WO2016116986A1 - Load control device, communications device, and load control system - Google Patents

Load control device, communications device, and load control system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2016116986A1
WO2016116986A1 PCT/JP2015/006310 JP2015006310W WO2016116986A1 WO 2016116986 A1 WO2016116986 A1 WO 2016116986A1 JP 2015006310 W JP2015006310 W JP 2015006310W WO 2016116986 A1 WO2016116986 A1 WO 2016116986A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
load control
control unit
load
communication interface
time
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PCT/JP2015/006310
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French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
西村　篤久
工藤　弘行
真介 植田
東浜　弘忠
Original Assignee
パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
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Application filed by パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 filed Critical パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
Publication of WO2016116986A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016116986A1/en

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04Q—SELECTING
    • H04Q9/00—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B47/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
    • H05B47/10—Controlling the light source

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a load control device, a communication device, and a load control system, and in particular, a load control device configured to receive a radio signal using radio waves as a medium and control a load, the load control device and the radio signal
  • the present invention relates to a communication device configured to communicate by transmission and reception, the load control device, and a load control system including the communication device.
  • a load control system described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-152416 (hereinafter referred to as “Document 1”) is illustrated.
  • the conventional example described in Literature 1 includes a control device (load control device) that controls the illumination load and an operation terminal (communication device).
  • the control device includes a control unit, a load control unit, a wireless signal transmission / reception unit, an operation input reception unit, and the like as components.
  • the control device is embedded in the wall so that the above-described components are housed in a container made of a synthetic resin molded product, and the rear end of the container is embedded in an embedding hole provided in the wall surface. .
  • the load control unit is configured to drive a switch element (such as a relay or a semiconductor switching element) interposed in a power supply path from a commercial AC power source to a lighting load.
  • the wireless signal transmitting / receiving unit is configured to receive and transmit a wireless signal using radio waves as a medium via an antenna.
  • the operation input receiving unit has a plurality of push button switches, and receives an operation input corresponding to each push button switch when the push button switch is turned on, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation input to the control unit. Composed.
  • the control unit is configured to output a control signal to the load control unit in accordance with an operation signal output from the operation input receiving unit. Further, the control unit is configured to receive the wireless signal transmitted from the operation terminal by the wireless signal transmission / reception unit, and output the control signal to the load control unit according to the information included in the received wireless signal.
  • the load control unit drives the switch element in accordance with a control signal output from the control unit to turn on and off the lighting load.
  • the operation terminal includes a terminal control unit, a wireless signal transmission unit, an operation input reception unit, and the like as constituent elements.
  • the components of the operation terminal are housed in a container made of a synthetic resin molded product.
  • the wireless signal transmission unit is configured to transmit a wireless signal using radio waves as a medium.
  • the operation input receiving unit has a plurality of push button switches, and when the push button switch is turned on, receives an operation input corresponding to each push button switch and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation input to the terminal control unit. Configured as follows.
  • the terminal control unit generates load control information (load control command) corresponding to the operation signal output from the operation input receiving unit, and sends a wireless signal including the load control information to the control device from the wireless signal transmission unit. Send it.
  • the control unit of the control device that has received the load control information outputs a control signal to the load control unit, and the load control unit drives the switch element to control (turn on and off) the illumination load.
  • the load control device may return an acknowledgment (ACK: ACKnowledgement) message to the operation terminal that is the transmission source of the load control command. preferable.
  • ACK acknowledgment
  • a radio signal returned from the load control device (a wireless signal including a confirmation response message) may not be normally received by the operation terminal due to the influence of noise or the like.
  • This invention is made in view of the said subject, and aims at improving the reliability regarding radio
  • the load control device of the present invention includes a wireless communication interface, a switch element, and a control unit.
  • the wireless communication interface is configured to communicate with a communication device by transmitting and receiving wireless signals using radio waves as a medium.
  • the switch element is configured to turn on and off the power supply from the power source to the load.
  • the control unit is configured to turn on and off the switch element.
  • the control unit or the wireless communication interface is configured to acquire a control command from a wireless signal transmitted from the communication device.
  • the control unit is configured to turn on and off the switch element in accordance with a control command.
  • the control unit receives a wireless signal including a control command, the control unit is different from a time when a predetermined first time has elapsed from the time when the reception of the wireless signal is completed and a time when the reception of the wireless signal is completed.
  • the wireless signal including the confirmation response message is returned to the communication device via the wireless communication interface at each time point when the second length of time has elapsed.
  • the communication device of the present invention is configured to transmit a radio signal including a control command to the load control device.
  • the communication device includes a communication interface configured to transmit and receive the wireless signal, a sensor circuit configured to detect the occurrence of the event, and when the sensor circuit detects the occurrence of the event, A control unit configured to generate a corresponding control command and transmit a wireless signal including the control command to one or more load control devices from the communication interface.
  • the control unit of the communication device transmits a confirmation response returned by at least one of the load control devices from one to a plurality of load control devices during a predetermined standby time from the completion of transmission of the radio signal including the control command. If the wireless signal including the message is not received, the wireless signal including the control command is retransmitted from the communication interface.
  • the load control system of the present invention includes one or more load control devices and a communication device.
  • the load control device, the communication device, and the load control system of the present invention have an effect of improving the reliability related to wireless communication.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless adapter device that is an embodiment of a communication device according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 It is a frame format of a radio signal in an embodiment of a load control system concerning the present invention.
  • a lighting load (lighting fixture) is exemplified as a load to be controlled.
  • a load other than the lighting load can be included in the control target.
  • the load control system includes a plurality (two in the illustrated example) of load control devices 1, an operation terminal 2 corresponding to a communication device, and a wireless adapter device 3 corresponding to a communication device.
  • the wireless adapter device 3 preferably communicates wirelessly with the wireless communication device 4.
  • the wireless communication device 4 preferably performs wired communication with the communication terminal 5.
  • the wireless communication device 4 is, for example, a commercially available broadband router with a wireless LAN access point function.
  • the communication terminal 5 is a tablet computer device equipped with a wireless LAN communication function or a mobile phone (smart phone) equipped with a wireless LAN communication function.
  • the load control device 1, the operation terminal device 2, the wireless adapter device 3, and the wireless communication device 4 are all powered by a power source (commercial AC power source) 7 and operate. However, in FIG. 1, the illustration of power supply lines from the power supply 7 to the wireless adapter device 3 and the wireless communication device 4 is omitted.
  • the communication terminal 5 is equipped with a battery 51 and operates by being supplied with power from the battery 51.
  • the wireless communication device 4 and the communication terminal 5 as described above are well known in the art and will not be described in detail.
  • the load control device 1 includes a control unit 10, a communication interface (communication I / F) 1 IF, and a switch element 12.
  • the communication interface 1 IF is a wireless communication interface and includes an antenna 110 and an RF (Radio Frequency) circuit 11.
  • the load control device 1 preferably includes a storage unit (memory) 13, a power supply circuit 14, and a touch sensor 15.
  • the power supply circuit 14 is composed of, for example, a switching power supply circuit, and is configured to convert AC power supplied from the power supply 7 into DC power. Note that DC power output from the power supply circuit 14 is supplied to the control unit 10, the RF circuit 11, the touch sensor 15, and the like.
  • the switch element 12 is configured to open and close a power supply path from the power source 7 to the illumination load 6.
  • the switch element 12 is preferably composed of, for example, a bidirectional three-terminal thyristor (so-called triac). That is, when the switch element 12 is on, the switch element 12 supplies AC power to the lighting load 6 from the power source 7 to light the lighting load 6, and when the switch element 12 is off, the switching element 12 12 stops the supply of AC power from the power source 7 to the lighting load 6 and turns off the lighting load 6.
  • the switch element 12 may be configured by an electromagnetic relay or a semiconductor relay.
  • the control unit 10 is preferably composed of, for example, a processor (microcontroller). For example, the control unit 10, the load control device via the communication interface 1 IF from the operation terminal 2 and the wireless adapter apparatus 3 1 (e.g., the communication interface 1 IF identification code) Upon receiving the transmission frame including a control command for the The load 6 connected to the load control device 1 is controlled according to the control command.
  • the control unit 10 receives the transmission frame from the operation terminal 2 and the wireless adapter device 3 via the communication interface 1 IF , the control unit 10 creates a reply frame including a confirmation response message, and at a plurality of different times, It is comprised so that a reply frame may be returned via communication interface 1 IF .
  • the storage unit 13 is preferably composed of an electrically rewritable nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, for example. Various data is read from and written to the storage unit 13 by the control unit 10.
  • the RF circuit 11 is preferably composed of an integrated circuit in which, for example, a signal processing circuit 111, a transmission circuit 112, a reception circuit 113, a frequency synthesizer circuit 114, an antenna changeover switch 115, and the like are integrated on one chip.
  • the signal processing circuit 111 is configured to perform signal processing such as encoding of a transmission frame (baseband signal) and decoding of a reception frame.
  • the transmission circuit 112 modulates a carrier signal (for example, a 400 MHz band sine wave signal) with the transmission frame encoded by the signal processing circuit 111 (for example, frequency shift keying ⁇ FSK> modulation) to generate an output signal.
  • the output signal is configured to be output via the antenna 110.
  • the reception circuit 113 is configured to demodulate a reception frame from a signal received via the antenna 110.
  • the frequency synthesizer circuit 114 is configured to generate a carrier wave signal.
  • the antenna changeover switch 115 is configured to selectively switch the antenna 110 between the transmission circuit 112 and the reception circuit 113 for electrical connection.
  • RF circuit 11 is conventionally well-known, detailed description is abbreviate
  • the touch sensor 15 preferably includes a sensor circuit 151.
  • the sensor circuit 151 is configured to indirectly and individually measure the capacitance generated between the plurality of electrodes and the ground. Furthermore, the sensor circuit 151 determines that a human body (particularly a finger) is close to each electrode, that is, a touch operation is performed when the measured capacitance value changes beyond a predetermined threshold value. Configured as follows.
  • the sensor circuit 151 (touch sensor 15) is configured to output an operation signal indicating that a touch operation has been performed to the control unit 10.
  • the control unit 10 receives the operation signal from the touch sensor 15, the controller 10 inverts the state of the lighting load 6 by turning the switch element 12 on or off. For example, when the operation signal is received when the lighting load 6 is in the lighting state, the control unit 10 turns off the switch element 12 and turns off the lighting load 6. Alternatively, when the operation signal is received when the lighting load 6 is in the off state, the control unit 10 turns on the switch element 12 to light the lighting load 6.
  • the operation terminal device 2 includes a communication control unit 20 and a communication interface (communication I / F) 2 IF . Further, the operation terminal device 2 preferably includes a power supply circuit 22, a storage unit (memory) 23, and a touch sensor 24. However, the power supply circuit 22, the storage unit 23, and the touch sensor 24 preferably have a common configuration with the power supply circuit 14, the storage unit 13, and the touch sensor 15 of the load control device 1.
  • the communication control unit 20 is preferably composed of, for example, a processor (microcontroller). For example, when the communication control unit 20 receives an input signal from a sensor circuit (for example, the touch sensor 24), the communication control unit 20 creates a transmission frame including a control command corresponding to the input signal, and transmits the transmission frame via the communication interface 2 IF.
  • the frame is configured to be transmitted a plurality of times at different timings to at least one load control device 1 associated with the operation terminal 2. Further, the communication control unit 20 starts from all or part of the transmission destination of the transmission frame during the waiting time (see T in FIG. 7) from the end of the transmission period of the transmission frame (see T1 in FIG. 7).
  • the communication interface 2 IF is a wireless communication interface and includes an antenna 210 and an RF circuit 21.
  • the RF circuit 21 preferably has a common configuration with the RF circuit 11 of the load control device 1.
  • the touch sensor 24 When the touch sensor 24 is touched, a corresponding operation signal is output from the touch sensor 24 to the communication control unit 20.
  • the communication control unit 20 When receiving an operation signal from the touch sensor 24, the communication control unit 20 generates a transmission frame including a control command for instructing the lighting load 6 to be turned off, and outputs the transmission frame via the communication interface 2 IF . That is, in the operation terminal device 2, the touch sensor 24 corresponds to a sensor circuit (detection unit) configured to detect the occurrence of an event (touch operation).
  • the communication interface 2 IF encodes the transmission frame received from the communication control unit 20 with the RF circuit 21, modulates the carrier wave signal with the encoded transmission frame, generates an output signal, and wirelessly transmits the output signal from the antenna 210. Send as a signal.
  • the radio signal transmitted by the communication interface 2 IF is received by each corresponding load control device 1 as described later.
  • the control unit 10 turns off the switch element 12 according to the control command included in the radio signal.
  • the lighting load 6 is turned off.
  • the external structure of the load control device 1 and the operation terminal 2 will be briefly described. Since the load control device 1 and the operation terminal 2 have a substantially common appearance structure, only the appearance structure of the load control device 1 will be described below with reference to FIG.
  • the load control device 1 preferably has a main body 16 and an operation unit 17.
  • the main body 16 is composed of a rectangular parallelepiped synthetic resin molded body. It is preferable that a printed wiring board on which the control unit 10, the RF circuit 11, the switch element 12, the storage unit 13, and the power supply circuit 14 are mounted is accommodated in the main body 16.
  • the operation unit 17 is preferably configured such that a printed wiring board on which the touch sensor 15 is mounted is housed in a housing formed of a flat rectangular parallelepiped synthetic resin molding.
  • the operation unit 17 is preferably configured to be detachably attached to the front surface of the main body 16.
  • a connector is provided on each of the front surface of the main body 16 and the rear surface of the operation unit 17.
  • the connector on the main body 16 side and the connector on the operation unit 17 side are mechanically and electrically connected.
  • the touch sensor 15 can be touch-operated by touching the front surface of the operation unit 17 with a human finger.
  • the load control device 1 (and the operation terminal 2) is attached to the attachment frame 9 and embedded in the wall.
  • the mounting frame 9 is formed of a synthetic resin material into a rectangular frame shape having a mounting window hole.
  • the attachment frame 9 has a pair of vertical pieces 91 along the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) and a pair of horizontal pieces 92 that connect both ends of the pair of vertical pieces 91. That is, a space surrounded by the pair of vertical pieces 91 and the pair of horizontal pieces 92 is a window hole.
  • a plurality of (eight in the example of FIG. 4) mounting holes 93 are provided in each of the pair of vertical pieces 91.
  • Three attachment claws provided on the corresponding side surface of the main body 16 are inserted into and hooked on a part of the attachment holes 93 of each vertical piece 91 (for example, three attachment holes 93). That is, the six attachment claws on both side surfaces of the main body 16 are respectively inserted into the six attachment holes 93 of the pair of vertical pieces 91, whereby the front end portion of the main body 16 is inserted into the window hole of the attachment frame 9.
  • the main body 16 is attached to the attachment frame 9 in a state.
  • a screw insertion hole 920 through which a box screw is inserted passes through each of the pair of horizontal pieces 92 in the center in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction). Further, each of the pair of horizontal pieces 92 is provided with a screw hole 921 at the center in the longitudinal direction outside the screw insertion hole 920.
  • the mounting frame 9 is attached to a switch box embedded in the wall so that, for example, a pair of horizontal pieces 92 hits the periphery of an embedding hole provided in the wall. That is, the two bolts inserted through the screw insertion holes 920 of each horizontal piece 92 are screwed into the screw holes of the switch box.
  • the mounting frame 9 is fixed to the wall plate using a conventionally known clip metal fitting. Note that a decorative plate 900 is attached to the attachment frame 9, and the attachment frame 9 is obscured by the decorative plate 900 (see FIG. 1).
  • the wireless adapter device 3 includes an adapter control unit 30 and a communication interface (communication I / F) 3 IF .
  • the communication interface 3 IF is a wireless communication interface.
  • the wireless adapter device 3 preferably includes a communication interface (I / F) 32, a storage unit (memory) 33, and a power supply circuit 34.
  • the communication interface 32 is a wired communication interface.
  • the power supply circuit 34 and the storage unit 33 preferably have a common configuration with the power supply circuit 14 and the storage unit 13 of the load control device 1.
  • the adapter control unit 30 is preferably composed of, for example, a processor (microcontroller). For example, when receiving an input signal from an external device (for example, the communication terminal 5), the adapter control unit 30 creates a transmission frame including a control command corresponding to the input signal, and transmits the transmission frame via the communication interface 3 IF.
  • the frame is configured to be transmitted a plurality of times at different timings to at least one load control device 1 associated with the wireless adapter device 3. Further, the adapter control unit 30 must receive a reply frame including an acknowledgment message from all or a part of the transmission frame destination during the waiting time T from the end of the transmission period T1 of the transmission frame.
