Communication equipment and a power supply method for supplying power to communication equipment

Abstract

To allow a plurality of adapters that can be used as means for supplying power to be selectively connected to the main body of a communication apparatus that includes a wireless communication unit.SOLUTION: A communication apparatus has a main body 10, including a radio communication unit enabling communication by radio and a connector unit 12. The connector unit 12 is configured to allow a first adapter 20 including first power supply means and a second adapter including second power supply means that differs in a power supply method from the first power supply means to be selectively connected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device having a main body provided with a wireless communication unit enabling wireless communication and a connector unit, and a power supply method for supplying power to the communication device.

Background Art

[0002] As described in Patent Document 1, regarding the power supply method to a communication device housed in a distribution board, a plurality of methods are known, such as a method of supplying power via a power line, and a method of connecting the communication device to a main bar for power supply.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

[0004] By the way, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the shape of the communication device is different for each power supply method. However, designing or manufacturing communication devices of each shape is time-consuming and costly. Also, when installing a communication device in a place other than a distribution board where there is no power supply means nearby, power supply by a battery is preferable, and when installing the communication device indoors, power supply by a power outlet is preferable, etc. There is a preferable power supply method for each installation location of the communication device. However, it is difficult to design or manufacture communication devices for each power supply method.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The inventor of the present case has earnestly studied this point and tried to solve it. The problem to be solved by the present invention is to enable selectively connecting a plurality of adapters that can be used as power supply means to the main body of a communication device provided with a wireless communication unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a communication device having a main body equipped with a wireless communication unit that enables wireless communication and a connector unit, wherein the connector unit is capable of selectively connecting a first adapter equipped with a first power supply means and a second adapter equipped with a second power supply means that uses a different power supply method than the first power supply means.

[0007] Furthermore, it is preferable that the connector section be configured to selectively connect a third adapter, which has a function-adding means for adding a function to support the main body, and an adapter connector section that can selectively connect the first adapter and the second adapter.

[0008] Furthermore, it is preferable that the first adapter, second adapter, or third adapter be equipped with an abnormality monitoring means capable of monitoring abnormalities in the main unit or in an adapter other than itself.

[0009] Furthermore, it is preferable that the main unit be configured to include an abnormality monitoring means capable of monitoring abnormalities in any of the first adapter, second adapter, or third adapter, or an identification means capable of identifying the type of adapter connected to the connector.

[0010] Furthermore, it is preferable that the first power supply means and the second power supply means are means used to implement one of the following power supply methods: power supply via cable, power supply via outlet, power supply via terminal block, power supply via battery, or power supply via wireless power transfer.

[0011] Furthermore, a power supply method for supplying power to a communication device having a main body equipped with a wireless communication unit that enables wireless communication and a connector unit is preferable, wherein the power supply method selectively connects a first adapter equipped with a first power supply means and a second adapter equipped with a second power supply means that has a different power supply method from the first power supply means to the connector unit to supply power to the communication device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] In this invention, it is possible to selectively connect multiple adapters that can be used as power supply means to the main body of a communication device equipped with a wireless communication unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing an example of a communication device with its main unit and adapter attached, viewed from the main unit side. However, the adapter uses a power supply method via a wall outlet. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the communication device with the adapter attached, as seen from the adapter side. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing an example of a communication device with its main unit and adapter attached, viewed from the main unit side. However, the adapter uses a power supply method via a terminal block. [Figure 4] This figure shows the main unit and adapter separated, as shown in Figure 3. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example in which an adapter equipped with a function-adding means is interposed between the main unit and an adapter equipped with a power supply means. [Figure 6] This diagram shows the main unit, the adapter equipped with a function-adding mechanism, and the adapter equipped with a power supply mechanism separated. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view showing an example of a communication device with its main unit and adapter attached, viewed from the main unit side. However, the adapter uses a battery-powered system. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view showing an example of a communication device with its main unit and adapter attached, viewed from the main unit side. However, the adapter uses a power supply method via a cable. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view showing an example of an adapter equipped with a column contact portion. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] The following shows embodiments for carrying out the invention. As can be understood from FIGS. 1 to 3, the communication device of the embodiment has a main body 10 including a wireless communication unit enabling wireless communication and a connector unit 12. Further, this communication device can selectively connect a first adapter having first power supply means and a second adapter having second power supply means with a different power supply method to the connector unit 12. For this reason, it becomes possible to selectively connect a plurality of adapters 20 that can be used as power supply means to the main body 10 of the communication device including the wireless communication unit.

