Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04B—TRANSMISSION
  • H04B3/00—Line transmission systems
  • H04B3/54—Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
  • H04B3/544—Setting up communications; Call and signalling arrangements
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02J—ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
  • H02J3/00—Circuit arrangements for AC mains or AC distribution networks
  • H02J3/12—Arrangements for adjusting voltage in AC networks by changing a characteristic of the network load
  • H02J3/14—Arrangements for adjusting voltage in AC networks by changing a characteristic of the network load by switching loads on to, or off from, the networks, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02J—ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
  • H02J2105/00—Networks for supplying or distributing electric power characterised by their spatial reach or by the load
  • H02J2105/40—Networks for supplying or distributing electric power characterised by their spatial reach or by the load characterised by the loads connecting to the networks or being supplied by the networks
  • H02J2105/42—Home appliances
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04B—TRANSMISSION
  • H04B2203/00—Indexing scheme relating to line transmission systems
  • H04B2203/54—Aspects of powerline communications not already covered by H04B3/54 and its subgroups
  • H04B2203/5404—Methods of transmitting or receiving signals via power distribution lines
  • H04B2203/5408—Methods of transmitting or receiving signals via power distribution lines using protocols
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04B—TRANSMISSION
  • H04B2203/00—Indexing scheme relating to line transmission systems
  • H04B2203/54—Aspects of powerline communications not already covered by H04B3/54 and its subgroups
  • H04B2203/5429—Applications for powerline communications
  • H04B2203/5445—Local network
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04B—TRANSMISSION
  • H04B2203/00—Indexing scheme relating to line transmission systems
  • H04B2203/54—Aspects of powerline communications not already covered by H04B3/54 and its subgroups
  • H04B2203/5429—Applications for powerline communications
  • H04B2203/545—Audio/video application, e.g. interphone
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04B—TRANSMISSION
  • H04B2203/00—Indexing scheme relating to line transmission systems
  • H04B2203/54—Aspects of powerline communications not already covered by H04B3/54 and its subgroups
  • H04B2203/5429—Applications for powerline communications
  • H04B2203/5454—Adapter and plugs
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04B—TRANSMISSION
  • H04B2203/00—Indexing scheme relating to line transmission systems
  • H04B2203/54—Aspects of powerline communications not already covered by H04B3/54 and its subgroups
  • H04B2203/5429—Applications for powerline communications
  • H04B2203/5458—Monitor sensor; Alarm systems

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a communication control apparatus, and more particularly to a communication control apparatus that communicates with and supplies electric power to an external apparatus connected via a power line.
• the PLC means a system for attaining the bidirectional communication using the power line as a transmission path by superimposing a high frequency signal on the existent power line of 100 V (50/60 Hz) (e.g., refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-7497) .
• the existent power incoming line, a socket (electrical outlet) or a plug can be directly used, whereby new wiring works are unnecessary. Also, the PLC can be connected simply by inserting the plug into the socket, whereby plug and play is permitted without needing the complex settings.
• a communication control apparatus of the present invention comprises: a first connection unit connecting to a power line; a second connection unit to which an external apparatus is connected; a power supply unit which supplies electric power to the external apparatus via the second connection unit; a communication unit which makes the communication between a communication apparatus connected to the power line and the external apparatus via the first connection unit and the second connection unit; and a control unit which controls the power supply unit to supply electric power to the external apparatus, based on information received from the external apparatus by the communication unit.
• a communication control apparatus comprises: a first connection unit connecting to a power line; a second connection unit to which an external apparatus is connected; a power supply unit which supplies electric power to the external apparatus via the second connection unit; a communication unit which makes the communication between a communication apparatus connected to the power line and the external apparatus via the first connection unit and the second connection unit; and a control unit which controls the communication unit to stop an operation thereof for communicating with the external apparatus and controlling the power supply unit to supply electric power to the external apparatus, if the external apparatus connected to the second connection unit can not be communicated through the communication unit.
• FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a power line communication system according to the present invention
• FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment
• FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process for connecting an external apparatus
• FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a power management table and a supply condition table
• FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process for removing the external apparatus
• FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process for receiving information
• FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a control process for power supply
• FIG. 8 is a view illustrating the format of a communication command
• FIG. 9 is a view illustrating the communication operation
• FIG. 10 is a view illustrating the format of a communication command.
• FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the operation when a power plug is removed.
• FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a home communication system 100 using a PLC according to an embodiment of the invention.
• a table tap 200 to which a communication apparatus of the invention is applied, is connected to a power line 110 in the home.
