HOME CONTROL SYSTEM AND INTERPHONE SYSTEM

Abstract: A home control system comprises a pair or a plurality pairs of home information transmission path 21, 22 (referred to as home bus); information outlets 23 provided at said home bus which serve as connection nodes for appliance 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20; and a plurality of room monitor controllers 1 (hereinafter referred to as RMC) each having a built-in interface unit which has a control function means peculiar to a particular room and carries out communication control beteen the information outlets and the appliances.

Description: The present invention relates to a home control system, and more particularly to a home control system for security such as prevention of crimes and fire in house and for control of domestic appliance or interphones. A typical example of a home control (also referred to as home monitor) which is commercially available is shown in Fig. 8 (refer to NEC technical bulletin Vol.35, No. 9, 1982). In the drawings, reference numeral 1 represents a home monitor main body; 2 an interphone annexed to the home monitor; 3 a fire sensor having crime and/or fire prevention functions which are main functions of the home monitor; 4a gas leakage sensor; 5 an air ventilation sensor; 6a water leakage sensor; and 7 an invasion sensor. As other house-keeping inputs, there are provided a bath water level sensor 8; a bath water temperature sensor 9; a room temperature detection sensor 10; a two-system remote control switch 11 for operating a lamp (not shown) above an entry hall steps. As outputs, there are provided an electric lock 12, a ventilation fan stopping and operating relays 13 and 14 which are actuated in response to the detection of fire and gas leakage (for example the relays are commanded to stop and actuate when fire and gas leakage are detected respectively), an output signal 15 for alarming an abnormality in a room to a control room and a connection signal 16 which is fed to an additional interphone. (Description of more detail of the panel will be omitted). The prior art home control system has been constructed as mentioned above. Its features reside in that the minimum functions necessary for house-keeping or home control are centralized in a central control board (or monitor board), that respective input/output devices are star connected (one to one wired) with the controller main body, and that accident occurrence and alarm signals are transmitted to users by synthesized voice so that they are readily recognizable, and that the system has a function that an abnormality signal is transmitted to a superintendent room. It is deemed that the system configuration has an excellent cost performance as a home control device for an apartment house. However it will become impossible for the prior art system to cope with increasing numbers of appliances to be monitored or controlled due to increase in the number of rooms in an apartment house, remote location of the appliances from the central controller and the different requirements of users in usual separate houses. Specific problems are (1) wiring is implicated, (2) the system has no extendability, (3) there is no functional affinity between interphone and control system and (4) it is not easy to cope with various applications. DE-A1-2817121 discloses a system in which an hierarchical, pyramidal system of system modules is employed, with each module controlling local loads and accepting inputs from local sensors and also providing connections in the pyramidal system to branches lower in the system. Such an arrangement has the disadvantages of making addition or removal of system modules rather complicated. US-A-4442319 discloses a system in which room units are connected to a common bus, but no provisions are disclosed for detecting and incorporating in the system newly connected room units. The present invention was made for solving these problems. The present invention assures the extendability and reduction in the number of wires by distributing and distributed controlling a plurality of RMC (room monitor controller) processing control functions suitable for each room, and connecting them with information communication path (hereinafter referred to as home bus) for enabling centralized control. It is another object of the present invention to provide the system with a function capable of adding RMCs around the host RMC having functions of host devices (which is apparently identical with the other RMCs, therefore a special host RMC is not provided) on system extension, and to provide a host and other RMCs with a function of always monitoring what and how many RMCs are being operated so that no adverse effects will arise irrespective of addition or removal of RMC during energization. It is a further object of the present invention to adopt a semidistribution system for overcoming the drawbacks possessed by distribution and central control system. This gist resides in that respective distributed RMC accomplishes the local processing in response to an abnormality occurrence at an sensor input or changes in a switch input, and then communicates its changes to the other RMC via home bus or IFU. