TWI766226B - Communication system and communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a technique for reducing the hassle of logging in the location of a machine. The communication system 10 includes a master unit 14 and a plurality of slave units 16 that form a specific communication network, and a setting device 20 . The setting device 20 transmits location data indicating the location of the setting device 20 . Each of the plurality of sub-machines 16 transmits the position data and the received power value of the position data to the main machine 14 . The master unit 14 associates a specific slave unit 16 among the plurality of slave units 16 with the position of the setting device 20 indicated by the position data, based on the received power value transmitted from the plurality of slave units 16 .

Description

Communication system and communication method

The present invention relates to a data communication technology, in particular to a communication system and a communication method.

It is becoming common to control residential equipment and home appliances installed in houses from the cloud side. For example, the user can switch the running status of his home appliances while going out by operating the application program of the smart phone.

[Prior Art Literature] [Patent Literature]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2018-14213

In order to control the devices in the house from the cloud side, it is necessary to perform the complicated operation of registering which room the device is installed in the house for each device in the house.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a device that reduces the number of registration machines. The technology that disturbs the location of the device.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a communication system of one aspect of the present invention includes a parent device, a plurality of child devices, and a processing device. The processing device transmits position data indicating the position of the processing device, the plurality of sub-machines each transmit the position data and the received power value of the position data to the main machine, and the main machine transmits the received power value from the plurality of sub-machines based on the received power value sent from the plurality of sub-machines. The sub-machine corresponds to the location of the processing device indicated by the location data.

A communication system according to another aspect of the present invention includes a master unit, a plurality of slave units, and a processing device. The processing device transmits the first signal, and each of the plurality of sub-units transmits the received power value of the first signal to the main unit, and the main unit transmits a second power value from any one of the plurality of sub-units to the processing unit based on the received electric power value transmitted from the plurality of sub-units signal, and the processing device associates the slave that is the source of the second signal with the position of the processing device.

A communication system according to another aspect of the present invention includes a main unit, a plurality of slave units, and a processing device. The master unit sends signals from the plurality of subunits to the processing device, and the processing unit associates a specific subunit of the plurality of subunits with the position of the processing unit based on the received power values of the signals respectively transmitted from the plurality of subunits.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is a communication method. The method includes the steps of: the processing device transmits position data indicating the position of the processing device; the plurality of sub-machines each transmit the position data and the received power value of the position data to the main machine; and the main machine is based on the connection sent from the plurality of sub-machines. The received power value is used to associate a specific sub-machine among the plurality of sub-machines with the position of the processing device indicated by the position data.

Another aspect of the present invention is also a communication method. The method includes the following steps: the processing device sends a first signal; each of the plurality of sub-machines transmits the received power value of the first signal to the main machine; sending the second signal to the processing device; and the processing device associates the slave that is the source of the second signal with the position of the processing device.

Another aspect of the present invention is also a communication method. The method includes the following steps: the main unit sends a signal from the plurality of sub-units to the processing device; the processing device establishes a correspondence between a specific sub-unit of the plurality of sub-units and the position of the processing unit based on the received power value of the signals respectively sent from the plurality of sub units .

Furthermore, an arbitrary combination of the above-mentioned constituent elements, a device, a computer program, a recording medium on which the computer program is recorded, etc., are converted into the expression of the present invention as an aspect of the present invention.

According to the present invention, the trouble of registering the location of the machine can be reduced.

10: Communication System

12: Buildings

14: Mother machine

16: handset

16a: Handset

16b: handset

18: Powerlines

20: Setting device

22: Server

24: Internet

Fig. 1(a) is a diagram showing an example of information set by a user (an occupant of a house, etc.). Fig. 1(a) 1(b) is a diagram showing an example of information managed on the cloud side.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the communication system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system according to the modification of the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system according to the modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system according to the modification of the third embodiment.

The main body of the apparatus, method, and system of the present invention includes a computer. The function of the main body of the apparatus or method in the present invention is realized by the computer executing the program. A computer has a processor that operates according to a program as its main hardware configuration. The type of the processor is not limited as long as it can realize the function by executing the program. The processor includes one or a plurality of electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or LSI (large scale integration, large scale integrated circuit). It is called IC or LSI here, but the name changes according to the degree of integration, and it can also be called system LSI, VLSI (very large scale integration, very large integrated circuit) or USLI (ultra large scale integration, very large scale integrated circuit) large integrated circuits). Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) that can be programmed after LSI manufacture, or reconfigurable logic elements that can realize the reconfiguration of the bonding relationship within the LSI or set-up the circuit division within the LSI can also be used in the same way. use for the purpose. A plurality of electronic circuits may be integrated into one chip, or may be provided in a plurality of chips. A plurality of chips may be integrated into one device, or may be provided in a plurality of devices. Programs are recorded in non-transitory ROMs (Read Only Memorym), CD-ROMs, hard drives, etc. that can be read by the computer. Sexual recording media. The program may be stored in the recording medium in advance, or may be supplied to the recording medium via a wide area communication network including the Internet.

First, the prior art regarding the embodiment is explained.

Prior Art 1. ECHONET Lite (trademark or registered trademark): ECHONET Lite (https://echonet.jp/spec_v112_lite/) is proposed as an example of a protocol for registering the location of equipment in a house. In ECHONET Lite, the type of the space where the machine is installed (ie the type of room) and the code indicating the installation place (ie the bit row) are established in advance.

Users must associate the types of installation locations defined by agreements such as ECHONET Lite with the actual house layout. For example, users can associate the type of setting location "living room, living room" with the allocated bit "00001" in their own living room according to the regulations of ECHONET Lite. In addition, the user can associate the type "room" of the setting place with the allocated bit "01000" in his study room. The user here may be, for example, an installation company or a resident of a house.

