, and S53 of the operation terminal 2 connected to the operation control terminal 1 via the signal line Ls. Further, the control command is directly transmitted between the operation terminal 2 and the operation control terminal 1 through the signal line Ls. Therefore, even when the signal line Ls is cut off or even if the operation terminal 2 is abnormal, the system as a whole It is impossible to become inoperable.

As a result, a load control system can be provided that is less expensive than conventional centralized control systems and that can enjoy improved system stability. Further, the control unit 10 of each of the operation control terminals 1 can determine whether the control command received from the operation terminal 2 corresponds to the load L controlled by itself. The control unit 10 controls the load L if the control command is determined to correspond to the load L. If the control command is determined not to correspond to the load L, the control unit 10 does not control the load L.

Thus, where the load includes two lighting loads, such as a dimmable lighting load and a non-dimmable lighting load, even a control command indicating a brightness level is sent to control the non-dimmable lighting When the operation of the terminal 1 is controlled by the load, it is also impossible for the control unit 10 of each of the operation control terminals 1 to control the non-dimmable lighting load, so that the load can be prevented from being erroneously operated.

Further, an identification code for identifying a plurality of loads L connected to one operation control terminal 1B is stored in the storage unit 13 of the operation control terminal 1B and the storage unit 23 of the operation terminal 2. This makes it possible, for example, to assign the plurality of loads L individually to the pattern set used in the pattern control. When the control unit 20 of the operation terminal 2 generates a control command for pattern control of the operation control terminal 1B, the identification code of the control target load L is included in the control command. This allows the operation terminal 2 to independently remotely control a plurality of loads L connected to one operation control terminal 1B.

In the present embodiment, when a control command for group control or pattern control is transmitted from the operation terminal 2 to the operation control terminal 1, a multicast address defined for the group control and the pattern control is assigned instead of being assigned to each The specific address of the operation control terminal 1 is used as the destination address of the packet containing the control command. This provides an advantage that the increase in the amount of communication can be suppressed as compared with the case where the specific address of each operation control terminal 1 is set as the destination address and the control command is transmitted based on unicast.

Now, the steps for performing the setting of the group control and the pattern control in the operation control terminal 1 and the operation terminal 2 will be described.

First, if a mode changeover switch (not shown) provided in the operation input receiving unit 21 of the operation terminal 2 is operated, an operation signal is output from the operation input reception unit 11 to the control unit 20. In response to the operation signal, the control unit 20 changes its operation mode from the operation mode to the setting mode.

In the case where the setting of the group control is performed, the operation switch S51 of the operation terminal 2 is operated in the setting mode. If the operation input receiving unit 11 receives the operation input of the operation switch S51 and outputs an operation signal to the control unit 20, the control unit 20 outputs a control signal to the operation display unit 24 to correspond to the operation switch S51. The light-emitting element LD51 blinks, thereby notifying the user that the setting of the group control corresponding to the operation switch S51 is in progress.

Further, the control unit 20 generates a control command indicating that the control unit 10 of each operation control terminal 1 enters the mode of setting group control, and allows the signal transmission unit 12 to pass the signal line Ls based on the broadcast. A packet containing the control command is transmitted to all of the operation control terminals 1. At this point, the first multicast address previously associated with the operation signal (operation input) of the operation switch S51 is included in the control command.

In all the operation control terminals 1 that have received the packets, the control unit 10 enters the mode in which the group control is set in accordance with the instruction of the control command. In this setting mode, the input of the load L and the input to the group to be subjected to the group control can be selected by pushing the respective operation switches S11, ... for a long period of time (for example, two seconds or more). More specifically, upon entering the set mode, the load L has been selected to be input into the group. In the case where a part of the load L is excluded from the group control target, the user pushes in the operation switches S11, ... corresponding to such a load L for a long period of time.

In this regard, when it is selected to input the load L into the group, the control unit 10 outputs a control signal to cause the light-emitting elements LD11, .. of the operation display unit 15 to blink in a relatively long period of time. When it is selected that the load L is not input to the group, the control unit 10 outputs a control signal to cause the light-emitting elements LD11, .. of the operation display unit 15 to blink in a relatively short period of time. This informs the user of the selection criteria for input and not input.

If the user operates the mode changeover switch after selecting that the load L input and the task not input into the group have been completed in all the operation control terminals 1, the control unit 20 of the operation terminal 2 generates a notification for notifying the The control command at the end of the mode is set, and the signal transmission unit 12 is allowed to transmit a packet including the control command to all the operation control terminals 1 via the signal line Ls based on the broadcast.

