JP4558355B2 - Wireless communication system, relay communication apparatus, and receiving end communication apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication technique for transmitting information related to an instruction command transmitted intermittently from a sending communication device to a receiving communication device via a relay communication device.

  There has been known a mist type bathroom heating device that generates hot water mist in a bathroom to perform mist heating of the bathroom (see Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the mist type bathroom heating device described in Patent Document 1. The mist type bathroom heating device is configured by a nozzle unit 101 installed in the vicinity of the mixing faucet 100 on the wall of the bathroom. The nozzle unit 101 includes two mist nozzles 102a and 102b on the upper and lower sides. The mist nozzles 102 a and 102 b are connected to the hot water outlet pipe 107 of the mixing tap 100 via the unit pipe 103, the three-way valve 104, the branch pipe 105, and the hot water supply pipe 106.

  A drain pipe 108 is connected to the other connection port of the three-way valve 104. When the three-way valve 104 is operated to connect the branch pipe 105 and the unit pipe 103, hot water is supplied from the hot water supply pipe 107 to the mist nozzles 102a and 102b, and the hot water mist flows into the bathroom from the mist nozzles 102a and 102b. Be injected. Mist heating in the bathroom is performed by this hot water mist. When the three-way valve 104 is operated to connect the drain pipe 108 and the unit pipe 103, the hot water mist injection stops.

  Inside the nozzle unit 101, a control circuit 109 that controls the operation of the three-way valve and a battery 110 that supplies driving power to the control circuit 109 are incorporated. An infrared light receiving element 111 for receiving an infrared signal is provided on the front panel of the nozzle unit. The user inputs an operation command for the nozzle unit 101 using the remote control device. The operation command is transmitted as an infrared signal from the remote control device to the infrared light receiving element 111 and received. The received operation command is input to the control circuit 109. The control circuit 109 operates the three-way valve 104 in accordance with the input operation command. In this way, it is possible to remotely control the start and stop of the hot water mist with the remote control device.

  By the way, in a wireless communication system for remotely controlling a controlled device that operates by battery drive like the mist type bathroom heating device described above, the receiving end communication device provided in the controlled device is driven with as little power as possible. It is required to do. This is because if the power consumption of the receiving end communication device is large, the battery is consumed quickly, and it is necessary to frequently replace the battery. Therefore, as a technique for suppressing the power consumption of the wireless communication system, a technique for reducing power consumption in the receiving element by intermittently supplying power to the receiving element in the receiving-end communication device on the receiving side is known (Patent Document). 2).

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless communication system described in Patent Document 2. This wireless communication system is composed of a main device and a remote control device for remotely operating the main device. The remote control device includes a transmission unit 121. The transmitter 121 has a built-in infrared light emitting element 121a, and a radio signal is transmitted by infrared rays. The main device includes a receiving unit 122, a receiving controller 123, a microcomputer 124, and a battery 125. The receiving unit 122 includes an infrared light receiving element 122 a and can receive an infrared signal transmitted from the transmitting unit 121.

  The reception controller 123 includes a restriction release unit 126 and a light reception control unit 127. The microcomputer 124 takes two states, a sleep state and a sleep release state. The sleep state is a state in which the power supply voltage of the microcomputer 124 is lower than that during normal operation. In this state, power consumption is reduced and power saving is achieved. On the other hand, the sleep release state is a state during normal operation. The light reception control unit 127 restricts the operation of the infrared light receiving element 122a when the microcomputer 124 is in the sleep state. When the operation signal is received by the infrared light receiving element 122a, the restriction canceling unit 126 cancels the sleep state of the microcomputer 124 and cancels the operation restriction of the infrared light receiving element 122a by the light receiving control unit 127. The battery 125 supplies driving power to the reception controller 123 and the light receiving unit 122 when the microcomputer 124 enters the sleep state.

FIG. 10 is a time chart showing the signal sent from the remote control device and the operation of the light receiving element. Transmitter 121 of the remote control device transmits operation signal S of length T _a + T _b twice at interval I of time T _c . The operation signal S includes _a mark signal M having a length _{Ta and} a data signal D having a length Tb.

On the other hand, when the microcomputer 124 is in the sleep state, the light reception control unit 127 causes the reception unit 122 to operate intermittently with the on time T _on and the off time T _off as one cycle. At this time, T _on = 2T _a + T _b + T _c and T _off = T _b + T _c are set. When the limit release unit 126 detects the mark signal M while the reception unit 122 is operating, the restriction release unit 126 cancels the intermittent operation of the infrared light receiving element 122a and puts the microcomputer 124 in the sleep release state. Thereby, the data signal D can be received following the mark signal M.

Thus, by intermittently supplying power to the infrared light receiving element 122a, power consumption is suppressed and the battery is prevented from being consumed at an early stage.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-185223 JP 2000-28191 A

  However, when the wireless communication system described in Patent Literature 2 is applied to the battery-driven mist bathroom heating device described in Patent Literature 1, the receiving end communication device (nozzle unit 101) driven by the battery is: The duty ratio of power supply to the infrared light receiving element 111 cannot be made very small.