After associating the type of the installation place with the actual floor plan of the house, the user performs the registration of the machines in the house. In other words, the user establishes the association between the machine in the house and the place (room) where the machine is installed. For example, the user activates the application for registration from a PC (Personal Computer), etc., selects a device on the setting screen, and inputs the installation location of the device. FIG. 1( a ) shows an example of information set by a user (an occupant of a house, etc.). Fig. 1(b) shows an example of information managed on the cloud side. Figure 1(a) and Figure 1(b) As shown in the figure, according to the input of the setter, on the cloud side, the device is managed in correspondence with its installation location (eg, room ID).

By logging this association to the cloud (the server in the cloud), users can control the actions of their own machines from outside. For example, by sending the light-off instruction of the living room (room ID00001) from the user's smartphone to the server in the cloud, the server can send the light-off instruction to the user's own HEMS (Home Energy Management System) , home energy management system) controller to turn off the lighting in the living room.

Prior Art 2. LLDP (Link Layer Discovery Protocol): As a protocol for collecting information about adjacent machines, there is LLDP (http://www.ieee802.org/3/frame_study/0409/blatherwick_1_0409.pdf ). The machine on the side providing the information periodically sends LLDP packets to the multicast address. The machine on the side that collects the information collects the information of other machines by receiving LLDP packets. The collected information includes, for example, the interface number, host name, device name, and serial number. By using LLDP, it is possible to detect what kind of information is connected to the network.

Prior art 3. HTIP (Home-network Topology Identifying Protocol): Currently there is a global IP address (global IP address) using IPv6 in broadband networks, on the other hand, indoor networks In the case of using the private IP address of IPv4. In this case, in order to control the indoor equipment from the outdoors, it is necessary to use the home gateway (home gateway) to associate global IP addresses with private IP addresses. One of the implementation methods is UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) (https://openconnectivity.org/).

HTIP is a combination of UPnP and LLDP to obtain machine information and MAC (Media Access Control, Media Access Control) address table from the terminal, so as to determine the agreement of the home network map (http://www.ttc.or.jp/ jp/document_list/pdf/j/STD/JJ-300.00v2a.pdf). For example, a manager (Manager) mounted on an HTIP terminal receives machine information from a layer 3 agent, and receives machine information and connection configuration information from a layer 2 agent. The administrator analyzes the information collected from all the agents in the home network to determine the connection structure of the home network. Furthermore, the machine information includes classification, manufacturer code, model name, and model. Also, the connection configuration information includes channel usage status information, radio wave strength information, communication error rate information, and status information.

Prior Art 4. HD-PLC (High Definition Power Line Communication): There is HD-PLC as a technology that uses power lines as communication lines. The network of HD-PLC includes a parent machine (also called a master station) and a slave machine (also called a terminal machine), and can also communicate through a plurality of slave machines. Furthermore, by connecting a PC to the main machine and operating dedicated software, a technique is also disclosed for detecting the network topology of the HD-PLC and the respective MAC addresses of the main machine and the sub-machine.

Summarizing the above-mentioned prior art, like ECHONET Lite, there is a protocol for managing the location of the machines installed in the house. Also, after setting up the network device, as The protocol for detecting information of network devices stipulates LLDP when there is no home gateway, etc. and the IP address has not been converted. On the other hand, when the IP address is converted by a home gateway or the like, HTIP is specified separately. In addition, HD-PLC is included as a network using a power line, and a technique for investigating the MAC addresses of the main and sub-machines in the HD-PLC has been disclosed.

However, heretofore, the position of each machine installed in the building has to be registered in advance manually by a setter (the occupant of the house, etc.), and the setter is burdened with complicated work. In view of this, in the first embodiment to the third embodiment of the present invention, a technology for realizing the automatic registration of the location of the equipment in the building using HD-PLC is proposed. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the trouble of logging in the location of the device. "Apparatus" in the following description includes home appliances or home appliances, such as power storage devices, air conditioners, refrigerators, and the like.

(first embodiment)

In the communication system of the first embodiment, the room ID is sent from the setting device to a plurality of HD-PLC slaves, and each slave measures the received power and sends it to the master together with the room ID. The master unit compares the received power of each slave unit, and associates the ID of the slave unit with the largest received power with the room ID.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the communication system 10 according to the first embodiment. The communication system 10 is a data communication system constructed in the building 12 . The communication system 10 includes a master unit 14, a slave unit 16a, a slave unit 16b (referred to as a "slave unit 16" when collectively referred to), and a setting device 20 (an example of the processing device of the present invention). The main machine 14 , the sub-machines 16 a and the sub-machines 16 b are connected to the power line 18 to form an HD-PLC network, and transmit and receive data via the power line 18 .

The host computer 14 is connected to the server 22 on the cloud via the Internet 24 . The server 22 is an information processing device that manages the location of the machines in the building 12 . The server 22 stores a plurality of appliances (not shown) such as home appliances installed in the building 12 in association with the positions of the respective appliances.

The setting device 20 is an information processing device installed with an application program (hereinafter also referred to as a "device registration support App (Application, application program)") that supports automatic registration of the location of the machine in the building 12 . The setting device 20 of the embodiment is set as a smart phone, but can also be a PC or a tablet terminal. The setting device 20 and the slave 16a, and the setting device 20 and the slave 16b are connected by known wireless communication. For example, it can be connected by WiFi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

The operation of the communication system 10 configured as above will be described. The processing (in other words, functions) of the setting device 20, the main machine 14, and the slave machine 16 shown below can be installed in the computer program for each device (in the case of the setting device 20, the above-mentioned device registration support App). Computer programs for each device may also be stored in the memory areas of the setting device 20 , the main computer 14 and the slave computer 16 . The operations shown below can also be realized by reading the computer program into the main memory and executing it by the respective processors of the setting device 20 , the main machine 14 and the sub-machine 16 .

