(19)
(11)EP 2 197 123 B1

(12)EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45)Mention of the grant of the patent:
09.02.2011 Bulletin 2011/06

(21)Application number: 09177651.8

(22)Date of filing:  01.12.2009
(51)International Patent Classification (IPC): 
H04B 3/54(2006.01)

(54)

Power line communication apparatus and method for controlling the same

Netzleitung-Kommunikationsvorrichtung und Steuerungsverfahren dafür

Appareil de communication de ligne d'alimentation et son procédé de commande


(84)Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK SM TR

(30)Priority: 10.12.2008 CN 200810239342

(43)Date of publication of application:
16.06.2010 Bulletin 2010/24

(73)Proprietor: Huawei Device Co., Ltd.
Longgang District Shenzhen Guangdong 518129 (CN)

(72)Inventors:
  • Hua, Jin
    518129, Shenzhen Guangdong (CN)
  • Wang, Xujun
    518129, Shenzhen Guangdong (CN)

(74)Representative: Thun, Clemens 
Mitscherlich & Partner Sonnenstraße 33
80331 München
80331 München (DE)


(56)References cited: : 
KR-A- 20070 069 241
KR-A- 20080 056 526
  
      
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY



    [0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication, and particularly to a Power Line Communication (PLC) apparatus and a method for controlling the PLC apparatus.

    BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE



    [0002] As a new technique for household networking, the technique of power line data transmission has been gradually applied. Through a Power Line Communication (PLC) apparatus, terminals such as computers can transmit data to each other by means of power lines.

    [0003] During the implementation of the present disclosure, the inventor finds that the existing technology has at least the following problems.

    [0004] When the PLC apparatus is working, the power source of the PLC apparatus converts the Alternating Current (AC) utility power (100∼240 V AC) into the working voltage required by the PLC apparatus. The useful power of the power conversion is relatively low, and up to 75%. Home users usually need not to continuously use the PLC apparatus all day long, but even if the PLC apparatus is not used, the power source will continuously convert the AC utility power in case that the power source of the PLC apparatus is not turned off, and thus the electric energy is wasted. In addition, power consumption of the power source of the PLC apparatus is high, and much heat is generated, so the working state of the PLC apparatus is unstable due to the excessively high temperature.

    [0005] In addition, the PLC apparatus has various chips therein, such as a power source chip that provides power conversion of the AC utility power (100∼240 V AC) to ensure electric supply for the PLC apparatus during working; a network transmission chip that carries out Ethernet line signal input/output and modulation/demodulation to ensure transmission of network signal over the line. When the user does not use the PLC apparatus, if the power source thereof is not turned off and the chips therein are still in the maximum power consumption mode, the electric energy will also be wasted.

    [0006] KR 20070069241 discloses a power-saving management system for a PLC (Power Line Communication) modem. The system is provided to block the power supply to the modem as maintaining a function of the modem in a data reception standby state, thereby reducing the power consumption in the data reception standby state. A signal decider extracts a data signal within a power line connected with a PLC modem, and decides whether available data exists. A switch controller delivers an on/off control signal to a switch element according to decided results of the decider. A switch unit performs a switch on/off operation in order to supply or block power to a power-saving management system itself or the modem according to the control signal. A power supply unit supplies or blocks the power to the system itself according to the control signal.

    [0007] In order to save the electric energy, when not being used by the user, the PLC apparatus shall be manually powered off, or even pulled off. When the PLC apparatus is to be used at a next time, it shall be manually powered on.

    SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE



    [0008] The technical problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide a Power Line Communication (PLC) apparatus and a method for controlling the PLC apparatus, which enables the PLC apparatus to save electric energy automatically.

    [0009] In order to solve the above technical problem, embodiments of the present disclosure provide the following technical solutions.

    [0010] An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for controlling a PLC apparatus, including:

    acquiring a working state and a network state of the PLC apparatus; and

    switching the working state of the PLC apparatus in accordance with the working state and the network state of the PLC apparatus;

    wherein switching the working state of the PLC apparatus in accordance with the working state and the network state the PCL apparatus comprises: switching the PLC apparatus to a sleep state when the network state of the PLC apparatus is idle and the working state of the PLC apparatus is normal.



