TWI726256B - Communication device, slave device, communication system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a communication device, slave device, communication system, and program capable of simplifying signals. The host (1) includes a host-side communication unit (14) and a host-side control unit (12). The master side communication unit (14) sends a synchronization signal to the slave unit (2). The host side control unit (12) controls the host side communication unit (14). The synchronization signal is a signal for synchronizing a plurality of communication terminals (3) including the slave unit (2). In one time slot (Ts) set based on the synchronization signal, two or more communication terminals (3) among the plurality of communication terminals (3) transmit signals.

Description

Communication device, slave, communication system, and program

The present invention generally relates to a communication device, a slave device, a communication system, and a program, and more specifically relates to a communication device, a slave device, a communication system, and a program that send synchronization signals.

A load control system (communication system) that connects an image sensor (communication device) and a transmission control device with a 2-wire signal line has previously been disclosed (for example, refer to Document 1 [Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-152314 ). The load control system described in Document 1 includes an image sensor, a display terminal, and a transmission control device. The image sensor captures the space of the detection object, and detects whether there is anyone in the preset detection area in the captured image. The display terminal has a display section that displays the detection area. The transmission control device is connected to the image sensor and the display terminal via a 2-wire signal line.

The image sensor is configured to transmit a transmission signal including area data indicating the detection area to the transmission control device via a signal line. In addition, the transmission control device is configured to transmit the transmission signal including the area data transmitted from the image sensor and the address data consistent with the address of the display terminal to the display terminal via the signal line. In addition, the display terminal is configured to display the detection area on the display unit based on the area data.

In the load control system described in Document 1, the transmission control device is configured to transmit a transmission signal including address data to and from the image sensor via a signal line. The transmission signal is composed of the start pulse signal, mode data, address data, control data, check and data and signal return period. Therefore, in the load control system described in Patent Document 1, the signal may be complicated.

The present invention was completed in view of the above-mentioned reasons, and its purpose is to provide a communication device, a slave, a communication system, and a program that can simplify the signal.

A communication device of one aspect of the present invention includes a communication unit and a control unit. The communication unit sends a synchronization signal to the slave unit. The control unit controls the communication unit. The synchronization signal is a signal for synchronizing a plurality of communication terminals including the slave unit. In one time slot set based on the synchronization signal, a signal is transmitted to two or more communication terminals among the plurality of communication terminals.

A slave device of one aspect of the present invention is included in the plurality of communication terminals, and receives the synchronization signal from the communication device.

A communication system of one aspect of the present invention includes the above-mentioned communication device and the above-mentioned slave unit.

The program of one aspect of the present invention enables the computer system to function as the control unit of the communication device.

The embodiments and modifications described below are only examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and modifications. Even for those other than the present embodiment and modified examples, various changes can be made according to the design and the like as long as they do not deviate from the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

(1) Summary

Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of the communication system 30 of this embodiment. The communication system 30 of this embodiment includes a plurality of communication terminals 3 that can communicate with each other. The plurality of communication terminals 3 include a host 1 (communication device) and a plurality of (three in FIG. 1) slave devices 2. In the following description, when the master 1 and the slave 2 are not distinguished, it is referred to as the communication terminal 3. In addition, when distinguishing the situation of three slave units 2, set as slave unit 2A, slave unit 2B, and slave unit 2C. In addition, in the communication system 30, the number of slave devices 2 is not limited to three, and may be one, or may be two or more than four.

The main machine 1 and the plurality of slave machines 2 are electrically connected by a pair of wires 41 and 42. Specifically, the plurality of slave devices 2 are switched to the master 1 via a pair of electric wires 41 and 42 (multi-branch line). The main unit 1 supplies electric power to each of the plurality of slave units 2 via a pair of electric wires 41 and 42. The plurality of slave devices 2 are electrically connected by a pair of electric wires 41 and 42 by, for example, conveying wiring.

Each of the host 1 and the plurality of slave devices 2 sends signals to other communication terminals 3 by stepping down the voltage between the pair of wires 41 and 42. Each of the master 1 and the plurality of slaves 2 monitors the voltage between a pair of wires 41 and 42 and receives signals from other communication terminals 3. That is, the master 1 and the slave 2 can communicate in two directions via a pair of wires 41 and 42.

The communication system 30 of this embodiment has a function as a lighting control system for controlling the lighting system 80. Each communication terminal 3 has a function as a moving body detection device that detects the existence of a moving body within the detection range. In the present embodiment, the person 9 is assumed to be a moving body that is a detection target (refer to FIG. 3). That is, each communication terminal 3 has a function as a human detection device. Each communication terminal 3 detects the presence of a person 9 set in a detection range of a house, office, shop, school, hospital, etc., for example. In the present embodiment, each communication terminal 3 detects the presence of a detection target (person 9) that emits infrared rays, especially by detecting changes in the received light intensity of infrared rays. In addition, in FIG. 3, one master 1 and only one slave 2 are shown, and the other slaves 2 are omitted.

The sub-machine 2 detects the presence of the person 9 based on the change in the intensity of infrared rays from the detection range 92. That is, the slave 2 detects the movement of the person 9 from the detection range 92 to the detection range 92, or detects the presence of the person 9 based on the change in the intensity of infrared light received in the detection range 92 due to the micro-movement of the person 9. The so-called "slight movement" here means, for example, the body shaking and body rotation caused by the breathing of the person 9 that are not accompanied by the relatively small movements of the person 9.

If the child device 2 detects that there is a person 9 in the detection range 92, it outputs a person detection signal to the other communication terminal 3 via a pair of electric wires 41 and 42. If the slave 2 does not detect that there is a person 9 in the detection range 92, it stops outputting the person detection signal.

The host 1 detects the presence of the person 9 based on the intensity change of the infrared rays from the detection range 91. That is, the host 1 detects the movement of the person 9 from the detection range 91 to the detection range 91, or detects the presence of the person 9 based on the change in the intensity of the infrared light received by the person 9 in the detection range 91 due to the micro-movement of the person 9.

The detection range 92 of the slave 2 and the detection range 91 of the host 1 may be the same, may partially overlap, or may not overlap at all. In the example of FIG. 3, the detection range 92 of the slave 2 and the detection range 91 of the host 1 partially overlap. Hereinafter, the space including the detection ranges 91 and 92 is referred to as a detection space 90.

Based on the presence or absence of the person detection signal from the slave 2 and the result of the person detection of the host 1, the host computer 1 determines whether the state of the detection space 90 is either the existing state or the non-existent state. The “state of existence” referred to here refers to the state of the presence of the person 9 in the detection space 90. The “non-existent state” refers to a state in which the person 9 does not exist in the detection space 90.

The host 1 has the function of controlling the operating state of the lighting system 80. The host 1 controls the operation state of the lighting system 80 according to the judgment result of the state of the detection space 90 (either the existing state or the non-existent state). The host 1 notifies the lighting system 80 of the determination result of the state of the detection space 90 to control the operating state of the lighting system 80.

The lighting system 80 includes a lighting fixture 81 that illuminates the detection space 90 and a control device 82 that controls the lighting fixture 81. If the judgment result notified from the host computer 1 is the "existence state", the control device 82 turns on the lighting fixture 81. On the other hand, if the determination result notified from the host 1 is the "non-existent state", the control device 82 turns off the lighting fixture 81. The control device 82 is inserted into a power supply path for supplying power to the lighting fixture 81, for example, and is provided with a switch for turning on/off the energization of the lighting fixture 81. That is, based on the determination result of the host 1, the operating state (lighting up/off) of the lighting fixture 81 is controlled.

(2) Details

Hereinafter, the detailed configuration of the communication system 30, the master 1, and the slave 2 will be described.

(2.1) Host

First, the structure of the host 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2A, the host 1 includes a light receiving unit 11, a host-side control unit 12 (control unit), a host-side power supply unit 13 (power supply unit), a host-side communication unit 14 (communication unit), and an output unit 15.