  • a transmission frame (retransmission frame) including the control command is created, and the retransmission frame is transmitted to all or part of the transmission destination via the communication interface 3 IF .
  • the communication interface 3 IF preferably includes an antenna 310 and an RF circuit 31.
  • the RF 31 circuit preferably has a common configuration with the RF circuit 11 of the load control device 1.
  • the communication interface 32 is preferably electrically connected to the wireless communication device 4 via the LAN cable 8 (see FIG. 1).
  • the communication interface 32 is preferably configured to perform communication (data transmission) based on a wired LAN standard such as 100BASE-TX, for example.
  • a wired LAN standard such as 100BASE-TX, for example.
  • omitted since such a communication interface 32 is conventionally well-known, detailed description is abbreviate
  • the communication interface 32 receives a packet transmitted from the wireless communication device 4 via the LAN cable 8, acquires a control command included in the packet, and passes it to the adapter control unit 30.
  • the adapter control unit 30 receives the control command
  • the adapter control unit 30 generates a transmission frame including a control command corresponding to the control command (for example, a control command for instructing the lighting load 6 to be turned off), and transmits the transmission frame to the communication interface 3 IF.
  • the communication interface 3 IF encodes the transmission frame received from the adapter control unit 30 with the RF circuit 31, modulates the carrier wave signal with the encoded transmission frame, generates an output signal, and outputs the output signal to the antenna 310. Is transmitted as a radio signal.
  • the radio signal transmitted by the communication interface 3 IF is received by each load control device 1 as described later. In each load control device 1, when the RF circuit 11 receives a radio signal, the control unit 10 turns off the switch element 12 and turns off the illumination load 6 in response to the control command included in the radio signal.
  • the wireless communication device 4 is preferably configured to generate a packet including a control command for the illumination load 6 based on an instruction from the communication terminal 5 and transmit the packet to the wireless adapter device 3. .
  • the communication terminal 5 executes an application program for load control.
  • a packet including a control command corresponding to the operation, for example, a control command for the illumination load 6 is transmitted from the communication terminal 5 to the wireless communication device 4 ( (See FIG. 1).
  • the wireless communication device 4 preferably transfers the packet to the wireless adapter device 3 via the LAN cable 8.
  • One frame 80 of the radio signal is preferably composed of a synchronization unit 81, a header unit 82, a data unit 83, and a check code 84.
  • the synchronization unit 81 preferably includes a preamble for achieving bit synchronization (symbol synchronization) and a unique word for achieving frame synchronization.
  • the header part 82 preferably includes data length information 821, additional information 822, transmission source information 823, transmission destination information 824, and the like.
  • the data length information 821 is information indicating the data length from the additional information 822 to the check code 84.
  • the additional information 822 preferably includes an ACK flag 8221.
  • the ACK flag 8221 is information instructing whether or not there is a reply request for an acknowledgment message (hereinafter referred to as an ACK message 832).
  • the transmission source information 823 is address information for specifying the transmission source of the frame 80.
  • the transmission destination information 824 is address information for specifying the transmission destination of the frame 80, and is the MAC address or a registration number (for example, an integer value of 1 to 20) assigned to each load control device 1. ) Is preferable.
  • the data section 83 preferably includes data such as a control command 831 and an ACK message 832.
  • the check code 84 is a code (code) for error detection of the frame 80, for example, a CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) code.
  • each load control device 1 Before starting the operation of the load control system, a registration number is assigned to each load control device 1 included in the load control system (see FIG. 7 described later).
  • the MAC address of the operation terminal 2 and the registration number given from the operation terminal 2 the MAC address of the wireless adapter device 3 and the registration number given from the wireless adapter device 3 are stored. Are preferably stored.
  • the registration number given from the operation terminal device 2 and the registration number given from the wireless adapter device 3 may be the same or different.
  • the two registration numbers are the same.
  • the first and second registration numbers are assigned to the two load control devices 1, respectively.
  • the registration number assigned to each load control device 1 and the MAC address of each load control device 1 are associated with each other in one-to-one correspondence. Preferably it is stored.
  • the wireless signal transmitted from the load control device 1 is unicast to the operation terminal 2 or the wireless adapter device 3, it is preferable to use the MAC address of the load control device 1 as the transmission source information.
  • the registration number of the load control device 1 is set.
  • the destination information 824 is preferably used.
  • the load control device 1 is installed in each of the living room and bedroom of the house, the operation terminal 2 is installed at the interior entrance of the house, and the wireless adapter device 3 is installed in the house. It is preferable to be installed in the living room.
  • the load control device 1 installed in the living room is assigned the first registration number, and the lighting load 6 (for example, a lighting fixture called a ceiling light) installed on the ceiling of the living room is a control target.
  • the load control device 1 installed in the bedroom is assigned a second registration number, and the lighting load 6 (for example, a lighting fixture called a ceiling light) installed on the ceiling of the bedroom is controlled. . That is, when the resident of the house goes out, touch operation of the touch sensor 24 of the operation terminal 2 installed at the inner entrance or touch operation of the touch panel 50 of the communication terminal 5 allows each of the living room and the bedroom.
  • the lighting load 6 can be turned off collectively.
  • each of the load control devices 1 (1 1 and 1 2 ) it is preferable that the RF circuit 11 performs intermittent reception with a constant intermittent period TA for the purpose of energy saving and suppression of temperature rise of circuit elements.
  • each of the load control device 1 2 having a load control device 1 1 and the registration number 2 having the registration number 1 is configured to perform intermittent reception at a constant intermittent period TA .
  • the communication control unit 20 of the operation terminal 2 receives an operation signal from the touch sensor 24. Subsequently, the communication control unit 20, a transmission frame 80 T plurality (e.g. five) comprising two load control device 1 1 and 1 2 to be transmitted, respectively, the control command 831 for turning off the lighting load 6 Is generated. However, all these transmission frame 80 T common. In each transmission frame 80, the ACK flag 8221 of the additional information 822 indicates that a reply request for the ACK message 832 exists (eg, “true”).
  • the transmission destination information 824 includes the registration numbers 1 and 2 of the load control devices 1 1 and 1 2
  • the transmission source information 823 includes the MAC address of the operation terminal 2
  • the data unit 83 includes including a control command 831 for instructing the turn off of the illumination load 6 of the load control device 1 1 and 1 2.
  • the communication interface 2 IF of the operation terminal device 2 continuously transmits a plurality of (for example, five) transmission frames 80 T as radio signals within a predetermined transmission period T1.
  • the transmission period T1 is preferably also sufficiently longer than the intermittent period TA of the RF circuit 11 of the load control device 1 1 and 1 2.
  • Each RF circuit 11 of the load control device 1 1 and 1 2 receives any one of the five radio signals within the transmission period T1, the transmission frame 80 T a radio signal received by demodulating and decoding get. However, the RF circuit 11 operates when the registration number as the transmission destination information 824 of the transmission frame 80 T does not match the own registration number or when the MAC address as the transmission source information 823 is stored in the storage unit 13. It does not match the MAC address of the terminal device 2 discards the transmission frame 80 T. Registration number matches its own registration number, if consistent with the MAC address MAC address of the transmission source information 823 is stored in the storage unit 13, RF circuit 11, and additional information 822 of the transmission frame 80 T The data (control command 831) of the data unit 83 is output to the control unit 10.
  • Each control unit 10 of the load control devices 1 1 and 1 2 starts its timer 101 (to the microcontroller) from the time when the additional information 822 and the control command 831 are received from the corresponding RF circuit 11 (when the reception of the radio signal is completed).
  • the built-in timer is operated (see FIG. 2).
  • the ACK flag 8221 of the additional information 822 indicates that a reply request for the ACK message 832 does not exist (for example, “false”)
  • each control unit 10 does not operate its timer 101.
  • the control unit 10 of the load control device 1 1 and 1 2 generates a return frame 80 R containing an ACK message 832.
  • the transmission destination information 824 includes the MAC address of the operation terminal device 2
  • the transmission source information 823 includes the MAC address of the corresponding load control device (communication interface 1 IF )
  • the data unit 83 It includes status data indicating the state (lights off) of the corresponding lighting load 6 (see FIG. 6). That is, the status data corresponds to the ACK message 832.
  • each control unit 10 outputs a reply frame 80 R to the corresponding RF circuit 11 and wirelessly transmits the reply frame 80 R from the RF circuit 11. Send by signal.
  • the TDMA Time Division Multiple Access
  • a plurality of time slots TS1, TS2,..., TSn-1, TSn starting from the time when a predetermined waiting time T2 has elapsed from the end of the transmission period T1 are defined.
  • any one time slot TSi 1, 2,..., N) is assigned to each load control device 1 so as not to overlap.
  • the load control device 1 1 of the registration number 1 the beginning of the time slot TS1 is assigned to the load control device 1 2 of the registration number 2, the second time slot TS2 is allocated.
  • these allocations are only examples.
  • Control unit 10 of the load control device 1 1 of the registration number 1 the elapsed time of the first time, i.e., at the beginning of the time slot TS1, is transmitted from the corresponding RF circuit 11 to return frame 80 R in a radio signal.
  • the control unit 10 of the load control device 1 2 of the registration No. 2 elapsed time of the first time, i.e., in the second time slot TS2, is transmitted from the corresponding RF circuit 11 to return frame 80 R in a radio signal .
  • the RF circuit 11 of each load control device 1 transmits a radio signal in different time slots TS1, TS2, there is a possibility that the communication device (the operation terminal device 2 and the wireless adapter device 3) can receive the radio signal.
  • the first time in each load control device 1 includes the remaining time from the completion of reception of the radio signal 80 T to the end of the transmission period T1, the waiting time T2, and its own time slot from the end of the waiting time T2. This is the total time with the elapsed time until the start of TSi.
  • the communication interface 2 IF of the operation terminal 2 operates the receiving circuit from the end time of the waiting time T2 to the end time of the last time slot TSn, and returns a reply frame 80 from the radio signal transmitted from each load control device 1. R is received.
  • the communication control unit 20 transmits the source information 823 of all reply frames 80 R received by the communication interface 2 IF after the end of the last time slot TSn, and the MAC address of the load control device 1 stored in the storage unit 23. And match.
  • the communication control unit 20 continues the current control process and, as shown in FIG. 80 T2 retransmission processing is executed. For example, the received reply frame 80 R returned from the load control device 1 2 of the registration number 2, an operation example when the reply frame from the load control device 1 1 of the registration number 1 was not received.
  • the communication control unit 20 of the operation terminal device 2 generates a plurality of retransmission frames 80 T2 .
  • these retransmission frames 80 T2 are all common to each other.
  • retransmission frame 80 T is (retransmitted not frame) for the first transmission frame 80 T, only registration number 1 could not receive the reply frame 80 R load control device 1 1 is in the transmission destination information 824 It is preferably included.
  • the communication interface 2 IF of the operation terminal 2 continuously transmits a plurality of retransmission frames 80 T2 as radio signals within the next transmission period T1 (see FIG. 8).
  • RF circuit 11 of the load control device 1 2 of the registration No. 2 is to receive one of the radio signal in the transmission period T1, the transmission destination information 824 of the retransmitted frame 80 T2 obtained from the radio signal, the load Since the registration number 2 of the control device 12 is not included, the retransmission frame 80 T2 is discarded.
  • RF circuit 11 of the load control device 1 1 of the registration number 1 the transmission destination information 824 registration number 1 of the load control device 1 1 of the retransmitted frame 80 T2 caused by the radio signal received within the transmission period T1 Therefore, the additional information 822 of the retransmission frame 80 T2 and the data of the data unit 83 (control command 831) are output to the corresponding control unit 10.
  • the control unit 10 of the load control device 1 1 of the registration number 1 operates its own timer 101.
  • the control unit 10 of the load control device 1 1 of the registration number 1 generates a return frame 80 R2 containing an ACK message 832. Then, the controller 10 returns the reply frame 80 R2 between the time when the elapsed time counted by the timer 101 reaches the first time and the time when the elapsed time reaches the second time that is different in length from the first time. Is output to the RF circuit 11 and the reply frame 80 R2 is transmitted from the RF circuit 11 as a radio signal. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 10 preferably causes the RF circuit 11 to transmit a reply frame 80 R2 as a radio signal in the first time slot TS1 and the n-3th time slot TSn-3. .
  • the second time is the remaining time from the completion of reception of the radio signal to the end of the transmission period T1, the waiting time T2, and the n-3th time slot TSn-3 from the end of the waiting time T2. It is the total time with the elapsed time up to the start time. That is, the load control device 1 (1 1 in the example of FIG. 8) of the present embodiment sends the reply frame 80 R2 to the operation terminal 2 a plurality of times at different timings with the radio signal (twice in the example of FIG. 8). ) By transmitting, it is possible to increase the probability that the operation terminal 2 receives the radio signal and to improve the reliability of the radio communication. However, when the control unit 10 of the load control device 1 of the present embodiment receives a radio signal first transmitted from the operation terminal device 2, the control unit 10 transmits a reply frame in two different time slots TS1 and TSn-3. You can send it with
  • the communication interface 2 IF of the operation terminal 2 operates the receiving circuit from the end time of the waiting time T2 to the end time of the last time slot TSn.
  • the communication interface 2 IF the operation terminal 2 the first time slot TS1, n-3-th of the two return frame of the load control device 1 1 of the register number 1 in the time slot of the time slot TSn-3
  • An opportunity to receive 80 R2 as a radio signal can be obtained.
  • the communication control unit 20 transmits the transmission source information 823 of all reply frames 80 R2 received by the communication interface 2 IF , and the load control device with the registration number 1 stored in the storage unit 23 1 Matches 1 MAC address.
  • the communication control unit 20 ends the present control process.
  • the communication control unit 20 again performs the retransmission processing of the transmission frame.
  • the communication control unit 20 stops the retransmission process when the ACK message 832 cannot be received from all the load control apparatuses 1 even if the retransmission process is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, three times).
  • the communication control unit 20 of the operation terminal 2 retransmits the transmission frame including the control command 831 from the communication interface 2 IF with a radio signal when the ACK message 832 cannot be received. Therefore, it is possible to improve the reliability related to wireless communication.
  • each load control device 1 and communication device are configured as described above. Therefore, the probability that a reply frame returned from the load control device 1, that is, a radio signal is received by the communication devices (the operation terminal device 2 and the wireless adapter device 3) increases. As a result, the load control system of the present embodiment can improve the reliability related to wireless communication.
  • the control unit 10 of the load control device 1 operates in the same manner when a wireless signal including a control command is transmitted from the wireless adapter device 3.
  • the load control device 1 of the present embodiment includes the communication interface 1 IF configured to communicate with the communication devices (the operation terminal 2 and the wireless adapter device 3) by transmitting and receiving wireless signals using radio waves as media.
  • the switch element 12 is configured to turn on and off the power supply (power supply circuit) from the power source 7 to the load (illumination load 6), and the control unit 10 is configured to turn the switch element 12 on and off.
  • the communication interface 1 IF is a wireless communication interface and includes an antenna 110 and an RF circuit 11.
  • the control unit 10 is configured to acquire a control command from a radio signal transmitted from the communication device via the communication interface 1 IF .
  • the communication interface 1 IF is configured to obtain a control command from a radio signal transmitted from the communication device.
  • the control unit 10 is configured to turn on and off the switch element 12 according to a control command.
  • the control unit 10 is different from a time point when a predetermined first time has elapsed from the time when the reception of the radio signal is completed and a time point after the completion of reception of the radio signal.
  • the wireless signal including the confirmation response message is returned to the communication device via the communication interface 1 IF .
  • the load control device 1 according to the present embodiment is configured as described above, and transmits wireless signals including an acknowledgment message at different timings (the time when the first time has passed and the time when the second time has passed). As a result, the load control device 1 according to the present embodiment can improve the reliability related to wireless communication compared to the case where the wireless signal is transmitted only once.
  • the communication device (the operation terminal device 2 and the wireless adapter device 3) of the present embodiment is configured to transmit a wireless signal including a control command to the load control device 1.
  • the communication device (operation terminal 2 or wireless adapter device 3) of the present embodiment detects a communication interface (2 IF or 3 IF ) configured to transmit and receive wireless signals, and the occurrence of an event.
  • a configured sensor circuit touch sensor 24 or communication interface 32.
  • the communication device generates a control command corresponding to the event and sends a radio signal including the control command from the communication interface (2 IF or 3 IF ) to one or more
  • a control unit (communication control unit 20 or adapter control unit 30) configured to be transmitted to the load control device 1 is provided.