  That is, the power supply duty ratio is reduced, and for example, power is supplied to the light receiving element once every 10 seconds for 10 msec. Then, in the above-described wireless communication system, it is necessary to lengthen the length of the operation signal transmitted from the remote control device. Then, conversely, power consumption in the remote control device increases. Also, the user needs to keep the remote control device facing the receiving end communication device until the operation signal is received by the receiving end communication device, which is extremely inconvenient.

  In addition, when the length of the operation signal transmitted from the remote control device is shortened from about 100 msec to about 1 sec, the timing at which the user operates the remote control device and the timing at which power is supplied to the infrared light receiving element 111 in the receiving communication device Unless the two match, the receiving-end communication device cannot receive the operation signal. Therefore, the user needs to operate the remote control device many times, which is inconvenient.

  Therefore, it is necessary to improve the operability of the remote control device by increasing the duty ratio of the power supply. Then, since the power consumption by the infrared light receiving element in the receiving end communication device cannot be suppressed so much, the battery is consumed quickly.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to reduce power consumption in the receiving end communication device extremely, and to have a high responsiveness to an input operation when operating the receiving end communication device from the sending end communication device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a wireless communication system excellent in performance, and a relay communication device and a receiving end communication device used therefor.

A first configuration of a wireless communication system according to the present invention includes a sending end communication device for inputting an operation command input by a user, a receiving end communication device that receives the operation command, and the sending end communication device. In a communication system including a relay communication device that receives an operation command transmitted wirelessly and wirelessly transmits the operation command to the receiving communication device, the relay communication device includes a transmission buffer that temporarily stores the operation command, and the transmission buffer. When an operation command is received from an end communication device, the transmission buffer update unit updates the stored data in the transmission buffer to the operation command, and the transmission buffer update unit updates the stored data in the transmission buffer to the operation command. Once comprises a transmitter which intermittently transmits repeatedly at predetermined time intervals to the reception terminal communication device the operation command stored in the transmission buffer And wherein the door.

With this configuration, when the user operates the sending end communication device and inputs an operation command, the operation command is stored in the transmission buffer of the relay communication device. Then, the relay communication device continues to intermittently transmit the operation command stored in the transmission buffer to the receiving communication device at a predetermined time interval. As a result, the receiving end communication device can reliably receive the operation command. In addition, once the user operates the sending end communication device and inputs an operation command to the relay receiving device, the operation command can be stopped even if input of the operation command is stopped before the operation command is transmitted to the receiving end communication device. The command is reliably transmitted to the receiving communication device. For this reason, it is not necessary to continue inputting the operation command from the sending communication device until the operation command is transmitted to the receiving communication device.
In addition, since the operation command is intermittently transmitted from the relay communication device at a predetermined time interval, the reception cycle of intermittent reception in the receiving end communication device is made longer than before, and the ratio of the reception time to the reception cycle ( Hereinafter, it is referred to as “reception duty ratio”), which can be made extremely small as compared with the prior art. Therefore, power consumption in the receiving end communication device can be extremely reduced.

  According to a second configuration of the wireless communication system of the present invention, in the first configuration, when the transmission buffer update unit receives an operation command from the transmitting end communication device, the storage buffer stores the stored data in the transmission buffer. The operating state information corresponding to the operation command is updated.

  According to this configuration, the relay communication device holds the operation state information of the receiving end communication device. Accordingly, since the information transmitted from the transmitting end communication device to the relay communication device is only information for selecting the operation state information, the amount of transmission information is small. Therefore, since a short-time signal is sufficient, the storage capacity of the sending end communication device can be reduced. In addition, the communication time between the sending end communication device and the relay communication device is short, and transmission errors in wireless communication are unlikely to occur. Therefore, the responsiveness of the operation by the sending end communication device is improved.

According to a third configuration of the wireless communication system of the present invention, in the first or second configuration, the receiving end communication device transmits a transmission signal from the relay communication device intermittently and a reception unit that transmits the signal. A detection interval setting unit that sets a time interval (hereinafter referred to as a “detection interval”) for intermittently receiving a signal, and a transmission signal from the relay communication device by the receiving unit at a detection interval set by the detection interval setting unit. And a detection interval changing unit for changing the detection interval set in the detection interval setting unit, wherein the transmission signal detecting unit continues the transmission signal. a detection interval of the detected non hours Te set stop detection interval T _s, wherein when the transmission signal detection unit detects the transmission signal, the detection time than the stop detection interval T _s Short operation detection And changing the interval T _a.

According to this arrangement, the time period during which the transmission signal is not detected from the relay transmitter, the detection interval changing unit sets a detection interval, the operation upon detection interval T _a long stop time detection interval T _s than To do. After the transmission signals from the relay communication device is detected, the detection interval changing unit switches during the detection interval T _a work detection interval. Thus, by switching the detection interval depending on the presence / absence of the transmission signal from the relay communication device, it is possible to reduce the power consumed in the detection of the transmission signal in the receiving communication device. Therefore, when a battery is used as the power source of the receiving end communication device, it is possible to suppress the consumption of the battery and extend the life.

The fourth aspect of the radio communication system according to the present invention, in the third configuration, the detection interval changing unit, when the detection interval set for the detection interval setting unit is the operation time detection interval T _a in the case where the transmission signal detection unit does not detect continuously the transmission signal by a predetermined number of times, and switches the detection interval to the stop detection interval T _s.