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a home control system comprising a pluarlity of interconnected individual room control units for installation in different rooms, each being intended to be connected with appropriate types of sensors and appliances according to the location of each room, wherein the individual room units are connected to information outlets on a common bus, comprising a pair or plurality of pairs of home information paths extending between all the rooms, characterised in that each room unit comprises a security control or other similar control functions, and that one of the room units operates as a host room unit which is further provided with a room unit connection management means for administrating what type of room units and how many of each type of room units are connected with said host room unit and in which a newly connected room unit is capable of transmitting to the host room unit at any time and the host room unit has means for automatically registering the newly connected room unit after completion of a series of communications therewith. Since the RMCs in respective rooms function independently of each other and receive and transmit signals with the other room's RMC using home bus via the IFU having a built-in IFU, an RMC need only be connected to the home bus via an information outlet when the RMC is to be added. Accordingly the extendability of the system is high. In the interphone system the interphones provided in respective rooms are capable of communication with the other interphones via the IFU built-in interphone, the connected home bus, and a parent interphone. Accordingly when an interphone is to be added, it need only be connected with the home bus via the information outlet. Therefore the extendability of the system is high. In the accompanying drawings:- Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a circuit block diagram showing the detail of the main device of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a front view showing the panel of an RMC of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a schematic flow chart of a connection monitor program which monitors what type of RMC and how many of each type of RMC are connected each other; Fig. 5 is a view showing the basic operation of IFU; Fig. 6 is a view showing another embodiment in which an MMC (main monitor controller) is newly connected to RMC group; Fig. 7 is a schematic block diagram showing a subsidiary interphone; and Fig. 8 is a view showing a prior art home control system. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention. In the drawing parts having the same functions as those in prior art (Fig. 8) are designated by like reference numerals. Reference numeral 1 represents a home monitor main body which is similar to the conventional home monitor (or controller) as shown in Fig. 8. This monitor is referred to as RMC in this invention and is distributed at respective rooms according to needs. This RMC 1 mainly comprises a host computer 50 which is referred to as, for example, personal computer, home computer, home controller; and an interface unit (IFU) 26. The host computer 50 comprises an output port having a driver for controlling loads (electric appliances); an output port for display; an input port for receiving input information; ROM or RAMs for storing control programs; and a CPU for processing the aforementioned components. The data received by the RMC is transformed into parallel data through the IFU 26. During this period, inquiry of address, and decoding of error, check, and control codes are carried out in the IFU 26. The decoded data are handed to the host computer 50 in hand shake mode. When the data is to be transmitted, the data which has been prepared in the host computer 50 are also handed to the IFU 26 in hand shake mode. Reference numeral 2 represents an interphone which may be provided at each room if desired and is similar to RMC 1. In this embodiment, interphones are provided in the kitchen and the library in combination with the RMC 1. An interphone is separately provided in a children's room. An apparatus such as illumination provided in the children's room is not controlled by the RMC and is separately provided. Reference numerals 3 to 16 represent components having the same names and functions as those of prior art. Reference numeral 17 represents an illumination; 18 an air conditioner; 19 a rice cooker; and 20 a gas valve. Control relays and semiconductor switches are incorporated in these loads. The air conditioner 18, rice cooker 19, and gas valve 20 are not provided as loads of all RMC 1, but provided if desired. Reference numeral 21 an analogue (voice) bus, 22 a digital (control) bus, 23 and 24 information outlets for connecting the RMC 1 and the interphone 2 with respective busses. Reference numeral 25 represents a telephone main device for centralizedly controlling the interphone or using the interphone as home telephone (system telephone). The telephone main device incorporates an IFU (interface unit) 26 for controlling the communication with digital information outlets 24. An IFU 26 is incorporated in each RMC 1 and interphone 2. An IFU 26 is also incorporated in an additional interphone 16. Reference numeral 27 represents a voice synthesizing device which is used for voice response when home appliances are monitored/controlled by connecting the telephone main device 25 with subscriber's line 28 via a rosette 29. Fig. 2 is a circuit block diagram showing the details of the telephone main device 25 in Fig. 1. Relevant components 21 to 28 are identical with those in Fig. 1. Reference numerals 30 denote a fixed switch of telephone; 31 a diode bridge; 32 a dialer; 33 an incoming detecting circuit; 34 a code number presetting circuit; 35 a balanced circuit; 36 a main