  • the control unit (20 or 30) sends an acknowledgment message returned by each load control device 1 during a predetermined standby time T (total time of T2 + TS1 to TSn) from the time when transmission of the radio signal including the control command is completed.
  • the wireless signal including is configured to be received via a communication interface (2 IF or 3 IF ). Further, the communication control unit 20 issues a control command if the communication interface (2 IF or 3 IF ) does not receive a radio signal including an acknowledgment message from at least one load control device 1 during the standby time T.
  • the wireless signal including the signal is configured to be retransmitted from the communication interface (2 IF or 3 IF ).
  • the communication apparatus is configured as described above, and retransmits a radio signal including a control command from the communication interface (2 IF or 3 IF ) when an acknowledgment message is not returned from at least one load control apparatus 1. Therefore, it is possible to improve the reliability related to wireless communication.
  • the load control system includes one or more load control devices 1 and a communication device (operation terminal device 2) configured to transmit a radio signal including a control command to the load control device 1. And a wireless adapter device 3). Therefore, the load control system according to the present embodiment increases the probability that a wireless signal returned from the load control device 1 will be received by the communication device (the operation terminal device 2 and the wireless adapter device 3). Can be improved.
  • the control unit 10 returns a radio signal including an acknowledgment message via the communication interface 1 IF in each of the main time slot and the sub time slot. It is preferable to be configured as described above.
  • the communication interface 1 IF is configured to return a radio signal including an acknowledgment message in each of the main time slot as well as the sub time slots. These time slots are preferably any one of a plurality of time slots TS1 to TSn starting from the reception completion point of the radio signal including the control command.
  • the load control device 1 of the present embodiment is configured as described above, it is possible to avoid collision of radio signals transmitted from the plurality of load control devices 1 and improve the reliability of radio communication.
  • the control unit 10 selects one registration number from the registration numbers not included in the transmission destination information 824 of the transmission frame, and sets the main time slot assigned to the load control device 1 with the registration number as its own. It may be configured to be used as a sub time slot.
  • the control unit 10 transmits a radio signal including an acknowledgment message to the communication interface 1 IF in the sub time slot only when the sub time slot is not used.
  • a radio signal including an acknowledgment message to the communication interface 1 IF in the sub time slot only when the sub time slot is not used.
  • the communication interface 1 IF is configured to return a radio signal including an acknowledgment message in the sub time slot only if the sub time slot is not used.
  • load control device 1 of the present embodiment is configured as described above, it is possible to avoid collision of radio signals in advance and further improve the reliability of radio communication.
  • the control part (communication control part 20 or adapter control part 30) of a communication apparatus is comprised as follows. . That is, the control unit controls only the load control device 1 that has not returned a radio signal including an acknowledgment message when retransmitting a radio signal including a control command from the communication interface (2 IF or 3 IF ). Preferably, the radio signal including the command is configured to be retransmitted. Further, the control unit 10 of the load control device 1 transmits the wireless signal including the confirmation response message to the communication interface only when the wireless signal including the control command retransmitted from the communication device is received via the communication interface 1 IF. 1 Preferably configured to transmit to a communication device via an IF .
  • the load control device 1 does not need to transmit unnecessary radio signals, so that energy saving can be achieved.
  • the RF circuit 11 (signal processing circuit thereof) performs a process of transmitting a reply frame including the ACK message 832 twice with a radio signal. It may be configured. Further, the control unit 10 of one load control device 1 may cause the RF circuit 11 to transmit a reply frame as a radio signal in two or more sub time slots.
  • the operation terminal device 2 embedded in the wall is illustrated as the communication device, but an operation terminal device having another structure may be included as the communication device.
  • Such an operation terminal is preferably formed in a shape and size that can be operated and carried by a resident, for example.
  • control unit 10 of the load control device 1 dims the lighting load 6 by turning on and off the switch element 12 and phase-controlling the power supply voltage applied from the power source 7 to the lighting load 6. It may be configured.

Abstract

A load control device comprising a wireless communications interface, a switch element, and a control unit. The control unit is configured so as to: execute a control command from a wireless signal sent from a communications device via the wireless communications interface; and turn the switch element ON and OFF in accordance with the control command. In addition, the control unit is configured such that, if a wireless signal including a control command is received, a wireless signal including a confirmation response message is returned to the communications device both when which a prescribed first time has passed since reception of the wireless signal has been completed and when a second time having a different length than the first time has passed since said reception-completed time.

Description

負荷制御装置、通信装置および負荷制御システムLoad control device, communication device, and load control system
　本発明は、負荷制御装置、通信装置および負荷制御システムに関し、特に、電波を媒体とする無線信号を受信して負荷を制御するように構成される負荷制御装置、当該負荷制御装置と無線信号の送受信により通信するように構成される通信装置、および当該負荷制御装置ならびに当該通信装置を有する負荷制御システムに関する。 The present invention relates to a load control device, a communication device, and a load control system, and in particular, a load control device configured to receive a radio signal using radio waves as a medium and control a load, the load control device and the radio signal The present invention relates to a communication device configured to communicate by transmission and reception, the load control device, and a load control system including the communication device.
　従来例として、日本国特許出願公開番号２０１０－１５２４１６（以下「文献１」という）記載の負荷制御システムを例示する。文献１記載の従来例は、照明負荷を制御する制御装置（負荷制御装置）と、操作端末器（通信装置）とを有する。 As a conventional example, a load control system described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-152416 (hereinafter referred to as “Document 1”) is illustrated. The conventional example described in Literature 1 includes a control device (load control device) that controls the illumination load and an operation terminal (communication device).
　制御装置は、制御部、負荷制御部、ワイヤレス信号送受信部および操作入力受付部などを構成要素として備える。また制御装置は、合成樹脂成形品からなる器体内に上記構成要素が収納され、器体の後端部が壁面に設けられた埋込孔に埋め込まれるようにして壁に埋込配設される。 The control device includes a control unit, a load control unit, a wireless signal transmission / reception unit, an operation input reception unit, and the like as components. The control device is embedded in the wall so that the above-described components are housed in a container made of a synthetic resin molded product, and the rear end of the container is embedded in an embedding hole provided in the wall surface. .
　負荷制御部は、商用交流電源から照明負荷への給電経路に介在されたスイッチ要素（リレーや半導体スイッチング素子など）を駆動するように構成される。ワイヤレス信号送受信部は、アンテナを介して電波を媒体とするワイヤレス信号を受信および送信するように構成される。操作入力受付部は、複数の押釦スイッチを有し、押釦スイッチがオン操作されることによって各押釦スイッチに対応した操作入力を受け付け、当該操作入力に対応した操作信号を制御部に出力するように構成される。 The load control unit is configured to drive a switch element (such as a relay or a semiconductor switching element) interposed in a power supply path from a commercial AC power source to a lighting load. The wireless signal transmitting / receiving unit is configured to receive and transmit a wireless signal using radio waves as a medium via an antenna. The operation input receiving unit has a plurality of push button switches, and receives an operation input corresponding to each push button switch when the push button switch is turned on, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation input to the control unit. Composed.
　制御部は、操作入力受付部から出力される操作信号に応じて負荷制御部に制御信号を出力するように構成される。さらに制御部は、操作端末器から送信されたワイヤレス信号をワイヤレス信号送受信部で受信し、受信したワイヤレス信号に含まれる情報に応じて負荷制御部に制御信号を出力するように構成される。負荷制御部では、制御部から出力される制御信号に応じてスイッチ要素を駆動して照明負荷を点灯および消灯する。 The control unit is configured to output a control signal to the load control unit in accordance with an operation signal output from the operation input receiving unit. Further, the control unit is configured to receive the wireless signal transmitted from the operation terminal by the wireless signal transmission / reception unit, and output the control signal to the load control unit according to the information included in the received wireless signal. The load control unit drives the switch element in accordance with a control signal output from the control unit to turn on and off the lighting load.
　操作端末器は、端末器制御部、ワイヤレス信号送信部、操作入力受付部などを構成要素として備える。また、合成樹脂成形品からなる器体内に操作端末器の構成要素が収納される。ワイヤレス信号送信部は、電波を媒体とするワイヤレス信号を送信するように構成される。操作入力受付部は、複数の押釦スイッチを有し、押釦スイッチがオン操作されることによって各押釦スイッチに対応した操作入力を受け付け、当該操作入力に対応した操作信号を端末器制御部に出力するように構成される。端末器制御部は、操作入力受付部から出力される操作信号に応じた負荷制御情報（負荷制御コマンド）を生成し、当該負荷制御情報を含むワイヤレス信号をワイヤレス信号送信部より制御装置に宛てて送信させる。そして、当該負荷制御情報を受け取った制御装置の制御部が負荷制御部へ制御信号を出力し、負荷制御部がスイッチ要素を駆動することで照明負荷が制御（点灯および消灯）される。 The operation terminal includes a terminal control unit, a wireless signal transmission unit, an operation input reception unit, and the like as constituent elements. In addition, the components of the operation terminal are housed in a container made of a synthetic resin molded product. The wireless signal transmission unit is configured to transmit a wireless signal using radio waves as a medium. The operation input receiving unit has a plurality of push button switches, and when the push button switch is turned on, receives an operation input corresponding to each push button switch and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation input to the terminal control unit. Configured as follows. The terminal control unit generates load control information (load control command) corresponding to the operation signal output from the operation input receiving unit, and sends a wireless signal including the load control information to the control device from the wireless signal transmission unit. Send it. Then, the control unit of the control device that has received the load control information outputs a control signal to the load control unit, and the load control unit drives the switch element to control (turn on and off) the illumination load.
　ところで、上記従来例における負荷制御装置は、上記負荷制御コマンドを受信した場合、当該負荷制御コマンドの送信元である操作端末器に対して、確認応答（ACK：ACKnowledgement）のメッセージを返信することが好ましい。 By the way, when the load control device in the conventional example receives the load control command, the load control device may return an acknowledgment (ACK: ACKnowledgement) message to the operation terminal that is the transmission source of the load control command. preferable.
　しかしながら、負荷制御装置から返信される無線信号（確認応答のメッセージを含むワイヤレス信号）が、ノイズの影響等によって操作端末器で正常に受信されない場合がある。 However, a radio signal returned from the load control device (a wireless signal including a confirmation response message) may not be normally received by the operation terminal due to the influence of noise or the like.
　本発明は、上記課題に鑑みてなされており、無線通信に関する信頼性の向上を図ることを目的とする。 This invention is made in view of the said subject, and aims at improving the reliability regarding radio | wireless communication.
　本発明の負荷制御装置は、無線通信インタフェースと、スイッチ素子と、制御部とを備える。無線通信インタフェースは、通信装置と電波を媒体とする無線信号の送受信により通信するように構成される。 The load control device of the present invention includes a wireless communication interface, a switch element, and a control unit. The wireless communication interface is configured to communicate with a communication device by transmitting and receiving wireless signals using radio waves as a medium.
　スイッチ素子は、電源から負荷への給電を入切するように構成される。制御部は、スイッチ素子をオンおよびオフするように構成される。制御部または無線通信インタフェースは、通信装置から送信される無線信号から制御コマンドを取得するように構成される。制御部は、制御コマンドに応じてスイッチ素子をオンおよびオフするように構成される。制御部は、無線通信インタフェースが制御コマンドを含む無線信号を受信した場合、当該無線信号の受信完了時点から所定の第１時間が経過した時点、ならびに無線信号の受信完了時点から第１時間と異なる長さの第２時間が経過した時点のそれぞれにおいて、確認応答のメッセージを含む無線信号を、無線通信インタフェースを介して通信装置に返信するように構成される。 The switch element is configured to turn on and off the power supply from the power source to the load. The control unit is configured to turn on and off the switch element. The control unit or the wireless communication interface is configured to acquire a control command from a wireless signal transmitted from the communication device. The control unit is configured to turn on and off the switch element in accordance with a control command. When the wireless communication interface receives a wireless signal including a control command, the control unit is different from a time when a predetermined first time has elapsed from the time when the reception of the wireless signal is completed and a time when the reception of the wireless signal is completed. The wireless signal including the confirmation response message is returned to the communication device via the wireless communication interface at each time point when the second length of time has elapsed.
　本発明の通信装置は、上記負荷制御装置に対して、制御コマンドを含む無線信号を送信するように構成される。通信装置は、前記無線信号を送信および受信するように構成される通信インタフェースと、イベントの発生を検知するように構成されるセンサ回路と、センサ回路がイベントの発生を検知した場合、当該イベントに対応した制御コマンドを生成し、かつ制御コマンドを含む無線信号を通信インタフェースから１乃至複数の負荷制御装置に送信させるように構成される制御部とを備える。通信装置の制御部は、制御コマンドを含む無線信号の送信完了時点から所定の待機時間の間に、通信インタフェースが１乃至複数の負荷制御装置のうちの少なくとも１つの負荷制御装置が返信する確認応答のメッセージを含む無線信号を受信しなければ、制御コマンドを含む無線信号を通信インタフェースから再送させるように構成される。 The communication device of the present invention is configured to transmit a radio signal including a control command to the load control device. The communication device includes a communication interface configured to transmit and receive the wireless signal, a sensor circuit configured to detect the occurrence of the event, and when the sensor circuit detects the occurrence of the event, A control unit configured to generate a corresponding control command and transmit a wireless signal including the control command to one or more load control devices from the communication interface. The control unit of the communication device transmits a confirmation response returned by at least one of the load control devices from one to a plurality of load control devices during a predetermined standby time from the completion of transmission of the radio signal including the control command. If the wireless signal including the message is not received, the wireless signal including the control command is retransmitted from the communication interface.
　本発明の負荷制御システムは、１乃至複数の負荷制御装置と、通信装置とを有する。 The load control system of the present invention includes one or more load control devices and a communication device.
　本発明の負荷制御装置、通信装置および負荷制御システムは、無線通信に関する信頼性の向上を図ることができるという効果がある。 The load control device, the communication device, and the load control system of the present invention have an effect of improving the reliability related to wireless communication.
　図面は本教示に従って一又は複数の実施例を示すが、限定するものではなく例に過ぎない。図面において、同様の符号は同じか類似の要素を指す。
本発明に係る負荷制御システムの実施形態を示すシステム構成図である。 本発明に係る負荷制御装置の実施形態を示すブロック図である。 本発明に係る通信装置の実施形態である操作端末器のブロック図である。 本発明に係る負荷制御装置の実施形態を示す斜視図である。 本発明に係る通信装置の実施形態である無線アダプタ装置のブロック図である。 本発明に係る負荷制御システムの実施形態における無線信号のフレームフォーマットである。 本発明に係る負荷制御システムの実施形態の動作説明用のタイムチャートである。 本発明に係る負荷制御システムの実施形態の動作説明用のタイムチャートである。 The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments in accordance with the present teachings, but are by way of example and not limitation. In the drawings, like numerals refer to the same or similar elements.
It is a system configuration figure showing an embodiment of a load control system concerning the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows embodiment of the load control apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram of the operation terminal which is embodiment of the communication apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a load control device concerning the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless adapter device that is an embodiment of a communication device according to the present invention. FIG. It is a frame format of a radio signal in an embodiment of a load control system concerning the present invention. It is a time chart for operation | movement description of embodiment of the load control system which concerns on this invention. It is a time chart for operation | movement description of embodiment of the load control system which concerns on this invention.
　以下、本発明に係る負荷制御装置、通信装置および負荷制御システムの実施形態について、図面を参照して詳細に説明する。なお、以下に説明する実施形態では、制御対象の負荷として照明負荷（照明器具）を例示するが、照明負荷以外の負荷を制御対象に含めることも可能である。 Hereinafter, embodiments of a load control device, a communication device, and a load control system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment described below, a lighting load (lighting fixture) is exemplified as a load to be controlled. However, a load other than the lighting load can be included in the control target.