According to this configuration, when the transmission signal detection unit detects the transmission signal at the operation detection interval _Ta , if the transmission signal from the relay communication device is not continuously detected a predetermined number of times, the transmission signal is reset to a long stop detection interval T _s than the distance detection section detects a transmission signal operates upon detection interval T _a. As a result, the power consumed in detecting the transmission signal in the receiving end communication device can be reduced. Accordingly, when a battery is used as the power source of the receiving end communication device, it is possible to lengthen the battery consumption time.

According to a fifth configuration of the wireless communication system of the present invention, in the third or fourth configuration, the detection interval changing unit is a predetermined number of times after the transmission signal detecting unit detects a stop signal as a transmission signal. When the transmission signal other than the stop signal is not continuously detected, the detection interval is switched to the stop detection interval T _s .

According to this configuration, the transmission signal detection unit detects the transmission signal unless the transmission signal detection unit detects the stop signal as the transmission signal and continuously detects a transmission signal other than the stop signal for a predetermined number of times. It is reset to a long stop detection interval T _s than intervals during operation detection interval T _a. As a result, the power consumed in detecting the transmission signal in the receiving end communication device can be reduced. Therefore, when a battery is used as the power source of the receiving end communication device, it is possible to suppress the consumption of the battery and extend the life.

According to a sixth configuration of the wireless communication system of the present invention, in any one of the third to fifth configurations, the receiving-end communication device uses a normal mode voltage Va and _a power saving mode lower than the normal mode voltage Va. have a power control unit for switching between the voltage V _s, the power control unit, said detection interval set for the detection interval setting unit power supply voltage at the time of the operation upon detection interval T _a normally set mode voltage V _a, the power supply voltage state of the normal mode voltage V _a, when the transmission signal detection unit detects the stop signal, to perform control to switch the power supply voltage to the power-saving mode voltage V _s It is characterized by.

According to this configuration, in the state of normal mode voltage V _a, when the transmission signal detection unit detects the stop signal, the power supply voltage is switched to the power saving mode voltage V _s. Thereby, useless power consumption can be suppressed.

A first configuration of a relay communication device according to the present invention includes a sending end communication device for inputting an operation command input by a user, a receiving end communication device that receives the operation command, and the sending end communication device. In a relay communication device used in a communication system including a relay communication device that receives an operation command transmitted wirelessly and wirelessly transmits the operation command to the receiving communication device, a transmission buffer that temporarily stores the operation command; When an operation command is received from the transmitting end communication device, the transmission buffer update unit updates the stored data in the transmission buffer to the operation command, and the transmission buffer update unit updates the stored data in the transmission buffer to the operation command. Once updated, and a, a transmission unit for intermittent transmission repeatedly at predetermined time intervals to the reception terminal communication device the operation command stored in the transmission buffer And wherein the door.

  According to a second configuration of the relay communication apparatus according to the present invention, in the first configuration, when the transmission buffer update unit receives an operation command from the transmitting end communication apparatus, the storage buffer stores the data stored in the transmission buffer. The operating state information corresponding to the operation command is updated.

A first configuration of a receiving end communication device according to the present invention includes a sending end communication device for inputting an operation command input by a user, a receiving end communication device that receives the operation command, and the sending end communication device. In a receiving communication device used in a communication system including a relay communication device that receives an operation command transmitted wirelessly from the wireless communication device and wirelessly transmits the operation command to the receiving communication device, the transmission signal from the relay communication device is intermittently received. The receiving unit, a detection interval setting unit for setting a time interval (hereinafter referred to as “detection interval”) for intermittently receiving a transmission signal by the receiving unit, and a detection interval set by the detection interval setting unit. A transmission signal detection unit that detects a transmission signal from the relay communication device, and a detection interval change unit that changes a detection interval set in the detection interval setting unit, and the detection interval change unit includes the transmission interval Signal detection unit sets the detection interval is a time zone that is not continuously detected a transmission signal to stop detection interval T _s, in the case where the transmission signal detection unit detects the transmission signal, the detection time and changes the stop time of the detection interval T _s during shorter operation than the detection interval T _a.

The second configuration of the reception terminal communication device according to the present invention, in the first configuration, the detection interval changing unit, detection interval set for the detection interval setting unit is in the operation time detection interval T _a in the case, when the transmission signal detection unit does not detect continuously the transmission signal by a predetermined number of times, and switches the detection interval to the stop detection interval T _s.

According to a third configuration of the receiving communication device according to the present invention, in the first or second configuration, the detection interval changing unit is a predetermined number of times after the transmission signal detecting unit detects a stop signal as a transmission signal. When the transmission signal other than the stop signal is not detected continuously, the detection interval is switched to the stop detection interval T _s .

A fourth configuration of the reception terminal communication device according to the present invention, the in any one of the configurations of the first to third, between the supply voltage and the normal mode voltage V _a power saving mode voltage V _s is lower than that in have a power control unit for switching, the power control unit sets the power supply voltage to the normal mode voltage V _a when the set detection interval is the operation time detection interval T _a to the detection interval setting unit and, in the power supply voltage state of the normal mode voltage V _a, when the transmission signal detection unit detects the stop signal, and performs control of switching the power supply voltage to the power-saving mode voltage V _s.