    [0011] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a PLC apparatus, including:

    a working state acquiring unit, adapted to acquire a working state of the PLC apparatus;

    a network state acquiring unit, adapted to acquire a network state of the PLC apparatus; and

    a switching unit, adapted to switch the working state of the PLC apparatus in accordance with the network state of the PLC apparatus acquired by the network state acquiring unit and the working state of the PLC apparatus acquired by the working state acquiring unit;

    wherein the switching unit, is adapted to switch the PLC apparatus to a sleep state when the network state of the PLC apparatus is idle and the working state of the PLC apparatus is normal.



    [0012] The embodiments of the present disclosure have the following beneficial effects:

    [0013] In the above solutions, the working state of the PLC apparatus is automatically switched in accordance with the network state and the working state of the PLC apparatus, so that power consumption of the PLC apparatus can be reduced without manual intervention, and an unstable working state of the PLC apparatus due to an excessively high temperature can be avoided.

    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS



    [0014] In order to describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure or the existing technology more clearly, drawings required to describe the embodiments or the existing technology are briefly introduced as follows. Obviously, the drawings described as follows are just some examples of the present disclosure, and a person skilled in the art can obtain other drawings in accordance with these drawings, without paying any creative effort.

    Fig. 1 is a flow diagram of a method for controlling a Power Line Communication (PLC) apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

    Fig. 2 is a flow diagram of a method for controlling a PLC apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

    Fig. 3 is a flow diagram of a method for controlling a PLC apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

    Fig. 4 is a structural diagram of a PLC apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

    Fig. 5 is a structural diagram of a PLC apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

    Fig. 6 is a structural diagram of a PLC apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure.


    DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS



    [0015] The present disclosure is described in detail as follows in conjunction with the drawings and the embodiments, so that a person skilled in the art can understand the present disclosure better. Obviously, the described embodiments are just a part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, instead of all the embodiments. Any other embodiment obtained by a person skilled in the art based on the embodiments described in the present disclosure without paying creative efforts also falls within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

    [0016] In order to more clearly present the technical problems to be solved by the present disclosure, and the technical solutions and advantages thereof, the following descriptions are given in conjunction with some embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

    [0017] Fig. 1 illustrates a method for controlling a Power Line Communication (PLC) apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The method is descried as follows.

    [0018] In step S11, the working state and the network state of the PLC apparatus is acquired.

    [0019] In step S12, the working state of the PLC apparatus is switched in accordance with the working state and the network state of the PLC apparatus.

    [0020] With the above solution, the working state of the PLC apparatus is automatically switched in accordance with the working state and the network state of the PLC apparatus. Thus, under the condition without manual intervention, the power consumption of the PLC apparatus can be reduced, and an unstable working state of the PLC apparatus due to an excessively high temperature can be avoided.

    [0021] Fig. 2 illustrates a method for controlling a PLC apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The method is described as follows.

    [0022] In step S21, a timer is started. The process proceeds to a next step when the timer times out.

    [0023] In this step, the timer is capable of periodically generating a control signal to periodically detect the network state and the working state of the PLC apparatus, so as to flexibly set a frequency for judging whether or not to switch the working state of the PLC apparatus, and to reasonably configure the system resources occupied by the judging process.

    [0024] In step S22, the working state off the PLC apparatus is acquired.

    [0025] In this step, the working state of the PLC apparatus after a previous switching can be recorded in a memory, and the current working state of the PLC apparatus can be acquired by reading the record in the memory.

    [0026] In stepS23, a state of physical connection between the PLC apparatus and the network is detected.

    [0027] In step S24, the network state of the PLC apparatus is judged in accordance with the state of physical connection between the PLC apparatus and the network.

    [0028] When the state of physical connection between the PLC apparatus and the network is normal, the acquired network state of the PLC apparatus is "busy"; and when the state of physical connection between the PLC apparatus and the network is disconnected, the acquired network state of the PLC apparatus is "idle".

    [0029] In step S25, the working state of the PLC apparatus is switched in accordance with the network state and the working state of the PLC apparatus.

    [0030] The step is performed by switching the PLC apparatus from the normal working state to a sleep state when the network state of the PLC apparatus is idle and the working state is normal, and switching the PLC apparatus from the sleep state to the normal working state when the network state of the PLC apparatus is busy and the working state is sleep.