The host-side power supply unit 13 is, for example, an AC/DC converter having a full-wave rectifier circuit and a switching power supply circuit. The host side power supply unit 13 converts the AC voltage supplied from the AC power supply 6 into a DC voltage of the first voltage value V1 (first signal level) and outputs it to the pair of wires 41 and 42. The first voltage value V1 is, for example, 15V. In addition, the AC power output from the AC power supply 6 by the host-side power supply unit 13 generates power for the operation of the host 1. The AC power source 6 is, for example, a commercial power source. In addition, the host-side power supply unit 13 is not limited to an AC/DC converter, and may be a battery.

The host side communication unit 14 is electrically connected to a pair of wires 41 and 42 and includes a transmitting unit 141 and a receiving unit 142.

The transmitting unit 141 transmits the voltage signal to the other communication terminal 3 (slave 2) by stepping down the voltage between the pair of electric wires 41 and 42. The transmission unit 141 includes Zener diodes ZD11 and ZD12 and switches SW11 and SW12. Between the pair of wires 41 and 42, the Zener diode ZD11 and the switch SW11 are electrically connected in series. Between the pair of wires 41 and 42, the Zener diode ZD12 and the switch SW12 are electrically connected in series.

The voltage value of the Zener voltage (breakdown voltage) of the Zener diode ZD11 is the second voltage value V2 (the second signal level). The second voltage value V2 is a value lower than the voltage value (first voltage value V1) of the DC voltage output by the host-side power supply unit 13. The second voltage value V2 is, for example, 12V.

The voltage value of the Zener voltage (breakdown voltage) of the Zener diode ZD12 is the third voltage value V3. The third voltage value V3 is the voltage value of the DC voltage output by the host-side power supply unit 13 (first voltage value V1) and the value of the voltage value lower than the Zener voltage of the Zener diode ZD12 (second voltage value V2) . The third voltage value V3 is, for example, 7V.

The switches SW11 and SW12 are, for example, semiconductor switches such as MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor). The switches SW11 and SW12 are controlled on/off by the transmission control unit 121 of the host-side control unit 12.

When the switches SW11 and SW12 are both off, the voltage between the pair of wires 41 and 42 is the first voltage value V1. When the switch SW11 is on and the switch SW12 is off, a current flows through the Zener diode ZD11, and the voltage value between the pair of wires 41 and 42 becomes the second voltage value V2. When the switch SW12 is turned on, a current flows through the Zener diode ZD12, and the voltage value between the pair of wires 41 and 42 becomes the third voltage value V3. In addition, here, it is assumed that the switch SW21 of the slave unit 2 described later is turned off.

That is, according to the on/off of the switches SW11 and SW12, the transmitter 141 transmits a voltage signal by changing (stepping down) the voltage between the pair of electric wires 41 and 42. The voltage signal sent by the host 1 to the other communication terminal 3 (slave 2) is set with 3 levels (the first voltage value V1, the second voltage value V2, and the third voltage value V3) of the signal level (a pair of wires 41, 42). Between the voltage value).

The receiving unit 142 detects the voltage between the pair of wires 41 and 42 to receive the voltage signal from the other communication terminal 3 (slave 2). The receiving unit 142 includes a plurality of (two in FIG. 2) resistors R11 and R12. Between the pair of wires 41 and 42, the resistor R11 and the resistor R12 are electrically connected in series. The receiving unit 142 outputs the value obtained by dividing the voltage between the pair of electric wires 41 and 42 with the resistors R11 and R12 to the receiving control unit 122 of the host side control unit 12.

The light receiving unit 11 has a light receiving element 111 and a processing circuit 112.

The light receiving element 111 is a pyroelectric element (infrared light receiving element). The light receiving element 111 outputs a signal (electrical signal) corresponding to the change in the received light intensity of the infrared rays from the detection range 91.

The processing circuit 112 is a circuit that performs signal processing on the electrical signal output from the light receiving element 111. In this embodiment, as an example, the processing circuit 112 has an IV conversion function that converts the current signal output from the light-receiving element 111 into a voltage signal, amplifies the voltage signal, and converts the amplified analog signal (voltage signal) A/D conversion function into digital signal. Therefore, the light receiving unit 11 outputs a digital signal corresponding to the electrical signal output from the light receiving element 111 to the detection unit 123 of the host side control unit 12 as the output signal S1.

The light receiving unit 111 is used in combination with the optical system 16 (refer to FIG. 3). The optical system 16 includes a lens, a reflecting mirror, or a combination of these, and focuses the infrared rays from the detection range 91 on the light receiving element 111. In this embodiment, the light receiving unit 11 is housed in one housing 17 together with the host-side power supply unit 13, the host-side communication unit 14, the host-side control unit 12, and the like (see FIG. 3). The host 1 equipped with the light-receiving unit 11 is shown in FIG. 3, is installed on the ceiling of a living room of a house, for example, and receives infrared rays from a detection range 91 set in the living room.

The host-side control unit 12 includes a transmission control unit 121, a reception control unit 122, a detection unit 123, and a determination unit 124. The host-side control unit 12 is mainly composed of a computer such as a microcomputer. The host-side control unit 12 realizes the functions of the above-mentioned units by executing the program recorded in the memory of the microcomputer with the processor of the microcomputer. The program can be pre-recorded in the memory, can be provided through electrical communication lines such as the Internet, or can be recorded on a recording medium such as a memory card and provided.

The transmission control unit 121 controls the on/off of the switches SW11 and SW12 of the transmission unit 141 to transmit the voltage signal from the master side communication unit 14 to the other communication terminal 3 (slave 2). The transmission control unit 121 individually controls the on/off of the switches SW11 and SW12 by individually outputting control signals for turning on/off the switches SW11 and SW12. The voltage signal sent by the master-side communication unit 14 to the other communication terminal 3 (slave 2) is described in detail in the section "(3) Operation example" below.

The receiving control unit 122 detects the voltage value of the voltage between the pair of wires 41 and 42 by obtaining the resistance divided value of the voltage between the pair of wires 41 and 42 received by the receiving unit 142 due to a specific sampling period. Like the master 1, the slave 2 is configured to transmit a voltage signal that changes (decreases) the voltage between the pair of electric wires 41 and 42. The receiving control unit 122 receives the voltage signal from the slave unit 2 by detecting the change in the voltage value between the pair of wires 41 and 42. The reception control unit 122 receives the detection result of the person 9 in the detection range 92 of the slave device 2 by receiving the voltage signal from the slave device 2.

The detection unit 123 determines whether there is a person 9 in the detection range 91 based on the output signal S1 from the light receiving unit 11 (processing circuit 112). The operation mode of the detection unit 123 includes an entry detection mode and a stay detection mode.

The entry detection mode is an action mode used to detect that the person 9 enters the detection range 91. The detection unit 123 operates in the detection mode when there is no human 9 in the detection space 90 (the space including the detection ranges 91 and 92) and the lighting equipment is turned off.

The stay detection mode is an action mode used to detect the exit of the person 9 from the detection range 91. The detection unit 123 operates in the stay detection mode when there is a person 9 in the detection space 90 (a space including the detection ranges 91 and 92) and the lighting fixture 81 is turned on.

When entering the detection mode, the detection unit 123 compares the amplitude A1 of the output signal S1 with the first detection threshold Vth11 (see FIG. 9). If the amplitude A1 of the output signal S1 is greater than or equal to the first detection threshold Vth11, the detection unit 123 determines that the person 9 has entered the detection range 91 (the person 9 is present in the detection range 91). Then, the detection unit 123 notifies the determination unit 124 of this fact as a detection result. The transmission control unit 121 causes the entry detection signal to be transmitted from the transmission unit 141 when the detection unit 123 detects the presence of the person 9 in the entry detection mode. In addition, the detection unit 123 switches the operation mode from the entry detection mode to the stay detection mode when at least any one of the plurality of communication terminals 3 (master 1, slave 2) detects that the person 9 has entered the corresponding detection range.