In all of the operation control terminals 1 that have received the packet, the control unit 10 returns from the setting mode to the operation mode in accordance with the instruction of the control command. If the load L is selected to be input to the group at this time, if the load L is a plurality of connections, the control unit 10 of each operation control terminal 1 allows the storage unit 13 to store the operation from the corresponding relationship. The first multicast address notified by the terminal 2, the content of the control (group control), and the identification code of the load L. If it is selected at this time that the load L is not input to the group, no material is stored in the storage unit 13.

After the control unit 10 returns from the set mode to the operation mode, the control unit 20 of the operation terminal 2 and the control unit 10 of each operation control terminal 1 output a control signal to turn on or off the illumination of the operation display units 15 and 24 Element LD11,...

In the case where all the loads of all the operation control terminals 1 connected to the operation terminal 2 through the signal line Ls enter the group, the first multicast address may be stored in advance (for example, at the time of manufacture) at all the operation control terminals. 1 in the storage unit 13. This makes it possible to perform group control of all the operation control terminals without having to perform the above-described setting tasks.

In the case where the setting of the first pattern control is performed, the operation switch S52 of the operation terminal 2 is operated in the setting mode. If the operation input receiving unit 11 receives the operation input of the operation switch S52 and outputs an operation signal to the control unit 20, the control unit 20 outputs a control signal to the operation display unit 24 to correspond to the operation switch S52. The light emitting element LD52 blinks, thereby notifying the user that the setting of the first pattern control corresponding to the operation switch S52 is in progress.

Further, the control unit 20 generates a control command indicating that the control unit 10 of each operation control terminal 1 enters the mode in which the first pattern control is set, and allows the signal transmission unit 12 to control all operations through the signal line Ls based on the broadcast. The terminal 1 transmits a packet containing the control command. In this regard, a second multicast address previously associated with an operation signal (operation input) of the operation switch S52 is included in the control command.

In all of the operation control terminals 1 that have received the packets, the control unit 10 proceeds to the mode in which the first pattern control is set in accordance with the instruction of the control command. In this setting mode, it is possible to select the input of the load L and not to input the first to be subjected to the first pattern control by pushing in each of the operation switches S11, ... for a long period of time (for example, two seconds or more). In the pattern group, and set the control content (the brightness level of the load L, the load L and the load L). Upon entering the set mode, the load L has been selected to be input into the first pattern group.

In the case where a part of the load L is excluded from the first pattern control target, the user pushes the operation switches S11, . . . corresponding to such a load L for a long period of time. In this regard, when it is selected to input the load L into the first pattern group, the control unit 10 outputs a control signal to cause the light-emitting elements LD11, .. of the operation display unit 15 to blink in a relatively long period of time. When it is selected not to input the load L into the first pattern group, the control unit 10 outputs a control signal to cause the light-emitting elements LD11, .. of the operation display unit 15 to blink in a relatively short period of time. This informs the user of the selection criteria for input and not input.

In the state of selecting input into the first pattern group, The operation switches S11, S21, S22, S31, and S41 are operated for a short time of the long push-in time, so that the control unit 10 can control the load drive unit 14 to thereby reverse the operation state of the load L. At this time, the user selects an operation state (on or off) of the load L corresponding to the control content of the first pattern control. In the operation control terminals 1C and 1D, the operation switches S32, S33, S42, and S43 are operated such that the control unit 10 can control the load driving unit 14 to thereby change the brightness level of the load L. At this time, the user sets the operation state (brightness level) of the load L corresponding to the control content of the first pattern control.

If the task of inputting the load L and the task not input to the first mode group and the operation state of setting the load L have been completed in all the operation control terminals 1, the user operates the mode change switch, and then operates The control unit 20 of the terminal 2 generates a control command for notifying the end of the setting mode, and allows the signal transmission unit 12 to transmit a packet including the control command to all the operation control terminals 1 via the signal line Ls based on the broadcast.

In all of the operation control terminals 1 that have received the packet, the control unit 10 returns from the setting mode to the operation mode in accordance with the instruction of the control command. If the load L is selected to be input to the first pattern group at this time, if the load L is a plurality of connections, the control unit 10 of each operation control terminal 1 allows the storage unit 13 to store from the corresponding relationship. The second multicast address notified by the operation terminal 2, the content of the control (the operation state of the load L), and the identification code of the load L. If at this time it is selected not to input the load L into the first pattern group, then in the storage unit No data is stored in 13.