  As described above, according to the present invention, once the user operates the sending communication device and inputs an operation command to the relay receiving device, the operation command is transmitted before the operation command is transmitted to the receiving communication device. Even if the input of the command is stopped, the operation command is reliably transmitted to the receiving end communication device. Therefore, the operation command need not be continuously input from the sending end communication device until the operation command is transmitted to the receiving end communication device. Therefore, the responsiveness to the input when operating the receiving communication device from the sending communication device is good, and the operability for the user is improved.

  In addition, since the operation command is intermittently transmitted from the relay communication device several times at a predetermined time interval, the reception cycle of intermittent reception in the receiving end communication device is made longer than before, and the reception duty ratio is extremely higher than before. Can be small. Therefore, the power consumption in the receiving end communication device can be extremely reduced. Therefore, when the receiving end communication device is battery-driven, it is possible to suppress battery consumption in the receiving end communication device and extend the battery life extremely.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The wireless communication system according to the present embodiment includes three parts, that is, a transmitting end communication device 1, a relay communication device 2, and a receiving end communication device 3. The sending communication device 1 and the relay communication device 2 can perform infrared wireless communication, and the relay communication device 2 and the receiving communication device 3 can perform infrared communication.

  The sending end communication device 1 includes an input device 4 and a transmission unit 5. The input device 4 is a device (such as a switch) for a user to input an operation command. The transmission unit 5 transmits an operation command input from the input device 4 to the relay communication device 2 using an infrared signal.

  The relay communication device 2 includes a reception unit 6, a transmission buffer update unit 7, a transmission buffer 8, a transmission unit 9, a transmission / reception timer 10, a clock generator 11, a mode setting unit 12, a mode switch 13, and an inverter 14. .

  The receiving unit 6 receives an infrared signal transmitted from the sending end communication device 1. The transmission buffer update unit 7 stores the reception signal (operation command) received by the reception unit 6 in the transmission buffer 8. The transmission buffer updating unit 7 may be configured to store the operation command as it is in the transmission buffer, or may be configured to store the operation state information corresponding to the operation command in the transmission buffer 8. The transmission buffer 8 is a buffer that temporarily stores operation commands or operation state information (hereinafter collectively referred to as “operation command information”). The transmission unit 9 intermittently transmits the operation command information stored in the transmission buffer to the receiving end communication device 3 at a predetermined time interval.

The clock generator 11 generates a clock having a constant period (T _p + T _u ). Reception timer 10 counts the clocks a clock generator 11 generates, for generating a pulse of length T _p reaches a certain count value. Thereby, the transmission / reception timer 10 generates pulses at a predetermined time interval. The output of the transmission / reception timer 10 is input to the power supply switching control terminal of the transmission unit 9. The transmission unit 9 performs infrared transmission when the pulse generated by the transmission / reception timer 10 is at the H level (1). The pulse generated by the transmission / reception timer 10 is inverted by the inverter 14 and input to the power supply switching terminal of the reception unit 6. The receiving unit 6 receives an infrared signal when the output of the inverter 14 is at the H level (1) (that is, when the pulse generated by the transmission / reception timer 10 is at the L level (0)).

The mode setting unit 12 sets the transmission / reception mode based on the detection state of the received signal by the transmission buffer update unit 7. That is, the mode setting unit 12 outputs a 0/1 switching signal (hereinafter referred to as “mode switching signal”) to the mode switch 13. When the mode switching signal is 1, the transmission / reception timer 10 and the clock generator 11 are connected and a clock is input to the transmission / reception timer 10. Therefore, the clock generator 11 continues to generate pulses with a period T _p + T _u . On the other hand, when the mode switching signal is 0, the transmission / reception timer 10 and the clock generator 11 are disconnected, and the transmission / reception timer 10 stops.

Here, the “transmission / reception mode” means a state in which the relay communication device 2 performs a transmission / reception operation, and there are an operation mode and a standby mode. In the “operation mode”, the relay communication device 2 performs a periodic operation in which the reception unit 6 receives the infrared signal at time T _u and the transmission unit 9 transmits the infrared signal at time T _p as one cycle. repeat. In the “standby mode”, the reception unit 6 continues to be in a reception state, and the transmission unit 9 continues to be in a stop state.

  The receiving communication device 3 includes a receiving unit 15, a transmission signal detecting unit 16, a receiving timer 17, a main clock generator 18, a sub clock generator 19, a detection interval changing unit 20, a detection interval setting unit 21, and a clock changeover switch. 22, a clock supply switch 23, and a power supply control unit 24.

  The receiving unit 15 intermittently receives a transmission signal (infrared signal) transmitted from the relay communication device 2. The transmission signal detection unit 16 detects a transmission signal transmitted from the relay communication device 2 by the reception unit 15 at a detection interval set by a detection interval setting unit 21 described later.

The main clock generator 18 generates a clock having a fixed period. The sub clock generator 19 counts the clocks generated by the main clock generator 18, and inverts the output when the count value exceeds a certain value, thereby sub-clocks having a period that is an integral multiple of the main clock. • Generate a clock. In this embodiment, the period of the main clock is T _a , and the period of the sub clock is T _s = nT _a (n is an integer of 2 or more).

