Facility control system, communication method, and program

Abstract

To provide a technique that expands communication freedom.SOLUTION: A facility control system 1000 can include a plurality of terminals that are connected in free topology via a wired transmission line 300. One of the plurality of terminals is a master device 100, and the remaining terminals of the plurality of terminals are slave devices 200. The same communication method can be used for communication from the master device 100 to the slave devices 200 and communication from the slave devices 200 to the master device 100. The transmission speed of the transmission line 300 between the terminals is set within a range of 1 kbps or more and 100 kbps or less.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to facility control technology, and more particularly to a facility control system to which multiple terminals are connected, a communication method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] A lighting control system that controls lighting fixtures includes a management device and multiple control devices, and the management device and control devices can communicate with each other via a transmission line. At this time, a voltage signal having a voltage value indicating data is transmitted from the management device to the control devices, and a current signal having a current value indicating data is transmitted from the control devices to the management device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-130896 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The management device has a configuration for transmitting a voltage signal and a configuration for receiving a current signal, and the control device has a configuration for transmitting a current signal and a configuration for receiving a voltage signal, so communication between multiple control devices is not possible.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in light of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a technology that expands the degree of freedom in communication. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, an equipment control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a , capable of supporting multiple topology connectionsThe system comprises a plurality of terminals connected in a free topology, one of which is a parent device and the remaining terminals are child devices, and the same communication method can be used for communication from the parent device to the child device and for communication from the child device to the parent device, A base voltage set within the range of 18V or more and 60V or less is applied to the transmission line between the terminals, and a voltage signal generated by a predetermined voltage change relative to the base voltage is transmitted; The transmission speed of the transmission line between terminals is set to a range of 1 kbps or more and 100 kbps or less.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a method of communication, the method comprising: , capable of supporting multiple topology connections A communication method in an equipment control system having a plurality of terminals connected in a free topology, one of the plurality of terminals being a parent device and the remaining of the plurality of terminals being child devices, wherein the same communication method can be used for communication from the parent device to the child device and for communication from the child device to the parent device; A base voltage set within the range of 18V or more and 60V or less is applied to the transmission line between the terminals, and a voltage signal generated by a predetermined voltage change relative to the base voltage is transmitted; The transmission speed of the transmission line between terminals is set to a range of 1 kbps or more and 100 kbps or less.

[0008] Any combination of the above components, and conversion of the present disclosure into a method, device, system, recording medium, computer program, etc., are also valid aspects of the present disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, the degree of freedom in communication can be increased. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an equipment control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 2(a)-(b) are diagrams showing an overview of communications in the equipment control system of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the parent device and the child device in FIG. [Figure 4] 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another configuration of the master unit and the slave unit of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Before describing the present disclosure in detail, an overview will be provided. The embodiment relates to an equipment control system that controls multiple devices, such as lighting fixtures, installed in facilities such as condominiums, apartments, buildings, and homes. The equipment control system includes multiple terminals, which are communicatively connected via a transmission line. One of the multiple terminals is a master unit, and the remaining terminals are slave units. The slave unit is a terminal that is subject to control, such as a device, and the master unit is a terminal that controls the slave unit. In such an equipment control system, it is desirable to increase the degree of freedom of communication, such as communication from the master unit to the slave unit, communication from the slave unit to the master unit, and communication between the slave units.

[0012] For this reason, in the equipment control system according to this embodiment, voltage signals are used in both communication from the parent unit to the child units and communication from the child units to the parent unit. To achieve this, the parent unit and the child units have both a configuration for transmitting voltage signals and a configuration for receiving voltage signals. This also enables communication between the child units.

[0013] FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an equipment control system 1000. The equipment control system 1000 includes a master unit 100, a first slave unit 200a through a fourth slave unit 200d collectively referred to as slave units 200, a transmission line 300, and a first amplifier 400a and a second amplifier 400b collectively referred to as amplifiers 400. The number of slave units 200 included in the equipment control system 1000 is not limited to four, and the number of amplifiers 400 is not limited to two. The master unit 100 and the slave units 200 are collectively referred to as "terminals." The multiple terminals are connected via a wired transmission line 300. In FIG. 1, the multiple terminals are connected using a bus topology; however, a star topology or a ring topology may also be used instead of the bus topology. In other words, the multiple terminals can be connected using a free topology.

