Wireless communication device and wiring device system

Abstract

To provide a wireless communication device and a wiring fixture system that allow greater flexibility in the installation of access points.SOLUTION: A wireless communication device 1 includes a wireless communication unit that functions as an access point to perform wireless communication with a communication terminal, a housing 12 that is fixed to a construction surface 300 and houses the wireless communication unit, a cover 13 that covers the front of the housing 12, a setting operation unit 73 that is placed on the front of the housing 12 and receives operations to set functions of the wireless communication unit. The cover 13 is attached to the housing 12 so that it can rotate around an axis portion. The cover 13 can move between a first position where it covers the front surface of the housing 12 and a second position where it exposes the front surface of the housing 12. The setting operation unit 73 is operable when the cover 13 is at the second position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a wireless communication device and a wiring appliance system, and more particularly to a wireless communication device and a wiring appliance system having a function as an access point for performing wireless communication with a communication terminal. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a wireless communication device (wireless LAN access point) that wirelessly communicates with a communication terminal (wireless LAN client terminal) such as a smartphone. The wireless communication device described in Patent Document 1 is capable of determining whether to perform transmission beamforming control depending on whether the situation allows a throughput value required by a user of the communication terminal to be obtained. Patent Document 1 assumes a case in which multiple communication terminals exist in the vicinity of the wireless communication device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-110375 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to realize an access point in the above-mentioned wireless communication device that can stably connect to multiple communication terminals, there is a problem that the location where the access point can be installed is restricted by radio wave propagation characteristics, etc., resulting in low freedom in installing the access point.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned reasons, and has an object to provide a wireless communication device and a wiring appliance system that increase the degree of freedom in installing access points. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A wireless communication device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a wireless communication unit, a housing, a cover, and a setting operation unit. Switch, The wireless communication unit functions as an access point that performs wireless communication with a communication terminal. The housing is fixed to a construction surface. The housing houses the wireless communication unit. The cover covers a front surface of the housing. The setting operation unit is disposed on the front surface of the housing and receives operations for setting functions of the wireless communication unit. The switch can be pressed and operated from the front side of the housing. The cover is attached to the housing so as to be rotatable about a shaft portion. The cover is movable between a first position that covers the front surface of the housing and a second position that exposes the front surface of the housing. The setting operation unit is operable when the cover is in the second position. The switch is operable with the cover in the first position and the second position.

[0007] A wiring accessory system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes the wireless communication device and a wiring accessory, the wiring accessory being fixed to the installation surface alongside the housing. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The present disclosure has the advantage of increasing the degree of freedom in installing access points. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a facility in which a wireless communication device according to a first embodiment is installed. [Diagram 2] Fig. 2A is a front view of the wireless communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention with a cover attached to the housing, and Fig. 2B is a front view of the wireless communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention with the cover removed from the housing. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating the network system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Fig. 4A is a perspective view showing a structure for mounting the wireless communication device to an installation surface, and Fig. 4B is a perspective view showing a state in which the wireless communication device is mounted to an installation surface. [Diagram 5]Fig. 5A is a front view showing one aspect of a wireless communication device of embodiment 2. Fig. 5B is a front view showing another aspect of the wireless communication device of the same embodiment. [Figure 6] Fig. 6A is a front view showing one embodiment of a wiring accessory system using the wireless communication device of the same, and Fig. 6B is a front view showing another embodiment of the same wiring accessory system. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating a network system according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] (Embodiment 1) (1) Overview An overview of a wireless communication device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG.

[0011] The wireless communication device 1 according to this embodiment is a device having a function as an access point 101 that performs wireless communication with a communication terminal 2. For example, a communication terminal 2 that performs wireless communication conforming to a standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) is connected to an access point, thereby being connected to a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The wireless communication device 1 has a function as such an access point.

[0012] The wireless communication device 1 according to this embodiment includes a wireless communication unit 11 (see FIG. 3), a housing 12 (see FIG. 2B), and a cover 13 (see FIG. 2A). The wireless communication unit 11 functions as an access point 101 that performs wireless communication with the communication terminal 2. The housing 12 is fixed to an installation surface 300 (see FIG. 2B). The housing 12 accommodates the wireless communication unit 11. The cover 13 covers a front surface 121 of the housing 12.

[0013] According to this configuration, the wireless communication unit 11 functioning as the access point 101 is housed in the housing 12 fixed to the installation surface 300, so the access point can be installed smartly without having to secure space for a stationary access point. Moreover, since the front surface 121 of the housing 12 is covered with the cover 13, the cover 13 can protect the housing 12 from dust, moisture, oil, external forces, and the like, and further, the appearance of the installation surface 300 is not easily impaired. Therefore, according to the wireless communication device 1 of this embodiment, the freedom of installation of the access point 101 is increased.

[0014] Moreover, the wireless communication device 1 according to this embodiment includes a wireless communication unit 11 and a housing 12. The wireless communication unit 11 functions as one of the multiple access points 101 in a mesh network including the multiple access points 101. Each of the multiple access points 101 performs wireless communication with the communication terminal 2. The housing 12 is fixed to the construction surface 300. The housing 12 accommodates the wireless communication unit 11.

[0015] According to this configuration, the wireless communication unit 11 functioning as the access point 101 is accommodated in the housing 12 fixed to the construction surface 300, so that the access point can be installed smartly without securing a space for placing a stationary access point. Moreover, the wireless communication unit 11 functions as one of the multiple access points 101 included in the mesh network. In other words, the wireless communication unit 11 functions not as a simple access point 101 but as an access point 101 that constructs the mesh network. By constructing the mesh network, if the communication terminal 2 is within the communication range of any of the multiple access points 101, the communication terminal 2 can be connected to the mesh network. Moreover, even if the communication terminal 2 moves from the communication range of one access point 101 to the communication range of another access point 101, the communication partner of the communication terminal 2 is seamlessly switched between the two access points 101. Therefore, according to the wireless communication device 1 according to this embodiment, the degree of freedom of movement of the communication terminal 2 during communication is increased.

[0016] (2)Details The wireless communication device 1, the network system 100 (see FIG. 3), the wiring appliance system 200, and the network providing method according to the present embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0017] (2.1) Premise In this embodiment, the wireless communication device 1 is fixed to a construction surface 300 of a facility F1 (see FIG. 1). The "construction surface" in this disclosure refers to the surface of a member to which the wireless communication device 1 is fixed, and includes, for example, the surface of a structure such as a wall, ceiling, or floor of a building, or the surface of a fixture (including fittings) such as a desk, shelf, or counter. The facility F1 in which the wireless communication device 1 is installed is, for example, a residential facility such as a detached house or an apartment building, or a non-residential facility such as an office, store, school, factory, hospital, or nursing home. In this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the wireless communication device 1 is a built-in wiring device attached to the construction surface 300 consisting of a wall surface of a detached house.

[0018] The "communication terminal" in this disclosure is a terminal having a function of wireless communication with the access point 101, and is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a wearable terminal, a personal computer, a computer game machine, equipment, or a home appliance. Examples of home appliances include a network television, a refrigerator, a washing machine, or an air conditioner. Each of these communication terminals 2 has, as a function for accepting operations by a person, for example, an operation input function for accepting an input signal from a touch panel display or an external operation device (such as a keyboard or a pointing device). Furthermore, each of these communication terminals 2 has, as a function for presenting information to a person, for example, a display function for displaying information on a display.

[0019] In the present disclosure, "wireless communication" refers to contactless communication using radio waves as a transmission medium. In this embodiment, the access point 101 (wireless communication device 1) and the communication terminal 2 are capable of bidirectional communication. In addition, in this embodiment, as an example, the wireless communication between the access point 101 (wireless communication device 1) and the communication terminal 2 is wireless communication compliant with Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0020] In the present disclosure, the term "mesh network" refers to a network including a plurality of access points 101, and in which a communication terminal 2 can seamlessly connect to the plurality of access points 101. The plurality of access points 101 that construct the mesh network communicate with each other and cooperate to realize seamless switching of the access point 101 that communicates with the communication terminal 2. As a result, it is possible to expand the communication range of one mesh network compared to the communication range of one access point 101. In this embodiment, as described above, the access point 101 (wireless communication device 1) and the communication terminal 2 communicate with each other by Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and therefore the mesh network constructed by the plurality of access points 101 is mesh Wi-Fi (registered trademark). In general, the plurality of access points 101 that construct the mesh Wi-Fi (registered trademark) have a common SSID (Service Set Identifier) ​​and password (passphrase).