　まず、本実施形態の負荷制御システムについて説明する。負荷制御システムは、図１に示すように、複数（図示例では２つ）の負荷制御装置１と、通信装置に相当する操作端末器２と、同じく通信装置に相当する無線アダプタ装置３とを有する。また、無線アダプタ装置３は、無線通信装置４と無線通信することが好ましい。さらに、無線通信装置４は、通信端末５と有線通信することが好ましい。無線通信装置４は、例えば、市販されている無線ＬＡＮアクセスポイント機能付きのブロードバンドルータである。また、通信端末５は、無線ＬＡＮの通信機能を搭載したタブレット型のコンピュータ装置、あるいは無線ＬＡＮの通信機能を搭載した携帯電話機（スマートフォン）である。負荷制御装置１と操作端末器２と無線アダプタ装置３と無線通信装置４は、何れも電源（商用交流電源）７から給電されて動作する。ただし、図１では電源７から無線アダプタ装置３および無線通信装置４への給電線の図示を省略している。通信端末５は、バッテリ５１を搭載し、バッテリ５１から給電されて動作する。なお、上述のような無線通信装置４および通信端末５は従来周知であるから、詳細な説明を省略する。 First, the load control system of this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the load control system includes a plurality (two in the illustrated example) of load control devices 1, an operation terminal 2 corresponding to a communication device, and a wireless adapter device 3 corresponding to a communication device. Have. The wireless adapter device 3 preferably communicates wirelessly with the wireless communication device 4. Further, the wireless communication device 4 preferably performs wired communication with the communication terminal 5. The wireless communication device 4 is, for example, a commercially available broadband router with a wireless LAN access point function. The communication terminal 5 is a tablet computer device equipped with a wireless LAN communication function or a mobile phone (smart phone) equipped with a wireless LAN communication function. The load control device 1, the operation terminal device 2, the wireless adapter device 3, and the wireless communication device 4 are all powered by a power source (commercial AC power source) 7 and operate. However, in FIG. 1, the illustration of power supply lines from the power supply 7 to the wireless adapter device 3 and the wireless communication device 4 is omitted. The communication terminal 5 is equipped with a battery 51 and operates by being supplied with power from the battery 51. The wireless communication device 4 and the communication terminal 5 as described above are well known in the art and will not be described in detail.
　負荷制御装置１は、図２に示すように、制御部１０と、通信インタフェース（通信Ｉ／Ｆ）１ＩＦと、スイッチ素子１２とを備える。好ましくは、通信インタフェース１ＩＦは、無線通信インタフェースであり、アンテナ１１０およびＲＦ（Radio Frequency）回路１１を有する。さらに、負荷制御装置１は、記憶部（メモリ）１３と、電源回路１４と、タッチセンサ１５とを備えることが好ましい。 As shown in FIG. 2, the load control device 1 includes a control unit 10, a communication interface (communication I / F) 1 IF, and a switch element 12. Preferably, the communication interface 1 IF is a wireless communication interface and includes an antenna 110 and an RF (Radio Frequency) circuit 11. Furthermore, the load control device 1 preferably includes a storage unit (memory) 13, a power supply circuit 14, and a touch sensor 15.
　電源回路１４は、例えば、スイッチング電源回路で構成され、電源７から供給される交流電力を直流電力に変換するように構成される。なお、電源回路１４から出力される直流電力が制御部１０、ＲＦ回路１１およびタッチセンサ１５などに給電される。 The power supply circuit 14 is composed of, for example, a switching power supply circuit, and is configured to convert AC power supplied from the power supply 7 into DC power. Note that DC power output from the power supply circuit 14 is supplied to the control unit 10, the RF circuit 11, the touch sensor 15, and the like.
　スイッチ素子１２は、電源７から照明負荷６への給電路を開閉するように構成される。スイッチ素子１２は、例えば、双方向３端子サイリスタ（いわゆるトライアック）で構成されることが好ましい。つまり、スイッチ素子１２がオンしているときに、スイッチ素子１２は、電源７から照明負荷６に交流電力を給電して照明負荷６を点灯し、スイッチ素子１２がオフしているときには、スイッチ素子１２は、電源７から照明負荷６への交流電力の供給を停止して、照明負荷６を消灯する。ただし、スイッチ素子１２は、電磁リレーあるいは半導体リレーで構成されても構わない。 The switch element 12 is configured to open and close a power supply path from the power source 7 to the illumination load 6. The switch element 12 is preferably composed of, for example, a bidirectional three-terminal thyristor (so-called triac). That is, when the switch element 12 is on, the switch element 12 supplies AC power to the lighting load 6 from the power source 7 to light the lighting load 6, and when the switch element 12 is off, the switching element 12 12 stops the supply of AC power from the power source 7 to the lighting load 6 and turns off the lighting load 6. However, the switch element 12 may be configured by an electromagnetic relay or a semiconductor relay.
　制御部１０は、例えば、プロセッサ（マイクロコントローラ）で構成されることが好ましい。例えば、制御部１０は、通信インタフェース１ＩＦを介して操作端末器２および無線アダプタ装置３から負荷制御装置１（例えば、通信インタフェース１ＩＦの識別符号）に対する制御コマンドを含む送信フレームを受信すれば、その制御コマンドに従って負荷制御装置１に接続された負荷６を制御するように構成される。また、制御部１０は、通信インタフェース１ＩＦを介して操作端末器２および無線アダプタ装置３から上記送信フレームを受信したとき、確認応答のメッセージを含む返信フレームを作成し、複数の異なる時点で、通信インタフェース１ＩＦを介して返信フレームを返信するように構成される。記憶部１３は、例えば、フラッシュメモリなどの電気的に書換可能な不揮発性の半導体メモリで構成されることが好ましい。記憶部１３は、制御部１０によって種々のデータが読み書きされる。 The control unit 10 is preferably composed of, for example, a processor (microcontroller). For example, the control unit 10, the load control device via the communication interface 1 IF from the operation terminal 2 and the wireless adapter apparatus 3 1 (e.g., the communication interface 1 IF identification code) Upon receiving the transmission frame including a control command for the The load 6 connected to the load control device 1 is controlled according to the control command. In addition, when the control unit 10 receives the transmission frame from the operation terminal 2 and the wireless adapter device 3 via the communication interface 1 IF , the control unit 10 creates a reply frame including a confirmation response message, and at a plurality of different times, It is comprised so that a reply frame may be returned via communication interface 1 IF . The storage unit 13 is preferably composed of an electrically rewritable nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, for example. Various data is read from and written to the storage unit 13 by the control unit 10.
　ＲＦ回路１１は、例えば、信号処理回路１１１、送信回路１１２、受信回路１１３、周波数シンセサイザ回路１１４およびアンテナ切替スイッチ１１５などが１チップに集積された集積回路で構成されることが好ましい。信号処理回路１１１は、送信フレーム（ベースバンド信号）の符号化、ならびに受信フレームの復号化などの信号処理を行うように構成される。送信回路１１２は、信号処理回路１１１で符号化された送信フレームで搬送波信号（例えば、４００メガヘルツ帯の正弦波信号）を変調（例えば、周波数シフトキーイング＜ＦＳＫ＞変調）して出力信号を生成し、出力信号をアンテナ１１０を介して出力するように構成される。受信回路１１３は、アンテナ１１０を介して受信した信号から受信フレームを復調するように構成される。周波数シンセサイザ回路１１４は、搬送波信号を生成するように構成される。アンテナ切替スイッチ１１５は、アンテナ１１０を、送信回路１１２と受信回路１１３に択一的に切り替えて電気的に接続するように構成される。ただし、このようなＲＦ回路１１は従来周知であるから、詳細な説明を省略する。 The RF circuit 11 is preferably composed of an integrated circuit in which, for example, a signal processing circuit 111, a transmission circuit 112, a reception circuit 113, a frequency synthesizer circuit 114, an antenna changeover switch 115, and the like are integrated on one chip. The signal processing circuit 111 is configured to perform signal processing such as encoding of a transmission frame (baseband signal) and decoding of a reception frame. The transmission circuit 112 modulates a carrier signal (for example, a 400 MHz band sine wave signal) with the transmission frame encoded by the signal processing circuit 111 (for example, frequency shift keying <FSK> modulation) to generate an output signal. The output signal is configured to be output via the antenna 110. The reception circuit 113 is configured to demodulate a reception frame from a signal received via the antenna 110. The frequency synthesizer circuit 114 is configured to generate a carrier wave signal. The antenna changeover switch 115 is configured to selectively switch the antenna 110 between the transmission circuit 112 and the reception circuit 113 for electrical connection. However, since such an RF circuit 11 is conventionally well-known, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.
　タッチセンサ１５は、センサ回路１５１を備えることが好ましい。センサ回路１５１は、複数の電極とグランドの間に生じる静電容量を間接的かつ個別に計測するように構成される。さらに、センサ回路１５１は、静電容量の計測値が所定のしきい値を超えて変化したときに、それぞれの電極に人の身体（特に手指）が近接した、すなわち、タッチ操作されたと判断するように構成される。そして、センサ回路１５１（タッチセンサ１５）は、タッチ操作されたことを示す操作信号を制御部１０に出力するように構成される。 The touch sensor 15 preferably includes a sensor circuit 151. The sensor circuit 151 is configured to indirectly and individually measure the capacitance generated between the plurality of electrodes and the ground. Furthermore, the sensor circuit 151 determines that a human body (particularly a finger) is close to each electrode, that is, a touch operation is performed when the measured capacitance value changes beyond a predetermined threshold value. Configured as follows. The sensor circuit 151 (touch sensor 15) is configured to output an operation signal indicating that a touch operation has been performed to the control unit 10.
　続いて、負荷制御装置１の基本動作を説明する。タッチセンサ１５がタッチ操作されると、タッチセンサ１５から制御部１０に、対応する操作信号が出力される。制御部１０は、タッチセンサ１５から操作信号を受け取ると、スイッチ素子１２をオンまたはオフすることで照明負荷６の状態を反転させる。例えば、照明負荷６が点灯状態のときに操作信号を受け取った場合、制御部１０は、スイッチ素子１２をオフして照明負荷６を消灯する。あるいは、照明負荷６が消灯状態のときに操作信号を受け取った場合、制御部１０は、スイッチ素子１２をオンして照明負荷６を点灯する。 Subsequently, the basic operation of the load control device 1 will be described. When the touch sensor 15 is touched, a corresponding operation signal is output from the touch sensor 15 to the control unit 10. When the control unit 10 receives the operation signal from the touch sensor 15, the controller 10 inverts the state of the lighting load 6 by turning the switch element 12 on or off. For example, when the operation signal is received when the lighting load 6 is in the lighting state, the control unit 10 turns off the switch element 12 and turns off the lighting load 6. Alternatively, when the operation signal is received when the lighting load 6 is in the off state, the control unit 10 turns on the switch element 12 to light the lighting load 6.
　操作端末器２は、図３に示すように、通信制御部２０と、通信インタフェース（通信Ｉ／Ｆ）２ＩＦとを備える。さらに、操作端末器２は、電源回路２２と、記憶部（メモリ）２３と、タッチセンサ２４とを備えることが好ましい。ただし、電源回路２２、記憶部２３およびタッチセンサ２４は、負荷制御装置１の電源回路１４、記憶部１３およびタッチセンサ１５とそれぞれ共通の構成を有することが好ましい。 As shown in FIG. 3, the operation terminal device 2 includes a communication control unit 20 and a communication interface (communication I / F) 2 IF . Further, the operation terminal device 2 preferably includes a power supply circuit 22, a storage unit (memory) 23, and a touch sensor 24. However, the power supply circuit 22, the storage unit 23, and the touch sensor 24 preferably have a common configuration with the power supply circuit 14, the storage unit 13, and the touch sensor 15 of the load control device 1.
　通信制御部２０は、例えば、プロセッサ（マイクロコントローラ）で構成されることが好ましい。例えば、通信制御部２０は、センサ回路（例えばタッチセンサ２４）から入力信号を受信すれば、その入力信号に対応する制御コマンドを含む送信フレームを作成し、通信インタフェース２ＩＦを介して、その送信フレームを、操作端末器２に関連付けられた少なくとも１つの負荷制御装置１に、異なるタイミングで複数回送信するように構成される。また、通信制御部２０は、上記送信フレームの送信期間（図７のＴ１参照）の終了時点から待機時間（図７のＴ参照）の間に、上記送信フレームの送信先の全部または一部から確認応答のメッセージを含む返信フレームを受信しなければ、上記制御コマンドを含む送信フレーム（再送信フレーム）を作成し、通信インタフェース２ＩＦを介して、再送信フレームを、上記送信先の全部または一部に送信するように構成される。好ましくは、通信インタフェース２ＩＦは、無線通信インタフェースであり、アンテナ２１０およびＲＦ回路２１を有する。ただし、ＲＦ回路２１は、負荷制御装置１のＲＦ回路１１と共通の構成を有することが好ましい。 The communication control unit 20 is preferably composed of, for example, a processor (microcontroller). For example, when the communication control unit 20 receives an input signal from a sensor circuit (for example, the touch sensor 24), the communication control unit 20 creates a transmission frame including a control command corresponding to the input signal, and transmits the transmission frame via the communication interface 2 IF. The frame is configured to be transmitted a plurality of times at different timings to at least one load control device 1 associated with the operation terminal 2. Further, the communication control unit 20 starts from all or part of the transmission destination of the transmission frame during the waiting time (see T in FIG. 7) from the end of the transmission period of the transmission frame (see T1 in FIG. 7). If a reply frame including an acknowledgment message is not received, a transmission frame (retransmission frame) including the control command is generated, and the retransmission frame is transmitted to all or one of the transmission destinations via the communication interface 2 IF. Configured to transmit to a section. Preferably, the communication interface 2 IF is a wireless communication interface and includes an antenna 210 and an RF circuit 21. However, the RF circuit 21 preferably has a common configuration with the RF circuit 11 of the load control device 1.
　続いて、操作端末器２の基本動作を説明する。タッチセンサ２４がタッチ操作されると、タッチセンサ２４から通信制御部２０に、対応する操作信号が出力される。通信制御部２０は、タッチセンサ２４から操作信号を受け取ると、例えば、照明負荷６の消灯を指示する制御コマンドを含む送信フレームを生成し、当該送信フレームを通信インタフェース２ＩＦを介して出力する。つまり、操作端末器２においては、タッチセンサ２４がイベントの発生（タッチ操作）を検知するように構成されるセンサ回路（検知部）に相当する。 Next, the basic operation of the operation terminal device 2 will be described. When the touch sensor 24 is touched, a corresponding operation signal is output from the touch sensor 24 to the communication control unit 20. When receiving an operation signal from the touch sensor 24, the communication control unit 20 generates a transmission frame including a control command for instructing the lighting load 6 to be turned off, and outputs the transmission frame via the communication interface 2 IF . That is, in the operation terminal device 2, the touch sensor 24 corresponds to a sensor circuit (detection unit) configured to detect the occurrence of an event (touch operation).
　通信インタフェース２ＩＦは、通信制御部２０から受け取った送信フレームをＲＦ回路２１で符号化し、かつ符号化された送信フレームで搬送波信号を変調して出力信号を生成し、出力信号をアンテナ２１０から無線信号として送信する。なお、通信インタフェース２ＩＦが送信した無線信号は、後述するように、対応する各負荷制御装置１で受信される。そして、対応する各負荷制御装置１では、ＲＦ回路１１が、対応する操作端末器２からの無線信号を受信すると、制御部１０が、当該無線信号に含まれる制御コマンドに従ってスイッチ素子１２をオフして照明負荷６を消灯する。 The communication interface 2 IF encodes the transmission frame received from the communication control unit 20 with the RF circuit 21, modulates the carrier wave signal with the encoded transmission frame, generates an output signal, and wirelessly transmits the output signal from the antenna 210. Send as a signal. Note that the radio signal transmitted by the communication interface 2 IF is received by each corresponding load control device 1 as described later. In each corresponding load control device 1, when the RF circuit 11 receives a radio signal from the corresponding operation terminal 2, the control unit 10 turns off the switch element 12 according to the control command included in the radio signal. The lighting load 6 is turned off.
　ここで、負荷制御装置１ならびに操作端末器２の外観構造を簡単に説明する。なお、負荷制御装置１と操作端末器２はほぼ共通の外観構造を有しているので、以下では、負荷制御装置１の外観構造についてのみ、図４を参照して説明する。 Here, the external structure of the load control device 1 and the operation terminal 2 will be briefly described. Since the load control device 1 and the operation terminal 2 have a substantially common appearance structure, only the appearance structure of the load control device 1 will be described below with reference to FIG.