The reception timer 17 outputs a pulse having _a predetermined interval T _r (<T _a ) at the rising edge of the main clock or the sub clock. As a result, the reception timer 17 intermittently outputs a pulse having a width T _r at _a period T _a or T _s (= nT _a ). The transmission signal detection unit 16 intermittently detects the transmission signal by supplying power to the reception unit 15 during the time when the pulse output from the reception timer 17 is at the H level. Hereinafter, it refers to the period T _a and the operation time of the detection interval, and that the stop detection interval period T _s.

The detection interval setting unit 21 sets the detection interval of the transmission signal detection unit 16. That is, when setting the detection interval T _a, the detection interval setting unit 21 outputs zero. As a result, the clock changeover switch 22 provided on the line for supplying the clock signal from the main clock generator 18 to the sub clock generator 19 is cut off, and the supply of the main clock is stopped. Further, the clock supply switch 23 is switched in a direction to connect the output node of the main clock generator 18 and the clock input node of the reception timer 17. The clock supply switch 23 is a switch for switching the connection between the clock input node of the reception timer 17 and the output node of the main clock generator 18 or the output node of the sub clock generator 19. On the other hand, when the detection interval is set to T _s , the detection interval setting unit 21 outputs 1.

The detection interval changing unit 20 changes the detection interval set in the detection interval setting unit 21. That is, the detection interval changing unit 20 sets the detection interval to the stop detection interval T _s during a time period when the transmission signal detection unit 16 does not continuously detect the transmission signal. The transmission signal detection unit 16 when detecting a transmission signal is changed to operate upon detection interval T _a the detection time. Furthermore, the detection interval changing unit 20, when the detection interval set in the detection interval setting unit 21 is the operation time detection interval T _a, the transmission signal detection unit 16 continues to transmit signal by a predetermined number of times n If not detected, it switches the detection interval to stop detection interval T _s. Further, when a transmission signal detection unit 16 does not detect a transmission signal other than the stop signal continuously from the detection of the stop signal by a predetermined number of times as the transmission signal also switches the detection interval to stop detection interval T _s. Here, the “stop signal” refers to a command signal for stopping a predetermined operation of a device in which the receiving end communication device 3 is incorporated.

The power control unit 24, a power supply voltage of the reception terminal communication apparatus 3 performs switching between a normal mode voltage V _a and lower than the power-saving mode voltage V _s. Here, the “normal mode voltage” refers to a voltage in a state (normal mode) in which the receiving end communication device 3 performs a normal operation. “Power saving mode voltage” refers to a voltage in a state (power saving mode) in which the receiving-end communication device 3 is in a dormant state.

The power control unit 24, the detection interval set for the detection interval setting unit 21 when the operation time detection interval T _a to set the power voltage to the normal mode voltage V _a. Further, the power supply voltage in a state of normal mode voltage V _a, when the transmission signal detection unit 16 detects the stop signal, switches the power supply voltage to the power-saving mode voltage V _s.

  As a system in which such a wireless communication system is actually used, for example, a system as shown in FIG. 2 is assumed. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment is applied to a mist type bathroom heating system.

  This mist type bathroom heating system includes a remote control device 31, a bathroom heater / dryer 32 installed near the ceiling of the inner wall of the bathroom, and a mist type bathroom heating device 33 installed on the wall near the mixing faucet 34 in the bathroom. Has been. The remote control device 31 and the bathroom heating / drying device 32 are connected by an infrared wireless channel. The bathroom heating / drying device 32 and the mist type bathroom heating device 33 are also connected by an infrared wireless channel. The bathroom heater / dryer 32 operates with power supplied from a commercial power source. Moreover, the mist type bathroom heating apparatus 33 is battery drive.

  In this system, the remote control device 31 incorporates the sending end communication device 1. The relay communication device 2 is built in the bathroom heater / dryer 32. The receiving end communication device 3 is built in the mist type bathroom heating device 33.

  An infrared communication window 35 is provided on the front panel of the bathroom heater / dryer 32. The infrared signal transmitted from the remote control device 31 is received through the infrared communication window 35, and the infrared signal is transmitted to the mist type bathroom heating device 33.

  The mist type bathroom heating device 33 is connected to a hot water supply pipe 34 a that supplies hot water to the mixing faucet 34. Hot water is supplied from the hot water supply pipe 34a, and the hot water mist is sprayed from the mist nozzle 36 into the bathroom.

  The hot water mist is started and stopped in the mist type bathroom heating device 33 by opening and closing a built-in electromagnetic valve. The radio communication system of the present embodiment is used to remotely operate the electromagnetic valve from the remote control device 31.

  Next, the operation of the wireless communication system of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described below.