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system 10 according to the first embodiment. Here, as shown in FIG. 2 , an example is shown in which the setting device 20 is used in the room 1 and a specific slave unit is associated with the location data (room ID in the first embodiment) indicating the location of the setting device 20 . The occupants of the building 12 (hereinafter referred to as "users") activate the machine registration support app in the setting device 20 . The device registration support App displays the room ID input screen on the setting device 20 . the user on the input screen A room ID indicating the location of the setting device 20 (here, "room 1") is input.

The setting device 20 (device registration support App) transmits a request signal including location data (ie, room ID) indicating the location of the setting device 20 by wireless communication ( S10 ). The slave unit 16a measures the received power of the request signal, and transmits the measured received power value and the room ID to the parent unit 14 via the power line 18 (S12). In parallel with this, the slave machine 16b also measures the received power of the request signal, and transmits the measured received power value and the room ID to the main machine 14 via the power line 18 (S14).

The master unit 14 receives the received power value and the room ID transmitted from the slave unit 16a and the slave unit 16b, respectively. The main machine 14 associates a specific sub-machine 16 among the plurality of sub-machines 16 with the room ID (ie, the position of the setting device 20 ) based on the received power value transmitted from the plurality of sub-machines 16 , and makes the specific memory device memorize the corresponding relationship.

In the first embodiment, the master unit 14 associates the child unit 16 with the largest received electric power value among the plurality of child units 16 with the room ID (S16). In this example, the master unit 14 compares the received power value of the child unit 16a with the received power value of the child unit 16b, and associates the child unit 16a with the larger received power with the room ID. The master machine 14 sends information (hereinafter also referred to as "associated information") that the ID of the slave machine 16 with the highest received power value (eg, the MAC address of the slave machine 16a) and the room ID are associated to the server 22, and causes the server to 22 Memorize the related information (S18). That is, the corresponding relationship between the slave 16 a and the room 1 is stored in the server 22 .

Next, the user places the setting device 20 in the room 2, and inputs the room ID of the room 2 into the machine login support app of the setting device 20. After that, the process of Fig. 3 is repeated, and the slave The corresponding relationship between 16b and the room 2 is stored in the server 22 .

Thereafter, when a device is connected to one sub-machine 16 among the plurality of sub-machines 16 , the one sub-machine 16 transmits the data of the connected device to the main machine 14 . The parent machine 14 re-establishes the correspondence with the machine at the position corresponding to the above-mentioned one sub-machine 16 . In addition, the slave 16 and the apparatus may be connected by WiFi, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or wired.

For example, when the first air conditioner installed in the room 1 is connected to the child unit 16 a, the child unit 16 a transmits the ID of the first air conditioner and the ID (eg, MAC address) of the child unit 16 a to the parent unit 14 . The master unit 14 transmits the ID of the first air conditioner and the ID of the slave unit 16a to the server 22, whereby the server 22 memorizes the room ID associated with the slave unit 16a in association with the first air conditioner. That is, the server 22 memorizes the room ID associated with the sub-machine 16a in advance and the ID of the first air conditioner in association with the information transmitted from the main machine 14 .

Furthermore, when the second air conditioner installed in the room 2 is connected to the child unit 16b, the child unit 16b transmits the ID of the second air conditioner and the ID of the child unit 16b to the parent unit 14. The master unit 14 transmits the ID of the second air conditioner and the ID of the slave unit 16b to the server 22 . The server 22 memorizes the room ID associated with the slave 16b in advance and the ID of the second air conditioner in association with each other.

According to the communication system 10 of the first embodiment, by establishing the correspondence between the slave units of the HD-PLC and their installation positions, it is possible to automatically realize the establishment of the correspondence between the devices connected to the slave units and their installation positions, and use the server 22 to manage the Correspondence. In addition, the workload of the user can be reduced.

The present invention has been described above based on the first embodiment. This embodiment is an example, and it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible for the combination of each constituent element or each processing procedure, and such modifications are also included in the scope of the present invention.

A modification of the first embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the received power value in each sub-machine 16 is used, but the propagation loss between the setting device 20 and each sub-machine 16 may also be used. That is, the main unit 14 may also obtain the propagation loss of each of the subunits 16 based on the received power values of the plurality of subunits 16 , and associate the subunit 16 with the smallest propagation loss among the plurality of subunits 16 with the position of the setting device 20 .

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system 10 according to the modification of the first embodiment. Here, as also shown in FIG. 2 , an example is shown in which the setting device 20 is used in the room 1 to associate a specific slave with a room ID indicating the location of the setting device 20 . The user inputs the room ID indicating "room 1" on the input screen of the device login support App in the setting device 20.

The setting device 20 (apparatus registration support App) transmits a request signal including a room ID by wireless communication (S20). The setting device 20 further includes the transmission power value of the request signal in the request signal. The slave device 16a measures the reception power of the request signal, and transmits the measured reception power value, room ID, and transmission power value to the master device 14 (S22). The slave device 16b also measures the reception power of the request signal in parallel, and transmits the measured reception power value, room ID, and transmission power value to the master device 14 (S24).

The master unit 14 calculates the propagation loss from the setting device 20 to each slave unit 16 (S26). For example, the parent machine 14. Calculate the propagation loss from the setting device 20 to the slave 16a by subtracting the received power value (in the case of decibel notation) from the transmission power value transmitted from the slave 16a. Similarly, the master unit 14 subtracts the received power value (in the case of decibel notation) from the transmission power value transmitted from the slave unit 16b, and calculates the propagation loss from the setting device 20 to the slave unit 16b.

The master unit 14 compares the propagation loss from the setting device 20 to the slave unit 16a with the propagation loss from the setting unit 20 to the slave unit 16b, and establishes the room ID with the slave unit 16 with the smaller propagation loss (the slave unit 16a in this example). corresponding (S28). The main machine 14 sends the associated information that the ID of the sub-machine 16a and the room ID have been matched to the server 22, and causes the server 22 to memorize the associated information (S30). That is, the corresponding relationship between the slave 16 a and the room 1 is stored in the server 22 .