[0014] Since the transmission line 300 is, for example, a CPEV, FCPEV, or AE line, the impedance of the transmission line 300 is 30 Ω or more and 200 Ω or less. It is preferably 40 Ω to 90 Ω, and more preferably 60 Ω to 90 Ω. Furthermore, in a slave unit 200 that is far from the master unit 100, the voltage signal from the master unit 100 is attenuated. Therefore, an amplifier 400 that amplifies and outputs the input voltage signal is disposed between the master unit 100 and the slave unit 200 that are connected via the transmission line 300. The number of amplifiers 400 connected in series to the master unit 100 is 10 or less. Preferably, it is up to five. In a serial connection, the number of amplifiers 400 to be connected is determined based on the communication protocol, the transmission / reception circuit, and the signal delay in the transmission line 300. On the other hand, there is no limit to the number of amplifiers 400 connected in parallel to the master unit 100.

[0015] The maximum line length between the parent device 100 and the child device 200 that are directly connected via the transmission line 300 is 1000 m or less. Furthermore, the total line length of the transmission line 300 that directly or indirectly connects the parent device 100 and the child device 200 is 3000 m or less. Preferably, the maximum line length is 750 m and the total line length is 2250 m. Even more preferably, the maximum line length is 500 m and the total line length is 1500 m. The line length has a trade-off relationship between the transmission speed and the supply current.

[0016] 2(a)-(b) show an overview of communication in the equipment control system 1000. Shown here are a parent unit 100, a first child unit 200a, and a second child unit 200b. In FIG. 2(a), the parent unit 100 transmits a voltage signal. The voltage signal is received by the first child unit 200a and the second child unit 200b via a transmission line 300. In FIG. 2(b), the first child unit 200a transmits a voltage signal. The voltage signal is received by the parent unit 100 via the transmission line 300, and is also received by the second child unit 200b. In other words, the same communication method is used for communication from the parent unit 100 to the child unit 200 and for communication from the child unit 200 to the parent unit 100.

[0017] 3 shows the configuration of parent device 100 and child device 200. Here, it is assumed that parent device 100 transmits a voltage signal to child device 200. Parent device 100 includes power supply voltage 110, impedance upper 120, control circuit 130, and transmission circuit 140. Impedance upper 120 includes inductor section 122 and resistor section 124, and transmission circuit 140 includes low-pass filter 142, transistor 144, resistor section 146, and ground 148. Child device 200 includes diode bridge 210, impedance upper 212, power supply circuit 214, control circuit 230, and reception circuit 250. Reception circuit 250 includes DC cut 252, low-pass filter / amplification section 254, comparator 256, and one-shot timer 258.

[0018] Power supply voltage 110 is the base voltage applied to transmission line 300 between terminals, and is set within the range of 18V or more and 60V or less. Preferably, it is set to 18V to 30V. The lower limit of the base voltage is determined based on the lower limit of the operating voltage of child device 200 and the maximum supply current of parent device 100 multiplied by the voltage drop due to the resistance component of transmission line 300. The same is true for the upper limit of the base voltage. If the maximum supply current of parent device 100 is increased, the voltage drop due to transmission line 300 increases, so the upper limit of the base voltage is increased by the amount of the voltage drop.

[0019] The control circuit 130 creates a transmission waveform of the output signal to be output. The transmission waveform is, for example, a square wave. The control circuit 130 determines the transmission speed of the transmission line 300 between the terminals. The upper limit of the transmission speed is determined by the wiring conditions of the transmission line 300. The transmission speed of the transmission line 300 between the terminals is set within a range of 1 kbps or more and 100 kbps or less. It is preferably set to 10 kbps to 80 kbps, and more preferably 30 kbps to 50 kbps.