    [0031] The normal working state of the PLC apparatus is that the PLC apparatus is powered by its main power source, which charges a battery of the PLC apparatus at the same time. The sleep state of the PLC apparatus is that the PLC apparatus is powered by its battery. In this case, when the PLC apparatus enters the normal working state from the sleep state, the main power source of the PLC apparatus charges the battery; when the PLC apparatus enters the sleep state from the normal working state, the battery firstly starts to supply power, and then a relay shuts off the main power source; and when the PLC apparatus enters the normal working state from the sleep state again, the relay switches to the main power source of the PLC apparatus, and at the same time, the battery is s again being charged. Thus, when the PLC apparatus enters the sleep state, the main power source needs not to convert the AC utility power, and power is supplied by the battery, so that the effective power of the PLC apparatus is improved and the electric energy is saved. In addition, the heat generated by the PLC apparatus is reduced, and the reliability of the PLC apparatus is improved. The relay of the PLC apparatus can be controlled to switch between the main power source and the battery by being provided a control signal.

    [0032] Alternatively, the normal working state of the PLC apparatus is that a chip of the PLC apparatus is in a maximum power consumption mode. The sleep state of the PLC apparatus is that the chip of the PLC apparatus is in a standby mode. In that case, when the PLC apparatus automatically switches to the sleep mode, the chip of the PLC apparatus is in the standby mode, the power consumption is low, and the electric energy is saved. The chip of the PLC apparatus may be a power source chip in the PLC apparatus, or a network transmission chip. The chip of the PLC apparatus can be controlled to switch between the standby mode and the maximum power consumption mode, by being provided with a control signal.

    [0033] Alternatively, the normal working state of the PLC apparatus is that the PLC apparatus is powered by its main power source, which charges a battery of the PLC apparatus at the same time, and the chip of the PLC apparatus is in a maximum power consumption mode. The sleep state of the PLC apparatus is that the PLC apparatus is powered by its battery and the chip of the PLC apparatus is in a standby mode. The chip of the PLC apparatus may be a power source chip in the PLC apparatus, or a network transmission chip. In this case, when the PLC apparatus automatically switches to the sleep mode, the power consumption of the PLC apparatus is the minimum, and the electric energy is saved at maximum.

    [0034] In the above embodiment, the network state of the PLC apparatus is firstly judged in accordance with the state of physical connection between the PLC apparatus and the network, and then the working state of the PLC apparatus is automatically switched in accordance with the network state and the working state of the PLC apparatus, so that the PLC apparatus is put into the sleep state when the network state of the PLC apparatus is idle, and the PLC apparatus is put into the normal working state when the network state of the PLC apparatus is busy, thereby saving electric energy without any manual interference.

    [0035] Fig. 3 illustrates a method for controlling a PLC apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. The method is described as follows.

    [0036] In step S31, a timer is started, and the process proceeds to a next step when the timer times out.

    [0037] In step S32, a working state of the PLC apparatus is acquired.

    [0038] In step S33, a traffic of network data passing the PLC apparatus is detected.

    [0039] In step S34, a network state of the PLC apparatus is judged in accordance with the traffic of network data passing the PLC apparatus.

    [0040] When the traffic of network data passing the PLC apparatus is higher than a predetermined value, the network state of the PLC apparatus is judged to be busy; and when the traffic of network data passing the PLC apparatus is lower than or equal to the predetermined value, the network state of the PLC apparatus is judged to be idle. The predetermined value can be set as several data packets, or 0 data packet.

    [0041] In step S35, the working state of the PLC apparatus is switched in accordance with the network state and the working state of the PLC apparatus.

    [0042] The step is performed by switching the PLC apparatus from the normal working state to a sleep state when the network state of the PLC apparatus is idle and the working state is normal, and switching the PLC apparatus from the sleep state to the normal working state when the network state of the PLC apparatus is busy and the working state is sleep.

    [0043] The normal working state of the PLC apparatus is that the PLC apparatus is powered by its main power source, which charges a battery of the PLC apparatus at the same time and/or that a chip of the PLC apparatus is in a maximum power consumption mode. The sleep state of the PLC apparatus is that the PLC apparatus is powered by its battery and/or that the chip of the PLC apparatus is in a standby mode.

    [0044] According to the method for controlling PLC apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure, the network state of the PLC apparatus is firstly judged in accordance with the traffic of network data passing the PLC apparatus, and then the working state of the PLC apparatus is automatically switched in accordance with the network state and the working state of the PLC apparatus, so that the PLC apparatus is put into the sleep state when the network state of the PLC apparatus is idle, and the PLC apparatus is put into the normal working state when the network state of the PLC apparatus is busy, thereby saving electric energy without any manual interference.