control unit for receiving the signals by a busy tone detection circuit 41 in the telephone control circuit 42, or DTMF receiver 42, for receiving an processing the signals from incoming detection circuit 33 and code number presetting circuit 34, for driving and controlling a dialer 32 or voice synthesizing circuit 27 and for transmitting information to the other devices (such as interphone 2 or RMC 1 ... refer to Fig. 1) via the IFU 26. Since it is deemed that the place where best effect may be obtained be the kitchen in the thus arranged home security/control system, the RMC 1 installed in the kitchen is referred to as RMC-k type and is used as a parent device for the other RMC such as G type in library, B type in bathroom, E type in entry hall. A fire sensor 3, gas sensor 4, window sensor 7, water level sensor 8 for bath, bath water temperature sensor 9 are provided as input terminals of RMC-k 1. An illumination 17, air conditioner 18, rice cooker 19 and gas valve 20 are provided as output terminals. In such a manner, the input/output terminals of RMC-k 1 is restricted to the terminal peculiar to kitchen, so that the hardware is prevented from becoming complicated. Fig. 3 shows the front panel of the main body of the RMC-k 1 and interphone 2. The front panel is formed as will be described so that it has functions as a parent device. Reference numerals 17a and 17b represent remote switches which turn on or off the illumination 17 and a display which displays the state of the switch respectively. Reference numerals 18a, 18b, 12a to 12b represent a load, switches for air conditioner 18 and electric locks and display for condition of the same respectively. 7a and 7b represent preset switches which turn on or off the monitoring of the window sensor 7 and a display for displaying any one of the modes. 7c indicates whether or not the window is actually opened. The monitoring of the fire sensor 3 and a gas sensor 4 is carried out through the indication of 3c and 4c. Furthermore for gas valve, bath water level and bath water temperature detection, respective input units (switches) and displays are provided. RMCs and interphones in the other room are provided, at the front panel thereof, with switches and displays required for the other room as is similar to those in the kitchen. The operation of the present invention will be described in detail. The RMC will now be described. Since the RMC-k 1 functions in a same manner a conventional home monitor as mentioned above, a single RMC-k 1 may be employed. Single RMC-k will function well in most homes, particularly in apartment houses. The RMC has therein a control circuit which detects a sensor input, and selects one of a plurality of pseudo sound generators in accordance with the kind of abnormality for audio-visually alarming it through a built-in speaker and for displaying a picture and characters on the panel of the main body 1. Since a connection management program which always monitors whether or not the other RMC (G, B and E types) are connected is stored in the control circuit, when more than one RMC is to be connected, the RMC which has detected the abnormality transfers the data to the other RMC confirmed via the IFU 28 for alarming the other room's abnormality to all RMC after it has carried out the audio-visual local processing (the abnormality occurred in a given room is alarmed by the RMC in its room) which has been described in connection with the k type RMC. Fig. 4 shows a flow chart for carrying out connection management. The connection management program is not always specific to a case in which various RMC is connected with plural home busses and it is also necessary to allow for a case in which changes take place. For example, addition or conversion may be carried out in the original small system configuration, or the system may be enlarged according to needs. The number of devices and conduction state (the device is energizes or not) may be changed when a device used in the kitchen is moved to a bed room. If the program in the controller (for example, the control program in RMC host device or interphone parent device) is changed whenever the circumstances are changed, a great adverse influence whould be given to the extendability of the system. Therefore in the present invention, main and additional devices store a program for automatically managing the changes in the number of devices or operation conditions in a range of a limited number of devices if any. Fig. 4 shows an example of a flow chart. For example, in the RMC-k which is a host device for RMC, the address of the RMC additional device is initialized at step 401. Thereafter a packet is successively fed to one of a maximum number (for example, 12) of devices to request the transmission from child to host device at the address. If the packet from the additional device is not reached, the program will time-out as shown in host/additional common routine below the Fig. 4 for changing the registration. That is, no-connection is assumed. If the connection packet is reached from the additional device, the address of the additional device is read to set a flag of connection cable. Similar operation is also carried out in the additional device. If this operation is repeated at a given interval (for example, 7 seconds) by successively searching from the host device, the kind of and the number of devices which have been connected would always be monitored. On the other hand, the additional device which has been just turned on is not