  3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the relay communication device of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the receiving end communication device of FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a state transition diagram of the receiving end communication device, and FIG. 6 is a time chart showing transmission / reception timing of each communication device when an operation command starts to be transmitted from

First, the operation of the relay communication device 2 will be described with reference to FIG. Initially, when the power is turned on, the relay communication device enters a standby mode (S1). That is, the mode setting unit 12 outputs 0 to the mode switch 13. Thereby, 0 is continuously output from the mode switch 13. Then, 0 is continuously input to the power supply switching terminal of the transmission unit 9 and 1 is continuously input to the power supply switching terminal of the reception unit 6. Accordingly, the transmission unit 9 in a stopped state continues, the receiving unit 6 is a receiving state continues (see section T ₁ of the FIG. 6). Then, the standby mode state is maintained until a transmission signal (operation command) is received from the sending end communication device 1 (S2).

When a transmission signal (operation command) is received from the sending end communication device 1 (S3), the transmission buffer update unit 7 stores the operation command information in the transmission buffer 8 according to the operation command. Then, the transmission buffer update unit 7 sets the operation mode by the mode setting unit 12 (S5). In the operation mode, the mode setting unit S12 outputs 1 to the mode changeover switch 13. As a result, a clock having a period T _p + T _u is supplied from the clock generator 11 to the transmission / reception timer 10. The transmission / reception timer 10 continuously generates pulses with a width T _p at a period T _p + T _u (see section T _{2 in} FIG. 6).

  When the output of the transmission / reception timer 10 is 1 (H level) (S6), the receiving unit 6 is turned off and the transmitting unit 9 is turned on (S7). As a result, the receiving unit 6 stops receiving. The transmission unit 9 transmits the operation command information stored in the transmission buffer 8 to the receiving communication device 3 (S8).

  On the other hand, when the output of the transmission / reception timer 10 is 0 (L level) in step S6, the reception unit 6 is in the ON state and the transmission unit 9 is in the OFF state (S9). Thereby, the transmission part 9 stops transmission. The receiving unit 6 is ready to receive a transmission signal from the transmitting end communication device 1.

Hereinafter, a section in which the output of the transmission / reception timer 10 is 1 is referred to as a “transmission window”, and a section in which the output of the transmission / reception timer 10 is 0 is referred to as a “reception window” (see FIG. 6). The length of the transmission window is T _p and the length of the reception window is _Tu .

  Here, if the transmission signal from the transmitting end communication device 1 is not detected (S10), the process returns to step S6. On the other hand, when a transmission signal is received from the sending end communication device 1 (S10), the transmission buffer updating unit 7 outputs an interrupt signal to the clock generator 11 (S11). When the interrupt signal is input, the clock generator 11 stops outputting the clock. As a result, the transmission / reception timer 10 continuously outputs 0. Therefore, the receiving unit 6 continues to be in a receivable state, and the transmitting unit 9 is continuously in a transmission stopped state.

Next, the transmission buffer update unit 7 reads an operation command received by the reception unit 6 until all transmission signals (operation commands) from the transmission terminal communication device 1 are received (S12). In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the transmission signal from the sending end communication device 1 is transmitted twice at intervals T _int as the transmission signal having the length T _com . Further, the length T _com of the transmission signal is set to be longer than the length T _p of the transmission window of the relay communication device 2. As a result, even if the receiving unit 6 is in a reception stopped state at the beginning of the first transmission signal, the receiving unit 6 is always in a receivable state before the transmission signal ends. Therefore, the transmission buffer update unit 7 can detect the first transmission signal. When the first transmission signal is detected, the transmission buffer update unit 7 outputs an interrupt signal and keeps the reception state of the reception unit 6. As a result, the transmission buffer update unit 7 can completely read the transmission signal (operation command) transmitted for the second time.

  Next, the transmission buffer updating unit 7 analyzes the received transmission signal (operation command) (S13). If this operation command is an operation command for the receiving end communication device 3 (S14), the operation command information is stored in the transmission buffer 8 (S15). On the other hand, if this operation command is for the relay communication device 2, processing according to the instruction of the operation command is performed (S16).

  Finally, the transmission buffer update unit 7 stops outputting the interrupt signal (S17). Then, the process returns to step S6. As a result, the clock generator 11 starts outputting the clock again. And the receiving part 6 and the transmission part 9 restart the operation | movement which repeats reception and transmission alternately.

Next, the operation of the receiving end communication device 3 will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the power of the reception terminal communication device 3 is turned ON, the detection interval changing unit 20, the non-detection counter n ₁ for holding the internal variables set to 0 (S21). Further, also a stop signal the counter _{n 2} for holding the internal variables set to 0 (S22).

Then, the power control unit 24 sets the power supply voltage of the reception terminal communication device 3 to the power saving mode voltage V _s. The detection interval setting unit 21 sets the detection interval to T _s (S23). That is, the detection interval setting unit 21 outputs 1 (H level) to the clock changeover switch 22 and the clock supply switch 23. Thus, the clock period T _a for outputting the main clock generator 18 is input to the sub-clock generator 19. The sub clock generator 19 generates _a clock having _a longer period T _s based on the clock having the period T _a and outputs the clock to the reception timer 17. The reception timer 17 outputs a pulse having _a time width T _r (<T _a ) in the same cycle as the input clock. Then, the transmission signal detection unit 16 detects the transmission signal by supplying power to the reception unit 15 for a time width _Tr in which the output of the reception timer 17 is 1 (H level). During the time when the output of the reception timer 17 is 0 (L level), the power supply to the reception unit 15 is stopped to reduce power consumption. In this way, the detection interval setting unit 21 repeats the operation of detecting the transmission signal for the time width T _r at the period T _s (state 1 in FIG. 5).