• the table tap 200 has a plurality of power plug sockets, and supplies electric power to an external apparatus connected into the socket. Also, the table tap 200 allows the communication conforming to PLC between the external apparatus connected into the socket and the communication apparatus connected to the power line. The communication accords with an IP (Internet Protocol) without specifying the individual protocol.
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the power table tap 200.
• a power plug 201 is inserted into the plug socket in the home.
• An electric power on which information for communication conforming to PLC via the power plug 201 is superimposed, is supplied to a power supply control circuit 207 and a power line coupling unit A202.
• the power line coupling unit A202 has a function of receiving communication information superimposed on the power line from the power plug 201, and superimposing communication information on the power line. That is, in receiving a signal from the power line 110, the power line coupling unit 202 sends the received communication information to a demodulation circuit A204. Also, in sending a signal to the power line 110, the power line coupling unit 202 outputs the communication information from a modulation circuit A203 via the plug 201.
• the communication information from the power line coupling unit A202 is converted into digital data by the demodulation circuit A204 and sent to a communication control unit 205.
• the demodulation circuit A204 includes a bandpass RX filter for removing the signal outside a predetermined band, an AD converter for adjusting the received signal level, sampling the signal at a predetermined interval, and converting it into digital data, and a demodulation unit which demodulates digital data.
• the modulation circuit A203 includes a bandpass TX filter for modulating digital data from the communication control unit 205, converting the modulated digital data into an analog signal, amplifying the converted signal, and removing unwanted frequency component.
• the communication control unit 205 is the control unit which controls the communication in according with an IP communication method to allow the communication with an apparatus connected into each of the sockets 211, 221, 231 and 241. Also, the communication control unit 205 contains a CPU, a memory and a ROM, whereby a program can be run.
• the communication control unit 205 is connected to a control unit having a routing function called a splitter 206.
• the splitter 206 discriminates the socket at which the apparatus is connected to communicate, and selects a circuit for use in communication from among the communication circuits 210 to 240.
• the configuration of the modulation circuits B213 to E243 is the same as that of the modulation circuit A203, and the configuration of the demodulation circuits B214 to E244 is the same as that of the modulation circuit A204.
• the power line coupling units B212 to E242 are the same as the power line coupling unit A202.
• the modulation circuits 213 to 243, the demodulation circuits 214 to 244, and the power line coupling units 212 to 242 are configured to make the communication with the apparatus connected into each of the sockets 211 to 241.
• the modulation circuit B213, the demodulation circuit B214 and the power line coupling unit B212 provide a communication circuit B210 for making the communication with the apparatus connected into the socket B211.
• the modulation circuit C223, the demodulation circuit C224 and the power line coupling unit C222 provide a communication circuit C220 for making the communication with the apparatus connected into the socket C221.
• the modulation circuit D233, the demodulation circuit D234 and the power line coupling unit D232 provide a communication circuit D230 for making the communication with the apparatus connected into the socket D231.
• the modulation circuit E243, the demodulation circuit E244 and the power line coupling unit E242 provide a communication circuit E240 for making the communication with the apparatus connected into the socket E241.
• the power supply control circuit 207 controls the power supply to the apparatus connected into each of the sockets 211 to 241 upon an instruction from the communication control unit 205.
• a detection unit 208 detects whether or not the plug of the external apparatus is inserted into each of the sockets 211 to 241. And when the plug is inserted or extracted, event information indicating each operation is notified to the communication control unit 205.
• each of the communication circuits B210 to E240 performs the operation of the circuit, independently. That is, the communication operation is stopped by stopping the supply of power to the communication circuit corresponding to the socket into which the power plug is not inserted among the communication circuits 210 to 240.
• the power supply to the socket into which the power plug is not inserted among the sockets 211 to 241 is stopped. Also, when the power plug is not inserted into any of the sockets 211 to 241, the operation of the splitter 220 is stopped and the power supply to the splitter 220 is stopped.
• FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process for the communication control unit 205 when the power plug of the external apparatus is inserted.
• the detection unit 208 of FIG. 2 detects that the power plug of the external apparatus is inserted into any of the sockets 211 to 241, and event information indicating that the plug is inserted is supplied to the communication control unit 205, whereby the flow of FIG. 3 is started.
• the communication control unit 205 stores information indicating whether or not electric power is supplied to each of the sockets 211 to 241 in an internal memory.
• the power supply control circuit 207 starts the power supply to the socket into which the plug is inserted. Also, if the power supply to the communication circuit corresponding to the socket into which the plug is inserted among the communication circuits 210 to 240 is stopped, the communication function is validated after supplying the power (S301) .