    [0045] Fig. 4 illustrates a PLC apparatus 4 according to a fourth embodiment of the present The PLC apparatus 4 includes:

    a working state acquiring unit 41, adapted to acquire the working state of the PLC apparatus;

    a network state acquiring unit 42, adapted to acquire the network state of the PLC apparatus; and

    a switching unit 43, adapted to switch the working state of the PLC apparatus in accordance with the network state and the working state of the PLC apparatus.



    [0046] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the working state of the PLC apparatus is switched in accordance with the network state and the working state of the PLC apparatus, so that the PLC apparatus is environment-protective and energy saving, thus the power consumption of the PLC apparatus is reduced, and the normal usage by the user will not be influenced. Meanwhile, the heat generated by the PLC apparatus is reduced, and the working stability and reliability are improved.

    [0047] Fig. 5 illustrates a PLC apparatus 4 according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. The PLC apparatus 4 includes:

    a working state acquiring unit 41, adapted to acquire a working state of the PLC apparatus;

    a network state acquire unit 42, adapted to acquire a network state of the PLC apparatus;

    a switching unit 43, adapted to switch the working state of the PLC apparatus in accordance with the network state and the working state of the PLC apparatus; and

    a timing unit 44, adapted to start the working state acquiring unit 41 and the network state acquiring unit 42, when a predetermined time passes.



    [0048] The network state acquiring unit 42 includes:

    a physical state detecting unit 421, adapted to detect a state of physical connection between the PLC apparatus and the network; and

    a first judging unit 422, adapted to determine the acquired network state of the PLC apparatus as busy when the state of physical connection between the PLC apparatus and the network is normal and determine the acquired network state of the PLC apparatus as idle when the state of physical connection between the PLC apparatus and the network is disconnected.



    [0049] The switching unit 43 is further adapted to switch the PLC apparatus from the normal working state to a sleep state when the network state of the PLC apparatus is idle and the working state is normal, and switch the PLC apparatus from the sleep state to the normal working state when the network state of the PLC apparatus is busy and the working state is sleep.

    [0050] The normal working state of the PLC apparatus is that the PLC apparatus is powered by its main power source, which charges a battery of the PLC apparatus at the same time, and/or that a chip of the PLC apparatus is in a maximum power consumption mode. The chip of the PLC apparatus may be a power source chip in the PLC apparatus, or a network transmission chip. The sleep state of the PLC apparatus is that the PLC apparatus is powered by its battery and/or that the chip of the PLC apparatus is in a standby mode.

    [0051] The switching unit 43 provides a control signal to the chip of the PLC apparatus, so that the chip of the PLC apparatus is switched between the standby mode and the maximum power consumption mode. Alternatively, the switching unit 43 provides a control signal to the relay of the PLC apparatus to control the relay to switch between the main power source and the battery.

    [0052] With the PLC apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the PLC apparatus enters the normal working state from the sleep state, the main power source of the PLC apparatus charges the battery; when the PLC apparatus enters the sleep state from the normal, working state, the switching unit firstly controls the battery to supply power, and then controls the relay to shut off the main power source of the PLC apparatus; and when the PLC apparatus enters the normal working state from the sleep state again, the switching unit controls the relay to switch to the main power source of the PLC apparatus, and the battery is again being charged.

    [0053] In the above embodiment, the network state acquiring unit 42 judges the network state of the PLC apparatus in accordance with the state of physical connection between the PLC apparatus and the network, and the switching unit 43 automatically switches the working state of the PLC apparatus in accordance with the network state and the working state of the PLC apparatus so as to put the PLC apparatus into the sleep state when the network state of the PLC apparatus is idle, and put the PLC apparatus into the normal working state when the network state of the PLC apparatus is busy, thereby saving electric energy without any manual interference.

    [0054] Fig. 6 illustrates a PLC apparatus 4 according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure. The PLC apparatus 4 includes:

    a working state acquiring unit 41, adapted to acquire a working state of the PLC apparatus;

    a network state acquiring unit 42, adapted to acquire a network state of the PLC apparatus;

    a switching unit 43, adapted to switch the working state of the PLC apparatus in accordance with the network state and the working state of the PLC apparatus; and

    a timing unit 44, adapted to start the working state acquiring unit 41 and the network state acquiring unit 42, when a predetermined time passes.