[0015] Here, the configuration of the communication device of the embodiment will be described. The communication device of the embodiment has a wireless communication unit enabling wireless communication and can be used as a slave unit, a master unit, or a repeater.

[0016] The communication device used as a slave unit is connected to a sensor or a measuring device by wire or wirelessly. Further, after the communication device used as a slave unit acquires data or signals related to an event measured by a sensor or a measuring device, it can wirelessly communicate with other communication devices (repeater, master unit) or an output means.

[0017] The communication device used as a master unit is wirelessly connected to a slave unit or a repeater. Further, the communication device used as a master unit can wirelessly communicate data or signals related to an event wirelessly communicated from a slave unit or a repeater to an output means.

[0018] The communication device used as a repeater is wirelessly connected to any one of a slave unit, a master unit, and a repeater and can relay wireless communication. Typically, the communication device used as a repeater is installed between a slave unit and a master unit when the distance between the slave unit and the master unit is long or when a large number of slave units are connected to the master unit, and relays data or signals related to an event.

[0019] The communication device according to the embodiment has a main body 10 including a wireless communication unit enabling wireless communication and a connector unit 12. Note that, in order to improve the accuracy of wireless communication, an antenna 13 may be provided on the main body 10. Further, the main body 10 may be provided with abnormality monitoring means or identification means.

[0020] The wireless communication unit provided in the main body 10 of the communication device according to the embodiment is mainly used for wirelessly communicating data and signals related to events between other communication devices mainly used as a slave device, a master device, or a repeater. Note that the wireless communication unit provided in the main body 10 of the communication device used as a slave device may be used for communication with a sensor or a measuring device.

[0021] The connector unit 12 provided in the main body 10 of the communication device according to the embodiment can be connected to a connector unit 28 provided in an adapter 20 capable of supplying power to the main body 10. Further, it is preferable that the connector unit 12 provided in the main body 10 can be connected to the connector unit 28 provided in an adapter 20 capable of adding functions. In any case, the connector unit 28 provided in the adapter 20 and the connector unit 12 provided in the main body 10 may be connected so that the purpose can be achieved.

[0022] Incidentally, the shapes of the connector units 28 provided in each adapter 20 do not necessarily have to be the same shape. However, in order to make an electrical connection with the connector unit 12 provided in the main body 10, usually, the shapes of the connector units 28 provided in each adapter 20 are the same or substantially the same. Examples of the substantially the same shape include those in which the outer shape of the housing of the connector unit 28 is the same, but the number and shape of connection pins or pin receivers provided in the connector unit 12 and corresponding pin receivers or connection pins are different. Note that if the number and shape of the pin receivers or connection pins are made different for each type of adapter 20, they can be used when identifying the types of adapters 20 on the main body 10 side.

[0023] Incidentally, communication devices require power supply to operate, but the appropriate power supply method may differ depending on the location of use. For example, if the measurement frequency by the sensor is low, the continuous operating time of the slave unit will be short, so a battery power supply method is possible. However, if the measurement frequency is high, the continuous operating time of the slave unit will be long, so a battery power supply method is not suitable. Similarly, for repeaters and master units that communicate frequently with other communication devices or output devices, a battery power supply method is not suitable. For this reason, in the communication device of this embodiment, the power supply method to the main unit 10 can be changed by replacing the adapter 20.

[0024] In other words, this is a power supply method for supplying power to a communication device having a main body 10 equipped with a wireless communication unit that enables wireless communication and a connector unit 12, wherein the power supply method can be implemented by selectively connecting a first adapter equipped with a first power supply means and a second adapter equipped with a second power supply means that has a different power supply method from the first power supply means to the connector unit 12 to supply power to the communication device.

[0025] In order to supply different power sources to the main unit 10, it is sufficient to provide a first adapter equipped with a first power supply means for supplying power to the main unit 10, and a second adapter equipped with a second power supply means that uses a different power supply method than the first power supply means. Alternatively, a third adapter equipped with a function-adding means for adding functions to support the main unit 10 may also be provided (see Figures 5 and 6).

[0026] By selectively connecting a third adapter to the connector section 12, which includes a function-adding means for adding a function to support the main body 10, and an adapter connector section (not shown) that can selectively connect the first adapter and the second adapter, the convenience of the communication device can be improved.