registered in the main device until one search cycle completes. When the abnormality etc. occurs before the completion of one cycle, a packet is automatically fed out from the additional device. When the host device receives any packet as shown in lower side of Fig. 4, a flag is set to additional device's connection cable to complete registration. Since there are provided two programs including a program for regularly managing the connection of additional devices from the host device and a program which is accepted by forcedly requesting the connection from the additional device even when registered, a system configuration having an excellent extendability and flexibility may be provided. Fig. 5 shows that signals are serially transferred via the IFU 26 and the digital bus 22. In Fig. 5, reference numeral 3 represents a fire sensor; 4 a gas sensor; 7 a window sensor; 17 an illumination; 18 an air conditioner; 22 a digital bus; 24 information outlets; 26a and 26b IFUs, 26a being an information IFU which is connected with a host computer, having a function of receiving and transmitting many data, 26b being a control IFU which is capable of processing about 8 bit input/output data by the IFU main body alone without an aid or said host computer. If it is assumed that the most significant bit of the output port of the contol IFU 26b be connected with the most significant bit of the driver 51 which turns on or off the air conditioner and that the address of the control IFU 26b (DA=destination's address viewed from the host computer 50) be known on turning on the air conditioner 18, when the host computer 50 outputs the data having the most significant bit "1" after the DA, SA (host address), CW (control word), BC (byte counts) etc. to the information IFU 26a in parallel manner, the information IFU 26a transforms them into serial signals and outputs them on the digital bus 22. The control IFU 26b receives the serial signals on the bus and transforms them into parallel signals for checking the transmission source and transmission destination (whether or not the signal corresponds to own address). The control IFU takes the following data and latches them on the output port if the data are true. Since the signal "1" is output to the driver 51 at the same time, the air conditioner 18 is turned on. On the contrary, when the sensor 3, 4 and 7 for fire, gas, or window which is connected with the control IFU 26b is operated, information is transmitted in a direction opposite to that of the aforementioned case to confirm presence or absence of an abnormality. The other operation mode will be described with reference to Fig. 1 again. The illumination 17, air conditioner 18, and rice cooker 19 are remote controlled by respective switches on the panel. The operation of them is displayed with the pictures and characters in Fig. 3. The gas valve 20 is automatically cut off by the operation of the gas sensor 4. Recovery is manually carried out after the removal of all abnormalities have been confirmed. The signal transmission and reception between RMC-E type (entry hall) and RMC-K type (kitchen) will be described. For example, if a guest comes, the electric lock of the entry hall can be unlocked from the kitchen or by means of the electric lock unlocking switch (not shown, but having the same equivalent functions as those of the electric lock in Fig, 3). If a window in the vicinity of entry hall is opened, (it is assumed that window monitoring mode is preset by a panel switch of the RMC-E type body), a special sound is generated by the pseudo sound generator in the RMC-E type main body and is displayed as is similar to the case of RMC-K (kitchen) and since invasion is informed to the other RMC groups simultaneously with this, abnormality such as invasion may be recognized in other rooms such as RMC-K (kitchen). The RMC-B type (bath room) is basically identical with the other RMCs except that it has ports for bath water level sensor 8 and temperature sensor 9, as input and outputs necessary for monitoring the place in the vicinity of bath room. As mentioned in detail, if a necessary number of plural kinds of RMC group are provided on necessary time, the peculiar input and outputs of respective RMC may not only be managed, but also the occurrence of the abnormality may be informed to the other RMCs. Accordingly a home security/control system having great flexibility may be provided. The operation of the RMC group which have been distributedly arranged and distributedly processed may be centrally monitored and controlled by disposing a MMC (main monitor controller) 70 at a desired position in RMC subsystem as shown in Fig. 6. Up to a predetermined number of MMC may be optionally provided. The MMC may be used as a host or subsidiary device for centralized monitor/control. For example, one MMC may be provided near RMC-K (kitchen) and one MMC may be provided in the bed room for remote controlling the air conditioner 18 and the illumination 17. The operation of the interphone 2 will now be described. The host interphone has no special function and is incorporated in the aforementioned telephone main device 25 so that it may be also used as an additional device for home telephone by connecting it with a telephone main device 25 in the future unlike the RMC-K type. According to an alternative system configuration, a predetermined maximum number (for example 8) of interphones may be freely turned on or off as is similar to RMC subsystem. A pair of analog audio lines 21 are