[0021] In the present disclosure, "seamless" means continuous without a gap. In other words, even if the communication terminal 2 moves from the communication range of one access point 101 to the communication range of another access point 101, the connection destination of the communication terminal 2 switches seamlessly between the two access points 101. As a result, the connection state of the communication terminal 2 to the mesh network is maintained seamlessly.

[0022] In the present disclosure, the term "communication range" refers to a range in which wireless communication with the access point 101 is possible. In other words, when the communication terminal 2 is within the communication range of a certain access point 101, normal wireless communication with the access point 101 is possible. On the other hand, when the communication terminal 2 is outside the communication range of a certain access point 101, normal wireless communication with the access point 101 is difficult. The communication range is specified using an evaluation value representing, for example, a signal-noise ratio (SN ratio), a received signal strength indicator (RSSI), an error rate, a transmission rate, or the like in wireless communication between the access point 101 and the communication terminal 2. As an example, a range in which an evaluation value representing the SN ratio in wireless communication between the access point 101 and the communication terminal 2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value is the communication range of the access point 101.

[0023] (2.2) Network System Next, the network system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0024] A plurality of access points 101 including the wireless communication device 1 according to this embodiment constitute a network system 100 consisting of a mesh network. In other words, the network system 100 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of access points 101 including the wireless communication device 1. This network system 100 constitutes a mesh network with these plurality of access points 101. That is, the network system 100 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of access points 101 that constitute the mesh network. At least one of these plurality of access points 101 is the wireless communication device 1 according to this embodiment.

[0025] 1, as an example of the present embodiment, a plurality of access points 101 (five in the example of FIG. 1) constituting a network system 100 (mesh network) are all wireless communication devices 1. That is, the plurality of access points 101 are made up of a plurality of wireless communication devices 1 having the same configuration. Therefore, hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the configuration described for one wireless communication device 1 is assumed to be a common configuration for all of the plurality of access points 101.

[0026] Here, the multiple access points 101 that construct the mesh network are configured to be able to communicate with each other. In this disclosure, "able to communicate" means that signals can be sent and received directly or indirectly via a network or a repeater, etc., by an appropriate communication method such as wired communication or wireless communication. In this embodiment, the multiple access points 101 are all connected to an electric wire L1, thereby being wired.

[0027] That is, in this embodiment, the wireless communication device 1 further includes a wired communication unit 14 (see FIG. 3). The wired communication unit 14 performs wired communication with an access point 101 other than the wireless communication unit 11 among the multiple access points 101. As a result, communication between the wireless communication device 1 and the other access points 101 is realized by wired communication using the electric wire L1 as a medium. Since the wireless communication unit 11 of the wireless communication device 1 also functions as the access point 101, as a result, communication between the multiple access points 101 is realized by wired communication. In this embodiment, as an example, the electric wire L1 is a signal line for communication, and more specifically, a LAN cable. That is, in this embodiment, the communication method between the multiple access points 101 that construct the mesh network is a wired LAN method.

[0028] In this way, a backhaul for connecting the multiple access points 101 is realized by a wire (electric wire L1). In other words, the multiple access points 101 are connected by a wired backhaul, particularly an Ethernet (registered trademark) backhaul, to construct a mesh network. Here, as an example, the connection topology between the multiple access points 101 is a star type. Specifically, one or more access points 101 as child devices, which will be described later, are directly connected to the access point 101 as a parent device, which will be described later. In this embodiment, since multiple child devices are provided, multiple child devices are connected to one parent device by the electric wire L1.

[0029] In this embodiment, the wired communication unit 14 performs wired communication with another access point 101 through the electric wire L1 arranged on the back side of the construction surface 300. The "back side of the construction surface 300" here means the back of the wall, or more precisely, the space behind the wall, when the construction surface 300 is a wall surface. Of course, it is not limited to the back of the wall, and if the construction surface 300 is a floor surface, the underfloor (space under the floor) becomes the "back side of the construction surface 300", and if the construction surface 300 is a ceiling surface, the ceiling (space above the ceiling) becomes the "back side of the construction surface 300". In this way, the wired communication unit 14 realizes wired communication by using the concealed wiring installed to pass through the back side of the construction surface 300 as the electric wire L1. Therefore, even though the multiple access points 101 that construct the mesh network are connected by wire, the electric wire L1 connecting the multiple access points 101 is not exposed, which makes it look good. Moreover, even when connecting multiple access points 101 installed in different rooms, the multiple access points 101 can be wired to each other by passing the electric wire L1 behind the construction surface 300. Fig. 1 merely shows the electric wire L1 arranged behind the construction surface 300 in a schematic manner, rather than faithfully showing the actual path that the electric wire L1 takes.

[0030] The multiple access points 101 are distributed and arranged in multiple rooms in the facility F1. In the example of FIG. 1, one access point 101 is installed in one room. In this way, the multiple access points 101 are distributed and arranged in the facility F1, so that the communication range of the mesh network constructed by the multiple access points 101 can be expanded. In the present embodiment, as an example, the entire facility F1 is included in the communication range of the mesh network. As a result, the communication terminal 2 can wirelessly communicate with any of the multiple access points 101 that construct the mesh network, regardless of where it is located in the facility F1, and as a result, can connect to the mesh network.

[0031] Meanwhile, the network system 100 as a mesh network is connected to an external network 3 (see FIG. 3) that is separate from the mesh network. In the present embodiment, as an example, the external network 3 is a public network such as the Internet. The network system 100 is connected to the external network 3 via an optical line terminal 4. In the drawings, the optical line terminal 4 is represented as an "ONU" (Optical Network Unit). The optical line terminal 4 is installed in a facility F1, and is connected to an optical fiber drawn into the facility F1. The optical line terminal 4 is connected to the external network 3 by an optical line (optical fiber), and performs mutual conversion between optical signals and electrical signals. As a result, the network system 100 is connected to the external network 3 via the optical line terminal 4 and the optical line (optical fiber).

[0032] In this embodiment, the multiple access points 101 that construct the mesh network are classified as either parent devices or child devices. Only one parent device exists in the mesh network, and one or more child devices exist in the mesh network. In this embodiment, the mesh network (network system 100) includes one access point 101 as a parent device and multiple access points 101 as child devices (four in the example of FIG. 1).

[0033] The parent device is connected to an external network 3, and one or more child devices are connected to the parent device. Here, the access point 101 (wireless communication device 1) as the parent device is connected to an optical line terminal 4, and is indirectly connected to the external network 3 via the optical line terminal 4. The access point 101 (wireless communication device 1) as the parent device and the optical line terminal 4 are connected by, for example, a LAN cable. In the mesh network, the parent device has a function as a "router", and the child device has a function as a "satellite". Therefore, the SSID and password of the one or more child devices are common to the SSID and password of the parent device. That is, the multiple access points 101 include a parent device connected to an external network 3 different from the mesh network, and one or more child devices connected to the parent device. The child devices use the same identifier as the parent device's identifier (for example, SSID).

[0034] As described above, in this embodiment, a plurality of access points 101 are connected by a star-shaped connection topology in which one or more access points 101 as child devices are directly connected to the access point 101 as a parent device. In this embodiment, since a plurality of child devices are provided, at least the wireless communication device 1 as a parent device has a plurality of ports for connecting the plurality of child devices with electric wires L1 (here, LAN cables).

[0035] Details will be described in the section "(2.3) Wireless Communication Device", but in this embodiment, the wireless communication device 1 can be used as either a parent device or a child device, and is configured to be switchable between being used as a parent device or a child device. Therefore, wireless communication devices 1 used as multiple access points 101 have a common configuration. Therefore, in this embodiment, each wireless communication device 1 has multiple ports.