    [0055] The network state acquiring unit 42 includes:

    a network traffic detecting unit 423, adapted to detect a traffic of network data passing the PLC apparatus; and

    a second judging unit 424, adapted to determine the acquired network state of the PLC apparatus as busy when the traffic of network data passing the PLC apparatus is larger than a predetermined value, and determine the acquired network state of the PLC apparatus as idle when the traffic of network data passing the PLC apparatus is smaller than or equal to the predetermined value.



    [0056] The switching unit 43 is adapted to switch the PLC apparatus from the normal working state to a sleep state when the network state of the PLC apparatus is idle and the working state is normal, and switch the PLC apparatus from the sleep state to the normal working state when the network state of the PLC apparatus is busy and the working state is sleep.

    [0057] The normal working state of the PLC apparatus is that the PLC apparatus is powered by its main power source, which charges a battery of the PLC apparatus at the same time; and/or a chip of the PLC apparatus is on a maximum power consumption mode. The sleep state of the PLC apparatus is that the PLC apparatus is powered by its battery; and/or the chip of the PLC apparatus is in a standby mode.

    [0058] In the above embodiment, the network state acquiring unit 42 judges the network state of the PLC apparatus in accordance with the traffic of network data passing the PLC apparatus, and the switching unit 43 automatically switches the working state of the PLC apparatus in accordance with the network state and the working state of the PLC apparatus, so as to put the PLC apparatus into the sleep state when the network state of the PLC apparatus is idle, and put the PLC apparatus into the normal working state when the network state of the PLC apparatus is busy, thereby saving electric energy without any manual interference.

    [0059] A person skilled in the art can understand that all or a part of the steps of the methods according to the above embodiments can be implemented by instructing related hardware through a program. The program can be stored in a readable storage medium of a mobile terminal, and the program includes the steps of above method embodiments, when being executed.


    Claims

    1. A method for controlling a Power Line Communication, PLC, apparatus, comprising:

    acquiring a working state and a network state of the PLC apparatus; and

    switching the working state of the PLC apparatus in accordance with the working state and the network state of the PLC apparatus;

    wherein switching the working state of the PLC apparatus in accordance with the working state and the network state the PCL apparatus comprises: switching the PLC apparatus to a sleep state when the network state of the PLC apparatus is idle and the working state of the PLC apparatus is normal.


     
    2. The method according to claim 1, wherein before acquiring the working state and the network state of the PLC apparatus, the method further comprises:

    starting a timer, and acquiring the working state and the network state of the PLC apparatus when the timer times out.


     
    3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein switching the working state of the PLC apparatus in accordance with the working state and the network state the PCL apparatus further comprises:

    switching the PLC apparatus to the normal working state when the network state of the PLC apparatus is busy and the working state of the PLC apparatus is sleep.


     
    4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein acquiring the network state of the PLC apparatus comprises:

    detecting a state of physical connection between the PLC apparatus and the network, wherein when the state of physical connection between the PLC apparatus and the network is normal, the acquired network state of the PLC apparatus is detected to be busy, and when the state of physical connection between the PLC apparatus and the network is disconnected, the acquired network state of the PLC apparatus is detected to be idle; or

    detecting a traffic of network data passing the PLC apparatus, wherein when the traffic of network data passing the PLC apparatus is larger than a predetermined value, the acquired network state of the PLC apparatus is detected to be busy, and when the traffic of network data passing the PLC apparatus is smaller than or equal to the predetermined value, the acquired network state of the PLC apparatus is detected to be idle.


     
    5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein,
    the normal working state of the PLC apparatus is that the PLC apparatus is powered by its main power source which charges a battery of the PLC apparatus at the same time and/or that a chip of the PLC apparatus is in a maximum power consumption mode; and
    the sleep state of the PLC apparatus is that the PLC apparatus is powered by its battery and/or that the chip of the PLC apparatus is in a standby mode.
     
    6. A Power Line Communication, PLC, apparatus, comprising:

    a working state acquiring unit, adapted to acquire a working state of the PLC apparatus;

    a network state acquiring unit, adapted to acquire a network state of the PLC apparatus; and

    a switching unit, adapted to switch the working state of the PLC apparatus in accordance with the network state of the PLC apparatus acquired by the network state acquiring unit and the working state of the PLC apparatus acquired by the working state acquiring unit;

    wherein the switching unit, is adapted to switch the PLC apparatus to a sleep state when the network state of the PLC apparatus is idle and the working state of the PLC apparatus is normal.