　図４の例に示すように、負荷制御装置１は、本体１６と操作ユニット１７を有することが好ましい。本体１６は、直方体形状の合成樹脂成形体で構成される。本体１６の内部には、制御部１０、ＲＦ回路１１、スイッチ素子１２、記憶部１３および電源回路１４が実装されたプリント配線板が収容されることが好ましい。一方、操作ユニット１７は、扁平な直方体形状の合成樹脂成形体からなるハウジングの内部に、タッチセンサ１５が実装されたプリント配線板が収容されて構成されることが好ましい。操作ユニット１７は、本体１６の前面に着脱可能に取り付けられるように構成されることが好ましい。また、本体１６の前面と操作ユニット１７の後面に、それぞれコネクタが設けられることが好ましい。そして、本体１６の前面に操作ユニット１７が取り付けられると、本体１６側のコネクタと操作ユニット１７側のコネクタが機械的かつ電気的に接続されることが好ましい。なお、操作ユニット１７の前面に人の手指が触れることでタッチセンサ１５をタッチ操作することができる。 As shown in the example of FIG. 4, the load control device 1 preferably has a main body 16 and an operation unit 17. The main body 16 is composed of a rectangular parallelepiped synthetic resin molded body. It is preferable that a printed wiring board on which the control unit 10, the RF circuit 11, the switch element 12, the storage unit 13, and the power supply circuit 14 are mounted is accommodated in the main body 16. On the other hand, the operation unit 17 is preferably configured such that a printed wiring board on which the touch sensor 15 is mounted is housed in a housing formed of a flat rectangular parallelepiped synthetic resin molding. The operation unit 17 is preferably configured to be detachably attached to the front surface of the main body 16. Moreover, it is preferable that a connector is provided on each of the front surface of the main body 16 and the rear surface of the operation unit 17. When the operation unit 17 is attached to the front surface of the main body 16, it is preferable that the connector on the main body 16 side and the connector on the operation unit 17 side are mechanically and electrically connected. The touch sensor 15 can be touch-operated by touching the front surface of the operation unit 17 with a human finger.
　また、負荷制御装置１（および操作端末器２）は、取付枠９に取り付けられて壁に埋込配設されることが好ましい。取付枠９は、合成樹脂材料により、取付用の窓孔を有した矩形枠状に形成される。取付枠９は、長手方向（上下方向）に沿った一対の縦片９１と、一対の縦片９１の両端同士を連結する一対の横片９２とを有する。つまり、一対の縦片９１及び一対の横片９２に囲まれた空間が窓孔となる。 Further, it is preferable that the load control device 1 (and the operation terminal 2) is attached to the attachment frame 9 and embedded in the wall. The mounting frame 9 is formed of a synthetic resin material into a rectangular frame shape having a mounting window hole. The attachment frame 9 has a pair of vertical pieces 91 along the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) and a pair of horizontal pieces 92 that connect both ends of the pair of vertical pieces 91. That is, a space surrounded by the pair of vertical pieces 91 and the pair of horizontal pieces 92 is a window hole.
　一対の縦片９１の各々には、複数（図４の例では８個）の取付孔９３が設けられている。各縦片９１の取付孔９３の一部（例えば３個の取付孔９３）に、本体１６の対応する側面に設けられる３個の取付爪が挿入され、かつ引っ掛けられる。つまり、本体１６の両側面の６個の取付爪がそれぞれ一対の縦片９１の６個の取付孔９３に挿入されることにより、本体１６の前端部が取付枠９の窓孔に挿通された状態で本体１６が取付枠９に取り付けられる。 A plurality of (eight in the example of FIG. 4) mounting holes 93 are provided in each of the pair of vertical pieces 91. Three attachment claws provided on the corresponding side surface of the main body 16 are inserted into and hooked on a part of the attachment holes 93 of each vertical piece 91 (for example, three attachment holes 93). That is, the six attachment claws on both side surfaces of the main body 16 are respectively inserted into the six attachment holes 93 of the pair of vertical pieces 91, whereby the front end portion of the main body 16 is inserted into the window hole of the attachment frame 9. The main body 16 is attached to the attachment frame 9 in a state.
　また、一対の横片９２の各々には、長手方向（左右方向）の中央に、ボックスねじが挿通されるねじ挿通孔９２０が貫通している。さらに、一対の横片９２の各々には、ねじ挿通孔９２０の外側における長手方向の中央にねじ孔９２１が設けられている。 Further, a screw insertion hole 920 through which a box screw is inserted passes through each of the pair of horizontal pieces 92 in the center in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction). Further, each of the pair of horizontal pieces 92 is provided with a screw hole 921 at the center in the longitudinal direction outside the screw insertion hole 920.
　取付枠９は、例えば、壁に設けられる埋込孔の周辺に一対の横片９２が当たるようにして、当該壁に埋め込まれたスイッチボックスに取り付けられる。つまり、各横片９２のねじ挿通孔９２０に挿通される２本のボルトが、スイッチボックスのねじ孔にねじ止めされる。ただし、スイッチボックスが埋め込まれていない場合、取付枠９は、従来周知の挟み金具を用いて壁板に固定される。なお、取付枠９には化粧プレート９００が取り付けられ、当該化粧プレート９００によって取付枠９が覆い隠される（図１参照）。 The mounting frame 9 is attached to a switch box embedded in the wall so that, for example, a pair of horizontal pieces 92 hits the periphery of an embedding hole provided in the wall. That is, the two bolts inserted through the screw insertion holes 920 of each horizontal piece 92 are screwed into the screw holes of the switch box. However, when the switch box is not embedded, the mounting frame 9 is fixed to the wall plate using a conventionally known clip metal fitting. Note that a decorative plate 900 is attached to the attachment frame 9, and the attachment frame 9 is obscured by the decorative plate 900 (see FIG. 1).
　無線アダプタ装置３は、図５に示すように、アダプタ制御部３０と、通信インタフェース（通信Ｉ／Ｆ）３ＩＦとを備える。図５の例では、通信インタフェース３ＩＦは、無線通信インタフェースである。さらに、無線アダプタ装置３は、通信インタフェース（Ｉ／Ｆ）３２と、記憶部（メモリ）３３と、電源回路３４とを備えることが好ましい。図５の例では、通信インタフェース３２は有線通信インタフェースである。ただし、電源回路３４および記憶部３３は、負荷制御装置１の電源回路１４および記憶部１３とそれぞれ共通の構成を有することが好ましい。 As shown in FIG. 5, the wireless adapter device 3 includes an adapter control unit 30 and a communication interface (communication I / F) 3 IF . In the example of FIG. 5, the communication interface 3 IF is a wireless communication interface. Further, the wireless adapter device 3 preferably includes a communication interface (I / F) 32, a storage unit (memory) 33, and a power supply circuit 34. In the example of FIG. 5, the communication interface 32 is a wired communication interface. However, the power supply circuit 34 and the storage unit 33 preferably have a common configuration with the power supply circuit 14 and the storage unit 13 of the load control device 1.
　アダプタ制御部３０は、例えば、プロセッサ（マイクロコントローラ）で構成されることが好ましい。例えば、アダプタ制御部３０は、外部装置（例えば通信端末５）から入力信号を受信すれば、その入力信号に対応する制御コマンドを含む送信フレームを作成し、通信インタフェース３ＩＦを介して、その送信フレームを、無線アダプタ装置３に関連付けられた少なくとも１つの負荷制御装置１に、異なるタイミングで複数回送信するように構成される。また、アダプタ制御部３０は、上記送信フレームの送信期間Ｔ１の終了時点から待機時間Ｔの間に、上記送信フレームの送信先の全部または一部から確認応答のメッセージを含む返信フレームを受信しなければ、上記制御コマンドを含む送信フレーム（再送信フレーム）を作成し、通信インタフェース３ＩＦを介して、再送信フレームを、上記送信先の全部または一部に送信するように構成される。通信インタフェース３ＩＦは、アンテナ３１０およびＲＦ回路３１を有することが好ましい。ただし、ＲＦ３１回路は、負荷制御装置１のＲＦ回路１１と共通の構成を有することが好ましい。 The adapter control unit 30 is preferably composed of, for example, a processor (microcontroller). For example, when receiving an input signal from an external device (for example, the communication terminal 5), the adapter control unit 30 creates a transmission frame including a control command corresponding to the input signal, and transmits the transmission frame via the communication interface 3 IF. The frame is configured to be transmitted a plurality of times at different timings to at least one load control device 1 associated with the wireless adapter device 3. Further, the adapter control unit 30 must receive a reply frame including an acknowledgment message from all or a part of the transmission frame destination during the waiting time T from the end of the transmission period T1 of the transmission frame. For example, a transmission frame (retransmission frame) including the control command is created, and the retransmission frame is transmitted to all or part of the transmission destination via the communication interface 3 IF . The communication interface 3 IF preferably includes an antenna 310 and an RF circuit 31. However, the RF 31 circuit preferably has a common configuration with the RF circuit 11 of the load control device 1.
　通信インタフェース３２は、ＬＡＮケーブル８によって無線通信装置４と電気的に接続されることが好ましい（図１参照）。通信インタフェース３２は、例えば、100BASE-TXなどの有線ＬＡＮの規格に準拠した通信（データ伝送）を行うように構成されることが好ましい。ただし、このような通信インタフェース３２は従来周知であるから、詳細な説明を省略する。 The communication interface 32 is preferably electrically connected to the wireless communication device 4 via the LAN cable 8 (see FIG. 1). The communication interface 32 is preferably configured to perform communication (data transmission) based on a wired LAN standard such as 100BASE-TX, for example. However, since such a communication interface 32 is conventionally well-known, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.
　続いて、無線アダプタ装置３の基本動作を説明する。通信インタフェース３２は、無線通信装置４からＬＡＮケーブル８を介して送信されるパケットを受信し、当該パケットに含まれる制御指令を取得してアダプタ制御部３０に渡す。アダプタ制御部３０は、当該制御指令を受け取ると、制御指令に対応した制御コマンド（例えば、照明負荷６の消灯を指示する制御コマンド）を含む送信フレームを生成し、当該送信フレームを通信インタフェース３ＩＦを介して出力する。つまり、無線アダプタ装置３においては、通信インタフェース３２がイベントの発生（制御指令を含むパケットの受信）を検知するセンサ回路（検知部）に相当する。 Next, the basic operation of the wireless adapter device 3 will be described. The communication interface 32 receives a packet transmitted from the wireless communication device 4 via the LAN cable 8, acquires a control command included in the packet, and passes it to the adapter control unit 30. When the adapter control unit 30 receives the control command, the adapter control unit 30 generates a transmission frame including a control command corresponding to the control command (for example, a control command for instructing the lighting load 6 to be turned off), and transmits the transmission frame to the communication interface 3 IF. Output via. That is, in the wireless adapter device 3, the communication interface 32 corresponds to a sensor circuit (detection unit) that detects the occurrence of an event (reception of a packet including a control command).
　通信インタフェース３ＩＦは、アダプタ制御部３０から受け取った送信フレームをＲＦ回路３１で符号化し、かつ符号化された送信フレームで搬送波信号を変調して出力信号を生成し、その出力信号を、アンテナ３１０から無線信号として送信する。なお、通信インタフェース３ＩＦが送信した無線信号は、後述するように各負荷制御装置１で受信される。そして、各負荷制御装置１では、ＲＦ回路１１が無線信号を受信すると、制御部１０が、当該無線信号に含まれる制御コマンドに対応してスイッチ素子１２をオフして照明負荷６を消灯する。 The communication interface 3 IF encodes the transmission frame received from the adapter control unit 30 with the RF circuit 31, modulates the carrier wave signal with the encoded transmission frame, generates an output signal, and outputs the output signal to the antenna 310. Is transmitted as a radio signal. The radio signal transmitted by the communication interface 3 IF is received by each load control device 1 as described later. In each load control device 1, when the RF circuit 11 receives a radio signal, the control unit 10 turns off the switch element 12 and turns off the illumination load 6 in response to the control command included in the radio signal.
　ここで、無線通信装置４は、通信端末５からの指示に基づいて、照明負荷６に対する制御指令を含むパケットを生成し、そのパケットを無線アダプタ装置３に送信するように構成されることが好ましい。例えば、通信端末５は、負荷制御のためのアプリケーションプログラムを実行する。そして、利用者が通信端末５のタッチパネル５０をタッチ操作すれば、当該操作に対応した制御指令、例えば、照明負荷６に対する制御指令を含むパケットが通信端末５から無線通信装置４へ送信される（図１参照）。無線通信装置４は、通信端末５から送信されるパケットを受信すると、当該パケットを、ＬＡＮケーブル８を介して無線アダプタ装置３へ転送することが好ましい。 Here, the wireless communication device 4 is preferably configured to generate a packet including a control command for the illumination load 6 based on an instruction from the communication terminal 5 and transmit the packet to the wireless adapter device 3. . For example, the communication terminal 5 executes an application program for load control. When the user performs a touch operation on the touch panel 50 of the communication terminal 5, a packet including a control command corresponding to the operation, for example, a control command for the illumination load 6, is transmitted from the communication terminal 5 to the wireless communication device 4 ( (See FIG. 1). When receiving the packet transmitted from the communication terminal 5, the wireless communication device 4 preferably transfers the packet to the wireless adapter device 3 via the LAN cable 8.
　ここで、負荷制御装置１と操作端末器２および無線アダプタ装置３との間で送信ならびに受信される無線信号のフレームフォーマットを図６に示す。無線信号の１フレーム８０は、同期部８１、ヘッダ部８２、データ部８３およびチェックコード８４で構成されることが好ましい。同期部８１は、ビット同期（シンボル同期）を取るためのプリアンブルと、フレーム同期を取るためのユニークワードとを含むことが好ましい。 Here, a frame format of a radio signal transmitted and received between the load control device 1 and the operation terminal 2 and the wireless adapter device 3 is shown in FIG. One frame 80 of the radio signal is preferably composed of a synchronization unit 81, a header unit 82, a data unit 83, and a check code 84. The synchronization unit 81 preferably includes a preamble for achieving bit synchronization (symbol synchronization) and a unique word for achieving frame synchronization.
　ヘッダ部８２は、図６に示すように、データ長情報８２１、付加情報８２２、送信元情報８２３および送信先情報８２４などを含むことが好ましい。データ長情報８２１は、付加情報８２２からチェックコード８４までのデータ長を示す情報である。付加情報８２２は、ＡＣＫフラグ８２２１を含むことが好ましい。ＡＣＫフラグ８２２１は、確認応答のメッセージ（以下、ＡＣＫメッセージ８３２と呼ぶ。）の返信要求の有無を指示する情報である。送信元情報８２３は、当該フレーム８０の送信元を特定するためのアドレス情報である。このようなアドレス情報としては、例えば、負荷制御装置１（通信インタフェース１ＩＦ）、操作端末器２（通信インタフェース２ＩＦ）または無線アダプタ装置３（通信インタフェース３ＩＦ）に割り当てられているＭＡＣ（Media Access Control）アドレスが用いられることが好ましい。また、送信先情報８２４は、当該フレーム８０の送信先を特定するためのアドレス情報であり、上記ＭＡＣアドレス、もしくは、個々の負荷制御装置１に割り当てられる登録番号（例えば、１～２０の整数値）であることが好ましい。 As shown in FIG. 6, the header part 82 preferably includes data length information 821, additional information 822, transmission source information 823, transmission destination information 824, and the like. The data length information 821 is information indicating the data length from the additional information 822 to the check code 84. The additional information 822 preferably includes an ACK flag 8221. The ACK flag 8221 is information instructing whether or not there is a reply request for an acknowledgment message (hereinafter referred to as an ACK message 832). The transmission source information 823 is address information for specifying the transmission source of the frame 80. As such address information, for example, the MAC (Media Interface) allocated to the load control device 1 (communication interface 1 IF ), the operation terminal 2 (communication interface 2 IF ), or the wireless adapter device 3 (communication interface 3 IF ). Access Control) addresses are preferably used. The transmission destination information 824 is address information for specifying the transmission destination of the frame 80, and is the MAC address or a registration number (for example, an integer value of 1 to 20) assigned to each load control device 1. ) Is preferable.
　データ部８３は、制御コマンド８３１やＡＣＫメッセージ８３２などのデータを含むことが好ましい。チェックコード８４は、当該フレーム８０の誤り検出のための符号（コード）、例えば、ＣＲＣ（Cyclic Redundancy Check：巡回冗長検査）符号である。 The data section 83 preferably includes data such as a control command 831 and an ACK message 832. The check code 84 is a code (code) for error detection of the frame 80, for example, a CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) code.
　ここで、各負荷制御装置１に割り当てられる登録番号について説明する。本負荷制御システムの運用開始前に、当該負荷制御システムに含まれる各負荷制御装置１に登録番号が付与される（後述の図７参照）。各負荷制御装置１の記憶部１３には、操作端末器２のＭＡＣアドレスならびに操作端末器２から付与される登録番号と、無線アダプタ装置３のＭＡＣアドレスならびに無線アダプタ装置３から付与される登録番号とが記憶されることが好ましい。ただし、操作端末器２から付与される登録番号と、無線アダプタ装置３から付与される登録番号とは、同一であってもよいし、異なっていてもよい。以下では、説明を簡単にするため、２つの登録番号が同一である場合を想定する。なお、本実施形態の負荷制御システムでは、２つの負荷制御装置１にそれぞれ１番、２番の登録番号が付与されている。 Here, the registration number assigned to each load control device 1 will be described. Before starting the operation of the load control system, a registration number is assigned to each load control device 1 included in the load control system (see FIG. 7 described later). In the storage unit 13 of each load control device 1, the MAC address of the operation terminal 2 and the registration number given from the operation terminal 2, the MAC address of the wireless adapter device 3 and the registration number given from the wireless adapter device 3 are stored. Are preferably stored. However, the registration number given from the operation terminal device 2 and the registration number given from the wireless adapter device 3 may be the same or different. Hereinafter, in order to simplify the description, it is assumed that the two registration numbers are the same. In the load control system of the present embodiment, the first and second registration numbers are assigned to the two load control devices 1, respectively.