After the control unit 10 returns from the set mode to the operation mode, the control unit 20 of the operation terminal 2 and the control unit 10 of each operation control terminal 1 output a control signal to turn on or off the illumination of the operation display units 15 and 24 Element LD11,... In the case where the second pattern control is set, the process is the same as the process of setting the first pattern control except that the multicast address notified from the operation terminal 2 to the operation control terminal 1 is the third multicast address. Therefore, the description of the process of setting the second pattern control is omitted.

In the present embodiment described above, the task of setting the group control and the pattern control can be performed using only the operation control terminal 1 and the operation terminal 2. This provides the advantage that the setup task can be simplified compared to the conventional case of setting the group control and the pattern control with a dedicated setting device.

The operation display unit 24 of the operation terminal 2 may include a liquid crystal display and its drive circuit instead of the light-emitting elements LD51, LD52 and LD53 and their drive circuits. Also, the operation input receiving unit 21 may include a touch panel combined with a liquid crystal display. The basic operation of the operation terminal 2 thus constructed is the same as that of the above-described operation terminal 2.

Although the operation terminal 2 is used as a terminal for remotely controlling the load in the present embodiment, it is not necessary to add the operation terminal 2 to the present load control system. As an alternative example, when an operation switch S11, ... of an operation control terminal 1 is operated, the control unit 10 of one operation control terminal 1 can transmit a packet containing a control command to another operation control terminal 1. The control unit 10 of another operation control terminal 1 that has received the packet can control the load L controlled by itself according to the control command. Operating status. In this case, the memory unit 13 of one of the operation control terminals 1 thus operated must previously store the operation signals of the operation switches S11, . . . , and the other operation controls the specific address, multicast address or broadcast address of the terminal 1, and The control content of the operating state.

In the case where a specific multicast address is set with respect to each of the jointly controlled control contents (the group control and the pattern control) as described above, there is a possibility that the control content increases with the common control The available address may be exhausted. In view of this, even if the control contents are different from each other, the same multicast address may be assigned to the control content in which the same operation control terminal 1 enters the collective control in the group or the pattern group. In this case, a code (control code) for identifying the control content of the common control to which the same multicast address is assigned can be allocated.

In the above example, the same operation control terminals 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D enter the group subjected to the group control for simultaneously turning on or off the load L and the first subjected to the first pattern control In the pattern group. Therefore, the same multicast address can be assigned to the two groups. The control number "1" can be assigned to the group control, and the control number "2" is assigned to the first pattern control. In the second pattern control, the operation control terminals 1C and 1D entering the second pattern group subjected to the second pattern control are different from the operation control terminals 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D entering the first pattern group. Therefore, a multicast address different from the multicast address assigned to the first pattern group is assigned to the second pattern group.

Table 1 shows a table of related data stored in the storage unit 23 of the operation terminal 2. The same multicast address "FE0A" is assigned to the group control And the first pattern control. The control number "1" can be assigned to the group control, and the control number "2" is assigned to the first pattern control. Different multicast addresses "FE0B" are assigned to the second pattern control. The phrases "target device 1", "target device 2", "target device 3", and "target device 4" in Table 1 are not one specific operation control terminal in the designated operation control terminal 1, but are designated to enter the experience. The operation control terminal 1 in the group controlled by the group or in the first and second pattern groups.

In the example shown in Table 1, the specific address of the target device is stored with respect to each control (the group control and the first and second pattern controls) (included in the case of operating the control terminal 1B) The identification codes "01" and "02" of the plurality of loads L are identified, which are also applicable in the following description) and the control content (the operating state of the load L).

However, it is not necessary to store this information. In other words, a data table regarding the multicast address, the control number, and the operation state corresponding to the respective controls is stored in the storage unit 13 of each operation control terminal 1 (i.e., the target device), as shown in Table 2, It is unnecessary to store the specific addresses and operation states of the target devices 1 to 4 in the data table of the operation terminal 2.

However, if the specific address and control content of the target device are stored with respect to the respective controls, as shown in Table 1, the control unit 20 of the operation terminal 2 can determine whether or not it has been correctly controlled in each of the operation control terminals 1. The operating state of the load L. This determination can be made based on the operation state information transmitted from the operation control terminal 1 (i.e., the target devices 1 to 4, which are allowed to transmit a response signal containing the operation state information). The understanding that the operating state of the load L cannot be properly controlled makes it possible to take appropriate Measures such as resending control commands. In the case where a specific multicast address is set with respect to the respective control contents (the group control and the pattern control) of the common control, the phrase "control number" in the data table exemplified in Table 2 becomes unnecessary.