     
    7. The PLC apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising:

    a timing unit, adapted to start the working state acquiring unit and the network state acquiring unit when a predetermined time passes.


     
    8. The PLC apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein,
    the switching unit, is further adapted to switch the PLC apparatus to a normal working state when the network state of the PLC apparatus is busy and the working state of the PLC apparatus is sleep.
     
    9. The PLC apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein,
    the network state acquiring unit comprises: a physical state detecting unit adapted to detect a state of physical connection between the PLC apparatus and the network; and a first judging unit adapted to determine the acquired network state of the PLC apparatus as busy when the state of physical connection between the PLC apparatus and the network detected by the physical state detecting unit is normal, and to determine the acquired network state of the PLC apparatus as idle when the state of physical connection between the PLC apparatus and the network detected by the physical state detecting unit is disconnected; or 17/06/2010
    the network state acquiring unit comprises: a network traffic detecting unit adapted to detect a traffic of network data passing the PLC apparatus; and a second judging unit adapted to determine the acquired network state of the PLC apparatus as busy when the traffic of network data passing the PLC apparatus detected by the network traffic detecting unit is larger than a predetermined value, and to determine the acquired network state of the PLC apparatus as idle when the traffic of network data passing the PLC apparatus detected by the network traffic detecting unit is smaller than or equal to the predetermined value.
     
    10. The PLC apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein,
    the normal working state of the PLC apparatus is that the PLC apparatus is powered by its main power source which charges a battery of the PLC apparatus at the same time and/or that a chip of the PLC apparatus is in a maximum power consumption mode; and
    the sleep state of the PLC apparatus is that the PLC apparatus is powered by its battery and/or that the chip of the PLC apparatus is in a standby mode.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Verfahren zum Steuern einer Power-Line-Communication-Vorrichtung (PLC), umfassend:

    Erfassen eines Arbeitszustands und eines Netzzustands der PLC-Vorrichtung und

    Schalten des Arbeitszustands der PLC-Vorrichtung gemäß dem Arbeitszustand und dem Netzzustand der PLC-Vorrichtung;

    wobei das Schalten des Arbeitszustands der PLC-Vorrichtung gemäß dem Arbeitszustand und dem Netzzustand der PLC-Vorrichtung Folgendes umfasst: Schalten der PLC-Vorrichtung in einen Schlafzustand, wenn der Netzzustand der PLC-Vorrichtung meldungsfrei ist und der Arbeitszustand der PLC-Vorrichtung normal ist.


     
    2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Verfahren vor dem Erfassen des Arbeitszustands und des Netzzustands der PLC-Vorrichtung weiterhin Folgendes umfasst:

    Starten eines Zeitgebers und Erfassen des Arbeitszustands und des Netzzustands der PLC-Vorrichtung, wenn der Zeitgeber abschaltet.


     
    3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei das Schalten des Arbeitszustands der PLC-Vorrichtung gemäß dem Arbeitszustand und dem Netzzustand der PLC-Vorrichtung weiterhin Folgendes umfasst:

    Schalten der PLC-Vorrichtung in den normalen Arbeitszustand, wenn der Netzzustand der PLC-Vorrichtung belegt ist und der Arbeitszustand der PLC-Vorrichtung der Schlafzustand ist.


     
    4. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei das Erfassen des Netzzustands der PLC-Vorrichtung Folgendes umfasst:

    Detektieren eines Zustands einer physischen Verbindung zwischen der PLC-Vorrichtung und dem Netz, wobei, wenn der Zustand der physischen Verbindung zwischen der PLC-Vorrichtung und dem Netz normal ist, der erfasste Netzzustand der PLC-Vorrichtung als belegt detektiert wird, und wenn der Zustand der physischen Verbindung zwischen der PLC-Vorrichtung und dem Netz getrennt ist, der erfasste Netzzustand der PLC-Vorrichtung als meldungsfrei detektiert wird; oder

    Detektieren eines Verkehrs von die PLC-Vorrichtung passierenden Netzdaten, wobei, wenn der Verkehr der die PLC-Vorrichtung passierenden Netzdaten größer ist als ein vorbestimmter Wert, der erfasste Netzzustand der PLC-Vorrichtung als belegt detektiert wird, und wenn der Verkehr von die PLC-Vorrichtung passierenden Netzdaten kleiner oder gleich dem vorbestimmten Wert ist, der erfasste Netzzustand der PLC-Vorrichtung als meldungsfrei detektiert wird.