　一方、操作端末器２の記憶部２３および無線アダプタ装置３の記憶部３３には、各負荷制御装置１に付与した登録番号と各負荷制御装置１のＭＡＣアドレスとが１対１に対応付けて記憶されることが好ましい。 On the other hand, in the storage unit 23 of the operation terminal device 2 and the storage unit 33 of the wireless adapter device 3, the registration number assigned to each load control device 1 and the MAC address of each load control device 1 are associated with each other in one-to-one correspondence. Preferably it is stored.
　つまり、負荷制御装置１から送信される無線信号は、操作端末器２または無線アダプタ装置３へユニキャストされるので、送信元情報として負荷制御装置１のＭＡＣアドレスが用いられることが好ましい。一方、操作端末器２および無線アダプタ装置３から送信される無線信号は、複数の負荷制御装置１へマルチキャストされるので、送信先情報８２４の情報量を減らすため、負荷制御装置１の登録番号を送信先情報８２４とすることが好ましい。 That is, since the wireless signal transmitted from the load control device 1 is unicast to the operation terminal 2 or the wireless adapter device 3, it is preferable to use the MAC address of the load control device 1 as the transmission source information. On the other hand, since radio signals transmitted from the operation terminal 2 and the wireless adapter device 3 are multicast to a plurality of load control devices 1, in order to reduce the information amount of the transmission destination information 824, the registration number of the load control device 1 is set. The destination information 824 is preferably used.
　本実施形態の負荷制御システムでは、例えば、住宅の居間と寝室とにそれぞれ負荷制御装置１が設置され、操作端末器２が当該住宅の内玄関に設置され、さらに、無線アダプタ装置３が当該住宅の居間に設置されることが好ましい。居間に設置されている負荷制御装置１は、１番の登録番号が付与されており、居間の天井に設置された照明負荷６（例えば、シーリングライトと呼ばれる照明器具）を制御対象としている。一方、寝室に設置されている負荷制御装置１は、２番の登録番号が付与されており、寝室の天井に設置された照明負荷６（例えば、シーリングライトと呼ばれる照明器具）を制御対象としている。つまり、当該住宅の住人が外出する際、内玄関に設置されている操作端末器２のタッチセンサ２４をタッチ操作するか、あるいは通信端末５のタッチパネル５０をタッチ操作すれば、居間ならびに寝室の各照明負荷６を一括して消灯することができる。 In the load control system of the present embodiment, for example, the load control device 1 is installed in each of the living room and bedroom of the house, the operation terminal 2 is installed at the interior entrance of the house, and the wireless adapter device 3 is installed in the house. It is preferable to be installed in the living room. The load control device 1 installed in the living room is assigned the first registration number, and the lighting load 6 (for example, a lighting fixture called a ceiling light) installed on the ceiling of the living room is a control target. On the other hand, the load control device 1 installed in the bedroom is assigned a second registration number, and the lighting load 6 (for example, a lighting fixture called a ceiling light) installed on the ceiling of the bedroom is controlled. . That is, when the resident of the house goes out, touch operation of the touch sensor 24 of the operation terminal 2 installed at the inner entrance or touch operation of the touch panel 50 of the communication terminal 5 allows each of the living room and the bedroom. The lighting load 6 can be turned off collectively.
　次に、図７および図８のタイムチャートを参照しながら、本実施形態の負荷制御システムの動作例を詳しく説明する。なお、負荷制御装置１（１１および１２）の各々において、ＲＦ回路１１は、省エネルギーおよび回路素子の温度上昇の抑制を目的として、一定の間欠周期ＴＡで間欠受信を行うことが好ましい。図７および図８の例では、登録番号１を有する負荷制御装置１１および登録番号２を有する負荷制御装置１２の各々は、一定の間欠周期ＴＡで間欠受信を行うように構成されている。 Next, an operation example of the load control system of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the time charts of FIGS. 7 and 8. In each of the load control devices 1 (1 1 and 1 2 ), it is preferable that the RF circuit 11 performs intermittent reception with a constant intermittent period TA for the purpose of energy saving and suppression of temperature rise of circuit elements. In the example of FIGS. 7 and 8, each of the load control device 1 2 having a load control device 1 1 and the registration number 2 having the registration number 1 is configured to perform intermittent reception at a constant intermittent period TA .
　例えば、外出しようとする住人が、内玄関に設置されている操作端末器２のタッチセンサ２４をタッチ操作すると、操作端末器２の通信制御部２０は、タッチセンサ２４から操作信号を受け取る。続いて、通信制御部２０は、２つの負荷制御装置１１および１２にそれぞれ送信されるべき、照明負荷６を消灯させるための制御コマンド８３１を含む複数（例えば５つ）の送信フレーム８０Ｔを生成する。ただし、これらの送信フレーム８０Ｔは全て共通である。また、各送信フレーム８０において、付加情報８２２のＡＣＫフラグ８２２１は、ＡＣＫメッセージ８３２の返信要求が存在していることを示す（例えば「真」である）。さらに、各送信フレーム８０Ｔにおいて、送信先情報８２４は負荷制御装置１１および１２の登録番号１および２を含み、送信元情報８２３は操作端末器２のＭＡＣアドレスを含み、データ部８３は負荷制御装置１１および１２の照明負荷６の消灯を指示するための制御コマンド８３１を含む。図７の例では、操作端末器２の通信インタフェース２ＩＦは、複数（例えば５つ）の送信フレーム８０Ｔを無線信号で、所定の送信期間Ｔ１内に連続して送信する。ただし、送信期間Ｔ１は、負荷制御装置１１および１２の各ＲＦ回路１１の間欠周期ＴＡよりも十分に長い時間とされることが好ましい。 For example, when a resident who wants to go out touches the touch sensor 24 of the operation terminal 2 installed at the inner entrance, the communication control unit 20 of the operation terminal 2 receives an operation signal from the touch sensor 24. Subsequently, the communication control unit 20, a transmission frame 80 T plurality (e.g. five) comprising two load control device 1 1 and 1 2 to be transmitted, respectively, the control command 831 for turning off the lighting load 6 Is generated. However, all these transmission frame 80 T common. In each transmission frame 80, the ACK flag 8221 of the additional information 822 indicates that a reply request for the ACK message 832 exists (eg, “true”). Further, in each transmission frame 80 T , the transmission destination information 824 includes the registration numbers 1 and 2 of the load control devices 1 1 and 1 2 , the transmission source information 823 includes the MAC address of the operation terminal 2, and the data unit 83 includes including a control command 831 for instructing the turn off of the illumination load 6 of the load control device 1 1 and 1 2. In the example of FIG. 7, the communication interface 2 IF of the operation terminal device 2 continuously transmits a plurality of (for example, five) transmission frames 80 T as radio signals within a predetermined transmission period T1. However, the transmission period T1 is preferably also sufficiently longer than the intermittent period TA of the RF circuit 11 of the load control device 1 1 and 1 2.
　負荷制御装置１１および１２の各ＲＦ回路１１は、送信期間Ｔ１内で５つの無線信号のうちの何れか１つを受信すると、受信した無線信号を復調および復号化して送信フレーム８０Ｔを取得する。ただし、ＲＦ回路１１は、当該送信フレーム８０Ｔの送信先情報８２４である登録番号が自己の登録番号と一致しない場合、もしくは送信元情報８２３であるＭＡＣアドレスが記憶部１３に記憶している操作端末器２のＭＡＣアドレスと一致しない場合、当該送信フレーム８０Ｔを破棄する。登録番号が自己の登録番号と一致し、送信元情報８２３のＭＡＣアドレスが記憶部１３に記憶している上記ＭＡＣアドレスと一致すれば、ＲＦ回路１１は、当該送信フレーム８０Ｔの付加情報８２２とデータ部８３のデータ（制御コマンド８３１）を制御部１０に出力する。 Each RF circuit 11 of the load control device 1 1 and 1 2 receives any one of the five radio signals within the transmission period T1, the transmission frame 80 T a radio signal received by demodulating and decoding get. However, the RF circuit 11 operates when the registration number as the transmission destination information 824 of the transmission frame 80 T does not match the own registration number or when the MAC address as the transmission source information 823 is stored in the storage unit 13. It does not match the MAC address of the terminal device 2 discards the transmission frame 80 T. Registration number matches its own registration number, if consistent with the MAC address MAC address of the transmission source information 823 is stored in the storage unit 13, RF circuit 11, and additional information 822 of the transmission frame 80 T The data (control command 831) of the data unit 83 is output to the control unit 10.
　負荷制御装置１１および１２の各制御部１０は、対応するＲＦ回路１１から付加情報８２２と制御コマンド８３１を受け取った時点（無線信号の受信完了時点）から、自身のタイマ１０１（マイクロコントローラに内蔵されたタイマ）を動作させる（図２参照）。ただし、付加情報８２２のＡＣＫフラグ８２２１がＡＣＫメッセージ８３２の返信要求が存在していないことを示す（例えば「偽」である）場合、各制御部１０は、自身のタイマ１０１を動作させない。 Each control unit 10 of the load control devices 1 1 and 1 2 starts its timer 101 (to the microcontroller) from the time when the additional information 822 and the control command 831 are received from the corresponding RF circuit 11 (when the reception of the radio signal is completed). The built-in timer is operated (see FIG. 2). However, when the ACK flag 8221 of the additional information 822 indicates that a reply request for the ACK message 832 does not exist (for example, “false”), each control unit 10 does not operate its timer 101.
　さらに、負荷制御装置１１および１２の各制御部１０は、ＡＣＫメッセージ８３２を含む返信フレーム８０Ｒを生成する。当該返信フレーム８０Ｒにおいて、送信先情報８２４は操作端末器２のＭＡＣアドレスを含み、送信元情報８２３は、対応する負荷制御装置（通信インタフェース１ＩＦ）のＭＡＣアドレスを含み、データ部８３は、対応する照明負荷６の状態（消灯）を示すステータスデータを含む（図６参照）。つまり、当該ステータスデータがＡＣＫメッセージ８３２に相当する。各制御部１０は、自身のタイマ１０１で計時される経過時間が第１時間に達すると、返信フレーム８０Ｒを、対応するＲＦ回路１１に出力し、ＲＦ回路１１から当該返信フレーム８０Ｒを無線信号で送信させる。 Further, the control unit 10 of the load control device 1 1 and 1 2 generates a return frame 80 R containing an ACK message 832. In the reply frame 80 R , the transmission destination information 824 includes the MAC address of the operation terminal device 2, the transmission source information 823 includes the MAC address of the corresponding load control device (communication interface 1 IF ), and the data unit 83 It includes status data indicating the state (lights off) of the corresponding lighting load 6 (see FIG. 6). That is, the status data corresponds to the ACK message 832. When the elapsed time counted by its own timer 101 reaches the first time, each control unit 10 outputs a reply frame 80 R to the corresponding RF circuit 11 and wirelessly transmits the reply frame 80 R from the RF circuit 11. Send by signal.
　ここで、複数の負荷制御装置１のＲＦ回路１１がランダムに無線信号を送信した場合、衝突が生じてしまい、操作端末器２の通信インタフェース２ＩＦが当該無線信号を正常に受信できない虞がある。そのため、本実施形態の負荷制御システムでは、複数の負荷制御装置１から通信装置（操作端末器２および無線アダプタ装置３）へＡＣＫメッセージ８３２を含む返信フレームを返信する際、ＴＤＭＡ（Time Division Multiple Access：時分割多元接続）方式を採用する。つまり、図７に示すように、送信期間Ｔ１の終了時点から所定の待ち時間Ｔ２が経過した時点を始点とする複数のタイムスロットＴＳ１、ＴＳ２、…、ＴＳｎ－１、ＴＳｎが規定される。そして、各負荷制御装置１に対して、何れか１つのタイムスロットＴＳｉ（ｉ＝１、２、…、ｎ）が重複しないように割り当てられる。例えば、登録番号１の負荷制御装置１１には、先頭のタイムスロットＴＳ１が割り当てられ、登録番号２の負荷制御装置１２には、２番目のタイムスロットＴＳ２が割り当てられる。ただし、これらの割当は一例に過ぎない。 Here, when the RF circuits 11 of the plurality of load control devices 1 randomly transmit radio signals, a collision occurs, and there is a possibility that the communication interface 2 IF of the operation terminal 2 cannot normally receive the radio signals. . Therefore, in the load control system of the present embodiment, when a reply frame including the ACK message 832 is returned from a plurality of load control devices 1 to the communication devices (the operation terminal device 2 and the wireless adapter device 3), the TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) : Time division multiple access) method is adopted. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of time slots TS1, TS2,..., TSn-1, TSn starting from the time when a predetermined waiting time T2 has elapsed from the end of the transmission period T1 are defined. Then, any one time slot TSi (i = 1, 2,..., N) is assigned to each load control device 1 so as not to overlap. For example, the load control device 1 1 of the registration number 1, the beginning of the time slot TS1 is assigned to the load control device 1 2 of the registration number 2, the second time slot TS2 is allocated. However, these allocations are only examples.
　登録番号１の負荷制御装置１１の制御部１０は、第１時間の経過時点、すなわち、先頭のタイムスロットＴＳ１で、対応するＲＦ回路１１から返信フレーム８０Ｒを無線信号で送信させる。また、登録番号２の負荷制御装置１２の制御部１０は、第１時間の経過時点、すなわち、２番目のタイムスロットＴＳ２で、対応するＲＦ回路１１から返信フレーム８０Ｒを無線信号で送信させる。このように各負荷制御装置１のＲＦ回路１１が異なるタイムスロットＴＳ１、ＴＳ２で無線信号を送信すれば、当該無線信号を通信装置（操作端末器２および無線アダプタ装置３）が受信できる可能性が高くなり、その結果、通信の信頼性が向上する。なお、各負荷制御装置１における第１時間は、無線信号８０Ｔの受信完了時点から送信期間Ｔ１の終了時点までの残り時間と、待ち時間Ｔ２と、待ち時間Ｔ２の終了時点から自己のタイムスロットＴＳｉの開始時点までの経過時間との合計時間となる。 Control unit 10 of the load control device 1 1 of the registration number 1, the elapsed time of the first time, i.e., at the beginning of the time slot TS1, is transmitted from the corresponding RF circuit 11 to return frame 80 R in a radio signal. The control unit 10 of the load control device 1 2 of the registration No. 2, elapsed time of the first time, i.e., in the second time slot TS2, is transmitted from the corresponding RF circuit 11 to return frame 80 R in a radio signal . Thus, if the RF circuit 11 of each load control device 1 transmits a radio signal in different time slots TS1, TS2, there is a possibility that the communication device (the operation terminal device 2 and the wireless adapter device 3) can receive the radio signal. As a result, the reliability of communication is improved. The first time in each load control device 1 includes the remaining time from the completion of reception of the radio signal 80 T to the end of the transmission period T1, the waiting time T2, and its own time slot from the end of the waiting time T2. This is the total time with the elapsed time until the start of TSi.