[0027] In the examples shown in Figures 5 and 6, the first adapter and the second adapter each have an adapter-receiving portion 20 that can be connected to the connector portion 12 of the main body 10 or the adapter connector portion of the third adapter. The third adapter has a connector-receiving portion 28 that can be connected to the connector portion 12 of the main body 10, and an adapter connector portion that can be connected to the connector-receiving portions 28 of the first and second adapters. This third adapter can be placed between the main body 10 and the first adapter or between the main body 10 and the second adapter. Multiple third adapters may be placed between the main body 10 and the first adapter or between the main body 10 and the second adapter. In this case, the adapter connector portion of the third adapter is configured to be connectable to the connector-receiving portion 28 of other third adapters.

[0028] The power supply means of the first and second adapters are used to supply power to the main unit 10. Specifically, examples include a power plug 21 that can be connected to an outlet (see Figure 2), a terminal block 22 that can be connected to wires connected to a circuit breaker, etc. (see Figure 3), a battery compartment 23 into which batteries or other power supplies can be installed (see Figure 7), a cable 24 such as a power cable or USB cable (see Figure 8), a terminal section to which the cable 24 can be connected if the cable 24 is detachable, and a power supply section that enables wireless power supply. Of course, the power supply means are not limited to these, and any means used to supply power to the main unit 10 may be used.

[0029] The fact that the first power supply means differs from the second power supply means in terms of the method of power supply means means that the type of power supply means at the level given in the specific example above differs between the first and second power supply means. By making the first and second adapters, which are equipped with these respective means, interchangeable, the adaptability to the usage environment of communication equipment can be improved.

[0030] To enable this, it is preferable that the first power supply means and the second power supply means are means used to implement one of the following methods: power supply via cable 24, power supply via outlet, power supply via terminal block 22, power supply by battery, or power supply by wireless power transfer.

[0031] As mentioned earlier, by using an adapter 20 equipped with a function-adding means, it is possible to add functions to support the main unit 10. For example, suppose the third adapter equipped with the function-adding means is given the function of an emergency battery. In this case, even if power cannot be supplied from other adapters 20 due to a power outage or the like, a function can be added to supply power to the main unit 10. Furthermore, when the third adapter is given the function of an emergency battery, it is preferable to configure it so that when power supply to the main unit 10 from the first or second adapter stops, power supply to the main unit 10 starts from the third adapter, which can be used as an emergency battery.

[0032] When power is supplied to the main unit 10 from the first or second adapter, it is preferable to configure the system so that a portion of that power can be used to store energy in the emergency battery of the third adapter. Furthermore, an output means may be provided to indicate the remaining charge of the emergency battery using color or other indicators.

[0033] Furthermore, it is preferable to provide the third adapter, which is equipped with a function-adding means, with a communication function that uses a different type of communication line than the wireless communication unit of the main unit 10. For example, if the communication line used by the wireless communication unit of the main unit 10 is a communication line with a relatively narrow coverage area, the function-adding means can be made to be a communication line with a relatively wide coverage area. Of course, if the communication line used by the wireless communication unit of the main unit 10 is a communication line with a relatively wide coverage area, the function-adding means can be made to be a communication line with a relatively narrow coverage area. In this case, it is preferable that the communication line with a relatively narrow coverage area is less prone to communication interference than the communication line with a relatively wide coverage area. In any case, it is preferable to use the third adapter to add a communication environment different from the communication environment of the wireless communication unit of the main unit 10.

[0034] On the other hand, for those without the necessary knowledge, it can be difficult to determine whether the power supply method is suitable for the location of use. Therefore, it is preferable to provide an identification means on the main unit 10 or the like so that the type of power supply means can be identified when the adapter 20 is connected to the main unit 10.

[0035] To identify the type of power supply means, when the connector part 12 of the main unit 10 and the connector part 28 of the adapter 20 are connected, the adapter 20 may output a signal indicating the type of power supply means to the main unit 10. Alternatively, the number and type of connection pins and pin receivers included in the connector part 28 may be different depending on the type of power supply means, and the type of power supply means may be identified by distinguishing between these connections.

[0036] Furthermore, it is preferable that the main unit 10 has an output means. It is preferable that this output means be used to output the type of power supply means identified by the identification means using color, sound, or the like. Alternatively, the wireless communication unit of the main unit 10 may be used to communicate the type of power supply means identified by the identification means to an external source. The information regarding the type of power supply means that has been communicated may be used to determine whether the power supply means is suitable for the installation location, or to determine the type of power supply means for each adapter 20, etc.