In the following, a section of the time width _Tr in which the detection interval setting unit 21 detects a transmission signal is referred to as a “detection window”.

  First, the transmission signal detection unit 16 stops the power supply of the reception unit 15 and turns it off (S24). This state is maintained while the output of the reception timer 17 is 0 (L level) (S25). When the output of the reception timer 17 becomes 1 (H level), the transmission signal detection unit 16 starts supplying power to the reception unit 15 and turns on the reception unit 15 (S26).

  And the transmission signal detection part 16 determines whether the transmission signal was received (S27). If not received, the determination in step S27 is repeated while the output of the reception timer 17 is 1 (S28).

When detecting a transmission signal in step S27, the detection interval changing unit 20 changes the setting of the detection interval of the detection interval setting unit 21 to T _a (S29). At this time, the detection interval setting unit 21 outputs 0 (L level) to the clock selector switch 22 and the clock supply switch 23. Thus, the clock period T _a for outputting the main clock generator 18 is input to the receive timer 17. The reception timer 17 outputs a pulse having _a time width T _r (<T _a ) in the same cycle as the input clock. Then, the transmission signal detection unit 16 detects the transmission signal by supplying power to the reception unit 15 for a time width _Tr in which the output of the reception timer 17 is 1 (H level). During the time when the output of the reception timer 17 is 0 (L level), the power supply to the reception unit 15 is stopped to reduce power consumption. In this way, the detection interval setting unit 21 in the period T _a, so repeated operation for detecting a transmission signal by a time width T _r.

  Next, the transmission signal detector 16 determines whether or not the received transmission signal (operation command information) is a stop signal (S30). Here, in the case of a stop signal, the power supply control unit 24 proceeds to step S28.

If the received transmission signal (operation command information) is not a stop signal in step S30, the power supply control unit 24 determines whether or not it is currently in the power saving mode (S31). Then, if the power saving mode, the power control unit 24 sets the supply voltage in the normal mode voltage V _a (S32). As a result, the state 1 changes to the state 2 in FIG. Next, the receiving end communication device 3 analyzes and executes the operation command information (S33), and proceeds to step S28.

  In step S28, when the output of the reception timer 17 is 0 (L level), the detection interval changing unit 20 determines whether or not the current operation mode is the normal mode (S34). If it is currently in the power saving mode, the process returns to step S24.

In step S34, when the current operation mode is the normal mode, the detection interval changing unit 20 determines whether or not the transmission signal detection unit 16 has detected a transmission signal in the immediately preceding detection window (S35). Here, when the transmission signal detection unit 16 does not detect the transmission signal in the immediately preceding detection window, the detection interval changing unit 20 increments the value of the undetected counter n1 by ₁ (S36). Then, when _{n 1} is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value _{n 1max} (S37), the flow returns to step S24. On the other hand, when n ₁ > n _1max , the detection interval changing unit 20 sets the detection interval to T _s by the detection interval setting unit 21 (S38). Further, the power control unit 24 sets the supply voltage to the power saving mode voltage _{V s} (S39). Then, the process returns to step S24. As a result, the receiving-end communication device 3 makes a state transition from the state 2 or the state 3 in FIG.

In step S35, if the transmission signal detection unit 16 in the immediately preceding detection window detects the transmission signal, the detection interval changing unit 20 resets the value of the non-detection counter n ₁ to 0 (S40). Next, the detection interval changing unit 20 determines whether or not the transmission signal detecting unit 16 has detected operation command information other than the stop signal in the immediately preceding detection window (S41). Here, when detecting an operation command information other than the stop signal is detected interval changing unit 20 resets the stop signal the counter n ₂ to 0 (S42), the flow returns to step S24.

In step S41, when the transmission signal detection unit 16 in the immediately preceding detection window detects the stop signal, the power control unit 24 sets the supply voltage to the power saving mode voltage V _s (S43). The detection interval changing unit 20 increments the stop signal the counter _{n 2} by 1 (S44). Thereby, when the receiving end communication device 3 is in the state 2 of FIG.

Next, the detection interval changing unit 20 determines whether _{n 2} is greater than the threshold value _{n 2max} (S45). Here, if _{n 2} is equal to or less than the threshold value _{n 2max,} the flow returns to step S24. In step S45, if _{n 2} is greater than the threshold value _{n 2max,} the detection interval setting unit 21 sets the detection interval _{T s} by the detection interval setting unit 21 (S46). Then, the process returns to step S24. As a result, when the receiving end communication device 3 is in the state 3 in FIG.

With the above operation, communication signals are exchanged between the communication devices as shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a time chart showing the transmission / reception timing of each communication device from the start of communication to the end of communication. When the user inputs an operation command from the sending end communication device 1, the operation command is transmitted to the relay communication device 2 and stored in the transmission buffer 8. Then, the relay communication device 2 continues to transmit this operation command to the receiving end communication device 3 at a constant cycle T _u + T _p . Thereby, even if the user stops the operation of the sending end communication device 1, the operation command is reliably transmitted to the receiving end communication device. Therefore, the user does not need to continue to input the operation command until the operation command is transmitted to the receiving end communication device 3, and the operability is improved.