Next, the user places the setting device 20 in the room 2, and inputs the room ID of the room 2 into the device login support app of the setting device 20. After that, the process of FIG. 4 is repeated, and the correspondence between the slave 16 b and the room 2 is stored in the server 22 .

Thereafter, the same operation as that of the first embodiment is performed. That is, when a device is connected to one sub-machine 16 among the plurality of sub-machines 16 , the one sub-machine 16 transmits the data of the connected device to the main machine 14 . The master machine 14 re-establishes the correspondence between the position corresponding to the above-mentioned one sub-machine 16 and the machine, and stores the correspondence in a specific memory area (the server 22, etc.). The communication system 10 of the present modification also exhibits the same effects as the communication system 10 of the first embodiment.

Another modification of the first embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the server 22 is used to manage the correspondence between the slave 16 and the room ID, and the equipment and room IDs connected to the slave 16 the corresponding relationship between the two. As a modified example, the parent machine 14 (the memory device of the parent machine 14) may be used to manage the correspondence between the slave machines 16 and the room IDs, and the server 22 may be used to manage the correspondence between the machines connected to the slave machine 16 and the room IDs .

In this variation, in S18 of FIG. 3 , the main machine 14 may also store the information related to the ID of the sub-machine 16 and the room ID in the memory of the local machine. When a device is connected to one sub-machine 16 among the plurality of sub-machines 16, the main machine 14 can also send and memorize the related information that the room ID corresponding to the above-mentioned one sub-machine 16 and the device ID have been established to correspond to the server. device 22.

(Second embodiment)

The configuration of the communication system 10 of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 . Hereinafter, the differences from the first embodiment will be described, and overlapping contents will be appropriately omitted.

In the second embodiment, the setting device 20 transmits the first signal to the plurality of slaves 16 . Each of the plurality of slave devices 16 measures the received power of the first signal and transmits it to the master device. The master unit 14 compares the received power among the slave units 16, and selects the child unit 16 with the largest received power. The master unit 14 transmits the second signal to the setting device 20 via the selected slave unit 16 . The setting device 20 associates the slave 16 which is the source of the second signal with the room ID.

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system 10 according to the second embodiment. Here, as also shown in FIG. 2 , an example is shown in which the setting device 20 is used in the room 1 and a specific slave is associated with the location data (room ID) indicating the location of the setting device 20 . The user starts the machine in the setting device 20 Log in to the support app with the device. The device registration support App causes the setting device 20 to display the room ID input screen. The user inputs a room ID indicating the location of the setting device 20 (here, "room 1") on the input screen.

The setting device 20 (apparatus registration support App) transmits a specific first signal by wireless communication (S40). Unlike the request signal of the first embodiment, the first signal does not need to include information such as room IDs, and only needs to be a signal of a predetermined frequency. The slave unit 16a measures the reception power of the first signal, and transmits the measured reception power value to the master unit 14 (S42). In parallel with this, the slave unit 16b also measures the received power of the first signal, and transmits the measured received power value to the parent unit 14 (S44).

The master unit 14 receives the received power value and the room ID transmitted from the slave unit 16a and the slave unit 16b, respectively. The main unit 14 transmits a specific second signal to the setting device 20 from any one of the plurality of child units 16 based on the received power value transmitted from the plurality of child units 16 . In the second embodiment, the base unit 14 compares the received power value of the child unit 16a with the received power value of the child unit 16b, and selects the child unit 16 (in this example, the child unit 16a) with the larger received power.

The master device 14 transmits the second signal to the setting device 20 via the selected slave device 16 (in this example, the slave device 16a) (S46). In other words, the master unit 14 transmits the second signal to the setting device 20 from the selected slave unit 16 . Like the first signal, the second signal does not need to include specific information. The second signal is a signal of a predetermined frequency in each of the sub-machines 16 , and may be a signal of a different frequency for each of the sub-machines 16 . As a variation, the second signal may also include identification information of the slave 16 of the transmission source.

The setting device 20 receives the second signal, and determines, based on the frequency of the second signal, the slave 16 (the slave 16a in this example) that is the source of the transmission of the second signal. The setting device 20 associates the slave 16 that is the source of the second signal with the position of the setting device 20 (in this example, the room ID input by the user) (S48). The setting device 20 transmits to the server 22 the related information that the ID of the slave 16 that is the source of the second signal and the room ID have been associated with each other, and causes the server 22 to memorize the related information (S50). Thereby, the corresponding relationship between the slave 16 a and the room 1 is stored in the server 22 . Furthermore, the setting device 20 may also send the related information to the host computer 14 , and the host computer 14 transmits the related information to the server 22 .

Next, the user places the setting device 20 in the room 2, and inputs the room ID of the room 2 into the device login support app of the setting device 20. After that, the process of FIG. 5 is repeated, and the correspondence between the slave 16 b and the room 2 is stored in the server 22 .

The subsequent operations are the same as in the first embodiment. That is, when a device is connected to one sub-machine 16 among the plurality of sub-machines 16 , the one sub-machine 16 transmits the data of the connected device to the main machine 14 . The parent machine 14 re-establishes the correspondence with the machine at the position corresponding to the above-mentioned one sub-machine 16 .

For example, if the first air conditioner installed in the room 1 is connected to the slave unit 16a, the main unit 14 sends the ID of the first air conditioner and the ID of the slave unit 16a to the server 22, and the server 22 communicates with the slave unit. 16a creates a corresponding memory of the room ID and the first air conditioner. Furthermore, when the second air conditioner installed in the room 2 is connected to the slave unit 16b, the main unit 14 transmits the ID of the second air conditioner and the ID of the slave unit 16b to the server 22, whereby the server 22 communicates with the slave unit 16b establishes a corresponding memory of the room ID and the second air conditioner.