　一方、操作端末器２の通信インタフェース２ＩＦは、待ち時間Ｔ２の終了時点から最後のタイムスロットＴＳｎの終了時点まで受信回路を動作させ、各負荷制御装置１から送信される無線信号から返信フレーム８０Ｒを受信する。通信制御部２０は、最後のタイムスロットＴＳｎの終了後、通信インタフェース２ＩＦで受信した全ての返信フレーム８０Ｒの送信元情報８２３と、記憶部２３に記憶している負荷制御装置１のＭＡＣアドレスとを照合する。そして、記憶部２３にＭＡＣアドレスを記憶している全ての負荷制御装置１から返信フレーム８０Ｒを受信していれば、通信制御部２０は、今回の制御処理（照明負荷６を一括して消灯するための制御処理）を終了する。一方、少なくとも何れか１つの負荷制御装置１から返信フレーム８０Ｒを受信していなければ、通信制御部２０は、今回の制御処理を継続し、図８に示すように、送信フレーム（以下「再送信フレーム」という）８０Ｔ２の再送処理を実行する。例えば、登録番号２の負荷制御装置１２から返信された返信フレーム８０Ｒが受信され、登録番号１の負荷制御装置１１から返信フレームが受信されなかったときの動作例を説明する。 On the other hand, the communication interface 2 IF of the operation terminal 2 operates the receiving circuit from the end time of the waiting time T2 to the end time of the last time slot TSn, and returns a reply frame 80 from the radio signal transmitted from each load control device 1. R is received. The communication control unit 20 transmits the source information 823 of all reply frames 80 R received by the communication interface 2 IF after the end of the last time slot TSn, and the MAC address of the load control device 1 stored in the storage unit 23. And match. Then, if all of the load control device 1 in the storage unit 23 stores the MAC address receives the reply frame 80 R, the communication control unit 20, the current control processing (OFF collectively illumination load 6 The control process for On the other hand, if the reply frame 80 R has not been received from at least one of the load control devices 1, the communication control unit 20 continues the current control process and, as shown in FIG. 80 T2 retransmission processing is executed. For example, the received reply frame 80 R returned from the load control device 1 2 of the registration number 2, an operation example when the reply frame from the load control device 1 1 of the registration number 1 was not received.
　この例では、操作端末器２の通信制御部２０は、複数の再送信フレーム８０Ｔ２を生成する。ただし、これらの再送信フレーム８０Ｔ２は互いに全て共通である。さらに、再送信フレーム８０Ｔは、（再送信フレームでない）最初の送信フレーム８０Ｔに対して、返信フレーム８０Ｒを受信できなかった負荷制御装置１１の登録番号１のみが送信先情報８２４に含まれることが好ましい。そして、操作端末器２の通信インタフェース２ＩＦは、複数の再送信フレーム８０Ｔ２を無線信号で次の送信期間Ｔ１内に連続して送信することが好ましい（図８参照）。 In this example, the communication control unit 20 of the operation terminal device 2 generates a plurality of retransmission frames 80 T2 . However, these retransmission frames 80 T2 are all common to each other. Moreover, retransmission frame 80 T is (retransmitted not frame) for the first transmission frame 80 T, only registration number 1 could not receive the reply frame 80 R load control device 1 1 is in the transmission destination information 824 It is preferably included. Then, it is preferable that the communication interface 2 IF of the operation terminal 2 continuously transmits a plurality of retransmission frames 80 T2 as radio signals within the next transmission period T1 (see FIG. 8).
　登録番号２の負荷制御装置１２のＲＦ回路１１は、送信期間Ｔ１内で何れかの無線信号を受信するが、当該無線信号から得られる再送信フレーム８０Ｔ２の送信先情報８２４には、負荷制御装置１２の登録番号２が含まれていないため、当該再送信フレーム８０Ｔ２を破棄する。一方、登録番号１の負荷制御装置１１のＲＦ回路１１は、送信期間Ｔ１内に受信する無線信号から得られる再送信フレーム８０Ｔ２の送信先情報８２４が負荷制御装置１１の登録番号１に一致するので、当該再送信フレーム８０Ｔ２の付加情報８２２とデータ部８３のデータ（制御コマンド８３１）を、対応する制御部１０に出力する。また、登録番号１の負荷制御装置１１の制御部１０は、自身のタイマ１０１を動作させる。 RF circuit 11 of the load control device 1 2 of the registration No. 2 is to receive one of the radio signal in the transmission period T1, the transmission destination information 824 of the retransmitted frame 80 T2 obtained from the radio signal, the load Since the registration number 2 of the control device 12 is not included, the retransmission frame 80 T2 is discarded. On the other hand, RF circuit 11 of the load control device 1 1 of the registration number 1, the transmission destination information 824 registration number 1 of the load control device 1 1 of the retransmitted frame 80 T2 caused by the radio signal received within the transmission period T1 Therefore, the additional information 822 of the retransmission frame 80 T2 and the data of the data unit 83 (control command 831) are output to the corresponding control unit 10. The control unit 10 of the load control device 1 1 of the registration number 1, operates its own timer 101.
　続いて、登録番号１の負荷制御装置１１の制御部１０は、ＡＣＫメッセージ８３２を含む返信フレーム８０Ｒ２を生成する。そして、制御部１０は、タイマ１０１で計時される経過時間が第１時間に達した時点と、経過時間が第１時間と長さの異なる第２時間に達した時点とに、返信フレーム８０Ｒ２をＲＦ回路１１に出力し、ＲＦ回路１１から当該返信フレーム８０Ｒ２を無線信号で送信させる。例えば、制御部１０は、図８に示すように、先頭のタイムスロットＴＳ１と、ｎ－３番目のタイムスロットＴＳｎ－３とでＲＦ回路１１から返信フレーム８０Ｒ２を無線信号で送信させることが好ましい。この場合、第２時間は、無線信号の受信完了時点から送信期間Ｔ１の終了時点までの残り時間と、待ち時間Ｔ２と、待ち時間Ｔ２の終了時点からｎ－３番目のタイムスロットＴＳｎ－３の開始時点までの経過時間との合計時間となる。つまり、本実施形態の負荷制御装置１（図８の例では１１）は、操作端末器２に対して、返信フレーム８０Ｒ２を無線信号で異なるタイミングで複数回（図８の例では２回）送信することにより、操作端末器２が当該無線信号を受信する確率を高くして無線通信に関する信頼性の向上を図ることができる。ただし、本実施形態の負荷制御装置１の制御部１０は、操作端末器２から最初に送信された無線信号を受信した場合に、異なる２つのタイムスロットＴＳ１、ＴＳｎ－３で返信フレームを無線信号で送信しても構わない。 Subsequently, the control unit 10 of the load control device 1 1 of the registration number 1 generates a return frame 80 R2 containing an ACK message 832. Then, the controller 10 returns the reply frame 80 R2 between the time when the elapsed time counted by the timer 101 reaches the first time and the time when the elapsed time reaches the second time that is different in length from the first time. Is output to the RF circuit 11 and the reply frame 80 R2 is transmitted from the RF circuit 11 as a radio signal. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 10 preferably causes the RF circuit 11 to transmit a reply frame 80 R2 as a radio signal in the first time slot TS1 and the n-3th time slot TSn-3. . In this case, the second time is the remaining time from the completion of reception of the radio signal to the end of the transmission period T1, the waiting time T2, and the n-3th time slot TSn-3 from the end of the waiting time T2. It is the total time with the elapsed time up to the start time. That is, the load control device 1 (1 1 in the example of FIG. 8) of the present embodiment sends the reply frame 80 R2 to the operation terminal 2 a plurality of times at different timings with the radio signal (twice in the example of FIG. 8). ) By transmitting, it is possible to increase the probability that the operation terminal 2 receives the radio signal and to improve the reliability of the radio communication. However, when the control unit 10 of the load control device 1 of the present embodiment receives a radio signal first transmitted from the operation terminal device 2, the control unit 10 transmits a reply frame in two different time slots TS1 and TSn-3. You can send it with
　一方、操作端末器２の通信インタフェース２ＩＦは、待ち時間Ｔ２の終了時点から最後のタイムスロットＴＳｎの終了時点まで受信回路を動作させる。故に、操作端末器２の通信インタフェース２ＩＦは、１番目のタイムスロットＴＳ１と、ｎ－３番目のタイムスロットＴＳｎ－３との２つのタイムスロットで登録番号１の負荷制御装置１１の返信フレーム８０Ｒ２を無線信号で受信する機会を得ることができる。通信制御部２０は、最後のタイムスロットＴＳｎの終了後、通信インタフェース２ＩＦで受信した全ての返信フレーム８０Ｒ２の送信元情報８２３と、記憶部２３に記憶している登録番号１の負荷制御装置１１のＭＡＣアドレスとを照合する。そして、登録番号１の負荷制御装置１１から返信フレーム８０Ｒ２を受信していれば、通信制御部２０は、今回の制御処理を終了する。一方、登録番号１の負荷制御装置１１から返信フレーム８０Ｒ２を受信していなければ、通信制御部２０は、再度、送信フレームの再送処理を実行する。ただし、通信制御部２０は、再送処理を所定回数（例えば、３回）繰り返しても全ての負荷制御装置１からＡＣＫメッセージ８３２を受け取れない場合、再送処理を中止することが好ましい。 On the other hand, the communication interface 2 IF of the operation terminal 2 operates the receiving circuit from the end time of the waiting time T2 to the end time of the last time slot TSn. Thus, the communication interface 2 IF the operation terminal 2, the first time slot TS1, n-3-th of the two return frame of the load control device 1 1 of the register number 1 in the time slot of the time slot TSn-3 An opportunity to receive 80 R2 as a radio signal can be obtained. After the end of the last time slot TSn, the communication control unit 20 transmits the transmission source information 823 of all reply frames 80 R2 received by the communication interface 2 IF , and the load control device with the registration number 1 stored in the storage unit 23 1 Matches 1 MAC address. Then, if receiving the reply frame 80 R2 from the load control device 1 1 of the registration number 1, the communication control unit 20 ends the present control process. On the other hand, unless receiving a return frame 80 R2 from the load control device 1 1 of the registration number 1, the communication control unit 20 again performs the retransmission processing of the transmission frame. However, it is preferable that the communication control unit 20 stops the retransmission process when the ACK message 832 cannot be received from all the load control apparatuses 1 even if the retransmission process is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, three times).
　上述のように操作端末器２の通信制御部２０は、ＡＣＫメッセージ８３２を受け取れない場合に制御コマンド８３１を含む送信フレームを無線信号で通信インタフェース２ＩＦから再送させるので、再送させない場合と比較して、無線通信に関する信頼性の向上を図ることができる。また、本実施形態の負荷制御システムにおいて、各負荷制御装置１および通信装置（操作端末器２および無線アダプタ装置３）がそれぞれ上述のように構成されている。そのため、負荷制御装置１から返信される返信フレーム、すなわち無線信号が通信装置（操作端末器２および無線アダプタ装置３）で受信される確率が上昇する。その結果、本実施形態の負荷制御システムは、無線通信に関する信頼性の向上を図ることができる。なお、詳しい説明は省略するが、負荷制御装置１の制御部１０は、無線アダプタ装置３から制御コマンドを含む無線信号が送信される場合も同様に動作する。 As described above, the communication control unit 20 of the operation terminal 2 retransmits the transmission frame including the control command 831 from the communication interface 2 IF with a radio signal when the ACK message 832 cannot be received. Therefore, it is possible to improve the reliability related to wireless communication. Further, in the load control system of the present embodiment, each load control device 1 and communication device (operation terminal device 2 and wireless adapter device 3) are configured as described above. Therefore, the probability that a reply frame returned from the load control device 1, that is, a radio signal is received by the communication devices (the operation terminal device 2 and the wireless adapter device 3) increases. As a result, the load control system of the present embodiment can improve the reliability related to wireless communication. Although not described in detail, the control unit 10 of the load control device 1 operates in the same manner when a wireless signal including a control command is transmitted from the wireless adapter device 3.
　上述のように本実施形態の負荷制御装置１は、通信装置（操作端末器２および無線アダプタ装置３）と電波を媒体とする無線信号の送受信により通信するように構成される通信インタフェース１ＩＦと、電源７から負荷（照明負荷６）への給電（給電回路）を入切するように構成されるスイッチ素子１２と、スイッチ素子１２をオンおよびオフするように構成される制御部１０とを備える。図２の例では、通信インタフェース１ＩＦは、無線通信インタフェースであり、アンテナ１１０およびＲＦ回路１１を有する。制御部１０は、通信インタフェース１ＩＦを介して通信装置から送信される無線信号から制御コマンドを取得するように構成される。別例において、通信インタフェース１ＩＦは、通信装置から送信される無線信号から制御コマンドを取得するように構成される。制御部１０は、制御コマンドに応じてスイッチ素子１２をオンおよびオフするように構成される。制御部１０は、通信インタフェース１ＩＦが制御コマンドを含む無線信号を受信した場合、無線信号の受信完了時点から所定の第１時間の経過時点、ならびに無線信号の受信完了時点から第１時間と異なる長さの第２時間が経過した時点において、確認応答のメッセージを含む無線信号を、通信インタフェース１ＩＦを介して通信装置に返信するように構成される。 As described above, the load control device 1 of the present embodiment includes the communication interface 1 IF configured to communicate with the communication devices (the operation terminal 2 and the wireless adapter device 3) by transmitting and receiving wireless signals using radio waves as media. The switch element 12 is configured to turn on and off the power supply (power supply circuit) from the power source 7 to the load (illumination load 6), and the control unit 10 is configured to turn the switch element 12 on and off. . In the example of FIG. 2, the communication interface 1 IF is a wireless communication interface and includes an antenna 110 and an RF circuit 11. The control unit 10 is configured to acquire a control command from a radio signal transmitted from the communication device via the communication interface 1 IF . In another example, the communication interface 1 IF is configured to obtain a control command from a radio signal transmitted from the communication device. The control unit 10 is configured to turn on and off the switch element 12 according to a control command. When the communication interface 1 IF receives a radio signal including a control command, the control unit 10 is different from a time point when a predetermined first time has elapsed from the time when the reception of the radio signal is completed and a time point after the completion of reception of the radio signal. When the second length of time has elapsed, the wireless signal including the confirmation response message is returned to the communication device via the communication interface 1 IF .
　本実施形態の負荷制御装置１は上述のように構成され、確認応答のメッセージを含む無線信号を異なるタイミング（第１時間の経過時点と第２時間の経過時点）でそれぞれ送信する。その結果、本実施形態の負荷制御装置１は、当該無線信号を１回のみ送信する場合と比較して、無線通信に関する信頼性の向上を図ることができる。 The load control device 1 according to the present embodiment is configured as described above, and transmits wireless signals including an acknowledgment message at different timings (the time when the first time has passed and the time when the second time has passed). As a result, the load control device 1 according to the present embodiment can improve the reliability related to wireless communication compared to the case where the wireless signal is transmitted only once.
　また、本実施形態の通信装置（操作端末器２および無線アダプタ装置３）は、負荷制御装置１に対して、制御コマンドを含む無線信号を送信するように構成される。本実施形態の通信装置（操作端末器２または無線アダプタ装置３）は、無線信号を送信および受信するように構成される通信インタフェース（２ＩＦまたは３ＩＦ）と、イベントの発生を検知するように構成されるセンサ回路（タッチセンサ２４または通信インタフェース３２）とを備える。さらに、通信装置は、センサ回路がイベントの発生を検知した場合、当該イベントに対応した制御コマンドを生成し、かつ制御コマンドを含む無線信号を通信インタフェース（２ＩＦまたは３ＩＦ）から１乃至複数の負荷制御装置１に送信させるように構成される制御部（通信制御部２０またはアダプタ制御部３０）を備える。制御部（２０または３０）は、制御コマンドを含む無線信号の送信完了時点から所定の待機時間Ｔ（Ｔ２＋ＴＳ１～ＴＳｎの合計時間）の間に、各負荷制御装置１が返信する確認応答のメッセージを含む無線信号を、通信インタフェース（２ＩＦまたは３ＩＦ）を介して受信するように構成される。また、通信制御部２０は、待機時間Ｔの間に、通信インタフェース（２ＩＦまたは３ＩＦ）が少なくとも１つの負荷制御装置１から確認応答のメッセージを含む無線信号を受信しなければ、制御コマンドを含む無線信号を通信インタフェース（２ＩＦまたは３ＩＦ）から再送させるように構成される。 Further, the communication device (the operation terminal device 2 and the wireless adapter device 3) of the present embodiment is configured to transmit a wireless signal including a control command to the load control device 1. The communication device (operation terminal 2 or wireless adapter device 3) of the present embodiment detects a communication interface (2 IF or 3 IF ) configured to transmit and receive wireless signals, and the occurrence of an event. And a configured sensor circuit (touch sensor 24 or communication interface 32). Furthermore, when the sensor circuit detects the occurrence of an event, the communication device generates a control command corresponding to the event and sends a radio signal including the control command from the communication interface (2 IF or 3 IF ) to one or more A control unit (communication control unit 20 or adapter control unit 30) configured to be transmitted to the load control device 1 is provided. The control unit (20 or 30) sends an acknowledgment message returned by each load control device 1 during a predetermined standby time T (total time of T2 + TS1 to TSn) from the time when transmission of the radio signal including the control command is completed. The wireless signal including is configured to be received via a communication interface (2 IF or 3 IF ). Further, the communication control unit 20 issues a control command if the communication interface (2 IF or 3 IF ) does not receive a radio signal including an acknowledgment message from at least one load control device 1 during the standby time T. The wireless signal including the signal is configured to be retransmitted from the communication interface (2 IF or 3 IF ).