shown in Fig. 1. A plurality of channels may be provided by frequency multiplexing the line or providing a plurality of lines. The operation in connection with one line will be described as an example. Fig. 7 shows the interphone connected with the analog voice bus 21 via the IFU 26, digital voice bus 22 or switch 62. The signals which are output and input via the IFU 26 are controlled by CPU 61. The voice switch 62 is also controlled by the CPU 61. The audio signals are connected to an output amplifier 64 and an input amplifier 65 via a two line to four line transformation circuit 63. Reference numeral 66 represents a handset, the FS (fixed switch) signal of which is received by a CPU 61 together with the other inputs (dial, simultaneous speaking, holding). Reference numeral 68 represents a pseudo sound generator. In the drawing, when the handset is lifted, a lamp indicating that the extension line is busy lights. When a given number is pressed, a call sound is generated from the pseudo sound generator 68 built-in the interphone to be called (actually the number to be called is transmitted via the digital bus 22 to the telephone main device 25, so that a calling signal is transmitted to the corresponding additional device from the main device 25. When the person who is called responds, that is, he lifts the handset 66, such a condition is transmitted to said main device 25. The audio lines at both sides are connected under monitoring of the main device 25 so that communication is rendered possible. Since the voice line at this time is on-line, interruption from the other additional device is not permitted. However since the call sound (chime) of the entry hall is transmitted via the digital bus 22, a chime sound is selected from the pseudo sound generator 68 built-in each additional device to inform the presence of a guest to two communicating persons. Since once the handset 66 is returned to the original position, communication with the subsidiary device in the entry hall is rendered possible, inconvenience is not felt irrespective of one line. A button "SIMULTANEOUS SPEAKING" is pressed so that simultaneous speaking is possible, the main device 25 controls so that all the subsidiary interphones are brought into loud speaking mode, and the voice circuit is forced to be connected. If the aforementioned interphone is disposed in parallel with the RMC 1 as shown in Fig. 1, the host device (RMC-K type) of RMC 1 is adapted to suppress the output of the pseudo-sound generating circuit of the mode selected RMC on occurrence of abnormality by rendering a mode switch (not shown) in RMC 1 into a position "presence of interphone". This is formed by a program and is realized by transmitting the control signal using packet to corresponding RMC. Accordingly, since the output of the built-in voice synthesizing circuit 27 is carried on the analog voice bus 21 in the loud speaking mode in the parent interphone, that is, telephone main device 25, the content of abnormality is heard as clear voice (not superposed on the pseudo-sound). For example, clear voices such as "fire" "thief" "gas leakage" etc. can be heard in the children's room by simultaneous loud speaking since the interphone system is operated in combination with RMC system if an abnormality occurs. This is deemed to be a significant advantage of the system configuration since the conventional home monitor panel and interphone system does not have such organic connection and is solely operated. A function of home telephone is created by addition of an interface with an external line (subscriber line) as shown in Fig. 2 in the main device 25 of the aforementioned interphone system. That is, when a ringer signal is input from the subscriber line 28, an incoming detector 32 is operated and the signal is input to the main control 36. Since the main control manages what interphone of a plurality of interphones is appointed reception mode, and whether or not the extension line 21 is busy, the main control transmits a code instructing the ringer sound generation to pseudo sound generating circuit 68 of the corresponding interphone via the IFU 26 in any case. Any call via the external line may be noticed by the ringer sound when tthe extension line is busy. Communication may be rendered possible by putting the handset 66 back and lifting it again. When the extension line is not busy, it is rendered possible to communicate by lifting the handset 66 and similarly pressing the external-line buttons. If the handset is raised after hearing ringer sound, it is transmitted to the main control 36 of the main device 25 via the digital bus. Accordingly the fixed switch 30 of the telephone circuit is turned on (handset is raised). At this time communication with external line is firstly enabled. The communication to the external line from the interphone 2 will now be described. After confirming that the external line is not busy through the indication of lamp, an external line button is pressed, and a given telephone number is dialed by means of annexed ten keys so that the interphone may be automatically connected with the external line. The control signals are received and transmitted during this period as follows: When the handset of any one of additional handsets 2 is raised and the external-line button is pressed, the main control 36 recognizes the aforementioned operation via the IFU 26 for off-hooking (that is, turn on FS 30) for the preparation of dial transmission. Whenever a dial number is pressed in the