In the communication system 10 of the second embodiment, the corresponding relationship between the device connected to the sub-machine and its installation position can be automatically constructed by establishing the corresponding relationship between the sub-machine of the HD-PLC and its installation position, and the servo The controller 22 manages the correspondence. In addition, the workload of the user can be reduced. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, there is no need to send and receive messages between the setting device 20 and the slave 16, that is, a situation where communication is not established is allowed. Therefore, the throughput of the entire communication system 10 can be reduced.

The present invention has been described above based on the second embodiment. This embodiment is an example, and it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible for the combination of each constituent element or each processing procedure, and such modifications are also included in the scope of the present invention.

A modification of the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the received power value in each sub-machine 16 is used, but the propagation loss between the setting device 20 and each sub-machine 16 may also be used. That is, the master unit 14 may obtain the propagation loss of each of the child units 16 based on the received power values of the plurality of child units 16 , and transmit the second signal to the setting device 20 from the child unit 16 with the smallest propagation loss among the plurality of child units 16 .

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system 10 according to the modification of the second embodiment. Here, as also shown in FIG. 2 , an example is shown in which the setting device 20 is used in the room 1 and a specific slave unit is associated with the room ID indicating the location of the setting device 20 . The user inputs the room ID indicating "room 1" into the input screen of the device registration support app in the setting device 20.

The setting device 20 (device registration support App) transmits the data including the transmitted power value by wireless communication. The first signal (S60). The slave unit 16a measures the reception power of the first signal, and transmits the transmission power value and the reception power value of the first signal to the parent unit 14 (S62). Similarly, the slave unit 16b also measures the reception power of the first signal, and transmits the transmission power value and the reception power value of the first signal to the master unit 14 (S64).

The master unit 14 calculates the propagation loss from the setting device 20 to each slave unit 16 (S66). For example, the master unit 14 calculates the propagation loss from the setting device 20 to the slave unit 16a by subtracting the reception power value (in the case of decibel notation) from the transmission power value transmitted from the slave unit 16a. Similarly, the master unit 14 subtracts the received power value (in the case of decibel notation) from the transmission power value transmitted from the slave unit 16b, and calculates the propagation loss from the setting device 20 to the slave unit 16b.

The master 14 compares the propagation loss from the setting device 20 to the slave 16a with the propagation loss from the setting device 20 to the slave 16b, and selects the slave 16 (in this example, the slave 16a) with the smaller propagation loss. The master device 14 transmits the second signal to the setting device 20 via the selected slave device 16 (S68). The setting device 20 associates the slave 16 that is the source of the second signal with the position of the setting device 20 (in this example, the room ID input by the user) ( S70 ). The setting device 20 transmits to the server 22 the associated information that the slave 16 that is the source of the second signal and the room ID have been associated, and causes the server 22 to memorize the associated information (S72). Thereby, the corresponding relationship between the slave 16 a and the room 1 is stored in the server 22 .

Next, the user places the setting device 20 in the room 2, and inputs the room ID of the room 2 into the device login support app of the setting device 20. Thereby, the corresponding relationship between the slave 16 b and the room 2 is stored in the server 22 . Thereafter, the same operation as that of the second embodiment is performed. That is, in a plurality of slaves When a device is connected to one of the sub-machines 16 in the 16 , the one sub-machine 16 sends the data of the connected device to the main machine 14 . The master machine 14 re-establishes the correspondence between the position corresponding to the above-mentioned one of the sub-machines 16 and the machine, and makes the corresponding relationship memorize in a specific memory area (the server 22 and the like). Also in this modification, the same effect as that of the second embodiment is exhibited.

Another modification of the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the server 22 is used to manage both the correspondence between the slave 16 and the room ID, and the correspondence between the equipment connected to the slave 16 and the room ID. As a modified example, the parent machine 14 (the memory device of the parent machine 14) may be used to manage the correspondence between the slave machines 16 and the room IDs, and the server 22 may be used to manage the correspondence between the machines connected to the slave machine 16 and the room IDs .

In this variation, in S50 of FIG. 5 , the setting device 20 may also send the associated information between the ID of the slave 16 and the room ID to the parent computer 14 , and the parent computer 14 stores the associated information in the memory of the local computer. When a device is connected to one sub-machine 16 among the plurality of sub-machines 16, the main machine 14 can also send and memorize the related information that the room ID corresponding to the above-mentioned one sub-machine 16 and the device ID have been established to correspond to the server. device 22.

(third embodiment)

The configuration of the communication system 10 of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 . Hereinafter, the differences from the first embodiment will be described, and overlapping contents will be appropriately omitted.

In the third embodiment, the master unit 14 transmits signals via a plurality of slave units 16 . Setting device 20 count The received power is measured from the signals sent by each of the plurality of sub-machines 16 . The setting device 20 selects the slave 16 that receives the most power, and associates the selected slave 16 with the room ID.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system 10 according to the third embodiment. Here, as also shown in FIG. 2 , an example is shown in which the setting device 20 is used in the room 1 and a specific slave is associated with the location data (room ID) indicating the location of the setting device 20 . The user inputs a specific start operation to the host computer 14 through an input device provided in the host computer 14 or through communication from a long distance. In addition, the user activates the machine login support App in the setting device 20, and inputs the ID of the room where the setting device 20 exists (here, room 1) into the input screen of the machine login support App.

The master unit 14 transmits a specific signal (herein referred to as a “test signal”) to the setting device 20 from the plurality of slave units 16 in response to the input of the above-mentioned start operation. Specifically, the master device 14 instructs the sub-device 16a to transmit a signal (S80), and the sub-device 16a transmits the test signal to the setting device 20 (S82). The test signal may have a different frequency in each of the sub-machines 16 of the transmission source, and may also include identification information of the sub-machine 16 of the transmission source. The setting device 20 (device registration support App) measures the received power of the test signal transmitted from the slave device 16a (S84).