In the stay detection mode, the detection unit 123 compares the amplitude A1 of the output signal S1 with the second detection threshold Vth12. The detection unit 123 determines whether the duration of the state where the amplitude A1 of the output signal S1 is lower than the second detection threshold Vth12 exceeds the stay determination time. If the duration of the state where the amplitude A1 of the output signal S1 is lower than the second detection threshold Vth12 exceeds the stay determination time, the detection unit 123 determines that the person has exited from the detection range 91 (the person 9 does not exist in the detection range 91). In other words, the detection unit 123 determines that there is a person 9 staying in the detection range 91 (the presence of a person 9 in the detection range 91) while the amplitude A1 of the output signal S1 is finally higher than the second detection threshold Vth12. The count value of the stay determination time is reset every time the amplitude A1 of the output signal S1 is greater than the second detection threshold Vth12.

The value of the stay determination time is variable, and is set by the user to, for example, 1 minute, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc. Then, the detection unit 123 notifies the determination unit 124 of this as a detection result. When the detection unit 123 detects the presence of the person 9 in the stay determination mode, the transmission control unit 121 causes the stay detection signal to be transmitted from the transmission unit 141 within the stay determination time. In addition, the detection unit 123 switches the operation mode from the self-stay detection mode to the entry detection mode when all of the plurality of communication terminals 3 (master 1, slave 2) determine that there is no person 9 in the corresponding detection range. In addition, the above-mentioned value of the stay judgment time is only an example, and is not limited to the above-mentioned value.

In this embodiment, the first detection threshold Vth11 and the second detection threshold Vth12 are set to the same value, but they may be different values from each other.

The determination unit 124 determines whether the state of the detection space 90 (the space including the detection ranges 91 and 92) is an existing state or a non-existent state based on the detection result from the detection unit 123 and the detection result of the plurality of slave devices 2 on the person 9. The judging unit 124 judges that the state of the detection space 90 during the specific entry judging time is the existence state when at least any one of the detecting unit 123 and the plurality of slave devices 2 detects the entry of the person 9. The entry determination time is variable, for example, from 1 minute to 30 minutes, and is set by the user. After the entry determination time has elapsed, if the detection unit 123 and the plurality of slave devices 2 all detect that the person 9 does not exist (exit), the determination unit 124 determines that the state of the detection space 90 is a non-existence state. That is, the determination unit 124 comprehensively determines whether the state of the detection space 90 is the existing state or the non-existent state based on the detection results of the entry/exit of the person 9 by all the plurality of communication terminals 3. The determination unit 124 notifies the output unit 15 of the determination result of whether the detection space 90 is in the existing state or the non-existent state.

The output unit 15 is a communication interface that can send signals to the control device 82 of the lighting system 80. The output unit 15 outputs the determination result of the determination unit 124 to the control device 82. Specifically, the output unit 15 outputs a determination signal indicating the determination result of the determination unit 124 to the control device 82. The output unit 15 outputs a judgment signal indicating the "non-existent state" when the judgment result of the judgment unit 124 is "non-existent state". The output unit 15 outputs a determination signal indicating the "presence state" when the judgment result of the judging section 124 is the "presence state". The output unit 15 serially outputs a determination signal indicating the determination result of the determination unit 124 to the control device 82, for example. Specifically, the output unit 15 outputs a determination signal including a start bit, a determination result, and a stop bit.

The control device 82 is configured to control the turning on/off of the lighting fixture 81 based on the determination signal from the host 1. The control device 82 is mainly composed of a computer such as a microcomputer. The control device 82 executes the program recorded in the memory of the microcomputer with the processor of the microcomputer to realize the following various functions. The program can be pre-recorded in the memory, can be provided through electrical communication lines such as the Internet, or can be recorded on a recording medium such as a memory card and provided.

When the control device 82 receives the determination signal indicating the detection result of the "non-existent state" from the host 1, it determines that the state of the detection space 90 is the "non-existent state" and turns off the lighting fixture 81. On the other hand, when the control device 82 receives the determination signal indicating the detection result of the "presence state" from the host 1, it determines that the state of the detection space 90 is the "presence state" and lights the lighting fixture 81.

(2.2) Handset

Next, the structure of the slave unit 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2B, the slave unit 2 includes a light receiving unit 21, a slave unit side control unit 22, a diode bridge (DB) 23, a slave unit side power supply unit 24, and a slave unit side communication unit 25.

The diode bridge 23 is a full bridge circuit with a plurality of diodes. The input end of the diode bridge 23 is electrically connected to a pair of wires 41 and 42, and the output end is electrically connected to the slave side power supply part 24 and the slave side communication part 25.

The slave power supply unit 24 is, for example, a DC/DC converter. The slave-side power supply unit 24 generates electric power for the operation of the slave unit 2 from the DC power supplied from the master-side power supply unit 13 of the master 1 via a pair of wires 41 and 42.

The slave side communication unit 25 is electrically connected to a pair of electric wires 41 and 42 via a diode bridge 23, and includes a transmitting unit 251 and a receiving unit 252.

The transmitting unit 251 transmits the voltage signal to the other communication terminal 3 (master 1, slave 2) by stepping down the voltage between the pair of electric wires 41 and 42. The transmitting unit 251 includes a Zener diode ZD21 and a switch SW21. Between the pair of wires 41 and 42, the Zener diode ZD21 and the switch SW21 are electrically connected in series. Specifically, the series circuit of the Zener diode ZD21 and the switch SW21 is electrically connected between a pair of output ends of the diode bridge 23.

The voltage value of the Zener voltage (breakdown voltage) of the Zener diode ZD21 is the third voltage value V3. That is, the voltage value of the Zener voltage of the Zener diode ZD21 is the same as the voltage value of the Zener voltage of the Zener diode ZD12 of the transmitter 141 of the host 1 (the third voltage value V3). The so-called same here not only means that the voltage value of the Zener voltage is exactly the same, but also includes the situation within the allowable error range.

The switch SW21 is a semiconductor switch such as a MOSFET. The switch SW21 is controlled to be turned on/off by the transmission control section 221 of the slave side control section 22.

When the switch SW21 is off, the voltage value between the pair of electric wires 41 and 42 becomes the first voltage value V1. When the switch SW21 is turned on, current flows through the Zener diode ZD21, and the voltage between the pair of wires 41 and 42 is the third voltage value V3. In addition, here, it is assumed that the switches SW11 and SW12 of the master 1 and the switches SW21 of the other slave 2 are off.

That is, the transmitter 251 transmits a voltage signal that changes (steps down) the voltage between the pair of electric wires 41 and 42 by turning on/off the switch SW2. The voltage signal sent by the slave 2 to the other communication terminals 3 (master 1, slave 2) is set with two-stage (first voltage value V1, third voltage V3) signal level (voltage between a pair of wires 41, 42) value).

The receiving unit 252 detects the voltage between the pair of wires 41 and 42 to receive voltage signals from other communication terminals 3 (master 1, slave 2). The receiving unit 252 includes a plurality of (two in FIG. 2) resistors R21 and R22. Between the pair of wires 41 and 42, the resistor R21 and the resistor R22 are electrically connected in series. The receiving unit 252 outputs the value obtained by dividing the voltage between the pair of electric wires 41 and 42 with the resistors R21 and R22 to the receiving control unit 222 of the slave side control unit 22.

The light receiving unit 21 has a light receiving element 211 and a processing circuit 212.

The light receiving element 211 is a pyroelectric element (infrared light receiving element). The light-receiving element 211 outputs a signal (electrical signal) corresponding to the change in the received light intensity of the infrared rays from the detection range 92.

The processing circuit 212 is a circuit that performs signal processing on the electrical signal output from the light receiving element 211. In this embodiment, as an example, the processing circuit 212 has an IV conversion function for converting a current signal output from the light receiving element 211 into a voltage signal, an amplifying function for amplifying the voltage signal, and converting the amplified analog signal (voltage signal) A/D conversion function into digital signal. Therefore, the light receiving unit 21 outputs a digital signal corresponding to the electrical signal output from the light receiving element 211 to the detection unit 223 of the slave control unit 22 as the output signal S2.