[0037] Furthermore, the main unit 10 of the embodiment is equipped with an abnormality monitoring means that can monitor abnormalities occurring in the main unit 10 or the adapter 20. Examples of abnormalities to be monitored include failures of the wireless communication unit of the main unit 10, poor connection between the connector unit 12 and the connected unit 28, power supply interruption from the power supply means of the adapter 20 (power outage, insufficient battery level, failure of the power supply means, etc.), and failures of the function-adding means of the adapter 20. If the main unit 10 is equipped with an output means, it is preferable that the various abnormalities detected by the abnormality monitoring means be output by color, sound, or the like.

[0038] As can be understood from these descriptions, it is preferable that the main unit 10 be configured to include an abnormality monitoring means capable of monitoring abnormalities in any of the first adapter, second adapter, or third adapter, or an identification means capable of identifying the type of adapter 20 connected to the connector part 12.

[0039] Incidentally, the abnormality monitoring means may be provided on the adapter 20 instead of the main unit 10. For example, it is preferable to have an abnormality monitoring means that monitors abnormalities occurring in the adapter 20 (whether itself or others) or the main unit 10. Note that "whether itself or others" means that the adapter 20 equipped with the abnormality monitoring means may be able to monitor abnormalities in itself, or it may be able to monitor abnormalities in an adapter 20 (for example, a third adapter) connected to an adapter 20 equipped with the abnormality monitoring means (for example, a first adapter). Note that the "abnormalities" monitored by the abnormality monitoring means provided on the adapter 20 can be the same as the objects of monitoring when the main unit 10 is equipped with the abnormality monitoring means.

[0040] As can be understood from these descriptions, it is preferable to have an abnormality monitoring means in one of the first adapter, second adapter, or third adapter that can monitor abnormalities in the main unit 10 or in an adapter 20 other than itself.

[0041] Furthermore, the adapter 20 may be provided with an output means so that various abnormalities detected by the abnormality monitoring means can be output by color, sound, or the like. Alternatively, this output means may be used to output the power supply status by the power supply means by color, sound, or the like.

[0042] By the way, it is preferable that the adapter 20 be configured to be mountable in a way that allows it to be supported at any location. For example, the adapter 20 may be provided with screw holes so that it can be attached to a mounting surface such as a wall using screws. Alternatively, the adapter 20 may be provided with a column contact portion 29 so that it can be attached to a column such as a pole using mounting brackets or belts while the column contact portion 29 is in contact with the column (see Figure 9). The adapter 20 may also be mounted by placing it on a mounting base or the like. Furthermore, the adapter 20 may be provided with grooves or parts so that it can be attached to a rail member or the like. In addition, it may be attached to a mounting surface using magnets or double-sided tape.

[0043] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments described, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be implemented in various forms. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 10 Main unit 12 Connector section 20 adapters

Claims

1. A communication device having a main body equipped with a wireless communication unit that enables wireless communication and a connector unit, The connector part is, A first adapter equipped with a first power supply means, A communication device to which a third adapter can be selectively connected, having a second adapter equipped with a second power supply means that uses a different power supply method from the first power supply means, a function-adding means that adds a function to support the main unit, and an adapter connector portion that allows selective connection of the first adapter and the second adapter.

2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the first adapter, second adapter, or third adapter is equipped with an abnormality monitoring means capable of monitoring an abnormality in the main unit or an abnormality in an adapter other than itself.

3. On the main unit, An anomaly monitoring means capable of monitoring an anomaly in any of the first adapter, second adapter, or third adapter. Alternatively, The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising an identification means capable of identifying the type of adapter connected to the connector portion.

4. The first power supply means and the second power supply means are A communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is a means used to implement one of the following methods: a power supply method via cable, a power supply method via outlet, a power supply method via terminal block, a power supply method using a battery, or a power supply method using wireless power transfer.

5. A power supply method for supplying power to a communication device having a main body equipped with a wireless communication unit that enables wireless communication and a connector unit, A connector portion to which a third adapter can be selectively connected has a function-adding means for adding a function to support the main unit, and an adapter connector portion to which a first adapter and a second adapter can be selectively connected. A first adapter equipped with a first power supply means, A power supply method that selectively connects a second adapter, which is equipped with a second power supply means that uses a different power supply method than the first power supply means, to a communication device to supply power.

Images