[0036] In this way, the network system 100 as a mesh network is connected to an external network 3 such as the Internet. Therefore, by being connected to the mesh network, the communication terminal 2 is connected to the external network 3 such as the Internet via the mesh network. In this embodiment, since the entire facility F1 is included in the communication range of the mesh network as described above, the communication terminal 2 can connect to the external network 3 via the mesh network no matter where it is located in the facility F1.

[0037] (2.3) Wireless communication devices Next, the wireless communication device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A to 3. FIG.

[0038] As described above, in the present embodiment, as an example, the wireless communication device 1 is a built-in wiring device attached to the construction surface 300 consisting of a wall surface of the facility F1 (residence). That is, the wireless communication device 1 is a wiring device fixed to the construction surface 300 and configured to be able to connect wiring (including the electric wire L1) passing through the back side of the construction surface 300. In particular, the wireless communication device 1 is a built-in wiring device in which the housing 12 is fixed to the construction surface 300 with at least a part of the housing 12 embedded in a construction hole 301 (see FIG. 4A) formed in the construction surface 300.

[0039] In this embodiment, the wireless communication device 1 also functions as a switch device. The wireless communication device 1 is attached to a construction surface 300 that is a wall surface, and thus constitutes a so-called "wall switch." Therefore, the wireless communication device 1 is inserted between a power source and a load 5 (see FIG. 1). In this disclosure, "insertion" means insertion between two electrically connected entities, and the wireless communication device 1 is electrically connected between the power source and the load 5 in a circuit formed by the power source and the load 5. In other words, the load 5 is electrically connected to the power source via the wireless communication device 1.

[0040] The power source is, for example, a single-phase 100V, 60Hz commercial AC power source (system power source). The load 5 is assumed to be, for example, a lighting device (lighting fixture) including a light source consisting of an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and a lighting circuit for lighting the light source. In this load 5, the light source lights up when power is supplied from the power source. Therefore, the wireless communication device 1 functioning as a switch device switches between supplying and stopping power supply from the power source to the load 5 by switching between conduction and non-conduction between the power source and the load 5.

[0041] A wiring device serving as such a switch device (wall switch) is generally installed at a higher position on the installation surface 300 (wall surface) compared to an outlet or the like. That is, in consideration of operability, the switch device is often installed at a height that is unlikely to be hidden by furniture and that allows a user to easily operate it in a standing position. In this embodiment, it is also assumed that the wireless communication device 1 functioning as a switch device is installed at a higher position compared to an outlet or the like. As an example, the wireless communication device 1 is fixed to the installation surface 300 so that the vertical center of the wireless communication device 1 is 110 cm or more and 120 cm or less from the floor surface.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the wireless communication device 1 includes a circuit block 10, a housing 12, and a cover 13.

[0043] The circuit block 10 has a circuit board (printed wiring board) and various electronic components mounted on the circuit board. As will be described in detail later, the circuit block 10 includes at least a wireless communication unit 11 (see FIG. 3). The circuit block 10 may include multiple circuit boards.

[0044] As described above, the housing 12 is fixed to the installation surface 300. The housing 12 houses the wireless communication unit 11. Strictly speaking, the housing 12 houses the circuit block 10 including the wireless communication unit 11, thereby housing the wireless communication unit 11 together with the circuit block 10. In addition to the circuit block 10, the housing 12 also houses internal parts such as a terminal board that constitutes a terminal as appropriate. The housing 12 is made of synthetic resin having electrical insulation properties.

[0045] In this embodiment, the housing 12 is rectangular and has dimensions similar to those of a wiring device having three module dimensions. As shown in FIG. 2B, the housing 12 has a front surface 121 that is exposed forward (toward the room side) when the housing 12 is attached to the installation surface 300. Here, the front surface 121 of the housing 12 is rectangular in shape with a vertical dimension greater than a horizontal dimension. A switch 71, a display unit 72, a setting operation unit 73, a setting switch 74, and an operation display unit 75, which will be described later, are arranged on the front surface 121 of the housing 12.

[0046] Here, in this embodiment, the housing 12 is integrated with a mounting frame 19 for fixing the housing 12 to an installation surface 300, as shown in FIG. 4A. Furthermore, a switch plate 8 is attached to the mounting frame 19, as shown in FIG. 4A. Here, in this embodiment, the mounting frame 19 and the switch plate 8 are included in the components of the wireless communication device 1. In other words, the wireless communication device 1 further includes the mounting frame 19 and the switch plate 8. However, it is not essential that the mounting frame 19 and the switch plate 8 are included in the components of the wireless communication device 1, and at least one of the mounting frame 19 and the switch plate 8 does not have to be included in the components of the wireless communication device 1. The mounting frame 19 and the switch plate 8 will be described in detail in the section "(2.4) Mounting Structure of Wireless Communication Device."

[0047] As described above, the cover 13 covers the front surface 121 of the housing 12. Here, the cover 13 has a size and shape to cover the entire front surface 121 of the housing 12. In this embodiment, the cover 13 is made of synthetic resin having electrical insulation properties, and is formed in a rectangular plate shape. As shown in FIG. 2A, the cover 13 has a front surface 131 that is exposed forward when the wireless communication device 1 is attached to the installation surface 300. Here, the front surface 131 of the cover 13 is a rectangle that is one size larger than the front surface 121 of the housing 12.

[0048] In this embodiment, the cover 13 is removably attached to the housing 12. FIG. 2A shows a state in which the cover 13 is attached to the housing 12, and FIG. 2B shows a state in which the cover 13 is removed from the housing 12. As shown in FIG. 2A, when the cover 13 is attached to the housing 12, the front surface 121 of the housing 12 is covered by the cover 13. As shown in FIG. 2B, when the cover 13 is removed from the housing 12, the front surface 121 of the housing 12 is exposed. That is, the cover 13 is movable between a first position that covers the front surface 121 of the housing 12 and a second position that exposes the front surface 121 of the housing 12. When the cover 13 is attached to the housing 12 as shown in FIG. 2A, the cover 13 is located at the first position, and when the cover 13 is removed from the housing 12 as shown in FIG. 2B, the cover 13 is located at the second position.

[0049] Here, the cover 13 also functions as a switch handle. That is, the cover 13 is movable and displaceable relative to the housing 12 while attached to the housing 12, and the wireless communication device 1 functions as a switch device when the cover 13 is operated by a user. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2B, a switch 71 that can be pressed from the front surface 121 side of the housing 12 is disposed on the front surface 121 of the housing 12. The "push operation" here refers to the operation of pushing the switch 71 backward. The switch 71 is, for example, configured of a cantilever-shaped lever formed on a part of the front wall of the housing 12 and a push button switch disposed behind the lever. When the switch 71 is pressed, the wireless communication device 1 functioning as a switch device switches between conduction / non-conduction between the power source and the load 5.

[0050] Specifically, the cover 13 has a shaft at one end (here, the left end) in the left-right direction when viewed from the front. The cover 13 is attached to the housing 12 so as to be rotatable around the shaft. The cover 13 also has an operation unit 132 that protrudes rearward from a part of the back surface of the cover 13. The operation unit 132 is made of a protrusion disposed at a position facing the switch 71. As a result, when the front surface 131 of the cover 13 (particularly the right end opposite the shaft) is pressed, the cover 13 rotates around the shaft, and the switch 71 is pushed rearward by the operation unit 132 of the cover 13. In other words, the cover 13 is a piano handle for pressing the switch 71.

[0051] In short, the wireless communication device 1 according to this embodiment further includes a switch 71 that can be pressed from the front surface 121 side of the housing 12. The cover 13 includes an operation unit 132 for pressing the switch 71 through the cover 13. According to this configuration, when the cover 13 is attached to the housing 12, that is, when the cover 13 is in the first position covering the front surface 121 of the housing 12, the switch 71 can be operated through the cover 13.

[0052] In this embodiment, in addition to the switch 71, a display unit 72, a setting operation unit 73, a setting switch 74, and an operation display unit 75 are arranged on the front surface 121 of the housing 12, as shown in FIG. 2B.