  In addition, the receiving end communication device 3 reduces the power supply voltage to reduce the power consumption by reducing the power supply voltage and increasing the reception interval (for example, reception at a rate of once every 10 seconds) while the operation command is not transmitted. It is sufficient to receive the operation command repeatedly transmitted at any timing. When an operation command is received, the power supply voltage is increased to shorten the reception interval, and the normal operation state may be changed. Therefore, the power consumption of the receiving end communication device 3 can be extremely reduced.

It is a figure showing the structure of the radio | wireless communications system which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example which applied the radio | wireless communications system which concerns on Example 1 to the mist type bathroom heating system. It is a flowchart showing operation | movement of the relay communication apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart showing operation | movement of the receiving end communication apparatus of FIG. It is a state transition diagram of a receiving end communication apparatus. It is a time chart showing the transmission / reception timing of each communication apparatus when an operation command begins to be transmitted from the transmitting end communication apparatus. It is a time chart showing the transmission / reception timing of each communication apparatus from communication start to communication end. It is a figure showing the structure of the mist type bathroom heating apparatus of patent document 1. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless communication system described in Patent Document 2. FIG. It is a time chart showing the signal sent from a remote control device, and operation | movement of a light receiving element.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Transmission terminal communication apparatus 2 Relay communication apparatus 3 Reception end communication apparatus 4 Input apparatus 5 Transmission part 6 Reception part 7 Transmission buffer update part 8 Transmission buffer 9 Transmission part 10 Transmission / reception timer 11 Clock generator 12 Mode setting part 13 Mode change switch 14 Inverter 15 Reception unit 16 Transmission signal detection unit 17 Reception timer 18 Main clock generator 19 Sub clock generator 20 Detection interval change unit 21 Detection interval setting unit 22 Clock changeover switch 23 Clock supply switch 24 Power supply control unit 31 Remote control device 32 Bathroom heater / dryer 33 Mist type bathroom heater 34 Mixer faucet 34a Hot water supply pipe 35 Infrared communication window 36 Mist nozzle

Claims (2)

A sending end communication device for inputting an operation command input by a user, a receiving end communication device for receiving the operation command, and an operation command wirelessly transmitted from the sending end communication device for receiving the receiving end communication In a communication system composed of relay communication devices that wirelessly transmit to devices,
The relay communication device is
A transmission buffer for temporarily storing operation commands;
A transmission buffer update unit that updates the stored data of the transmission buffer to the operation command when an operation command is received from the sending end communication device;
When the data stored in the transmission buffer is updated to the operation command by the transmission buffer update unit, the operation command stored in the transmission buffer is repeatedly intermittently transmitted to the receiving communication device at a predetermined time interval. A transmission unit;
Equipped with a,
The receiving communication device is
A receiving unit for intermittently receiving a transmission signal from the relay communication device;
A detection interval setting unit for setting a time interval (hereinafter referred to as “detection interval”) for intermittently receiving a transmission signal by the receiving unit;
A transmission signal detection unit for detecting a transmission signal from the relay communication device by the reception unit at a detection interval set by a detection interval setting unit;
A detection interval changing unit for changing a detection interval set in the detection interval setting unit;
A power supply controller that switches the power supply voltage between the normal mode voltage V _a and _a lower power saving mode voltage V _s ;
With
The detection interval changing unit
The detection interval is set to stop when the detection interval T _s at the time of startup,
Wherein when the transmission signal detection unit detects the transmission signal, and changes the detection time for a quick operation upon detection interval T _a than the stop detection interval T _s,
When the state where the transmission signal detection unit does not continuously detect the transmission signal for a predetermined number of times (n _1max times) continues or when the transmission signal detection unit detects a stop signal as the transmission signal, the predetermined number of times (n _2max When the transmission signal other than the stop signal is not detected continuously, the detection interval is switched to the stop detection interval T _s ,
The power control unit
At startup, the power supply voltage is set to the power saving mode voltage V _s ,
If the detection interval is the transmission signal detection unit when said and supply voltage stopped when the detection interval T _s is the power saving mode voltage V _s has detected transmission signal, a power supply voltage to the normal mode voltage V _a switching,
When the detection interval is the and the supply voltage at the stop time of the detection interval T _a is in the normal mode voltage V _a, the transmission signal detection unit may detects or the transmission signal detection unit a stop signal as a transmission signal a transmission signal when a predetermined number of times (n _1max times) when no detected continuously continues switches the supply voltage to the power-saving mode voltage V _s,
When the detection interval and the power supply voltage by the operation time detection interval T _a is the power saving mode voltage V _s, in the case where the transmission signal detection unit detects a transmission signal other than the stop signal as a transmission signal, the power supply voltage wireless communication system and performs control to switch to the normal mode voltage V _a a.   2. The transmission buffer update unit according to claim 1, wherein when the operation command is received from the transmitting end communication device, the transmission buffer update unit updates the data stored in the transmission buffer to the operation state information corresponding to the operation command. Wireless communication system.

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