Moreover, the main machine 14 also instructs the sub-machine 16b to transmit a signal (S86), and the sub-machine 16b transmits a test signal to the setting device 20 (S88). The setting device 20 measures the received power of the test signal transmitted from the slave 16b (S90).

The setting device 20 associates a specific sub-machine among the plurality of sub-machines 16 with the position of the setting device 20 based on the received power value of the test signal transmitted from each of the plurality of sub-machines 16 . At In the third embodiment, the setting device 20 associates the slave 16 with the highest received power value of the test signal among the plurality of slaves 16 with the room ID input by the user (S92). In this example, the setting device 20 compares the received power value of the test signal sent from the slave 16a with the received power value of the test signal sent from the slave 16b, and associates the slave 16a with the larger received power with the room ID. .

The setting device 20 transmits the associated information that the slave 16 (in this example, the slave 16a ) that receives the largest power value and the room ID has been associated, to the master 14 via the slave 16a ( S94 ). Then, the setting device 20 transmits the above-mentioned related information to the parent machine 14 via the slave machine 16b (S96). The host computer 14 sends the received related information to the server 22, and stores the related information in the server 22 (S98). Thereby, the corresponding relationship between the slave 16 a and the room 1 is stored in the server 22 . Furthermore, the setting device 20 can also directly send the associated information to the server 22 .

Next, the user places the setting device 20 in the room 2, and inputs the room ID of the room 2 into the device login support app of the setting device 20. After that, the process of FIG. 7 is repeated, and the correspondence between the slave 16 b and the room 2 is stored in the server 22 .

The subsequent operations are the same as in the first embodiment. That is, when a device is connected to one sub-machine 16 among the plurality of sub-machines 16 , the one sub-machine 16 transmits the data of the connected device to the main machine 14 . The parent machine 14 re-establishes the correspondence with the machine at the position corresponding to the above-mentioned one sub-machine 16 .

For example, if the first air conditioner installed in the room 1 is connected to the slave unit 16a, the main unit 14 sends the ID of the first air conditioner and the ID of the slave unit 16a to the server 22, and the server 22 communicates with the slave unit. 16a creates a corresponding memory of the room ID and the first air conditioner. Furthermore, when the second air conditioner installed in the room 2 is connected to the slave unit 16b, the main unit 14 transmits the ID of the second air conditioner and the ID of the slave unit 16b to the server 22, whereby the server 22 communicates with the slave unit 16b establishes a corresponding memory of the room ID and the second air conditioner.

In the communication system 10 of the third embodiment, the corresponding relationship between the device connected to the sub-machine and its installation position can be automatically constructed by establishing the corresponding relationship between the sub-machine of the HD-PLC and its installation position, and the servo The controller 22 manages the correspondence. In addition, the workload of the user can be reduced.

The present invention has been described above based on the third embodiment. This embodiment is an example, and it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible for the combination of each constituent element or each processing procedure, and such modifications are also included in the scope of the present invention.

A modification of the third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the received power value of the test signal sent from each sub-machine 16 is used, but the propagation loss between the setting device 20 and each sub-machine 16 may also be used. That is, the setting device 20 may also obtain the propagation loss of the signal sent from each slave based on the received power value of the signal sent from each of the plurality of slaves 16 , and compare the relationship between the slave with the smallest propagation loss among the plurality of slaves 16 and the setting device 20 . Correspondence to the location.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system 10 according to the modification of the third embodiment. Here, as also shown in FIG. 2 , an example is shown in which the setting device 20 is used in the room 1 and a specific slave unit is associated with the room ID indicating the location of the setting device 20 . The master unit 14 indicates the signal to the slave unit 16a In transmission (S100), the slave 16a transmits a test signal including the transmission power value to the setting device 20 (S102). The setting device 20 measures the received power of the test signal sent from the slave 16a, and subtracts the received power (in the case of decibel notation) from the transmitted power value of the test signal to calculate the propagation loss from the slave 16a to the setting device 20 ( S104).

Further, the main unit 14 instructs the subunit 16b to transmit a signal (S106), and the subunit 16b transmits a test signal including the transmission power value to the setting device 20 (S108). The setting device 20 measures the received power of the test signal sent from the slave 16b, and subtracts the received power (in the case of decibel notation) from the transmitted power value of the test signal to calculate the propagation loss from the slave 16b to the setting device 20 ( S110). The setting device 20 compares the propagation loss from the slave 16a to the setting device 20 with the propagation loss from the slave 16b to the setting device 20, and compares the slave 16 with the smaller propagation loss (the slave 16a in this example) with the room ID. Correspondence is established (S112).

The setting device 20 transmits the associated information that the slave 16 with the smallest propagation loss (the slave 16a in this example) and the room ID input by the user have established a correspondence to the master 14 via the slave 16a (S114). Following this, the setting device 20 transmits the above-mentioned related information to the parent machine 14 via the slave machine 16b (S116). The host computer 14 sends the received related information to the server 22, and causes the server 22 to memorize the related information (S118). Thereby, the corresponding relationship between the slave 16 a and the room 1 is stored in the server 22 . Furthermore, the setting device 20 can also directly send the associated information to the server 22 .

Next, the user places the setting device 20 in the room 2, and inputs the room ID of the room 2 into the device login support app of the setting device 20. Thereby, the corresponding relationship between the slave 16 b and the room 2 is stored in the server 22 . Thereafter, the same operation as that of the third embodiment is performed. That is, in a plurality of slaves When a device is connected to one of the sub-machines 16 in the 16 , the one sub-machine 16 sends the data of the connected device to the main machine 14 . The main machine 14 associates the position corresponding to the above-mentioned one sub-machine 16 with the reproduction of the machine, and makes the corresponding relationship memorize in a specific memory area (the server 22 and the like). Also in this modification, the same effect as that of the third embodiment is exhibited.