[0053] The display unit 72 displays connection information. The "connection information" in the present disclosure is information used when connecting the communication terminal 2 to the wireless communication unit 11, and includes, for example, an SSID and a password as identifiers. The display unit 72 is disposed in the center of the front surface 121 of the housing 12, as shown in FIG. 2B, for example. Therefore, in a state where the cover 13 is attached to the housing 12, that is, in a state where the cover 13 is in a first position where the front surface 121 of the housing 12 is covered, the display unit 72 is covered and hidden by the cover 13. On the other hand, in a state where the cover 13 is removed from the housing 12, that is, in a state where the cover 13 is in a second position where the front surface 121 of the housing 12 is exposed, the display unit 72 is exposed and becomes visible. That is, the wireless communication device 1 includes the display unit 72 disposed on the front surface 121 of the housing 12 and displays connection information used when connecting the communication terminal 2 to the wireless communication unit 11. At least in a state where the cover 13 is in the second position, the display unit 72 is visible.

[0054] In the present embodiment, the display unit 72 is a sticker attached to a predetermined area on the front surface 121 of the housing 12. That is, a sticker on which connection information is printed is attached to the front surface 121 of the housing 12 to form the display unit 72. Here, it is preferable that a plurality of stickers as the display unit 72 are packed with one wireless communication device 1. That is, as described above, the wireless communication device 1 is configured to be switchable between being used as a parent device and a child device. Since the child device uses the same SSID and password as the parent device, if there are a plurality of stickers as the display unit 72, the display unit 72 on which the same connection information as the parent device is written is provided for one or more child devices in addition to the parent device. In short, when the wireless communication unit 11 functions as a child device, the display unit 72 displays the identifier of the parent device (for example, the SSID).

[0055] The setting operation unit 73 accepts an operation for setting the function of the wireless communication unit 11. As an example in this embodiment, the setting operation unit 73 is a slide switch arranged on the front surface 121 of the housing 12 as shown in FIG. 2B. Therefore, when the cover 13 is attached to the housing 12, that is, when the cover 13 is in a first position that covers the front surface 121 of the housing 12, the setting operation unit 73 is covered and hidden by the cover 13. On the other hand, when the cover 13 is removed from the housing 12, that is, when the cover 13 is in a second position that exposes the front surface 121 of the housing 12, the setting operation unit 73 is exposed and becomes operable. That is, the wireless communication device 1 includes the setting operation unit 73 arranged on the front surface 121 of the housing 12 and accepting an operation for setting the function of the wireless communication unit 11. At least when the cover 13 is in the second position, the setting operation unit 73 is operable.

[0056] The setting operation unit 73 can switch the wireless communication unit 11 between, for example, three operation modes: a normal mode, an off mode, and a setting mode. The normal mode is a mode in which the function of the wireless communication unit 11 as the access point 101 is enabled. The off mode is a mode in which the function of the wireless communication unit 11 as the access point 101 is disabled. In other words, when wireless communication of the wireless communication device 1 is to be stopped, the off mode can be selected in the setting operation unit 73. The setting mode is a mode for setting connection information, switching between a parent unit and a child unit, etc., for example.

[0057] The setting switch 74 is a switch for performing connection setting. In the present disclosure, the "connection setting" is a setting for establishing wireless communication between the communication terminal 2 and the wireless communication unit 11, in other words, a setting performed for connecting the communication terminal 2 to the access point 101. In this embodiment, for example, the connection setting is performed when the SSID and password of the wireless communication unit 11 are inputted into the communication terminal 2. However, some communication terminals 2 are devices (facility equipment, etc.) that do not have a user interface for inputting the SSID and password, and for such communication terminals 2, it is necessary to perform the connection setting by another means. Specifically, for example, it is possible to establish wireless communication between the communication terminal 2 and the wireless communication unit 11 by an operation on the access point 101 side by a method such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) Protected Setup (WPS). In this embodiment, as an example, the setting switch 74 is a switch for performing the connection setting by WPS. That is, the wireless communication device 1 includes the setting switch 74 for establishing wireless communication between the communication terminal 2 and the wireless communication unit 11.

[0058] In this embodiment, the setting switch 74 is a push button switch arranged on the front surface 121 of the housing 12, as shown in Fig. 2B. Therefore, when the cover 13 is attached to the housing 12, that is, when the cover 13 is in a first position covering the front surface 121 of the housing 12, the setting switch 74 is covered and hidden by the cover 13. On the other hand, when the cover 13 is removed from the housing 12, that is, when the cover 13 is in a second position exposing the front surface 121 of the housing 12, the setting switch 74 is exposed and in an operable state. That is, the setting switch 74 is arranged on the front surface 121 of the housing 12. The cover 13 covers the setting switch 74 in the first position and exposes the setting switch 74 in the second position.

[0059] The operation display unit 75 displays the operation state of the wireless communication unit 11. In the present disclosure, the "operation state" refers to a state, such as not connected, connected, communicating, or connection abnormality, regarding the operation of the wireless communication unit 11. In this embodiment, the operation display unit 75 is disposed in the upper left corner of the front surface 121 of the housing 12 as shown in FIG. 2B, and is an indicator light (such as an LED) that displays the operation state of the wireless communication unit 11 in a light-emitting state. The "light-emitting state" here includes, for example, the on / off state, blinking pattern (blinking cycle), and light-emitting color of the operation display unit 75. Therefore, in a state where the cover 13 is attached to the housing 12, that is, in a state where the cover 13 is in a first position that covers the front surface 121 of the housing 12, the operation display unit 75 is covered by the cover 13. On the other hand, in a state where the cover 13 is removed from the housing 12, that is, in a state where the cover 13 is in a second position that exposes the front surface 121 of the housing 12, the operation display unit 75 is exposed. That is, the wireless communication device 1 is provided with an operation display unit 75 that is disposed on the front surface 121 of the housing 12 and displays the operation state of the wireless communication unit 11 .

[0060] Here, it is preferable that at least a portion of cover 13 facing operation display unit 75 has optical transparency. Here, "optical transparency" means light-transmitting or transparent, and refers to the property of transmitting at least visible light. This makes it possible to view operation display unit 75 through cover 13 even when cover 13 is attached to housing 12, that is, when cover 13 is in the first position covering front surface 121 of housing 12.

[0061] 3, the circuit block 10 has a wireless communication unit 11, a wired communication unit 14, a processing unit 15, a storage unit 16, a switching unit 17, and a load control unit 18. That is, in this embodiment, the wireless communication device 1 has, in addition to the wireless communication unit 11 and the wired communication unit 14, the processing unit 15, the storage unit 16, the switching unit 17, and the load control unit 18. Since the circuit block 10 is accommodated in the housing 12, the housing 12 accommodates not only the wireless communication unit 11 but also the wired communication unit 14, the processing unit 15, the storage unit 16, the switching unit 17, and the load control unit 18.

[0062] As described above, the wireless communication unit 11 functions as an access point 101 that performs wireless communication with the communication terminal 2. Here, the wireless communication unit 11 communicates with the communication terminal 2 by Wi-Fi (registered trademark). In the present embodiment, as an example, the wireless communication unit 11 supports IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11ac / 11n / 11a / 11g / 11b. Furthermore, the wireless communication unit 11 can simultaneously use both frequency bands of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. In particular, in the present embodiment, the wireless communication unit 11 functions as one of a plurality of access points 101 in a mesh network including a plurality of access points 101 that each perform wireless communication with the communication terminal 2.

[0063] As described above, the wired communication unit 14 performs wired communication with an access point 101 other than the wireless communication unit 11, among the multiple access points 101 that construct the mesh network. In other words, the wired communication unit 14 realizes communication between the wireless communication unit 11 and the other access points 101 by wired communication using the electric wire L1 (here, a LAN cable) as a medium. This realizes a backhaul for connecting the multiple access points 101.

[0064] The processing unit 15 mainly comprises, for example, a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. The microcontroller realizes the function of the processing unit 15 by executing a program recorded in one or more memories with one or more processors. The program may be recorded in the memory in advance, or may be provided by recording it on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, or may be provided through an electric communication line. In other words, the program is a program for causing one or more processors to function as the processing unit 15.

[0065] The processing unit 15 controls at least the wireless communication unit 11 and the wired communication unit 14. Then, the processing unit 15 switches the operation mode of the wireless communication unit 11 among normal mode / off mode / setting mode, for example, in response to the operation of the setting operation unit 73. Furthermore, the processing unit 15 executes connection setting of the wireless communication unit 11 in response to the operation of the setting switch 74, for example.