(Second embodiment)

Fig. 5 is a system diagram showing a load control system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The present embodiment is characterized in that a power conveyor 3 for superimposing a direct current on the signal line Ls is added to the load control system, and also that the operation control terminal 1 and the operation terminal 2 respectively have a power acquisition unit 17 Or 26, the power acquisition unit is configured to receive a direct current applied to the signal line Ls, and generate the operation required for operating the respective unit Electric power. Other configurations and operations of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same elements will be designated by the same reference numerals, and the description of the same parts will be omitted.

The power conveyor 3 includes a step-down circuit for reducing an AC voltage of 100V or 200V supplied from a commercial AC power source AC to several tens of volts or a few volts; an AC-DC converter for being used in the step-down a reduced AC voltage in the circuit is converted to a DC voltage; a switching regulator for stabilizing the DC output of the AC-DC converter; and a superposition circuit for stabilizing the switching regulator The DC voltage or the DC current is superimposed on the signal line Ls. These components can be implemented using well-known techniques in the prior art, and thus details thereof will be omitted from illustration and description.

As shown in FIG. 6, the control terminal 1 is operated by separating a DC voltage or a DC current from a signal (packet) transmitted through the signal line Ls by using a low-pass filter (not shown) connected to the signal line Ls. The power acquisition unit 17 or 26 of each of the operation terminals 2 is used to generate electric power required to operate the respective units. Further, the signal transmission unit 12 or 22 is for receiving a transmission signal separated from a direct current voltage or a direct current superimposed on the signal line Ls by a high-pass filter.

With the present embodiment, it is not necessary to arrange a power supply line for supplying electric power to the operation control terminal 1 and the operation terminal 2 except for the signal line. This provides the advantage of improving the ease of installation.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to the embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art Various changes and modifications are made in the scope of the invention as defined in the scope of the invention.

While the present invention has been described in its preferred embodiments, the present invention is not intended to limit the invention, and the present invention may be modified and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of protection is subject to the definition of the scope of the patent application.

1A~1D‧‧‧Operation Control Terminal

AC‧‧‧AC power supply

L‧‧‧load

LD11~LD51‧‧‧Lighting element

LD52, LD53‧‧‧Lighting element

LD21, LD22‧‧‧Lighting elements

Lp‧‧‧Power cord

S11~S51‧‧‧ operation switch

S22, S32, S33‧‧‧ operation switch

S42, S43‧‧‧ operation switch

S52, S53‧‧‧ operation switch

10‧‧‧Control unit

11‧‧‧Operation input receiving unit

12‧‧‧Signal transmission unit

13‧‧‧Storage unit

14‧‧‧Load drive unit

15‧‧‧Operation display unit

16‧‧‧Power unit

20‧‧‧Control unit

21‧‧‧Operation input receiving unit

22‧‧‧Signal transmission unit

23‧‧‧Storage unit

24‧‧‧Operation display unit

25‧‧‧Power unit

1 is a system diagram showing a load control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a block circuit diagram of an operation control terminal used in the load control system of the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a block circuit diagram of an operation terminal used in the load control system of the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view for explaining a packet used in the load control system of the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a system diagram showing a load control system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a block circuit diagram of an operation control terminal and an operation terminal used in the load control system of the second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a system diagram illustrating a conventional example.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining signal transmission in a conventional example.

Fig. 9 is a signal flow for explaining normal polling in a conventional example.

1A~1D‧‧‧Operation Control Terminal

AC‧‧‧AC power supply

L‧‧‧load

LD11~LD51‧‧‧Lighting element

LD52, LD53‧‧‧Lighting element

LD21, LD22‧‧‧Lighting elements

Lp‧‧‧Power cord

S11~S51‧‧‧ operation switch

S22, S32, S33‧‧‧ operation switch

S42, S43‧‧‧ operation switch

S52, S53‧‧‧ operation switch

Claims (8)