Another modification of the third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the server 22 manages both the correspondence between the slave 16 and the room ID, and the correspondence between the equipment connected to the slave 16 and the room ID. As a modified example, the parent machine 14 (the memory device of the parent machine 14) may be used to manage the correspondence between the slave machines 16 and the room IDs, and the server 22 may be used to manage the correspondence between the machines connected to the slave machine 16 and the room IDs .

In this variation, in S98 of FIG. 7 , the host computer 14 can also store the related information sent from the setting device 20 in the memory of the local computer. When a device is connected to one sub-machine 16 among the plurality of sub-machines 16, the main machine 14 can also send and memorize the related information that the room ID corresponding to the above-mentioned one sub-machine 16 and the device ID have been established to correspond to the server. device 22.

Variations common to the first to third embodiments will be described. In each embodiment, the case of using HD-PLC is illustrated, but the technical idea of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, various communication standards other than HD-PLC can be used, including communication standards of the parent machine and the slave machine.

Arbitrary combinations of the above-described embodiments and modifications are also useful as embodiments of the present invention. The new embodiment created by combining has the effect of each of the combined example and the modified example. In addition, it should also be understood by the business operators the functions to be performed by the constituent elements described in the claims It is realized by the cooperation of the individual components or the like shown in the embodiment and the modified example.

The techniques described in the embodiments and modifications can also be determined by the following items.

[Item 1]

A communication system comprising a parent machine (14), a plurality of sub-machines (16), and a setting device (20), wherein the setting device (20) transmits position data indicating the position of the setting device (20), and the plurality of sub-machines ( 16) Each of the above-mentioned position data and the received power value of the above-mentioned position data is transmitted to the above-mentioned main machine (14), and the above-mentioned main machine (14) transmits the above-mentioned plurality of sub-machines (16) based on the received power values sent from the above-mentioned plurality of sub-machines (16). ) in the specified sub-machine (16) and the position of the above-mentioned setting device (20) indicated by the above-mentioned position data.

[Item 2]

The communication system according to item 1, wherein the master unit (14) associates the slave unit (16) with the largest received power value among the plurality of slave units (16) with the position of the setting device (20) indicated by the location data .

[Item 3]

The communication system according to item 1, wherein the main unit (14) obtains the propagation loss of each child unit (16) based on the received power value of the plurality of child units (16), and transmits the propagation loss to the plurality of child units (16). The sub-machine (16) with the smallest loss is established corresponding to the position of the above-mentioned setting device (20) indicated by the above-mentioned position data.

[Item 4]

A communication system comprising a main machine (14), a plurality of sub-machines (16), and a setting device (20), the setting device (20) transmits a first signal, the plurality of sub-machines (16) each transmit the received power value of the first signal to the main machine (14), and the main machine (14) is based on the data from the plurality of sub-machines The received power value sent by the machine (16), from any one of the plurality of sub-machines (16), the second signal is sent to the above-mentioned setting device (20), and the above-mentioned setting device (20) will be used as the transmission of the second signal The source sub-machine (16) corresponds to the position of the setting device (20).

[Item 5]

The communication system according to item 4, wherein the master unit (14) transmits the second signal to the setting device (20) from the slave unit (16) having the largest power value among the plurality of slave units (16).

[Item 6]

The communication system according to item 4, wherein the master unit (14) obtains the propagation loss of each child unit (16) based on the received power value of the plurality of child units (16), and transmits the propagation loss from the plurality of child units (16) The sub-unit (16) with the smallest loss transmits the second signal to the above-mentioned setting device (20).

[Item 7]

A communication system comprising a master machine (14), a plurality of slave machines (16), and a setting device (20), the master machine (14) sending a signal from the plurality of slave machines (16) to the setting device (20), the The setting device (20) is based on the reception of signals sent from each of the plurality of sub-machines (16) described above For the power value, a specific sub-machine (16) among the plurality of sub-machines (16) is associated with the position of the setting device (20).

[Item 8]

The communication system according to item 7, wherein the setting device (20) associates the slave (16) with the largest received power value among the plurality of slaves (16) with the position of the setting device (20).

[Item 9]

The communication system as described in item 7, wherein said setting means (20) obtains a propagation loss of a signal transmitted from each slave (16) based on a received power value of a signal transmitted from each of said plurality of slaves (16), and A sub-machine (16) with the smallest propagation loss among the above-mentioned plurality of sub-machines (16) is associated with the position of the setting device (20).

[Item 10]

The communication system according to any one of items 1 to 9, wherein when a device is connected to one of the plurality of sub-machines (16), the one sub-machine (16) transfers the device to the above-mentioned one sub-machine (16). The data is sent to the above-mentioned main machine (14), and the above-mentioned main machine (14) will re-establish correspondence with the above-mentioned machine at the position corresponding to the above-mentioned one sub-machine (16).

[Item 11]

A communication method, comprising the steps of: a setting device (20) sending position data representing the position of the setting device (20); a plurality of sub-machines (16) respectively sending the position data and the received power value of the position data to a parent machine (14); and the above-mentioned master machine (14) converts the above-mentioned A specific sub-machine (16) among the plurality of sub-machines (16) is associated with the position of the above-mentioned setting device (20) indicated by the above-mentioned position data.

[Item 12]

A communication method, comprising the following steps: a setting device (20) sends a first signal; a plurality of sub-machines (16) each send a received power value of the first signal to a main machine (14); the main machine (14) is based on the The received power value sent by the plurality of sub-machines (16), the second signal is sent from any one of the plurality of sub-machines (16) to the above-mentioned setting device (20); and the above-mentioned setting device (20) will be used as the above-mentioned second The sub-machine (16) of the source of the signal is established in correspondence with the position of the setting device (20).

[Item 13]

A communication method, comprising the steps of: a master machine (14) sending a signal from a plurality of sub-machines (16) to a setting device (20); and the setting device (20) based on the signals respectively sent from the plurality of sub-machines (16) For the received power value, a specific sub-machine (16) among the plurality of sub-machines (16) is associated with the position of the setting device (20).