　本実施形態の通信装置は上述のように構成され、少なくとも１つの負荷制御装置１から確認応答のメッセージが返信されない場合、制御コマンドを含む無線信号を通信インタフェース（２ＩＦまたは３ＩＦ）から再送するので、無線通信に関する信頼性の向上を図ることができる。 The communication apparatus according to the present embodiment is configured as described above, and retransmits a radio signal including a control command from the communication interface (2 IF or 3 IF ) when an acknowledgment message is not returned from at least one load control apparatus 1. Therefore, it is possible to improve the reliability related to wireless communication.
　さらに、本実施形態の負荷制御システムは、１乃至複数の負荷制御装置１と、負荷制御装置１に対して、制御コマンドを含む無線信号を送信するように構成される通信装置（操作端末器２および無線アダプタ装置３）とを有する。そのため、本実施形態の負荷制御システムは、負荷制御装置１から返信される無線信号が通信装置（操作端末器２および無線アダプタ装置３）で受信される確率が上昇するので、無線通信に関する信頼性の向上を図ることができる。 Furthermore, the load control system according to the present embodiment includes one or more load control devices 1 and a communication device (operation terminal device 2) configured to transmit a radio signal including a control command to the load control device 1. And a wireless adapter device 3). Therefore, the load control system according to the present embodiment increases the probability that a wireless signal returned from the load control device 1 will be received by the communication device (the operation terminal device 2 and the wireless adapter device 3). Can be improved.
　また、本実施形態の負荷制御装置１において、制御部１０は、メインのタイムスロット、ならびにサブのタイムスロットのそれぞれにおいて、確認応答のメッセージを含む無線信号を、通信インタフェース１ＩＦを介して返信するように構成されることが好ましい。別例において、通信インタフェース１ＩＦは、メインのタイムスロット、ならびにサブのタイムスロットのそれぞれにおいて、確認応答のメッセージを含む無線信号を返信するように構成される。これらのタイムスロットは、制御コマンドを含む無線信号の受信完了時点を起点とする複数のタイムスロットＴＳ１～ＴＳｎのうちの何れかであることが好ましい。 Further, in the load control device 1 of the present embodiment, the control unit 10 returns a radio signal including an acknowledgment message via the communication interface 1 IF in each of the main time slot and the sub time slot. It is preferable to be configured as described above. In another example, the communication interface 1 IF is configured to return a radio signal including an acknowledgment message in each of the main time slot as well as the sub time slots. These time slots are preferably any one of a plurality of time slots TS1 to TSn starting from the reception completion point of the radio signal including the control command.
　本実施形態の負荷制御装置１が上述のように構成されれば、複数の負荷制御装置１から送信される無線信号の衝突を回避して無線通信に関する信頼性の向上を図ることができる。 If the load control device 1 of the present embodiment is configured as described above, it is possible to avoid collision of radio signals transmitted from the plurality of load control devices 1 and improve the reliability of radio communication.
　ここで、本実施形態の負荷制御装置１では、メインのタイムスロットＴＳｉの順番（ｉ番）に一定値Ｎ（＝ｎ－４）を加算した順番（ｎ－４＋ｉ）のタイムスロットＴＳｎ－４＋ｉをサブのタイムスロットとしている。このように、メインのタイムスロットＴＳｉの順番からサブのタイムスロットＴＳｎ－４＋ｉが一義的に決まれば、複数の負荷制御装置１のサブのタイムスロットが重複することを回避できる。 Here, in the load control device 1 of the present embodiment, the time slots TSn-4 + i in the order (n−4 + i) obtained by adding the constant value N (= n−4) to the order (number i) of the main time slots TSi are set. It is a sub time slot. In this way, if the sub time slots TSn-4 + i are uniquely determined from the order of the main time slots TSi, it is possible to avoid overlapping of the sub time slots of the plurality of load control devices 1.
　ところで、何れかの負荷制御装置１におけるサブのタイムスロットは、別の負荷制御装置１におけるメインのタイムスロットと重複する可能性がある。ただし、重複した場合においても、当該メインのタイムスロットが、再送された送信フレームに対する返信フレームの送信時に使用されないのであれば、特に支障は無い。故に、制御部１０は、送信フレームの送信先情報８２４に含まれる登録番号と、自身のサブのタイムスロットがメインのタイムスロットとして割り当てられている負荷制御装置１の登録番号とが一致した場合は自身のサブのタイムスロットを使用しないことが好ましい。なお、制御部１０は、送信フレームの送信先情報８２４に含まれていない登録番号から１つの登録番号を選択し、当該登録番号の負荷制御装置１に割り当てられているメインのタイムスロットを自身のサブのタイムスロットとして使用するように構成されてもよい。 By the way, there is a possibility that a sub time slot in one of the load control apparatuses 1 overlaps with a main time slot in another load control apparatus 1. However, even in the case of duplication, there is no particular problem as long as the main time slot is not used at the time of transmission of a reply frame for the retransmitted transmission frame. Therefore, if the registration number included in the transmission destination information 824 of the transmission frame matches the registration number of the load control device 1 to which its sub time slot is assigned as the main time slot, the control unit 10 It is preferable not to use its own sub time slot. The control unit 10 selects one registration number from the registration numbers not included in the transmission destination information 824 of the transmission frame, and sets the main time slot assigned to the load control device 1 with the registration number as its own. It may be configured to be used as a sub time slot.
　本実施形態の負荷制御装置１において、制御部１０は、サブのタイムスロットが使用されていない場合に限り、当該サブのタイムスロットにおいて、確認応答のメッセージを含む無線信号を、通信インタフェース１ＩＦを介して返信するように構成されることが好ましい。別例において、通信インタフェース１ＩＦは、サブのタイムスロットが使用されていない場合に限り、当該サブのタイムスロットにおいて、確認応答のメッセージを含む無線信号を返信するように構成される。 In the load control device 1 of the present embodiment, the control unit 10 transmits a radio signal including an acknowledgment message to the communication interface 1 IF in the sub time slot only when the sub time slot is not used. Is preferably configured to reply via. In another example, the communication interface 1 IF is configured to return a radio signal including an acknowledgment message in the sub time slot only if the sub time slot is not used.
　本実施形態の負荷制御装置１が上述のように構成されれば、無線信号の衝突を事前に回避し、無線通信に関する信頼性の更なる向上を図ることができる。 If the load control device 1 of the present embodiment is configured as described above, it is possible to avoid collision of radio signals in advance and further improve the reliability of radio communication.
　また、本実施形態の負荷制御システムにおいて、通信装置（操作端末器２および無線アダプタ装置３）の制御部（通信制御部２０またはアダプタ制御部３０）は、以下のように構成されることが好ましい。すなわち、制御部は、制御コマンドを含む無線信号を通信インタフェース（２ＩＦまたは３ＩＦ）から再送させる際、確認応答のメッセージを含む無線信号を返信しなかった負荷制御装置１に対してのみ、制御コマンドを含む無線信号を再送するように構成されることが好ましい。さらに、負荷制御装置１の制御部１０は、通信インタフェース１ＩＦを介して通信装置から再送される制御コマンドを含む無線信号を受信した場合にのみ、確認応答のメッセージを含む無線信号を、通信インタフェース１ＩＦを介して通信装置へ送信するように構成されることが好ましい。 Moreover, in the load control system of this embodiment, it is preferable that the control part (communication control part 20 or adapter control part 30) of a communication apparatus (the operation terminal device 2 and the wireless adapter apparatus 3) is comprised as follows. . That is, the control unit controls only the load control device 1 that has not returned a radio signal including an acknowledgment message when retransmitting a radio signal including a control command from the communication interface (2 IF or 3 IF ). Preferably, the radio signal including the command is configured to be retransmitted. Further, the control unit 10 of the load control device 1 transmits the wireless signal including the confirmation response message to the communication interface only when the wireless signal including the control command retransmitted from the communication device is received via the communication interface 1 IF. 1 Preferably configured to transmit to a communication device via an IF .
　本実施形態の負荷制御システムが上述のように構成されれば、負荷制御装置１が不要な無線信号の送信を行わずに済むので、省エネルギー化を図ることができる。 If the load control system of the present embodiment is configured as described above, the load control device 1 does not need to transmit unnecessary radio signals, so that energy saving can be achieved.
　なお、本実施形態の負荷制御装置１において、制御部１０の代わりに、ＲＦ回路１１（の信号処理回路）が、ＡＣＫメッセージ８３２を含む返信フレームを無線信号で２回送信する処理を行うように構成されてもよい。また、１つの負荷制御装置１の制御部１０が、２つ以上のサブのタイムスロットにおいて、ＲＦ回路１１から返信フレームを無線信号で送信させても構わない。 In the load control device 1 of the present embodiment, instead of the control unit 10, the RF circuit 11 (signal processing circuit thereof) performs a process of transmitting a reply frame including the ACK message 832 twice with a radio signal. It may be configured. Further, the control unit 10 of one load control device 1 may cause the RF circuit 11 to transmit a reply frame as a radio signal in two or more sub time slots.
　ここで、本実施形態の負荷制御システムでは、通信装置として壁に埋込配設される操作端末器２を例示したが、別の構造の操作端末器を通信装置として有していても構わない。このような操作端末器は、例えば、住人が手に持った状態で操作及び持ち運び可能な形状及び寸法に形成されることが好ましい。 Here, in the load control system of the present embodiment, the operation terminal device 2 embedded in the wall is illustrated as the communication device, but an operation terminal device having another structure may be included as the communication device. . Such an operation terminal is preferably formed in a shape and size that can be operated and carried by a resident, for example.
　また、負荷制御装置１の制御部１０は、スイッチ素子１２をオンおよびオフして電源７から照明負荷６に印加される電源電圧を位相制御することにより、当該照明負荷６を調光するように構成されてもよい。 Further, the control unit 10 of the load control device 1 dims the lighting load 6 by turning on and off the switch element 12 and phase-controlling the power supply voltage applied from the power source 7 to the lighting load 6. It may be configured.
　上記の最良の形態および/または他の実施例であると考えられるものについて説明したが、種々の改変がなされてもよく、本明細書で開示される主題は種々の形態および実施例で実施されてもよく、そしてそれらは多数のアプリケーションに適用されてもよいものであり、その最適の幾つかが本明細書に記載されている。以下の特許請求の範囲によって、本教示の真の範囲内に入る任意およびすべての修正および変形を請求するものである。 Although the foregoing best mode and / or other examples are considered, various modifications may be made and the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples. And they may be applied to a number of applications, some of which are best described herein. The following claims claim any and all modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the present teachings.

Claims (6)

  1. 　通信装置と電波を媒体とする無線信号の送受信により通信するように構成される無線通信インタフェースと、
    　電源から負荷への給電を入切するように構成されるスイッチ素子と、
    　前記スイッチ素子をオンおよびオフするように構成される制御部と
    を備え、
    　前記制御部または前記無線通信インタフェースは、前記通信装置から送信される無線信号から制御コマンドを取得するように構成され、
    　前記制御部は、前記制御コマンドに応じて前記スイッチ素子をオンおよびオフするように構成され、
    　前記制御部は、前記無線通信インタフェースが前記制御コマンドを含む無線信号を受信した場合、当該無線信号の受信完了時点から所定の第１時間が経過した時点、ならびに前記無線信号の受信完了時点から前記第１時間と異なる長さの第２時間が経過した時点のそれぞれにおいて、確認応答のメッセージを含む無線信号を、前記無線通信インタフェースを介して前記通信装置に返信するように構成されることを特徴とする負荷制御装置。     A wireless communication interface configured to communicate with a communication device by transmission and reception of a wireless signal using radio waves as a medium;
    A switch element configured to turn on and off the power supply from the power source to the load; and
    A controller configured to turn on and off the switch element;
    The control unit or the wireless communication interface is configured to acquire a control command from a wireless signal transmitted from the communication device,
    The control unit is configured to turn on and off the switch element according to the control command,
    When the wireless communication interface receives a wireless signal including the control command, the control unit, when a predetermined first time has elapsed from the completion of reception of the wireless signal, and from the completion of reception of the wireless signal, A wireless signal including an acknowledgment message is sent back to the communication device via the wireless communication interface at each time when a second time having a length different from the first time has elapsed. A load control device.
  2. 　前記制御部または前記無線通信インタフェースは、前記制御コマンドを含む前記無線信号の受信完了時点を起点とする複数のタイムスロットのうち、前記第１時間の経過時点を始点とするメインのタイムスロット、ならびに前記第２時間の経過時点を始点とするサブのタイムスロットのそれぞれにおいて、前記確認応答のメッセージを含む無線信号を返信するように構成されることを特徴とする請求項１記載の負荷制御装置。 The control unit or the wireless communication interface includes a main time slot starting from an elapsed time of the first time among a plurality of time slots starting from a reception completion time of the wireless signal including the control command, and 2. The load control device according to claim 1, wherein the load control device is configured to return a radio signal including the confirmation response message in each of the sub time slots starting from the elapsed time of the second time.
  3. 　前記制御部または前記無線通信インタフェースは、前記サブのタイムスロットが使用されていない場合に限り、当該サブのタイムスロットにおいて、前記確認応答のメッセージを含む無線信号を返信するように構成されることを特徴とする請求項２記載の負荷制御装置。 The control unit or the wireless communication interface is configured to return a wireless signal including the confirmation response message in the sub time slot only when the sub time slot is not used. The load control device according to claim 2, wherein
  4. 　請求項１～３の何れかに記載された負荷制御装置に対して、前記制御コマンドを含む無線信号を送信するように構成される通信装置であって、
    　前記無線信号を送信および受信するように構成される通信インタフェースと、イベントの発生を検知するように構成されるセンサ回路と、前記センサ回路が前記イベントの発生を検知した場合、当該イベントに対応した前記制御コマンドを生成し、かつ前記制御コマンドを含む無線信号を前記通信インタフェースから１乃至複数の前記負荷制御装置に送信させるように構成される制御部とを備え、
    　前記通信装置の前記制御部は、前記制御コマンドを含む無線信号の送信完了時点から所定の待機時間の間に、前記通信インタフェースが１乃至複数の前記負荷制御装置のうちの少なくとも１つの前記負荷制御装置が返信する前記確認応答のメッセージを含む無線信号を受信しなければ、前記制御コマンドを含む無線信号を前記通信インタフェースから再送させるように構成されることを特徴とする通信装置。     A communication device configured to transmit a radio signal including the control command to the load control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
    A communication interface configured to transmit and receive the wireless signal; a sensor circuit configured to detect the occurrence of an event; and when the sensor circuit detects the occurrence of the event, corresponds to the event A control unit configured to generate the control command and transmit a radio signal including the control command from the communication interface to one or more load control devices;
    The control unit of the communication device is configured such that the communication interface is at least one of the load control devices of one or more of the load control devices during a predetermined standby time from the completion of transmission of a radio signal including the control command. A communication apparatus configured to retransmit a wireless signal including the control command from the communication interface when a wireless signal including the confirmation response message returned by the apparatus is not received.
  5. 　請求項１～３の何れかに記載された、１乃至複数の負荷制御装置と、
    　請求項１～３の何れかに記載された負荷制御装置に対して、前記制御コマンドを含む無線信号を送信するように構成される通信装置と
    で構成されることを特徴とする負荷制御システム。     One or more load control devices according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
    A load control system comprising: a communication device configured to transmit a radio signal including the control command to the load control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
  6. 　前記通信装置の前記制御部は、前記制御コマンドを含む無線信号を前記通信装置の通信インタフェースから再送させる際、１乃至複数の前記負荷制御装置のうちで、前記確認応答のメッセージを含む無線信号を返信しなかった前記負荷制御装置に対してのみ、前記制御コマンドを含む無線信号を再送するように構成され、
    　前記負荷制御装置の前記制御部または前記無線通信インタフェースは、前記通信装置から再送される前記制御コマンドを含む無線信号を受信した場合にのみ、前記確認応答のメッセージを含む無線信号を前記通信装置へ送信するように構成されることを特徴とする請求項５記載の負荷制御システム。     When the control unit of the communication device retransmits the radio signal including the control command from the communication interface of the communication device, the control unit of the communication device transmits a radio signal including the confirmation response message among one or more of the load control devices. It is configured to retransmit a radio signal including the control command only to the load control device that has not replied,
    The control unit or the wireless communication interface of the load control device transmits a wireless signal including the confirmation response message to the communication device only when the wireless signal including the control command retransmitted from the communication device is received. The load control system according to claim 5, wherein the load control system is configured to transmit.
PCT/JP2015/006310 2015-01-20 2015-12-18 Load control device, communications device, and load control system WO2016116986A1 (en)

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