• the power supply to the splitter 220 is started and the function is validated
• a predetermined command is sent to the connected external apparatus by the communication circuit corresponding to the socket into which the plug is inserted, and it is discriminated whether or not the apparatus can make the communication according to PLC (S302).
• any protocol can be used for communication, as far as the same method is employed between the apparatuses.
• a protocol for notification is defined on a TCP/IP.
• This protocol has a simple configuration of request and response, as shown in FIG. 9, in which both employ the same packet configuration.
• FIG. 8 is a data organization example for the notification protocol, comprising a header part 801 for the TCP/IP, a UID part 802 for identifying the protocol, and a command part 803 for representing the kind of request or response.
• a command value requesting the transmission of a MAC (Media Access Control) address of the connected apparatus is appended to the command part 803 and sent, for example. And it is possible to discriminate whether or not there is a response from the connected apparatus within a predetermined time. If a response including the MAC address is sent within the predetermined time from the external apparatus, this external apparatus is determined as the PLC support apparatus.
• MAC Media Access Control
• Such command is sent via the modulation circuit and the power line coupling unit in the communication circuit corresponding to the socket into which the plug is connected to the external apparatus.
• a response to the sent command is sent back via the power line coupling unit, the demodulation circuit and the splitter 206 in the communication circuit corresponding to the socket into which the plug is connected to the communication control unit 205.
• the connected apparatus is the PLC support apparatus
• information on the conditions for power control is further acquired from the connected apparatus.
• the description is given, supposing that an HDD 101 of FIG. 1 is connected into the socket B211.
• a command value of data acquisition is set in the command part 803 of FIG. 8 and sent to the connected apparatus.
• the send data is generated by the communication control unit 205, and sent via the modulation circuit B213, the power line coupling unit B212 and the socket B211 to the connected apparatus by the splitter 206.
• the connected apparatus receiving the command sends back the information regarding the power control as the response, if having any such information.
• the organization of response data is shown in FIG. 10.
• the response data is in the form of the organization of FIG. 8 to which a data part 1004 is appended, as shown in FIG. 10.
• the response data is sent via the socket B211, the power line coupling unit B212, the demodulation circuit B214 and the splitter 206 to the communication control unit 205.
• the response data of FIG. 10 is not sent from the connected apparatus.
• the process is ended by detecting that there is no response data for a predetermined time, or by receiving the data with a response value indicating that there is no information regarding the power control appended in the response part 1003 of FIG. 10, from the connected apparatus.
• Reference numeral 400 of FIG. 4 denotes the power management table.
• the power management table 400 has a plurality of items for power control. First of all, the power management table 400 includes a port 401 indicating each socket and an apparatus name 402 listing the connected apparatus connected to each socket.
• the power management table 400 includes the controllability information 403 indicating whether or not the connected apparatus is operable upon a control instruction from an external power control apparatus.
• the power management table 400 includes the off-timer information 404 indicating a period from appearance of no communication with other apparatuses until power supply can be stopped.
• This off-timer information 403 indicates off-timer present and absent, and if the off-timer is present, the time information is included.
• the power management table 400 includes the power supply stop condition information 405 indicating whether the power supply to the apparatus should be stopped after sending information notifying the stop of power supply or may be stopped without notifying the stop of power supply. If the power supply is stopped after sending the information notifying the power off, the power supply stop condition information 405 includes the timer information after request.
• Some apparatuses may be desirably operated by- regular power supply. For example, if a printer has not been operated for a long time, clogging of an ink head may occur.
• the information 406 indicating whether or not regular power supply is required is included.
• the time information indicating the interval at which power supply is required is included.
• the power supply may be stopped based on event information from another apparatus connected to the network of PLC.
• the end notification presence or absence information 407 is included.
• each entry is represented in sentence, but actually by a predetermined value in binary number because of digital data.
• a supply condition table indicating the condition of power supply to each connected apparatus is generated or updated, in addition to the power management table 400 at S304.
• the communication control unit 205 has a router function, in which an IP address is assigned to each external apparatus connected. And the supply condition table is generated based on the IP address assigned to each apparatus, and the MAC address of each apparatus.
• Reference numeral 420 of FIG. 4 denotes a supply condition table.
• reference numeral 421 denotes a connection port
• reference numeral 422 denotes the IP address of connected apparatus at each socket
• reference numeral 423 denotes the condition of power supply to each connected apparatus.
• Reference numeral 424 denotes the MAC address of each apparatus.