10: Communication System

12: Buildings

14: Mother machine

16: handset

16a: Handset

16b: handset

18: Power lines

20: Setting device

22: Server

24: Internet

Claims (13)

A communication system, comprising a main machine, a plurality of sub-machines, and a processing device; the above-mentioned main machine and the above-mentioned plural sub-machines are connected to a power line to form a PLC (Power Line Communication, power line communication) network; the above-mentioned plural sub-machines are arranged in different rooms; The above-mentioned processing The device displays an input screen of the ID of the room where the processing device exists, and sends the ID of the room input by the user on the input screen as the position data indicating the location of the processing device; the plurality of sub-machines respectively send the above position data and The received power value of the above-mentioned location data is sent to the above-mentioned main machine; the above-mentioned main machine is based on the received power value sent from the above-mentioned plurality of sub-machines, and a specific sub-machine of the above-mentioned plurality of sub-machines is associated with the ID of the room indicated by the above-mentioned position data. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the master unit associates the child unit with the largest received power value among the plurality of child units with the location of the processing device indicated by the location data. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the master unit obtains the propagation loss of each slave unit based on the received power values of the plurality of slave units, and the processing indicated by the child unit with the smallest propagation loss among the plurality of slave units and the position data is performed. The position of the device is established correspondingly. A communication system, comprising a main machine, a plurality of sub-machines, and a processing device; the above-mentioned main machine and the above-mentioned plural sub-machines are connected to a power line to form a PLC (Power Line Communication, power line communication) network; the above-mentioned plural sub-machines are arranged in different rooms; The above-mentioned processing The device displays an input screen of the ID of the room where the processing device exists, and receives the ID of the room input by the user on the input screen; the processing device sends a first signal; the plurality of sub-machines each send the received power value of the first signal. To the master unit, the master unit transmits a second signal from any one of the plurality of slave units to the processing device based on the received power value transmitted from the plurality of slave units; the processing unit serves as a transmission source of the second signal The sub-machine corresponds to the ID of the room entered in the above input screen. The communication system of claim 4, wherein the master unit transmits the second signal to the processing device from the slave unit having the largest power value among the plurality of slave units. The communication system of claim 4, wherein the master unit obtains the propagation loss of each slave unit based on the received power values of the plurality of slave units, and the child unit with the smallest propagation loss among the plurality of slave units transmits the second signal to the processing device . A communication system includes a main machine, a plurality of sub-machines, and a processing device; The above-mentioned main machine and the above-mentioned plural sub-machines are connected to the power line to form a PLC (Power Line Communication, power line communication) network; the above-mentioned plural sub-machines are arranged in different rooms; the above-mentioned processing device displays the input screen of the room ID of the processing device, and receives and uses The ID of the room entered on the input screen; the master unit sends a signal from the plurality of slave units to the processing device, and the processing device converts the plurality of slave units based on the received power value of the signal sent from each of the plurality of child units. The specific sub-machine in the set corresponds to the ID of the room input in the above-mentioned input screen. The communication system of claim 7, wherein the processing device establishes a correspondence between the sub-machine with the largest received power value among the plurality of sub-machines and the position of the processing device. The communication system of claim 7, wherein the processing means obtains the propagation loss of the signal transmitted from each sub-machine based on the received power value of the signal transmitted from each of the plurality of sub-machines, and calculates the sub-machine with the smallest propagation loss among the plurality of sub-machines The machine establishes a correspondence with the position of the processing device. According to the communication system of any one of claims 1 to 9, when a device is connected to one of the plurality of sub-machines, the above-mentioned one sub-machine sends the data of the above-mentioned device to the above-mentioned main machine, and the above-mentioned main machine sends The position corresponding to the above-mentioned 1 sub-machine is re-established with the above-mentioned machine. answer. A communication method, which is a communication method of a communication system comprising a main machine, a plurality of sub-machines, and a processing device; the main machine and the plurality of sub-machines are connected to a power line to form a PLC (Power Line Communication, power line communication) network; The plurality of sub-machines Set in different rooms; it includes the following steps: the processing device displays an input screen of the ID of the room where the processing device exists, and the ID of the room input by the user on the input screen is used as the position data indicating the location of the processing device. sending; each of the plurality of sub-machines transmits the position data and the received power value of the position data to the above-mentioned main machine; and the above-mentioned main machine transmits a specific sub-machine of the plurality of sub-machines based on the received power value transmitted from the above-mentioned plurality of sub-machines Correspondence is established with the ID of the room indicated by the above location data. A communication method, which is a communication method of a communication system comprising a main machine, a plurality of sub-machines, and a processing device; the main machine and the plurality of sub-machines are connected to a power line to form a PLC (Power Line Communication, power line communication) network; The plurality of sub-machines Set up in different rooms; the above-mentioned communication method includes the following steps: the above-mentioned processing device displays an input screen of the ID of the room in which the processing device exists, and receives the request. The ID of the room input by the user on the input screen; the processing device sends a first signal; the plurality of sub-machines each send the received power value of the first signal to the main machine; the main machine is based on the reception sent from the plurality of sub-machines the power value, from any one of the plurality of sub-machines to transmit the second signal to the above-mentioned processing device; and the above-mentioned processing device associates the sub-machine that is the source of the transmission of the above-mentioned second signal with the ID of the room input in the above-mentioned input screen . A communication method, which is a communication method of a communication system comprising a main machine, a plurality of sub-machines, and a processing device; the main machine and the plurality of sub-machines are connected to a power line to form a PLC (Power Line Communication, power line communication) network; The plurality of sub-machines Set up in different rooms; the communication method includes the following steps: the processing device displays an input screen of the ID of the room where the processing device exists, and receives the room ID input by the user on the input screen; sent to the processing device; and the processing device associates a specific sub-machine among the plurality of sub-machines with the ID of the room input on the input screen based on the received power value of the signal sent from each of the plurality of sub-machines.

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