[0020] Low-pass filter 142 removes at least some frequency components, such as high-frequency components, from the output signal. Low-pass filter 142 is also referred to as a "first filter section." Low-pass filter 142 outputs the output signal, from which the high-frequency components have been removed, to the base terminal of transistor 144. While the output signal maintains an on state, a current flows from power supply voltage 110 to transistor 144 via transistor 144 and resistor section 146. At this time, a current also flows through resistor section 124, causing the voltage output from impedance upper 120 to drop. For example, the voltage drops from 27 V to 21 V. Meanwhile, while the output signal maintains an off state, no current flows from power supply voltage 110 to transistor 144 via transistor 144 and resistor section 146. As a result, a voltage signal whose voltage value fluctuates in response to fluctuations in the output signal is transmitted from parent unit 100. The voltage signal is a voltage change resulting from the amplification of the output signal by transistor 144, and is generated by a predetermined voltage change relative to the base voltage. In this manner, the resistor section 124 generates the amplitude of the voltage signal when communicating over the transmission line 300. The transistor 144 is also referred to as the "first amplifier section."

[0021] A voltage signal is transmitted over the transmission line 300 between the terminals. The maximum value of the output current of the parent device 100 is 2 A or less, preferably 1 A or less, and more preferably 0.5 A or less. The maximum value of the output current depends on the number of child devices 200 that can be connected to the parent device 100. For example, the maximum value is set so that the value obtained by subtracting the drop due to the resistance component of the transmission line 300 from the upper limit of the base voltage becomes the lower limit of the operating voltage of the child device 200.

[0022] Diode bridge 210 of slave unit 200 is a full-wave rectifier circuit that prevents misconnection. Impedance upper 212 blocks voltage signal leakage to the low-impedance side, i.e., power supply circuit 214. Power supply circuit 214 receives power from master unit 100 via transmission line 300. Power supply circuit 214 supplies power to slave unit 200. DC cut 252 extracts AC components from the input signal, which is the input power signal. Low-pass filter / amplifier 254 amplifies the input signal after removing at least some frequency components, for example, high-frequency components, from the input signal. DC cut 252 is also called the "extraction unit," and low-pass filter / amplifier 254 is also called the "second filter unit" or "second amplifier unit."

[0023] The comparator 256 pulses the input signal from the low-pass filter / amplifier 254 and removes unnecessary noise. The one-shot timer 258 corrects distortion in the transmission line 300, which is equivalent to correcting a fluctuating pulse length. The control circuit 230 receives the input signal from the one-shot timer 258.

[0024] The subject of the device, system, or method of the present disclosure includes a computer. The computer executes a program to realize the functions of the subject of the device, system, or method of the present disclosure. The computer includes, as its main hardware component, a processor that operates according to the program. The processor may be of any type, as long as it can realize the functions by executing the program. The processor may be composed of one or more electronic circuits, including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integration (LSI). The electronic circuits may be integrated into a single chip or may be provided on multiple chips. The multiple chips may be integrated into a single device or may be provided on multiple devices. The program is recorded on a non-transitory recording medium, such as a computer-readable ROM, optical disk, or hard disk drive. The program may be pre-stored on the recording medium or may be supplied to the recording medium via a wide-area communication network, including the Internet.

[0025] 4 shows another configuration of parent device 100 and child device 200. Here, it is assumed that a voltage signal is transmitted from child device 200 to parent device 100. Parent device 100 includes power supply voltage 110, impedance upper 120, control circuit 130, and receiving circuit 150. Receiving circuit 150 includes DC cut 152, low-pass filter / amplifier 154, comparator 156, and one-shot timer 158. Child device 200 includes diode bridge 210, impedance upper 212, power supply circuit 214, control circuit 230, and transmitting circuit 240. Transmitting circuit 240 includes low-pass filter 242, transistor 244, resistor 246, and ground 248.

[0026] Inductor unit 122 of parent device 100 outputs a base voltage to child device 200 when communication is not taking place via transmission line 300. Control circuit 230, low-pass filter 242, transistor 244, resistor unit 246, and ground 248 of child device 200 perform the same operations as control circuit 130, low-pass filter 142, transistor 144, resistor unit 146, and ground 148 of FIG. 3. Low-pass filter 242 is also referred to as a "first filter unit," and transistor 244 is also referred to as a "first amplifier unit."

[0027] DC cut 152, low-pass filter and amplification unit 154, comparator 156, one-shot timer 158, and control circuit 130 of parent device 100 perform the same operations as DC cut 252, low-pass filter and amplification unit 254, comparator 256, one-shot timer 258, and control circuit 230 in Fig. 3. DC cut 152 is also called an "extraction unit," and low-pass filter and amplification unit 154 is also called a "second filter unit" and a "second amplification unit."