The light receiving unit 21 is used in combination with the optical system 26 (refer to FIG. 3). The optical system 26 includes a lens, a mirror, or a combination of these, and focuses the infrared rays from the detection range 92 on the light receiving element 211. In the present embodiment, the light receiving unit 21 is housed in one housing 27 together with the slave power supply unit 24, the slave communication unit 25, the slave control unit 22, and the like (see FIG. 3). The slave unit 2 equipped with the light receiving unit 21 is shown in FIG. 3, for example, it is installed on the ceiling of a living room of a house, and receives infrared rays from a detection range 92 set in the living room.

The slave control unit 22 includes a transmission control unit 221, a reception control unit 222, and a detection unit 223. The slave side control unit 22 is mainly composed of a computer such as a microcomputer. The slave-side control unit 22 executes the program recorded in the memory of the microcomputer with the processor of the microcomputer to realize the functions of the above-mentioned parts. The program can be pre-recorded in the memory, can be provided through electrical communication lines such as the Internet, or can be recorded on a recording medium such as a memory card and provided.

The transmission control unit 221 controls the ON/OFF of the switch SW21 of the transmission unit 251 to transmit the voltage signal from the slave side communication unit 25 to the other communication terminals 3 (master 1, slave 2). The transmission control unit 221 controls the on/off of the switch SW21 by outputting a control signal for turning the switch SW21 on/off. The voltage signal sent by the slave-side communication unit 25 to the other communication terminals 3 (master 1, slave 2) is described in detail in the item of "(3) Operation Example" below.

The receiving control unit 222 detects the voltage value of the voltage between the pair of wires 41 and 42 by obtaining the resistance divided value of the voltage between the pair of wires 41 and 42 received by the receiving unit 252 due to a specific sampling period. As described above, each communication terminal 3 (master 1, slave 2) is configured to transmit a voltage signal that changes (steps down) the voltage between the pair of electric wires 41 and 42. The reception control unit 222 detects the change in the voltage value between the pair of wires 41 and 42 to receive the voltage signal from the other communication terminal 3 (master 1, slave 2).

The detection unit 223 determines whether there is a person 9 in the detection range 92 based on the output signal S2 from the light receiving unit 21 (processing circuit 212). The operation mode of the detection unit 223 includes an entry detection mode and a stay detection mode.

The entry detection mode is an action mode used to detect that the person 9 enters the detection range 92. The detection unit 223 enters the detection mode when there is no person 9 in the detection space 90 (the space including the detection ranges 91 and 92) and the lighting equipment is turned off.

The stay detection mode is an action mode used to detect the exit of the person 9 from the detection range 92. The detection unit 223 operates in the stop detection mode when there is a person 9 in the detection space 90 (the space including the detection ranges 91 and 92) and the lighting equipment is turned on.

In the entry detection mode, the detection unit 223 compares the amplitude A2 of the output signal S2 with the first detection threshold Vth21 (refer to FIGS. 6 and 7). If the amplitude A2 of the output signal S2 is greater than or equal to the first detection threshold Vth21, the detection unit 223 determines that the person 9 has entered the detection range 92 (the person 9 is present in the detection range 92). The transmission control unit 221 causes the entry detection signal to be transmitted from the transmission unit 251 when the detection unit 223 detects the presence of the person 9 in the entry detection mode. In addition, the detection unit 223 receives the determination result of the determination unit 124 from the master 1, when at least any one of the plurality of communication terminals 3 (master 1, slave 2) detects that the person 9 has entered the corresponding detection range , Switch the action mode from the entry detection mode to the stay detection mode.

In the stay detection mode, the detection unit 223 compares the amplitude A2 of the output signal S2 with the second detection threshold Vth22. The detection unit 223 determines whether the duration of the state in which the amplitude A2 of the output signal S2 is lower than the second detection threshold Vth22 exceeds the stay determination time. If the state where the amplitude A2 of the output signal S2 is lower than the second detection threshold Vth22 continues for the stay determination time, the detection unit 223 determines that the person 9 has exited the detection range 92 (the person 9 does not exist in the detection range 92). In other words, the detection unit 223 determines that the person 9 stays in the detection range 92 (the presence of the person 9 in the detection range 92) while the amplitude A2 of the output signal S2 is finally higher than the stay determination time from the second detection threshold Vth22. The count value of the stay determination time is reset whenever the amplitude A2 of the output signal S2 is greater than the second detection threshold Vth22. The value of the stay judgment time is variable, and is set by the host 1 to, for example, 1 minute, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc. The setting of the stay judgment time of the slave unit 2 will be described in the item of "(3) Operation example" described later. When the detection unit 223 detects the presence of the person 9 in the stay determination mode, the transmission control unit 221 causes the stay detection signal to be transmitted from the transmission unit 251 within the stay determination time.

If all the communication terminals 3 (master 1, slave 2) determine that there is no person 9 in the corresponding detection range, the detection unit 223 switches the operation mode from the self-stay detection mode to the detection mode.

In this embodiment, the first detection threshold Vth21 and the second detection threshold Vth22 are set to the same value, but they may be different values from each other. In addition, the first detection threshold Vth21 of the slave 2 and the first detection threshold Vth11 of the host 1 may be the same value or different values. In addition, the second detection threshold Vth22 of the slave 2 and the second detection threshold Vth12 of the master 1 may be the same value or different values.

(3) Operation example

Next, an operation example of the communication system 30 of this embodiment will be described.

(3.1) The first operation example

First, the first operation example of the communication system 30 will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

In the communication system 30 of this embodiment, each communication terminal 3 (master 1, slave 2) is configured to perform synchronous communication. In order to synchronize each communication terminal 3, the master 1 sends a synchronization signal to the slave 2. The synchronization signal is a signal that periodically switches the signal level between two values. Specifically, the synchronization signal is based on the voltage value of the voltage between the pair of wires 41 and 42 as the signal level. The first voltage value V1 (the first signal level) and the second voltage value V2 (the second Signal level) periodically change between. The synchronization signal periodically generates a pulse whose voltage value between the pair of wires 41 and 42 becomes the second voltage value V2.

The transmission control unit 121 of the host 1 periodically turns on the switch SW11 to change the voltage value between the pair of electric wires 41 and 42 from the first voltage value V1 to the second voltage value V2. That is, the time T2 when the switch SW11 is turned on becomes the pulse width of the synchronization signal. The time T2 is, for example, 50 ms.

The reception control unit 222 of the slave unit 2 uses the change of the voltage value of the voltage between the pair of electric wires 41 and 42 from the first voltage value V1 to the second voltage value V2 as a trigger to obtain synchronization.

The transmission control unit 121 modulates the period T1 of the synchronization signal according to the information transmitted to the slave 2. The period T1 is a period in which the voltage value of the voltage between the pair of wires 41 and 42 switches between the first voltage value V1 and the second voltage value V2. That is, the transmission control unit 121 sets the period T1 of the synchronization signal to be long in time corresponding to the information transmitted to the slave 2. In this embodiment, the information transmitted to the slave 2 is the setting information and the lighting information. The setting information indicates the value of the stay judgment time set in the slave 2 (for example, 1 minute, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc.). The lighting information indicates whether the lighting fixture 81 is lighting up or extinguishing. The plural combinations of setting information (stay judgment time) and lighting information (lighting state, extinguishing state) correspond one-to-one to the multiple time lengths of the period T1. The plural time lengths of the period T1 corresponding to the plural combinations of the setting information and the lighting information are different from each other. The data corresponding to the plural combinations of the setting information and the lighting information and the plural time lengths of the period T1 are stored in the memory unit 120. The memory unit 120 is, for example, a semiconductor memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), etc.