• the communication control unit 205 stores the supply condition table 420 in the internal memory.
• the off-timer time is set based on the off-timer information 403 (S305). If the off-timer is set, the internal timer is reset, and count thereof is started (S306) . That is, at the time when the external apparatus is newly connected, the timer for turning off the power supply is started to count.
• the connected apparatus is the PLC support apparatus, but the power control information is not sent at S303, the power management table is not generated or updated, but only the supply condition table is updated and the process is ended (S308) . Also, if the off-timer is not set at S305, the process is directly ended.
• the connected apparatus does not support the PLC at S302
• the power is wasted if the function of the communication circuit corresponding to the socket into which the apparatus is connected is valid.
• FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process for the communication control unit 205 where the power plug of the external apparatus is extracted.
• the detection unit 208 of FIG. 2 detects that the plug is removed from any of the sockets 211 to 241, and the event information indicating the removal is supplied to the communication control unit 205, whereby the flow of FIG. 4 is started.
• the apparatus extracted at this time supports the PLC, and registered in the power management table 400 and the supply condition table 420 of FIG. 4 (S501) . Specifically, it is detected which of the sockets 211 to 241 the plug is removed from. If the apparatus is registered in the management table, information on the removed apparatus is deleted from the power management table 400 and the supply condition table 420 of FIG. 4 (S502). Also, if the removed apparatus does not support the PLC, the process is directly ended.
• FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the communication control unit 206 when there is a communication request .
• the communication control unit 206 receiving communication information via the power plug 201 from the power line 110, discriminates whether or not the received information is sent to the apparatus connected at any of the sockets 211 to 241. And if the information is sent to any connected apparatus, it is discriminated whether or not the received information is a power stop request (S601) .
• the power supply condition of the apparatus to which the information received at this time is sent is detected, based on the supply condition table 420 of FIG. 4. And it is discriminated whether or not the apparatus is in the power supply condition (S602) . If the apparatus is supplying power, the process is directly continued. Also, if the apparatus is in the power supply stop condition, the power supply to the apparatus of sending destination is started by the power supply control circuit 207 (S603) . And the received information is sent via the splitter 206 and the communication circuit corresponding to the socket at which the apparatus of sending destination is connected (S604).
• the communication is ended (S605), it is discriminated whether or not the setting of the off-timer 404 is present for the apparatus that communicates at this time, based on the power management table 400 (S606) . If the setting of the off-timer is present, the internal timer is reset," and count thereof is started (S607). That is, at the time when the communication is newly made, the timer for turning off the power supply is started to count .
• the power supply condition of the apparatus to which the information received at this time is sent is detected, based on the supply condition table 420 of FIG. 4. And it is discriminated whether or not the apparatus is in the power supply condition (S608) . If the power supply is in a stop state, the process is directly ended.
• the power supply stop condition is set according to the power supply stop condition 405 of the power management table 400
• the stop condition is not set, the power supply to the socket at which the apparatus to send the power stop request is connected is stopped (S613) .
• the power supply stop condition is set, a power supply stop request is sent to the apparatus of sending destination according to the stop condition, and further after the passage of a time specified in the condition, the power supply to the corresponding socket is stopped (S610) .
• the judgment may be made by receiving data including a response code indicating ACK in the command part 1003 in FIG. 10 from the connected apparatus. In this way, after the power supply is stopped, it is discriminated whether or not the apparatus to which the power supply is stopped at this time requires the regular power supply, based on the information 406 of the power management table 400 (S611) .
• the timer is reset and started to count the period up to the power supply at the next time (S614) .
• the content of the information 423 of the power supply condition on the apparatus for which the power supply is stopped at this time is changed in the supply condition table 420, and the process is ended (S612) .
• FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control process for power supply according to the present embodiment.
• the process of FIG. 7 is performed by a CPU of the communication control unit 205 controlling each unit. Also, the process of FIG. 7 is regularly performed at a predetermined timing.
• one connected apparatus is selected from the power management table 400 of FIG. 4 (S701) . And it is discriminated whether or not the power supply to the selected connected apparatus is controllable (S702). If the power supply to the selected connected apparatus is not controllable, the process advances to S712. On the other hand, if the power supply to the selected connected apparatus is controllable, it is discriminated whether or not the selected apparatus is being supplied with power, based on the supply condition table 420 (S703).