[0028] According to this embodiment, the same communication method can be used for communication from the parent device 100 to the child device 200 and communication from the child device 200 to the parent device 100, so that communication can be performed not only between the parent device 100 and the child device 200, but also between the child devices 200. Also, since communication can be performed not only between the parent device 100 and the child device 200, but also between the child devices 200, the degree of freedom in communication can be increased. Furthermore, since the transmission speed of the transmission line 300 between the terminals is set within a range of 1 kbps or more and 100 kbps or less, communication can be increased.

[0029] Furthermore, since a voltage signal is transmitted over transmission line 300 between the terminals, the configuration of parent device 100 and child device 200 can be made common. Furthermore, since the base voltage applied to transmission line 300 is set within a range of 18 V or more and 60 V or less, power can be supplied to child device 200 via transmission line 300. Furthermore, since the voltage signal is generated by a predetermined voltage change relative to the base voltage, information can be transmitted using a voltage value. Furthermore, since the impedance of transmission line 300 is 30 Ω or more and 200 Ω or less, a general-purpose transmission line 300 can be used. Furthermore, since power is supplied to child device 200 from parent device 100 via transmission line 300, child device 200 can be used by connecting it to transmission line 300.

[0030] Furthermore, since the maximum output current of the master unit 100 is 2 A or less, power can be supplied to the slave unit 200 connected to the transmission line 300. Furthermore, since the maximum line length is 1000 m or less and the total line length is 3000 m or less, it can be efficiently installed in a facility. Furthermore, since it includes an inductor unit 122 that outputs a base voltage when there is no communication and a resistor unit 124 that generates a signal amplitude when there is communication, it can generate a voltage signal. Furthermore, since it includes an amplifier 400, the transmission distance can be extended. Furthermore, since the number of amplifiers 400 connected in series to the master unit 100 is 10 or less, the influence of signal delay can be suppressed.

[0031] An overview of one aspect of the present disclosure is as follows: An equipment control system (1000) of one aspect of the present disclosure includes a plurality of terminals (100, 200) connected in a free topology via a wired transmission line (300). One of the plurality of terminals (100, 200) is a parent device (100), and the remaining of the plurality of terminals (100, 200) are child devices (200), the same communication method can be used for communication from the parent device (100) to the child device (200) and for communication from the child device (200) to the parent device (100), and the transmission speed of the transmission line (300) between the terminals (100, 200) is set within a range of 1 kbps or more and 100 kbps or less.

[0032] A voltage signal may be transmitted over the transmission line (300) between the terminals (100, 200).

[0033] The base voltage applied to the transmission line (300) between the terminals (100, 200) may be set within the range of 18V or more and 60V or less.

[0034] The voltage signal may be generated by a predetermined voltage change relative to a base voltage.

[0035] The impedance of the transmission line (300) may be greater than or equal to 30 ohms and less than or equal to 200 ohms.

[0036] The slave unit (200) may be supplied with power from the master unit (100) via a transmission line (300).

[0037] The maximum value of the output current of the parent unit (100) may be 2A or less.

[0038] The maximum line length between the parent unit (100) and the child unit (200) directly connected via the transmission line (300) may be 1000 m or less, and the total line length of the transmission line (300) directly or indirectly connecting the parent unit (100) and the child unit (200) may be 3000 m or less.

[0039] The parent unit (100) may include an inductor unit (122) that outputs a base voltage when not communicating via the transmission line (300), and a resistor unit (124) that generates a signal amplitude when communicating via the transmission line (300).

[0040] The terminal (100, 200) may include a transmitting circuit (140, 240) including a waveform shaping unit (130, 230) that creates a transmission waveform of an output signal to be output, a first filter unit (142, 242) that removes at least a portion of the frequency components of the output signal, and a first amplifier unit (144, 244) that amplifies the output signal, and a receiving circuit (150, 250) that includes an extracting unit (152, 252) that extracts AC components of an input signal that has been input, a second filter unit (154, 254) that removes at least a portion of the frequency components of the input signal, and a second amplifier unit (154, 254) that amplifies the input signal.

[0041] The system may further include an amplifier (400) disposed between the parent unit (100) and the child unit (200) connected via a transmission line (300).