The transmission control unit 121 determines the length of the period T1 based on the combination of the setting information and the lighting information.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the transmission control unit 121 obtains the setting information (S11). The setting information is registered (stored) in, for example, the memory of the host 1 in advance. The registration of the setting information of the memory of the host 1 is performed by, for example, a setter connected to the host 1 via a wired/wireless connection. The transmission control unit 121 accesses the memory, and obtains the information (setting information) of any one of 1 minute, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, and 10 minutes set in the slave machine 2 for the stay determination time. In addition, the transmission control unit 121 may also be configured to obtain the setting information from a dip switch provided in the host 1.

Next, the transmission control unit 121 obtains lighting information (S12). The transmission control unit 121 obtains the judgment result from the judgment unit 124 to obtain the lighting information. As described above, if the determination result of the determination unit 124 is the "absent state", the control device 82 turns off the lighting fixture 81, and if the determination result of the determination unit 124 is the "presence state", the lighting fixture 81 is turned on. That is, the determination result of the determination unit 124 corresponds to the state of the lighting fixture 81. If the determination result of the determination unit 124 is "existing state", the transmission control unit 121 determines that the lighting fixture 81 is lighting, and if the determination result of the determination unit 124 is "absent state", it determines that the lighting fixture 81 is extinguishing. In this way, the transmission control unit 121 obtains the information (lighting information) that the lighting fixture 81 is on or off by obtaining the judgment result of the judging unit 124. In addition, the transmission control unit 121 may be configured to obtain the lighting information from the control device 82.

Next, the transmission control unit 121 determines the length of the period T1 of the synchronization signal based on the acquired setting information and lighting information (S13). The transmission control unit 121 accesses the memory unit 120, and obtains the data of the period T1 corresponding to the obtained combination of the setting information and the lighting information.

The transmission control unit 121 transmits the synchronization signal from the transmission unit 141 so that the time length of the cycle T1 of the synchronization signal becomes the time length determined (obtained) in step S13 (S14). When the setting information is changed (S15: Yes), the transmission control unit 121 reacquires the setting information (S11). When the lighting information is changed (S16: Yes), the transmission control unit 121 reacquires the lighting information (S12). When the setting information and the lighting information are unchanged (S15: No, S16: No), the transmission control unit 121 maintains the time length of the period T1 unchanged and continues the transmission of the synchronization signal (S14).

The reception control unit 222 of the slave 2 receives the setting information and the lighting information from the master 1 by measuring the length of the period T1 of the synchronization signal. Specifically, the reception control unit 222 measures the voltage value of the voltage between the pair of electric wires 41 and 42 from the first voltage value V1 to the second voltage value V2 until the next time the voltage between the pair of electric wires 41 and 42 The time until the value changes from the first voltage value V1 to the second voltage value V2. In addition, like the master 1, the slave 2 has a storage unit 220 that stores data corresponding to a plurality of combinations of setting information and lighting information and a plurality of time lengths of the cycle T1. The memory 220 is, for example, a semiconductor memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), etc. The receiving control unit 222 accesses the memory unit 220 to obtain the setting information and lighting information corresponding to the time length of the cycle T1 of the measured synchronization signal.

The detection unit 223 sets the value of the stay judgment time used in the stay detection mode to the value of the stay judgment time shown in the setting information obtained by the reception control unit 222.

In addition, the detection unit 223, based on the lighting information obtained by the reception control unit 222, sets the operation mode to the stay detection mode if the lighting fixture 81 is lighting up, and sets the operation mode to the entry detection mode if the lighting fixture 81 is off. mode.

In this way, in the communication system 30 of this embodiment, the length of the period T1 of the synchronization signal sent by the master 1 corresponds to the information transmitted from the master 1 to the slave 2. Therefore, the signal between the master 1 and the slave 2 can be simplified.

(3.2) 2nd operation example

Next, the second operation example of the communication system 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

Here, it is assumed that the lighting fixture 81 is extinguished, and the slave unit 2A of the plurality of communication terminals 3 (master unit 1, slave unit 2) detects the presence of the person 9 in the detection mode.

The transmission control unit 121 of the host 1 transmits the synchronization signal whose period T1 is T11 from the transmission unit 141. The long time T11 indicates that the setting information, that is, the stay determination time T5 (refer to FIG. 7) is 3 minutes, and the lighting information, that is, the lighting state of the lighting fixture 81 is extinguishing. The slave unit 2A measures the length T11 of the period T1 of the synchronization signal, sets the stay determination time T5 to 3 minutes, and sets the operation mode to enter the detection mode.

At time t1, the amplitude A2 of the output signal S2 is greater than or equal to the first detection threshold value Vth21, and the detection unit 223 of the slave unit 2A determines that the person 9 has entered the detection range 92 (the detection range 92 is the person 9). The detection unit 223 switches the action mode from the entry detection mode to the stay detection mode based on detecting the presence of the person 9 in the entry detection mode.

In addition, the transmission control unit 221 of the slave unit 2A detects the presence of the person 9 in the entry detection mode based on the detection unit 223, and causes the entry detection signal to be transmitted from the transmission unit 251. Specifically, the transmission control unit 221 transmits an entry detection signal in one time slot Ts set based on the synchronization signal.

The entry detection signal is a pulse signal (voltage signal) in which the voltage value between the pair of wires 41 and 42 changes from the first voltage value V1 to the third voltage value V3. The pulse width T41 of the incoming detection signal is a value longer than the specified threshold time. The pulse width T41 of the incoming detection signal is, for example, 100 ms. The following stay detection signal is a pulse signal (voltage signal) in which the voltage value of the voltage between the pair of wires 41 and 42 changes from the first voltage value V1 to the third voltage value V3, similarly to the entry detection signal. The pulse width T42 of the stay detection signal is a value shorter than the specific threshold time. The pulse width T42 of the stay detection signal is, for example, 20 ms.

The time slot Ts is a specific period starting from the lapse of time T3 after the voltage value of the voltage between the pair of wires 41 and 42 is changed from the first voltage value V1 to the second voltage value V2 by the synchronization signal. One time slot Ts is generated in one cycle of the synchronization signal. The receiving control unit 122 of the host 1 receives the entry detection signal and the stay detection signal in the time slot Ts. Specifically, when the voltage value of the voltage between the pair of electric wires 41, 42 changes from the first voltage value V1 to the third voltage value V3 in the time slot Ts, the reception control unit 122 measures the pair of electric wires 41, The voltage value of the voltage between 42 is the time of the third voltage value V3. When the measured time is longer than the threshold time, the reception control unit 122 determines that the data signal sent from the child device 2 is an entry detection signal. In addition, when the measured time is shorter than the threshold time, the reception control unit 122 determines that the data signal sent from the child device 2 is a stay detection signal.

The transmission control unit 221 of the slave 2A is in the time slot Ts after the detection unit 223 detects the presence of the person 9 in the entry detection mode, by turning on the switch SW21 for the time T41 from the beginning of the time slot Ts, the entry detection signal is sent automatically部251 sent.

When the reception control unit 122 receives the entry detection signal, the determination unit 124 of the host 1 determines that the state of the detection space 90 is the existing state during the specific entry determination time. The determination unit 124 outputs the determination result to the control device 82 via the output unit 15. The control device 92 turns on the lighting fixture 81 based on the determination result of the determination unit 124 (time t2).

The detection unit 123 of the host 1 switches the operation mode from the entry detection mode to the stay detection mode based on the judgment result of the judgment unit 124.

The transmission control unit 121 of the host 1 changes the time length of the period T1 of the synchronization signal from T11 to T12 based on the determination result of the determination unit 124. The long time T12 indicates that the setting information, that is, the stay determination time T5, is 3 minutes, and the lighting information, that is, the lighting state of the lighting appliance 81 is lighting. The slave units 2B and 2C measure the period T1 of the period signal by measuring the period T1 of the time period T12, and switch the operation mode of the detection unit 223 from the entry detection mode to the stay detection mode.

After the time point t1, the amplitude A2 of the output signal S2 becomes greater than or equal to the second detection threshold value Vth22, and the detection unit 223 of the slave unit 2A determines that a person 9 is staying in the detection range 92. When the detection unit 223 detects the presence of the person 9 in the stay detection mode, the transmission control unit 221 in the time slot Ts turns on the switch SW21 for the time T42 from the start of the time slot Ts, so that the stay detection signal is sent from the transmission unit 251 .