• the process advances to S712. If the selected apparatus is being supplied with power, it is discriminated whether or not the setting of the off-timer is present, based on the off-timer information 404 of the power management table 400 (S704). If the setting of the off-timer is not present, the process advances to S712. On the other hand, if the setting of the off-timer is present, it is discriminated whether or not the count value of the off-timer is greater than or equal to a set value (S705) . If the count value is less than the set value, the process advances to S712.
• the power supply stop condition is set, based on the stop condition 405 of the power management table 400 (S706) . If the power supply stop condition is set, a power supply stop request is sent to the apparatus of sending destination according to the stop condition, and further after the passage of a time specified in the condition, the power supply to the corresponding socket is stopped (SlOl) . On the other hand, if the stop condition is not set, the power supply to the socket at which the apparatus of a sending destination of the power stop request is connected is stopped (S708) .
• the timer is reset and started to count the period up to the power supply at the next time (S710) .
• the content of the power supply condition information 423 on the apparatus to which the power supply is stopped at this time is changed in the supply condition table 420 (S711) .
• it is discriminated whether or not the process is ended for all the apparatuses registered in the power management table 400 (S712), and if there is remaining apparatus, the next apparatus is selected and the process returns to S702 (S713) .
• the power supply to the selected apparatus is stopped at S703, it is discriminated whether or not the power supply is regularly required (S714) .
• the process advances to S712. On the other hand, if the power supply is regularly required, it is discriminated whether or not the count value since the power supply is stopped at the previous time is greater than or equal to a set value (S715) . If the count value is less than the set value, the process advances to S712. On the other hand, if the count value is greater than or equal to the set value, the power supply to the socket at which the selected apparatus is connected is started (S716) . And the content of the power supply condition information 423 on the apparatus to which the power supply is started at this time is changed in the supply condition table 420 (S717) .
• the table tap 200 of FIG. 2 is used by inserting the power plug 201 into the socket in the home. Therefore, the power plug 201 may be extracted while the external apparatus is connected at each of the sockets 211 to 241 for the power plug 201.
• a process where the power plug 201 is extracted will be described below.
• a battery (not shown) for making the system operable for a certain time after the power plug 201 is extracted is built in. And after the power plug 201 is extracted, the system operates owing to electric power of this built-in battery.
• the process of FIG. 11 is started.
• the process of FIG. 11 is performed under the control of the communication control unit 205 of FIG. 2.
• one connected apparatus is selected from the power management table 400 of FIG. 4 (SIlOl) . And it is discriminated whether or not the power supply to the selected connected apparatus is controllable (S1102) . If the power supply to the selected connected apparatus is not controllable, the process advances to S1107. On the other hand, if the power supply to the selected connected apparatus is controllable, it is discriminated whether or not the selected apparatus is being supplied with power, based on the supply condition table 420 (S1103) .
• the process advances to S1107.
• the apparatus if the apparatus is being supplied with power, it is discriminated whether or not the power supply stop condition is set based on the stop condition 405 of the power management table 400 (S1104) . If the power supply stop condition is set, a power supply stop request is sent to the apparatus of sending destination, according to the stop condition, and further after the passage of a time specified in the condition, the power supply to the corresponding socket is stopped (S1105) . On the other hand, if the stop condition is not set, the power supply to the socket at which the apparatus to send the power stop request is connected is stopped (S1106).
• the information for power control is acquired from the external apparatus connected to the table tap 200, and the power supply to each apparatus is controlled based on this information for power control.
• the communication according to PLC when the communication according to PLC is performed, it is possible to reduce the standby power appropriately according to each apparatus . Also, in the present embodiment, if the connected apparatus does not support the PLC, the power supply to the communication circuit is stopped and the operation of the circuit is stopped, whereby the wasteful standby power in the table tap 200 can be reduced.
• the power management table 400 and the supply condition table 420 are stored as different tables in the memory in the present embodiment as shown in FIG. 4, they may be integrated into one table.
• the present embodiment information on the stop condition for power supply is received from the apparatus connected to the table tap. And if there is no communication for a certain period according to the stop condition, the power supply to the connected apparatus is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to reduce electricity consumption by adequately controlling the communication with and the power supply to the connected apparatus .

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Power Engineering (AREA)
• Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Cable Transmission Systems, Equalization Of Radio And Reduction Of Echo (AREA)
• Selective Calling Equipment (AREA)
• Remote Monitoring And Control Of Power-Distribution Networks (AREA)

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• 2007
  • 2007-07-12 JP JP2007182953A patent/JP5419331B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2008
  • 2008-06-23 WO PCT/JP2008/061785 patent/WO2009008272A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2008-06-23 US US12/600,581 patent/US8332056B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related

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