A load control system comprising: at least one operation control terminal connected to a control target load; and at least one operation terminal connected to the operation control terminal via a signal line, wherein an address for signal transmission is assigned to the The operation control terminal and the operation terminal; wherein the operation control terminal includes at least one operation switch; an operation input receiving unit for receiving an operation input of the operation switch; and a control unit responsive to the operation Inputting an operation input received in the receiving unit to control a load controlled by itself; and a signal transmission unit for transmitting a signal to and receiving a signal from the operation terminal through the signal line; The operation terminal includes at least one operation switch; an operation input receiving unit, configured to receive an operation input of the operation switch of the operation terminal; and a signal transmission unit configured to transmit the signal to the device through the signal line Operating the control terminal and receiving signals from the operation control terminal; a unit for storing a correspondence between the operation input received in the operation input receiving unit of the operation terminal and an address assigned to the operation control terminal; and a control unit for When receiving the operation input in the operation input receiving unit, acquiring an address corresponding to the operation input by referring to the storage unit, generating a control command for controlling a load connected to the operation control terminal, And transmitting the control command from the signal through the signal line Transmitting to an address obtained from the storage unit; and wherein, if a destination address of the control command is identical to an address assigned to the operation control terminal, the signal transmission unit of the operation control terminal passes the Receiving a control command transmitted from the operation terminal, and the control unit of the operation control terminal controls a load controlled by itself according to the control command thus received, wherein the storage unit of the operation terminal Storing a single multicast address that corresponds to a plurality of operational inputs, and also storing an identification code for identifying the plurality of operational inputs that are associated with the single multicast address, wherein the operational control terminal's storage unit Storing at least one multicast address, at least one identification code corresponding to the multicast address, and an operation state corresponding to the multicast address and the identification code, wherein when received in the operation input receiving unit When the operation input is performed, the control unit of the operation terminal generates the inclusion and the reference by referring to the storage unit Making a control command for inputting a corresponding identification code, and transmitting, by the signal line, the control command from the signal transmission unit to the multicast address set to the destination address, wherein the operation control The control unit of the terminal controls the load controlled by itself in such a manner that if the destination address of the control command coincides with the multicast address stored in the storage unit, the load enters and An operation state corresponding to the identification code included in the control command, and wherein the operation control terminal for controlling the load when an operation input is received in an operation input receiving unit of the operation terminal The end is the same as the operation control terminal for controlling the load when another operation input is received in the operation input receiving unit of the operation terminal, and the storage unit of the operation terminal is stored with the one operation input A single multicast address that corresponds to the other operational input. The load control system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit of the operation control terminal determines whether a control command received from the operation terminal corresponds to a load controlled by itself, and if the control The command is determined to correspond to the load, and the control unit of the operation control terminal controls the load, and if the control command is determined not to correspond to the load, the control unit of the operation control terminal does not Control the load. The load control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of loads are connected to the operation control terminal, and the operation control terminal includes a storage unit for storing when the plurality of loads are identified. An identification code, wherein an address of the operation control terminal connected to the plurality of loads and the identification code used when identifying a plurality of loads connected to the operation control terminal and the operation input Stored in a storage unit of the operation terminal in correspondence, and wherein a control unit of the operation terminal generates the control command to be transmitted to the operation control terminal connected to the plurality of loads The identification code is included in the control command. The load control system of claim 1, wherein the multicast address is stored in a storage unit of the operation control terminal, As an address assigned to the operation control terminal, wherein a control unit of the operation terminal transmits the control command from the signal transmission unit to the operation input receiving unit through the signal line a multicast address of a destination address of a control command generated when the operation input is received, wherein a storage unit of the operation control terminal stores an operation state of the load in a correspondence relationship with the multicast address, And wherein the control unit of the operation control terminal controls the load controlled by itself in such a manner that if the address of the destination of the control command coincides with the multicast address stored in the storage unit, Then the load enters an operational state corresponding to the multicast address. The load control system according to claim 1, wherein the operation control terminal is operated if a predetermined waiting time has elapsed after the load has been controlled by receiving a control command from the operation terminal The control unit allows the signal transmission unit to transmit a response signal through the signal line, in which the source address of the control command is set to the destination address. The load control system of claim 4, wherein the storage unit of the operation control terminal stores a specific address assigned to the operation control terminal, wherein the storage unit of the operation terminal stores in accordance with a correspondence relationship a specific address of the operation control terminal to which the multicast address is assigned, and an operation state of the load of the operation control terminal corresponding to the multicast address, and The control unit of the operation control terminal receives the control command from the operation terminal, and controls the load according to the control command, so that the load enters the operation state stored in the storage unit. Information about the operational status of the load is then transmitted from the signal transmission unit to the source address of the control command set to the destination address by the signal line. The load control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the storage unit of the operation control terminal inputs the operation input received in the operation input receiving unit and the operation unit assigned to another operation control terminal Corresponding relationship between addresses is stored, and wherein, when the operation input is received in the operation input receiving unit, the control unit of the operation control terminal acquires and references the reference unit by referring to the storage unit Operating an input corresponding address, generating a control command for controlling the load connected to the operation control terminal, and transmitting the control command from the signal transmission unit to the slave storage unit through the signal line The address obtained in . The load control system of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a power conveyor for superimposing a direct current on the signal line, and the operation control terminal and the operation terminal are configured with a power acquisition unit And for receiving the direct current superimposed on the signal line and generating electrical power required to operate each unit.