The determination unit 124 of the host 1 determines that the state of the detection space 90 is an existing state when the reception control unit 122 receives the stay detection signal after the entry determination time has elapsed since the reception control unit 122 receives the entry detection signal. The determination unit 124 determines that the state of the detection space 90 is the existing state during the period when the reception control unit 122 receives the stay detection signal. That is, the lighting fixture 81 continues to be turned on during the period during which the reception control unit 122 receives the stay detection signal after the entry of the determination time.

The detection unit 223 determines that a person 9 stays in the detection range 92 during the stay determination time T5 from the point t3 when the amplitude A2 of the output signal S2 is finally higher than the second detection threshold Vth22. In addition, the start of counting of the stay determination time T5 may also be the point when the amplitude A2 of the output signal S2 is lower than the second detection threshold Vth22. The transmission control unit 221 continues the transmission of the stay detection signal during the stay determination time T5 (refer to FIG. 7). The detection unit 223 determines that the person 9 exits from the detection range 92 when the duration of the state where the amplitude A2 of the output signal S2 is lower than the second detection threshold Vth22 exceeds the stay determination time T5 (the person 9 does not exist in the detection range 92). The transmission control unit 221 stops the transmission of the stay detection signal when the detection unit 223 determines that there is no person 9 in the detection range 92.

If the state where the stay detection signal cannot be received in the time slot Ts continues for a specific time (for example, 5 seconds), the reception control unit 122 of the host 1 determines that the transmission of the stay detection signal has stopped. The determination unit 124 determines that the state of the detection space 90 is a non-existent state when the reception control unit 122 determines that the transmission of the stop stay detection signal is stopped. The determination unit 124 outputs the determination result to the control device 82 via the output unit 15. The control device 82 turns off the lighting fixture 81 based on the determination result of the determination unit 124 (time t5).

The transmission control unit 121 of the host 1 changes the time length of the period T1 of the synchronization signal from T12 to T11 based on the determination result of the determination unit 124. The detection unit 223 of the slave devices 2A, 2B, and 2C switches the operation mode from the stay detection mode to the entry detection mode by measuring the time length T11 of the period T1 of the synchronization signal. In addition, the detection unit 123 of the host computer 1 switches the operation mode from the stay detection mode to the entry detection mode based on the judgment result of the judgment unit 124.

In the above operation example, the case where the slave unit 2A of the three slave units 2 detects the existence of the person 9 is explained, but the same operation is performed when the slave unit 2B, 2C detects the existence of the person 9.

In addition, the time slot Ts is common to the slave units 2A, 2B, and 2C. That is, the slave devices 2A, 2B, and 2C transmit the entry detection signal and the stay detection signal in one common time slot Ts. For example, suppose that the detection unit 223 of each of the slave devices 2A, 2B, and 2C detects the presence of the person 9 in the stay detection mode.

As shown in FIG. 8, the detection unit 223 of each of the slave devices 2A and 2B detects the presence of the person 9 in the stay detection mode. The transmission control unit 221 of each of the slave units 2A and 2B transmits the stay detection signal by turning the switch SW21 on for the time T42 from the start of the time slot Ts in the time slot Ts set based on the synchronization signal. That is, the switch SW21 of the slave unit 2A and the switch SW21 of the slave unit 2B are turned on at the same timing.

Moreover, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the detection unit 223 of the slave machine 2C detects the presence of the person 9 in the stay detection mode at a timing later than the slave machines 2A and 2B. Similar to the slave units 2A and 2B, the transmission control unit 221 of the slave unit 2C transmits the stay detection signal by turning on the switch SW21 for the time T42 from the start of the time slot Ts. That is, the switches SW21 of each of the slave units 2A, 2B, and 2C are turned on at the same timing.

In this way, in the present embodiment, a common time slot Ts is allocated to a plurality of slave units 2. Therefore, there is no need to assign different time slots to a plurality of slave machines 2, and even when the number of slave machines 2 increases, the redundancy of the period T1 of the synchronization signal can be suppressed.

Moreover, even when each of the plurality of slave devices 2 detects the presence of the person 9, the plurality of slave devices 2 can transmit stay detection signals at the same timing. Therefore, the period during which the voltage between the pair of wires 41, 42 becomes the third voltage value V3 lower than the first voltage value V1 and the second voltage value V2 can be restricted, and the current flowing in the pair of wires 41, 42 can be suppressed The average value of (the current consumption of slave 2).

(3.3) The third operation example

Next, the third operation example of the communication system 30 will be described with reference to FIG. 9.

Here, it is assumed that the lighting fixture 81 is extinguished, and the master 1 of the plurality of communication terminals 3 (master 1, slave 2) detects the presence of the person 9 in the detection mode.

The transmission control unit 121 of the host 1 transmits the synchronization signal with the period T1 to T11 because the judgment result of the judgment unit 124 is "absent state".

At time t6, the amplitude A1 of the output signal S1 becomes greater than or equal to the first detection threshold Vth11, and the detection unit 123 of the host 1 determines that the person 9 has entered the detection range 91 (the detection range 91 is the person 9). The judging unit 124 judges that the state of the detection space 90 is the existence state during the specific entry judging time period based on the entry of the person 9 detected by the detecting unit 123. The determination unit 124 outputs the determination result to the control device 82 via the output unit 15. The control device 82 turns on the lighting fixture 81 based on the determination result of the determination unit 124. In addition, the detection unit 123 switches the operation mode from the entry detection mode to the stay detection mode based on detecting the presence of the person 9 in the entry detection mode.

The transmission control unit 121 changes the time length of the period T1 of the synchronization signal from T11 to T12 based on the determination result of the determination unit 124.

In addition, the transmission control unit 121 in the time slot Ts after the detection unit 123 detects the presence of the person 9 in the entry detection mode, by turning on the switch SW12 for the time T41 from the start point of the time slot Ts, the entry detection signal self-transmission unit 141 sent.

After the time point t6, the amplitude A1 of the output signal S1 becomes equal to or greater than the second detection threshold Vth12, and the detection unit 123 of the host 1 determines that a person 9 is staying in the detection range 91. When the detection unit 123 detects the presence of the person 9 in the stay detection mode, the transmission control unit 121 in the time slot Ts turns on the switch SW12 for only time T42 from the beginning of the time slot Ts, so that the stay detection signal is sent from the transmission unit 251 sent.

The reception control unit 222 of the slave 2 receives the entry detection signal and the stay detection signal from the master 1 in the time slot Ts.

In this way, in the communication system 30 of the present embodiment, when each communication terminal 3 (master 1, slave 2) detects the presence of a person 9, it transmits an entry detection signal or a stay detection signal. Thereby, when at least one of the communication terminals 3 of the plurality of communication terminals 3 (master 1, slave 2) detects the presence of the person 9, the information of the presence of the person 9 can be shared among the communication terminals 3. In the above example, based on the determination result (lighting information) of the determination unit 124 of the master 1, the detection unit 123 of the master 1 and the detection unit 223 of the slave 2 determine the operation mode, but it is not limited to this. The detection unit 123 of the host 1 can also be configured to set the action mode to the stay detection mode when the host 1 sends or receives the stay detection signal, and set the action mode when the stay detection signal is not sent or received. To enter the detection mode. Similarly, the detection unit 223 of the slave unit 2 can also be configured to set the operation mode to the dwell detection mode when the slave unit 2 sends or receives the stay detection signal, and when the stay detection signal is not sent or received , Set the action mode to enter the detection mode.

Furthermore, in the communication system 30 of this embodiment, in the time slot Ts set based on the synchronization signal sent by the master 1, the master 1 itself also transmits the entry detection signal and the stay detection signal similarly to the slave 2. That is, in the communication system 30 of this embodiment, a common time slot Ts is allocated to a plurality of communication terminals 3 (master 1, slave 2), and each communication terminal 3 (master 1, slave 2) is shared The time slot Ts is used to transmit and receive signals. Therefore, there is no need to assign different time slots to a plurality of communication terminals 3, and even when the number of communication terminals 3 increases, the redundancy of the period T1 of the synchronization signal can be suppressed.