[0042] The number of amplifiers (400) connected in series to the parent unit (100) may be 10 or less.

[0043] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a communication method for an equipment control system (1000) including a plurality of terminals (100, 200) connected in a free topology via a wired transmission line (300), one of the plurality of terminals (100, 200) being a master unit (100) and the remaining of the plurality of terminals (100, 200) being slave units (200), wherein the same communication method can be used for communication from the slave unit (200) to the terminal (100), and communication from the slave unit (200) to the terminal (100), and the transmission speed of the transmission line (300) between the terminals (100, 200) is set within a range of 1 kbps or more and 100 kbps or less.

[0044] The present disclosure has been described above based on examples. These examples are merely illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of each component or each treatment process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 100 parent unit, 110 power supply voltage, 120 upper impedance, 122 inductor section, 124 resistor section, 130 control circuit, 140 transmission circuit, 142 low-pass filter, 144 transistor, 146 resistor section, 148 ground, 150 reception circuit, 152 DC cut, 154 low-pass filter / amplification section, 156 comparator, 158 one-shot timer, 200 child unit, 210 diode bridge, 212 upper impedance, 214 power supply circuit, 230 control circuit, 240 transmission circuit, 242 low-pass filter, 244 transistor, 246 resistor section, 248 ground, 250 reception circuit, 252 DC cut, 254 low-pass filter / amplification section, 256 comparator, 258 One-shot timer, 300 transmission lines, 400 amplifiers, 1000 equipment control systems.

Claims

1. a plurality of terminals connected via a wired transmission line in a free topology manner that can accommodate a plurality of topology connections; one of the plurality of terminals is a parent device, and the remaining of the plurality of terminals are child devices; The same communication method can be used for communication from the parent device to the child device and communication from the child device to the parent device, a base voltage set within a range of 18 V or more and 60 V or less is applied to the transmission line between the terminals, and a voltage signal generated by a predetermined voltage change relative to the base voltage is transmitted; An equipment control system in which the transmission speed of the transmission line between the terminals is set within the range of 1 kbps or more and 100 kbps or less.

2. 2. The equipment control system according to claim 1, wherein the impedance of the transmission line is 30 Ω or more and 200 Ω or less.

3. 3. The equipment control system according to claim 1, wherein the slave unit is supplied with power from the master unit via the transmission line.

4. The equipment control system according to claim 3, wherein the maximum value of the output current of the parent unit is 2 A or less.

5. 5. An equipment control system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the maximum line length between the parent unit and the child unit directly connected via the transmission line is 1000 m or less, and the total line length of the transmission lines directly or indirectly connecting the parent unit and the child units is 3000 m or less.

6. The parent device is an inductor unit that outputs a base voltage when no communication is being performed via the transmission line; The equipment control system according to claim 2 , further comprising a resistor section that generates a signal amplitude when communicating via the transmission line.

7. The terminal a transmission circuit including a waveform shaping unit that creates a transmission waveform of an output signal to be output, a first filter unit that removes at least a portion of frequency components of the output signal, and a first amplifier unit that amplifies the output signal; 7. The equipment control system according to claim 1, further comprising a receiving circuit including: an extractor that extracts AC components of an input signal; a second filter that removes at least a portion of frequency components of the input signal; and a second amplifier that amplifies the input signal.

8. The equipment control system according to claim 1 , further comprising an amplifier disposed between the parent device and the child device connected via the transmission line.

9. The equipment control system according to claim 8 , wherein the number of the amplifiers connected in series to the parent unit is 10 or less.

10. A communication method for an equipment control system including a plurality of terminals connected via a wired transmission line in a free topology that can accommodate a plurality of topology connections, one of the plurality of terminals being a parent device and the remaining of the plurality of terminals being child devices, the method comprising: The same communication method can be used for communication from the parent device to the child device and communication from the child device to the parent device, a base voltage set within a range of 18 V or more and 60 V or less is applied to the transmission line between the terminals, and a voltage signal generated by a predetermined voltage change relative to the base voltage is transmitted; A communication method in which the transmission speed of the transmission line between the terminals is set within a range of 1 kbps or more and 100 kbps or less.

11. A program for causing a computer to execute the communication method according to claim 10.

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