[0066] The storage unit 16 stores information necessary for the operation of the wireless communication device 1. The storage unit 16 includes a rewritable non-volatile memory. In this embodiment, the storage unit 16 stores at least an SSID and a password as identifiers. Furthermore, the storage unit 16 also stores information necessary for connecting multiple access points 101 to each other to construct a mesh network.

[0067] The switching unit 17 switches the wireless communication unit 11 between the parent unit and the child unit. That is, as described above, the wireless communication device 1 can be used as either the parent unit or the child unit, and is configured to be switchable between being used as either the parent unit or the child unit. As an example, when the wireless communication device 1 receives a specific operation such as pressing and holding the setting switch 74 while the setting mode is selected in the setting operation unit 73, the switching unit 17 switches between the parent unit and the child unit. Of course, a switch (such as a dip switch) for switching between the parent unit and the child unit may be provided.

[0068] In one mesh network, a parent / child device is selected by the switching unit 17 for each wireless communication device 1 so that only one wireless communication device 1 becomes a parent device and the remaining one or more wireless communication devices 1 all become child devices. When a parent device and a child device are selected, the SSID and password of the parent device are transmitted to one or more child devices through the backhaul (electric wire L1), and the SSID and password of the child devices are made common to the SSID and password of the parent device.

[0069] The load control unit 18 controls the load 5 in response to the pressing of the switch 71. In this embodiment, the load control unit 18 includes a semiconductor switch such as a transistor or a bidirectional thyristor. The wireless communication device 1 has a pair of terminals, and the load control unit 18 is electrically connected between the pair of terminals. The wireless communication device 1 is a so-called electronic switch that electronically switches between conduction / non-conduction between the power source and the load 5 by electronically controlling the semiconductor switch in the load control unit 18 in response to the pressing of the switch 71. In other words, the wireless communication device 1 switches between conduction / non-conduction between the power source and the load 5 by pressing the switch 71 through the cover 13. In this way, the wireless communication device 1 functions as a switch device that switches the energization state of the load 5.

[0070] Moreover, in this embodiment, the wireless communication device 1 has a power supply circuit that generates power for operating the internal circuit (circuit block 10) from a voltage applied across the semiconductor switch. The power supply circuit is included in, for example, the circuit block 10. In other words, the wireless communication device 1 generates power for operating the internal circuit using a voltage applied between a pair of terminals from a power supply as an input. That is, the wireless communication device 1 is a so-called two-wire wiring device that can also secure power for operating the internal circuit with two electric wires connected to the pair of terminals. In such a two-wire wiring device, it is not necessary to provide a power supply terminal for supplying power for operating the internal circuit separately from the pair of terminals, and the wiring work when installing the wireless communication device 1 is also simplified.

[0071] (2.4) Mounting structure for wireless communication device Next, a mounting structure for the wireless communication device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.

[0072] In this embodiment, the wireless communication device 1 is a built-in wiring device as described above, and is therefore attached to a construction surface 300 (here, a wall surface) using a mounting member 85 such as a built-in switch box. That is, a construction hole 301 is formed in the construction surface 300, and the wireless communication device 1 is attached through the construction hole 301 to a mounting member 85 such as a switch box arranged on the back side of the construction surface 300 (behind the wall).

[0073] The mounting frame 19 is, for example, a mounting frame for a large rectangular interconnection wiring device standardized by the Japanese Industrial Standards. In this embodiment, the mounting frame 19 is integrated with the housing 12. Specifically, the mounting frame 19 is formed in a rectangular frame shape when viewed from the front. The housing 12 and the mounting frame 19 are integrated with each other so that the housing 12 is located inside the mounting frame 19.

[0074] The mounting frame 19 is made of synthetic resin, for example. A pair of mounting holes 191 and a pair of plate fixing holes 192 are formed in the mounting frame 19. The mounting frame 19 is attached to the construction surface 300 by fastening a pair of mounting screws 83 through the pair of mounting holes 191 to a mounting member 85 such as a switch box.

[0075] The switch plate 8 has a decorative plate 81 and a fixed plate 82. That is, in this embodiment, the switch plate 8 is composed of two members, the decorative plate 81 and the fixed plate 82. The switch plate 8 (the decorative plate 81 and the fixed plate 82) is made of synthetic resin, for example.

[0076] The fixed plate 82 is fixed to the mounting frame 19. The decorative plate 81 is attached to the fixed plate 82 so as to cover the front surface of the fixed plate 82. In this manner, the decorative plate 81 is indirectly fixed to the mounting frame 19 integrated with the housing 12 via the fixed plate 82. A window hole 801 is formed in the decorative plate 81, and when the switch plate 8 is attached to the mounting frame 19, the front surface 131 of the cover 13 is exposed from the window hole 801.

[0077] That is, the switch plate 8 is a frame-shaped member having a window hole 801, and is combined with the mounting frame 19 so that the front surface 131 of the cover 13 is exposed from the window hole 801. In other words, when the mounting frame 19 and the switch plate 8 are combined, the front surface 131 of the cover 13 is located inside (within the window hole 801) of the switch plate 8 (decorative plate 81) in a front view. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the switch plate 8 is attached to the installation surface 300 together with the housing 12 and the cover 13, the switch plate 8 covers the periphery of the housing 12 and the cover 13, and the mounting frame 19 and the installation hole 301 are not exposed, improving the appearance.

[0078] More specifically, the decorative plate 81 is formed in a rectangular frame shape when viewed from the front. A window hole 801 penetrating the decorative plate 81 in the front-rear direction is formed in the center of the decorative plate 81. The decorative plate 81 is mechanically coupled to the fixed plate 82 in a removable state by a snap-fit ​​structure. That is, the decorative plate 81 and the fixed plate 82 are mechanically coupled by using the elasticity of at least one of the decorative plate 81 and the fixed plate 82 to hook a claw of one of the decorative plate 81 and the fixed plate 82 into a hole of the other.

[0079] Moreover, the fixing plate 82 is formed in a rectangular frame shape when viewed from the front. Furthermore, a pair of through holes 821 are formed in the fixing plate 82. The fixing plate 82 is attached to the mounting frame 19 by fastening a pair of fixing screws 84 through the pair of through holes 821 into a pair of plate fixing holes 192 of the mounting frame 19.

[0080] (2.5) Network provision method Next, a method for providing a network (mesh network) according to this embodiment will be described.

[0081] The method of providing a network according to this embodiment is a method of providing a mesh network constructed with a plurality of access points 101 including the wireless communication device 1 by using the wireless communication device 1 configured as described above. That is, as described above, the wireless communication unit 11 of the wireless communication device 1 functions as one of the plurality of access points 101 in the mesh network including the plurality of access points 101. Therefore, by installing a plurality of the wireless communication devices 1 on a construction surface 300 (here, a wall surface) of the facility F1, a mesh network can be constructed.

[0082] More specifically, as described in the section "(2.4) Mounting Structure of Wireless Communication Device", the wireless communication device 1 is mounted on the construction surface 300 using a mounting member 85 such as an embedded switch box. In this embodiment, one wireless communication device 1 is installed in one room so that the entire facility F1 is included in the communication range of the mesh network. Here, the electric wire L1 (LAN cable) for connecting the wired communication unit 14 is a concealed wiring (advance wiring) installed so as to pass through the back side of the construction surface 300. Therefore, when the wireless communication device 1 is fixed to the construction surface 300, the wireless communication device 1 is connected to the electric wire L1. As a result, a plurality of wireless communication devices 1 are wired connected via the electric wire L1. Furthermore, the wireless communication device 1 is also connected to a power source and a load 5.

[0083] Then, in each of the wireless communication devices 1, initial settings such as selection of a parent unit / child unit are performed. When a parent unit and a child unit are selected, the SSID and password of the parent unit are transmitted to one or more child units through a backhaul (electric wire L1), and the SSID and password of the child units are made common with the SSID and password of the parent unit. Furthermore, a display unit 72 (sticker) showing connection information such as the parent unit's SSID and password is affixed to the parent unit and one or more child units, so that a similar display unit 72 is provided in all of the access points 101.