(3.4) Fourth operation example

Next, a fourth operation example of the communication system 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B. In addition, in FIG. 10A, only one master 1 and one slave 2 among a plurality of communication terminals 3 are shown.

Each communication terminal 3 (master 1, slave 2) is configured to transition to the inspection mode in accordance with an inspection signal sent from an inspection device electrically connected to a pair of electric wires 41 and 42. The inspection signal is a voltage signal in which the voltage value of the voltage between the pair of wires 41 and 42 alternately changes between the first voltage value V1 and 0V in a specific period (refer to FIG. 10B). Each communication terminal 3 transfers to the inspection mode by receiving an inspection signal through a pair of electric wires 41 and 42. In the check mode, it is possible to check whether each function of the communication terminal 3 is operating normally. In addition, the binary signal level (voltage value) of the inspection signal is not limited to the first voltage value V1 and 0V, and may be, for example, a voltage value lower than the first voltage value V1 and the third voltage value V3.

(3.5) The fifth operation example

Next, the fifth operation example of the communication system 30 will be described.

The slave 2 is configured to shift to the inspection mode when the master 1 stops sending the synchronization signal for a certain period of time. When the voltage value of the voltage between the pair of wires 41 and 42 is the first voltage value V1 for a certain period of time, the slave device 2 shifts to the inspection mode. After the host 1 stops sending the synchronization signal for a certain period of time, it starts to send the synchronization signal again. In the inspection mode, the stay determination time is set to, for example, 5 seconds, and when the child device 2 detects the presence of the person 9, the lighting fixture 81 is turned on for 5 seconds. In this way, the communication status between the host 1 and the slave 2 and whether the person detection function of the slave 2 is normal can be checked.

(4) Variations

Hereinafter, a modification example of the communication system 30 of this embodiment will be described. The modified examples described below can be applied in appropriate combinations of the above-mentioned embodiments or modified examples.

(4.1) Modification Example 1

In the above example, since the host 1 sets the pulse width T2 of the synchronization signal to be constant, the duty ratio of the synchronization signal also changes according to the length of the period T1. The duty ratio is the period during which the voltage between the pair of wires 41 and 42 in the period T1 is the first voltage value V1 or the second voltage value V2. In this embodiment, the duty ratio is set as the ratio of the period (pulse width T2) during which the voltage value of the voltage between the pair of wires 41 and 42 is the second voltage value V2 in the period T1. The host 1 can also be configured to only modulate the duty ratio (pulse width T2) of the synchronization signal. The host 1 sets the period T1 of the synchronization signal to be constant, and sets the pulse width T2 to be a long time corresponding to the information transmitted to the slave 2.

The operation example of the communication system 30 of this modification will be described with reference to FIG. 11.

Here, it is assumed that the lighting fixture 81 is extinguished, and the master 1 of the plurality of communication terminals 3 (master 1, slave 2) detects the presence of the person 9 in the detection mode.

Since the judgment result of the judging unit 124 is "non-existent state", the transmission control unit 121 of the host 1 transmits the synchronization signal from the transmission unit 141 so that the time length of the pulse width T2 in the cycle T1 becomes T21. The time length T21 of the pulse width T2 indicates that the setting information, that is, the stay determination time, is 3 minutes, and the lighting information, that is, the lighting state of the lighting fixture 81 is extinguishing. The slave 2 measures the time length T21 of the pulse width T2 of the synchronization signal, sets the stay determination time to 3 minutes, and sets the operation mode to enter the detection mode.

At time t7, the amplitude A1 of the output signal S1 becomes equal to or greater than the first detection threshold Vth11, and the detection unit 123 of the host 1 determines that the person 9 has entered the detection range 91 (the detection range 91 is the person 9). Thereby, the lighting fixture 81 lights up.

In addition, the transmission control unit 121 changes the time length of the pulse width T2 of the synchronization signal from T21 to T22. The long time T22 indicates that the setting information, that is, the stay determination time, is 3 minutes, and the lighting information, that is, the lighting state of the lighting fixture 81 is lighting. The slave device 2 switches the operation mode from the entry detection mode to the stay detection mode by measuring the time length T22 of the pulse width T2 of the synchronization signal.

Furthermore, the transmission control unit 121 transmits the entry detection signal in the time slot Ts starting from the time T30 after the voltage value of the voltage between the pair of wires 41 and 42 changes from the first voltage value V1 to the second voltage value V2. . After the time point t7, the amplitude A1 of the output signal S1 becomes equal to or greater than the second detection threshold Vth12, and the transmission control unit 121 transmits the stay detection signal in the time slot Ts.

In this modification example, the host 1 only changes the duty ratio (pulse width T2) of the synchronization signal, but it is not limited to this. The host 1 can also be configured to modulate both the period T1 and the pulse width T2 of the synchronization signal and set the duty ratio to be fixed, so that only the period T1 is changed.

(4.2) Other changes

The host side control unit 12 and the slave side control unit 22 of the present invention include a computer system. The computer system is mainly composed of more than one processor and memory as the hardware. With more than one processor executing the program recorded in the memory of the computer system, the functions of the master-side control unit 12 and the slave-side control unit 22 of the present invention are realized. The program can be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, can be provided through electrical communication lines, and can also be recorded on non-transitory recording media such as memory cards, optical discs, hard disks, etc. that can be read by the computer system. Each of the more than one processor of a computer system is composed of one to a plurality of electronic circuits including semiconductor integrated circuits (IC) or large-scale integrated circuits (LSI). A plurality of electronic circuits can be assembled on one chip or distributed on a plurality of chips. Multiple chips can be collected in one device or distributed in multiple devices. In addition, at least a part of the functions of the master-side control unit 12 and the slave-side control unit 22 may also be implemented by, for example, a server or cloud (cloud computing).

In this embodiment, the case where the communication terminal 3 is a moving body detection device that detects the presence of a moving body (person 9) in the detection range is explained, but it is not limited to this configuration. For example, the communication terminal 3 may also be a detection device that detects brightness, temperature, etc., for example. In addition, in the communication terminal 3, the detection function (sensor function) is not an essential configuration, and the detection function may be omitted.

In the embodiment, the case where the communication system 30 is a lighting control system that controls the lighting system 80 has been described, but it is not limited to this configuration. For example, the communication system 30 may also be a control system for controlling an air-conditioning machine as a load machine. In addition, the communication system 30 only needs to have a plurality of communication terminals 3, and the function of controlling the load equipment is not essential.

In this embodiment, the case where the master 1 and the slave 2 are connected via a pair of wires 41 and 42 and wired communication via the pair of wires 41 and 42 is performed has been described, but it is not limited to this configuration. The master 1 and the slave 2 may also be configured to communicate wirelessly.

In the present embodiment, a case where all of the plurality of communication terminals 3 (master 1, slave 2) transmit signals in a common time slot Ts has been described, but it is not limited to this configuration. A plurality of communication terminals 3 may also include a communication terminal 3 that transmits a signal in a different time slot than the common time slot for transmitting signals of two or more communication terminals 3.

(5) Summary

The communication device (1) (host 1) of the first aspect includes a communication unit (14) (host side communication unit 14) and a control unit (12) (host side control unit 12). The communication unit (14) sends a synchronization signal to the slave unit (2). The control unit (12) controls the communication unit (14). The synchronization signal is a signal for synchronizing a plurality of communication terminals (3) including the slave unit (2). In one time slot (Ts) set based on the synchronization signal, two or more communication terminals (3) among the plurality of communication terminals (3) transmit signals.

According to this aspect, since two or more communication terminals (3) transmit signals in a common time slot (Ts), the simplification of the signal can be achieved.