interphone, a code representative of the dial number and the press at what times is transmitted from the interphone to the main device 25. The code which has been input via the IFU 26 of the main device 25 is decoded in the main control 36 again for driving the dialer 32. By repeating this operation the appropriate number of times, the same operation is accomplished as is dialed by a conventional telephone. The interphone is connected with the destination station via an exchange. That is, this means that direct dial transmission is possible from the interphone. The operation when telecontrol function is added to this home telephone function and the advantage of organic linkage of RMC system will be described in brief. A telecontrol circuit comprising a busy tone detection circuit 41, a DTMF receiver 42, a voice synthesizing circuit 27 used for interphone system, which is converted for the telecontrol and a code number 34 in which a partial telecontrol function is added to the program of the main control 36 on freely presettable is added to a device shown in Fig. 2. An owner of the telephone goes out of his house after presetting the telephone absent mode. If the number of his own telephone is called by DTMF type pushphone, a voice "nobody is in the house" is generated by the voice synthesizing circuit. When the code number which only the owner knows is input, the input status (presence or absence of abnormality) of the sensors connected with RMC or turning on or off of the load may be monitored. Furthermore predetermined loads having a high security may be instructed to be turned on or off by DTMF signal. In this case, the monitoring and control instructions are carried out by causing the control 36 to read the signals demodulated by the DTMF receiver 42 in the main device 25 and feeding them to RMC 1 via the digital bus 22. Accordingly RMC group systemized by using IFU 26, interphone group and telecontrol main device effectively link to realize a telecontrol having a high extendability. Although the invention has been described under the assumption that a pair of voice lines (busses) and a pair of digital (control) busses are provided, it is possible that the number of busses (only voice lines) be increased to provide multichannel operation or all the lines be made of a pair of lines with a multiplexing system to multiplex the voice and digital lines, so reducing the number of lines if the consequent slight increase in cost may be neglected. As described above, a plurality of subsystems such as RMC system (security, home control function), interphone system, home telephone main device, telecontrol system etc. are stacked in a building block manner, or the respective function is fixed to some extent, whereby the system is capable of responding to simple control and monitoring function to high level home telephone, and telephone control functions without changing programs. As mentioned in detail, both RMC system and interphone system are provided with a pair or a plural pairs of information communication paths (home busses) in home. The RMC and the interphone having an interface unit (IFU) is connected with a home bus via an information outlet. Accordingly, when the RMC and the interphone are to be added, they should be only connected with the home bus via the information outlet. Working such as wiring which has heretofore had to be carried out is eliminated.

Claims: A home control system comprising a plurality of interconnected individual room control units (1) for installation in different rooms, each being intended to be connected with appropriate types of sensors and appliances (3 to 20) according to the location of each room, wherein the individual room units (1) are connected to information outlets (24) on a common bus (22), comprising a pair or plurality of pairs of home information paths extending between all the rooms, characterised in that each room unit (1) comprises a security control or other similar control functions, and that one of the room units operates as a host room unit which is further provided with a room unit connection management means (50) for administrating what type of room units and how many of each type of room units are connected with said host room unit and in which a newly connected room unit (1) is capable of transmitting to the host room unit (1) at any time and the host room unit (1) has means for automatically registering the newly connected room unit after completion of a series of communications therewith. The home control system as defined in Claim 1 in which the host room unit (1) has means to regularly call the other room units (1) to judge the presence or absence of a newly connected room unit. The home control system as defined in Claim 1 in which each room unit (1) has means for transmitting abnormality occurrence to all room units (1) connected with the common bus (22) by group simultaneous processing via an interface unit (26) and the common bus (22) after a change in input and output due to an abnormality occurring in corresponding rooms has been processed by the corresponding room unit (1). A home control system as claimed in Claim 1 including further information outlets (23) on said common bus (22) serving as connection nodes for interphones (2).

Inventors: ESAKI, MITSUNOBU, HONDA, YOSHIYUKI, INOUE, MASAHIRO, MINAGAWA, YOSHIJI, UEMURA, KAZUHO
Applicants: MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1985
Main classification: G08B25
IPC codes: H04L12, G08B25, G08B19, H04Q9, H04M11, G05B15