[0084] Finally, the communication terminal 2 connected to the mesh network executes connection setting for connecting to the access point 101. That is, for the communication terminal 2 having a user interface such as a smartphone, the connection setting is performed by inputting the SSID and password of the parent device at the communication terminal 2. Here, as described above, the wireless communication device 1 is provided with a display unit 72 arranged on the front surface 121 of the housing 12 and displaying connection information used when connecting the communication terminal 2 to the wireless communication unit 11, and the display unit 72 is visible at least when the cover 13 is in the second position. Therefore, the user can check the connection information (SSID, password, etc.) on the display unit 72 of the wireless communication device 1 installed nearby, for example. For the communication terminal 2 not having a user interface, the connection setting is performed by operating a setting switch 74 for performing connection setting by WPS.

[0085] By installing a plurality of wireless communication devices 1, connecting the plurality of wireless communication devices 1 to each other, and performing initial settings according to the above-mentioned procedure, a network system 100 is constructed as a mesh network. In other words, a mesh network is provided by the above-mentioned network providing method, and a communication terminal 2 can connect to the mesh network by wirelessly communicating with any one of a plurality of access points 101 that construct the mesh network.

[0086] (3) Example of network system usage Next, a usage example of the network system 100 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0087] In the facility F1 in which the network system 100 is installed, a wide range can be set as the communication range of the mesh network made up of the network system 100. In particular, in this embodiment, since the entire facility F1 is included in the communication range of the network system 100 as described above, the communication terminal 2 can connect to the external network 3 via the mesh network no matter where it is located in the facility F1.

[0088] Therefore, for example, a user can connect the communication terminal 2 to the external network 3 via a mesh network in a living room on the first floor of the facility F1, and can connect the communication terminal 2 to the external network 3 via a mesh network in a bedroom on the second floor of the facility F1. Here, the communication terminal 2 wirelessly communicates with an access point 101 consisting of a wireless communication device 1 installed in the living room, for example, in the living room, and wirelessly communicates with an access point 101 consisting of a wireless communication device 1 installed in the bedroom. Therefore, the communication terminal 2 can be stably connected to the network system 100 (and the external network 3) over a wide range of the facility F1, as compared to a case where only one access point 101 is installed in the facility F1.

[0089] In addition, since the network system 100 is a mesh network, even if a plurality of communication terminals 2 are connected to the network system 100 (and the external network 3) at the same time, a stable connection can be achieved. For example, assume that a first user connects a first communication terminal 2 to the external network 3 via a mesh network in a living room on the first floor of the facility F1. In this case, assume that a second user connects a second communication terminal 2 to the external network 3 via a mesh network in a bedroom on the second floor of the facility F1 at the same time. In this case, the first communication terminal 2 is connected to a wireless communication device 1 (access point 101) installed in the living room, and the second communication terminal 2 is connected to a wireless communication device 1 (access point 101) installed in the bedroom. Therefore, access from the communication terminal 2 is distributed to a plurality of wireless communication devices 1, and the communication load of the wireless communication device 1 is reduced compared to the case where access is concentrated on one wireless communication device 1.

[0090] In short, although repeaters are sometimes used as a means for expanding the communication range, in a mesh network, unlike repeaters, all access points 101 have the same functions. Therefore, whereas in the case of a repeater, the communication load tends to be concentrated on one parent device, in a mesh network, the communication load can be distributed, making it easier to achieve stable and high-speed communication.

[0091] Moreover, since the network system 100 is a mesh network, the communication terminal 2 can be seamlessly connected to a plurality of access points 101. For example, assume that the user moves from the living room on the first floor of the facility F1 to the bedroom on the second floor of the facility F1 while holding the communication terminal 2. In this case, as the user moves, the communication partner of the communication terminal 2 switches from the wireless communication device 1 (access point 101) installed in the living room to the wireless communication device 1 (access point 101) installed in the bedroom. However, since these multiple wireless communication devices 1 also have a common SSID and password and form a mesh network, seamless switching of the access point 101 that communicates with the communication terminal 2 is realized. In other words, the communication partner of the communication terminal 2 switches seamlessly from the wireless communication device 1 installed in the living room to the wireless communication device 1 installed in the bedroom. Therefore, even when the communication terminal 2 moves within the facility F1, the communication terminal 2 can be stably connected to the network system 100 (and the external network 3) over a wide range of the facility F1.

[0092] (4) Variations The first embodiment is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Various modifications of the first embodiment are possible depending on the design and the like, as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Each figure described in the present disclosure is a schematic diagram, and the ratio of the size and thickness of each component in each figure does not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratio. In addition, the same function as the wireless communication device 1 according to the first embodiment may be embodied in a wireless communication method, a (computer) program, or a non-transitory recording medium on which a program is recorded, or the like.

[0093] Below, we will list some modified examples of the embodiment 1. The modified examples explained below can be applied in appropriate combinations.

[0094] The wireless communication device 1 in the present disclosure includes a computer system in the processing unit 15 and the like. The computer system is mainly composed of a processor and a memory as hardware. The processor executes a program recorded in the memory of the computer system, thereby realizing the function of the wireless communication device 1 in the present disclosure. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through an electric communication line, or may be provided by being recorded in a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, an optical disk, or a hard disk drive that can be read by the computer system. The processor of the computer system is composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI). The integrated circuits such as IC or LSI referred to here are called by different names depending on the degree of integration, and include integrated circuits called system LSI, VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration), or ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration). Furthermore, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) that is programmed after the manufacture of the LSI, or a logic device that can reconfigure the connection relationship inside the LSI or the circuit partition inside the LSI, can also be adopted as a processor. The electronic circuits may be integrated in one chip or distributed among multiple chips. The chips may be integrated in one device or distributed among multiple devices. The computer system referred to here includes a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. Thus, the microcontroller is also composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit or a large-scale integrated circuit.

[0095] Furthermore, it is not essential for the wireless communication device 1 that at least some of the functions of the wireless communication device 1 are concentrated in one housing, and the components of the wireless communication device 1 may be distributed across multiple housings. For example, the wireless communication unit 11 and the load control unit 18 may be provided in different housings. Furthermore, at least some of the functions of the processing unit 15 and the like may be realized by, for example, a server or a cloud (cloud computing) or the like.

[0096] In addition, the connection topology between the multiple access points 101 is not limited to a star type, and any suitable connection topology can be adopted. For example, the multiple access points 101 as child devices may be daisy-chained to the access point 101 as a parent device. In this case, if a first child device and a second child device are connected to the parent device, the first child device is directly connected to the parent device, and the second child device is directly connected to the first child device, so that the second child device is indirectly connected to the parent device via the first child device. Furthermore, the access point 101 as the parent device and the access points 101 as the multiple child devices may be connected to a switching hub. In this case, the multiple child devices are indirectly connected to the parent device via the switching hub.

[0097] Furthermore, the wireless communication device 1 is not required to include the wired communication unit 14, and the wired communication unit 14 can be omitted as appropriate. When the wired communication unit 14 is omitted, communication between the wireless communication device 1 and other access points 101 is realized, for example, by wireless communication. In other words, a plurality of access points 101 are connected by a wireless backhaul to construct a mesh network.

[0098] Also, it is not essential for the wireless communication device 1 to be capable of being used as either a parent device or a child device. That is, the wireless communication device 1 may function as either a parent device or a child device. In this case, a mesh network is constructed with one wireless communication device 1 functioning as a parent device and one or more wireless communication devices 1 functioning as child devices. Furthermore, the wireless communication device 1 does not need to distinguish between a parent device and a child device.

[0099] Furthermore, providing a plurality of wireless communication devices 1 (access points 101) as child devices is not an essential configuration for the network system 100. In other words, the network system 100 needs to have at least two access points 101, and in this case, a mesh network may be constructed with one wireless communication device 1 as a parent device and one wireless communication device 1 as a child device.

[0100] Furthermore, the load control unit 18 may have a function of controlling the amount of power supplied from the power source to the load 5, such as a dimming function, in addition to switching between supplying and stopping the power supply from the power source to the load 5. In this case, the wireless communication device 1 has a function as a dimming device in addition to or instead of the function as a switch device.