The communication device (1) of the second aspect is the same as the first aspect, wherein a plurality of communication terminals (3) include the communication device (1). The control unit (12) performs signal reception from the slave machine (2) and signal transmission to the slave machine (2) in the time slot (Ts).

According to this aspect, since the communication device (1) and the slave device (2) transmit signals in a common time slot (Ts), the simplification of the signal can be achieved.

The communication device (1) of the third aspect is the same as the first or second aspect, wherein the plurality of communication terminals (3) includes a plurality of slave devices (2). The control unit (12) receives signals from a plurality of slave machines (2) in the time slot (Ts).

According to this aspect, since a plurality of slave devices (2) transmit signals in a common time slot (Ts), the simplification of the signal can be achieved.

The communication device (1) of the fourth aspect is any one of the first to third aspects, and further includes a power supply unit (host-side power supply unit (13)). A plurality of communication terminals (3) are electrically connected to a pair of wires (41, 42). The power supply unit outputs electric power to a pair of electric wires (41, 42). The communication unit (14) transmits a synchronization signal via a pair of wires (41, 42).

According to this aspect, both wired communication with the slave machine (2) and power supply to the slave machine (2) can be provided.

The communication device (1) of the fifth aspect is the same as the fourth aspect, wherein the synchronization signal is the voltage value of the voltage between a pair of wires (41, 42) at least than the first voltage value (V1) and the second voltage A voltage signal that periodically changes between the values (V2). The control unit (12) receives a signal from the slave device (2) that the voltage value of the voltage between the pair of wires (41, 42) changes to a third voltage value (V3).

According to this aspect, the synchronization signal can be prevented from being confused with the signal from the slave (2).

The slave device (2) of the sixth aspect is included in a plurality of communication terminals (3), and receives synchronization signals from the communication device (1) in any one of the first to fifth aspects.

According to this aspect, since the slave device (2) transmits a signal in a common time slot (Ts) with other communication terminals (3), the signal can be simplified.

The communication system (30) of the seventh aspect includes the communication device (1) of any one of the first to fifth aspects and the slave machine (2) of the sixth aspect. In other words, the communication system (30) of the seventh aspect includes the communication device (1) of any one of the first to fifth aspects, and is included in a plurality of communication terminals (3) and receives data from the communication device (1). Synchronous signal slave (2).

According to this aspect, since two or more communication terminals (3) transmit signals in a common time slot (Ts), the simplification of the signal can be achieved.

The program of the eighth aspect makes the computer system function as the control unit (12) of the communication device (1) in any one of the first to fifth aspects.

According to this aspect, since two or more communication terminals (3) transmit signals in a common time slot (Ts), the simplification of the signal can be achieved.

1‧‧‧Host 2‧‧‧Handset 2A, 2B, 2C‧‧‧ handset 3‧‧‧Communication terminal 6‧‧‧AC power supply 7‧‧‧Inspection device 9‧‧‧people 11‧‧‧Light receiving part 12‧‧‧Host side control unit 13‧‧‧Host side power supply 14‧‧‧Host side communication department 15‧‧‧Output section 16‧‧‧Optical system 17‧‧‧Shell 21‧‧‧Light receiving part 22‧‧‧Slave side control unit 23‧‧‧Diode Bridge (DB) 24‧‧‧Slave side power supply 25‧‧‧Slave side communication department 26‧‧‧Optical system 27‧‧‧Shell 30‧‧‧Communication System 41、42‧‧‧Wire 80‧‧‧Lighting System 81‧‧‧Lighting 82‧‧‧Control device 90‧‧‧Detection space 91‧‧‧Detection range 92‧‧‧Detection range 111‧‧‧Light receiving element 112‧‧‧Processing circuit 120‧‧‧Memory Department 121‧‧‧Send Control Unit 122‧‧‧Receiving Control Unit 123‧‧‧Testing Department 124‧‧‧Judgment Department 141‧‧‧Delivery Department 142‧‧‧Receiving Department 211‧‧‧Receiving element 212‧‧‧Processing circuit 220‧‧‧Memory Department 221‧‧‧Send Control Unit 222‧‧‧Receiving Control Unit 223‧‧‧Testing Department 251‧‧‧Delivery Department 252‧‧‧Receiving Department R11, R12‧‧‧Resistor S1‧‧‧Output signal S2‧‧‧Output signal S11～S16‧‧‧Step SW11, SW12‧‧‧switch T1‧‧‧cycle T2‧‧‧Time T3‧‧‧Time T5‧‧‧Stay Judgment Time T11‧‧‧Long time T12‧‧‧Long time T21‧‧‧Long time T22‧‧‧Long time T30‧‧‧Time T41‧‧‧Pulse width T42‧‧‧Pulse width Ts‧‧‧Time Slot t1‧‧‧Time t2‧‧‧Time t3‧‧‧Time t4‧‧‧Time t5‧‧‧Time V1‧‧‧The first voltage value V2‧‧‧The second voltage value V3‧‧‧The third voltage value Vth11‧‧‧The first detection threshold Vth12‧‧‧The second detection threshold Vth21‧‧‧The first detection threshold Vth22‧‧‧The second detection threshold ZD11, ZD12‧‧‧Zener diode

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2A is a block diagram of a host included in the same communication system. Fig. 2B is a block diagram of the slave device of the same communication system. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the use of the same communication system. Fig. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the first operation example of the same communication system. Fig. 5 is a flow chart showing the first example of the operation of the same communication system. Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the second operation example of the same communication system. Fig. 7 is another sequence diagram showing the second operation example of the same communication system. Fig. 8 is another sequence diagram showing the second operation example of the same communication system. Fig. 9 is a sequence diagram showing the third operation example of the same communication system. Fig. 10A is a block diagram for explaining the fourth operation example of the same communication system. Fig. 10B is a sequence diagram showing the fourth operation example of the same communication system. Fig. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of operation of the communication system according to a modification of the embodiment.

1‧‧‧Host

2‧‧‧Handset

2A, 2B, 2C‧‧‧ handset

3‧‧‧Communication terminal

6‧‧‧AC power supply

11‧‧‧Light receiving part

12‧‧‧Host side control unit

13‧‧‧Host side power supply

14‧‧‧Host side communication department

15‧‧‧Output section

21‧‧‧Light receiving part

22‧‧‧Slave side control unit

23‧‧‧Diode Bridge

24‧‧‧Slave side power supply

25‧‧‧Slave side communication department

30‧‧‧Communication System

41、42‧‧‧Wire

80‧‧‧Lighting System

81‧‧‧Lighting

82‧‧‧Control device

S1‧‧‧Output signal

Claims (8)

A communication device comprising: a communication unit that transmits a synchronization signal to a slave unit; a control unit that controls the communication unit; and the synchronization signal is a signal for synchronizing a plurality of communication terminals including the slave unit; and based on the synchronization In one time slot set by the signal, two or more communication terminals among the plurality of communication terminals transmit voltage signals. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of communication terminals include the communication device; the control unit receives the voltage signal from the slave unit and transmits the voltage signal to the slave unit in the time slot. For example, the communication device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of communication terminals includes a plurality of the slave devices; the control unit receives the voltage signals from the plurality of slave devices in the time slot. The communication device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of communication terminals are electrically connected to a pair of wires, and further include a power supply unit that outputs power to the pair of wires; the communication unit transmits the synchronization signal via the pair of wires . The communication device of claim 4, wherein the synchronization signal is a voltage signal in which the voltage value of the voltage between the pair of wires periodically changes between at least a first voltage value and a second voltage value; the control unit is received from the sub The voltage value of the voltage between the pair of wires sent by the machine changes to the voltage signal of the third voltage value. A slave device, which is included in the plurality of communication terminals, and receives the synchronization signal from the communication device according to any one of the request items 1 to 5. A communication system including: a communication device as in any one of claims 1 to 5, and a slave unit included in the plurality of communication terminals and receiving the synchronization signal from the communication device. A program for enabling a computer system to function as the above-mentioned control unit of a communication device as in any one of claims 1 to 5.

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