[0101] Furthermore, the load 5 is not limited to a lighting device having a light source made of an LED, but may be a lighting device having a light source other than an LED. Furthermore, the load 5 is not limited to a lighting device, but may be, for example, a device (including a device, a system, and a facility) such as a ventilation fan, a display device, an electric shutter, an air conditioner, or a security device. Furthermore, the load 5 is not limited to a single device, but may be a plurality of devices electrically connected in series or in parallel.

[0102] Moreover, the cover 13 only needs to be movable between a first position covering the front surface 121 of the housing 12 and a second position exposing the front surface 121 of the housing 12, and it is not essential for the wireless communication device 1 that the cover 13 be removable from the housing 12. For example, the cover 13 may have a rotation shaft at one end in the left-right direction in a front view, and may be supported by the housing 12 so as to be rotatable around the rotation shaft. In this case, the cover 13 can be opened and closed by rotating around the rotation shaft. When the cover 13 is closed, the cover 13 is located at the first position covering the front surface 121 of the housing 12, and when the cover 13 is opened, the cover 13 is located at the second position exposing the front surface 121 of the housing 12.

[0103] Also, cover 13 only needs to include operating portion 132 for pressing switch 71 through cover 13, and it is not essential that the entire cover 13 constitutes a piano handle for pressing switch 71. For example, cover 13 may be a switch handle that operates like a seesaw, other than a piano handle. Furthermore, cover 13 may be configured such that a cantilever-shaped operating portion is formed on a part of it, and only this operating portion moves to press switch 71.

[0104] Furthermore, it is not an essential configuration of the wireless communication device 1 that the portion of the cover 13 facing the operation display unit 75 has optical transparency. In this case, when the cover 13 is attached to the housing 12, that is, when the cover 13 is in a first position covering the front surface 121 of the housing 12, the operation display unit 75 is covered and hidden by the cover 13. On the other hand, when the cover 13 is removed from the housing 12, that is, when the cover 13 is in a second position exposing the front surface 121 of the housing 12, the operation display unit 75 is exposed and becomes visible.

[0105] Furthermore, both the setting operation unit 73 and the setting switch 74 need only be operable at least when the cover 13 is in the second position, and may also be operable when the cover 13 is in the first position. For example, the setting switch 74 may be operated by pressing through the cover 13, similar to the switch 71. In this case, when the cover 13 is attached to the housing 12, that is, when the cover 13 is in the first position covering the front surface 121 of the housing 12, the setting switch 74 can be operated through the cover 13.

[0106] Also, different functions may be assigned to the switch 71 when the cover 13 is in the first position and when the cover 13 is in the second position. For example, the switch 71 may have a load control function when the cover 13 is in the first position, and may have a function of the setting switch 74 when the cover 13 is in the second position. In this case, if the switch 71 is operated with the cover 13 in the second position, the connection setting is executed. In other words, the switch 71 is also used as the setting switch 74. It is possible to detect by an appropriate sensor whether the cover 13 is in the first position covering the front surface 121 of the housing 12 or in the second position exposing the front surface 121 of the housing 12. The function of the switch 71 is switched depending on the detection result of such a sensor.

[0107] In addition, the display unit 72 is not limited to a sticker attached to a predetermined area of ​​the front surface 121 of the housing 12, and for example, a nameplate, a card, or the like may be attached to the front surface 121 of the housing 12 to form the display unit 72. Furthermore, the display unit 72 may be formed by directly printing or engraving on the housing 12, or may be written by hand on the front surface 121 of the housing 12.

[0108] Furthermore, the wireless communication between the access point 101 (wireless communication device 1) and the communication terminal 2 is not limited to Wi-Fi (registered trademark), but may be, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark), or a low-power radio (specific low-power radio) that does not require a license.

[0109] (Embodiment 2) 5A to 6B, a wireless communication device 1A according to this embodiment differs from the wireless communication device 1 according to embodiment 1 in that it does not have a function as a switch device. Hereinafter, common reference symbols are used for configurations similar to those of embodiment 1, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0110] In this embodiment, the cover 13 does not function as a switch handle, and is therefore not movable but fixed. In other words, the cover 13 is removably attached to the housing 12, but does not assume displacement relative to the housing 12 when attached to the housing 12.

[0111] 5A, the wireless communication device 1A has a sensor 91 on a part of the front surface 131 of the cover 13. Here, as an example, the sensor 91 is a human presence sensor that detects the presence or absence of a person. This makes it possible to control the wireless communication unit 11 according to the detection result of the sensor 91. For example, if the sensor 91 is a human presence sensor, when there is no person around the wireless communication device 1A, the wireless communication unit 11 can be turned off or placed in a power saving mode such as intermittent operation, thereby reducing power consumption in the wireless communication unit 11.

[0112] That is, the wireless communication device 1A includes a sensor 91, and the wireless communication unit 11 operates according to the output of the sensor 91. Here, the sensor 91 is not limited to a human sensor, and may be, for example, a brightness sensor, a vibration sensor, a proximity sensor, or a sound sensor, or a combination of these. For example, when the sensor 91 is a brightness sensor, the wireless communication device 1A turns off the wireless communication unit 11 or sets it to a power saving mode such as intermittent operation when the brightness (illuminance) detected by the sensor 91 is equal to or lower than a threshold value.

[0113] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5B, the wireless communication device 1A has a USB (Universal Serial Bus) outlet 92 in a part of the front surface 131 of the cover 13. Here, as an example, the USB outlet 92 has one port. The USB outlet 92 is a USB receptacle into which a USB plug of a device can be inserted, and is configured to output a direct current voltage of 5V to the device through the USB plug. In other words, the wireless communication device 1A has a USB outlet.

[0114] In particular, the wireless communication device 1A has a power supply circuit that generates power for operating the internal circuit (circuit block 10). Therefore, by using the operating power generated by this power supply circuit as the output of the USB outlet 92, it is possible to keep the circuit size small compared to the case where a power conversion circuit for the USB outlet 92 is provided separately from the power supply circuit.

[0115] 6A and 6B, the wireless communication device 1A, together with another wiring accessory 201, constitutes a wiring accessory system 200. That is, the wiring accessory system 200 according to the present embodiment includes the wireless communication device 1A and the wiring accessory 201. The wiring accessory 201 is fixed to the installation surface 300 alongside the housing 12.

[0116] 6A, wiring device 201 included in wiring device system 200 is a switch device having a size of one module. In this embodiment, housing 12 of wireless communication device 1A is formed to have a size of two modules, and is arranged vertically (in the up-down direction) with wiring device 201 (switch device) and installed inside one switch plate 8.

[0117] In the embodiment of Fig. 6B, wiring device system 200 includes two wiring devices 201 each consisting of a switch device having a size of one module. In this embodiment, two wiring devices 201 (switch devices) are arranged side by side in the vertical direction (up and down direction). Housing 12 of wireless communication device 1A is formed to a size of three modules similar to that of embodiment 1, and is installed inside one switch plate 8 side by side with two wiring devices 201 in the left and right direction.

[0118] However, in the configurations shown in Figures 5A to 6B, wireless communication device 1A may also have a function as a switch device. Thus, for example, in the configuration of Figure 5A, wireless communication device 1A functions as a switch device with sensor 91, and in the configuration of Figure 5B, wireless communication device 1A functions as a switch device with USB outlet 92.

[0119] Furthermore, the wiring device 201 included in the wiring device system 200 is not limited to a switch device, and may be, for example, an outlet, a sensor device, a timer device, or the like.

[0120] The configuration (including the modified example) described in the second embodiment can be adopted in appropriate combination with various configurations (including the modified example) described in the first embodiment. For example, even the wireless communication device 1 according to the first embodiment can be combined with another wiring accessory 201 to configure a wiring accessory system 200.

[0121] (Embodiment 3) 7, the network system 100A according to this embodiment differs from the network system 100 according to the first embodiment in that a wireless device 6 other than the wireless communication device 1 is included in the access points 101 and 102. Hereinafter, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0122] In this embodiment, the multiple access points 101, 102 include a master unit (access point 102) connected to an external network 3 separate from the mesh network, and one or more slave units (access points 101) connected to the master unit. The master unit (access point 102) is a wireless device 6 separate from the wireless communication device 1.

[0123] As an example, the wireless device 6 is a stationary access point having a function as a router. One or more access points 101 (wireless communication devices 1) serving as child devices are directly connected to the access point 102 (wireless device 6) serving as a parent device. In this embodiment, since a plurality of child devices are provided, the plurality of child devices are connected to one parent device via the electric wire L1. As a result, the wired communication unit 14 of the wireless communication device 1 communicates with the other access points 101, 102 via the electric wire L1. Here, the SSID and password of the one or more child devices (access point 101) are the same as the SSID and password of the parent device (access point 102).

[0124] According to the configuration of the present embodiment described above, when constructing the network system 100A as a mesh network, it is not necessary to provide all the access points 101, 102 as the same wireless communication device 1. In other words, by linking the wireless communication device 1 and the wireless device 6, it is possible to construct the network system 100A as a mesh network.

[0125] In the present embodiment, the wireless device 6 other than the wireless communication device 1 is used as a parent device (access point 102), but is not limited to this and may be used as a child device. Furthermore, the network system 100A is not limited to one wireless device 6, and may include multiple wireless devices 6.

[0126] The configuration (including the modified examples) described in the third embodiment can be adopted in appropriate combination with the various configurations (including the modified examples) described in the first or second embodiment.

[0127] (summary) As described above, the wireless communication device (1, 1A) according to the first aspect includes a wireless communication unit (11), a housing (12), and a cover (13). The wireless communication unit (11) functions as an access point (101) that performs wireless communication with the communication terminal (2). The housing (12) is fixed to an installation surface (300). The housing (12) houses the wireless communication unit (11). The cover (13) covers a front surface (121) of the housing (12).

[0128] According to this embodiment, the access point can be installed smartly without having to secure a space for placing a stationary access point. Moreover, since the front surface (121) of the housing (12) is covered with the cover (13), the cover (13) can protect the housing (12) from dust, moisture, oil, external forces, and the like, and further, the appearance of the installation surface (300) is not easily marred. This has the advantage of increasing the degree of freedom in installing the access point (101).

[0129] In the wireless communication device (1, 1A) of the second aspect, in the first aspect, the housing (12) is fixed to the construction surface (300) with at least a portion of the housing (12) embedded in a construction hole (301) formed in the construction surface (300).

[0130] According to this embodiment, the amount by which the housing (12) protrudes from the installation surface (300) can be reduced, and the housing (12) is less likely to become an obstacle.

[0131] The wireless communication device (1, 1A) according to the third aspect is the wireless communication device according to the first or second aspect, further including a switch (71) that can be pressed from a front surface (121) side of the housing (12). The cover (13) includes an operation portion (132) for pressing the switch (71) through the cover (13).

[0132] According to this embodiment, the switch (71) can be pressed through the cover (13), and the cover (13) can be used as a switch handle.

[0133] In a wireless communication device (1, 1A) according to a fourth aspect, in any of the first to third aspects, the cover (13) is movable between a first position in which it covers the front surface (121) of the housing (12) and a second position in which it exposes the front surface (121) of the housing (12).

[0134] According to this embodiment, when the cover (13) is in the second position, it is possible to expose the front surface (121) of the housing (12).

[0135] The wireless communication device (1, 1A) according to the fifth aspect is the fourth aspect, and further includes a display unit (72). The display unit (72) is disposed on the front surface (121) of the housing (12) and displays connection information used when connecting the communication terminal (2) to the wireless communication unit (11). The display unit (72) is visible at least when the cover (13) is in the second position.

[0136] According to this embodiment, the user can check the connection information used when connecting the communication terminal (2) to the wireless communication unit (11) at least when the cover (13) is in the second position.

[0137] The wireless communication device (1, 1A) according to a sixth aspect is the wireless communication device according to the fourth or fifth aspect, further including a setting operation unit (73). The setting operation unit (73) is disposed on the front surface (121) of the housing (12) and receives an operation for setting a function of the wireless communication unit (11). The setting operation unit (73) is operable at least when the cover (13) is in the second position.

[0138] According to this embodiment, the user can set the function of the wireless communication unit (11) at least when the cover (13) is in the second position.

[0139] The wireless communication device (1, 1A) according to a seventh aspect is in any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, and further includes a setting switch (74) for establishing wireless communication between the communication terminal (2) and the wireless communication unit (11).

[0140] According to this aspect, wireless communication between the communication terminal (2) and the wireless communication unit (11) can be established by operating the wireless communication device (1, 1A) side.

[0141] In a wireless communication device (1, 1A) according to an eighth aspect, in the seventh aspect, the setting switch (74) is arranged on a front surface (121) of the housing (12). The cover (13) covers the setting switch (74) in a first position and exposes the setting switch (74) in a second position.

[0142] According to this embodiment, the user can perform an operation to establish wireless communication between the communication terminal (2) and the wireless communication unit (11) at least when the cover (13) is in the second position.

[0143] A wireless communication device (1, 1A) according to a ninth aspect is in any one of the first to eighth aspects, and further includes an operation display unit (75) arranged on a front surface (121) of the housing (12) and displaying an operation state of the wireless communication unit (11).

[0144] According to this embodiment, the user can check the operating state of the wireless communication unit (11).

[0145] The wireless communication device (1, 1A) according to a tenth aspect is in any one of the first to ninth aspects, and further includes a sensor (91). The wireless communication unit (11) operates in response to an output of the sensor (91).

[0146] According to this embodiment, the operation of the wireless communication unit (11) becomes more diverse.

[0147] The wireless communication device (1, 1A) according to an eleventh aspect is any one of the first to tenth aspects, further including a USB outlet (92).

[0148] According to this embodiment, power can be supplied from a USB outlet (92).

[0149] In a wireless communication device (1, 1A) according to a twelfth aspect, in any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the wireless communication unit (11) functions as one of a plurality of access points (101, 102) in a mesh network. The mesh network includes a plurality of access points (101, 102) each of which performs wireless communication with a communication terminal (2).

[0150] According to this embodiment, even if the communication terminal (2) moves from near one access point (101, 102) to near another access point (101, 102), the connection destination of the communication terminal (2) is seamlessly switched between the two access points (101, 102).

[0151] A wiring accessory system (200) according to a thirteenth aspect includes a wireless communication device (1, 1A) according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, and a wiring accessory (201). The wiring accessory (201) is fixed to an installation surface (300) alongside a housing (12).

[0152] This embodiment has the advantage of increasing the degree of freedom in installing the access point (101).

[0153] The configurations according to the second to twelfth aspects are not essential for the wireless communication device (1, 1A) and may be omitted as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0154] 1,1A Wireless communication device 2. Communication terminals 11 Wireless Communication Section 12. Chassis 13 Cover 71 Switch 72 Display section 73 Setting operation section 74 Setting Switch 75 Operation display section 91 Sensors 92 USB outlets 101,102 access points 121 (Front of the case) 132 Operation section 200 Wiring Device System 201 Wiring devices 300 Construction side 301 Construction hole

Claims

1. a wireless communication unit that functions as an access point that wirelessly communicates with a communication terminal; A housing that is fixed to a construction surface and that houses the wireless communication unit; A cover that covers a front surface of the housing; a setting operation unit disposed on the front surface of the housing and configured to receive an operation for setting a function of the wireless communication unit; a switch that can be pressed and operated from the front side of the housing, the cover is attached to the housing so as to be rotatable around a shaft portion; the cover is movable between a first position that covers the front surface of the housing and a second position that exposes the front surface of the housing; the setting operation unit is operable when the cover is in the second position, the switch is operable with the cover in the first position and the second position; Wireless communication device.

2. The switch is assigned a different function when the cover is in the first position and when the cover is in the second position. The wireless communication device of claim 1 .

3. The function of the switch includes the function of the setting operation unit, The wireless communication device according to claim 2 .

4. A sensor is provided for detecting whether the cover is in the first position or the second position; The function of the switch is changed depending on the detection result of the sensor.

4. The wireless communication device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. A wireless communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A wiring device that is fixed to the installation surface in line with the housing. Wiring device system.

Images