     
    5. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei
    der normale Arbeitszustand der PLC-Vorrichtung der ist, dass die PLC-Vorrichtung von ihrer Hauptstromquelle bestromt wird, die eine Batterie der PLC-Vorrichtung zur gleichen Zeit lädt, und/oder dass ein Chip der PLC-Vorrichtung sich in einem Modus maximalen Stromverbrauchs befindet; und
    der Schlafzustand der PLC-Vorrichtung der ist, dass die PLC-Vorrichtung von ihrer Batterie bestromt wird und/oder dass der Chip der PLC-Vorrichtung sich in einem Standby-Modus befindet.
     
    6. Power-Line-Communication-Vorrichtung (PLC), umfassend:

    eine Arbeitszustandserfassungseinheit, ausgelegt zum Erfassen eines Arbeitszustands der PLC-Vorrichtung;

    eine Netzzustandserfassungseinheit, ausgelegt zum Erfassen eines Netzzustands der PLC-Vorrichtung; und

    eine Schalteinheit, ausgelegt zum Schalten des Arbeitszustands der PLC-Vorrichtung gemäß dem von der Netzzustandserfassungseinheit erfassten Netzzustand der PLC-Vorrichtung und dem von der Arbeitszustandserfassungseinheit erfassten Arbeitszustand der PLC-Vorrichtung;

    wobei die Schalteinheit ausgelegt ist zum Schalten der PLC-Vorrichtung in einen Schlafzustand, wenn der Netzzustand der PLC-Vorrichtung meldungsfrei ist und der Arbeitszustand der PLC-Vorrichtung normal ist.


     
    7. PLC-Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 6, weiterhin umfassend:

    eine Zeitgebereinheit, ausgelegt zum Starten der Arbeitszustandserfassungseinheit und der Netzzustandserfassungseinheit, wenn eine vorbestimmte Zeit verstreicht.


     
    8. PLC-Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 6 oder 7, wobei
    die Schalteinheit weiter ausgelegt ist zum Schalten der PLC-Vorrichtung in einen normalen Arbeitszustand, wenn der Netzzustand der PLC-Vorrichtung belegt ist und der Arbeitszustand der PLC-Vorrichtung der Schlafzustand ist.
     
    9. PLC-Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 6 bis 8, wobei
    die Netzzustandserfassungseinheit Folgendes umfasst: eine Einheit zum Detektieren des physischen Zustands ausgelegt zum Detektieren eines Zustands einer physischen Verbindung zwischen der PLC-Vorrichtung und dem Netz; und eine erste Beurteilungseinheit ausgelegt zum Bestimmen des erfassten Netzzustands der PLC-Vorrichtung als belegt, wenn der von der Einheit zum Detektieren des physischen Zustands detektierte Zustand der physischen Verbindung zwischen der PLC-Vorrichtung und dem Netz normal ist, und zum Bestimmen des erfassten Netzzustands der PLC-Vorrichtung als meldungsfrei, wenn der durch die Einheit zum Detektieren des physischen Zustands detektierte Zustand der physischen Verbindung zwischen der PLC-Vorrichtung und dem Netz getrennt ist; oder
    die Netzzustandserfassungseinheit Folgendes umfasst: eine Netzverkehrdetektierungseinheit ausgelegt zum Detektieren eines Verkehrs von die PLC-Vorrichtung passierenden Netzdaten und eine zweite Beurteilungseinheit ausgelegt zum Bestimmen des erfassten Netzzustands der PLC-Vorrichtung als belegt, wenn der von der Netzverkehrdetektierungseinheit detektierte Verkehr von die PLC-Vorrichtung passierenden Netzdaten größer ist als ein vorbestimmter Wert, und zum Bestimmen des erfassten Netzzustands der PLC-Vorrichtung als meldungsfrei, wenn der von der Netzverkehrdetektierungseinheit detektierte Verkehr von die PLC-Vorrichtung passierenden Netzdaten kleiner oder gleich dem vorbestimmten Wert ist.
     
    10. PLC-Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 6 bis 8, wobei
    der normale Arbeitszustand der PLC-Vorrichtung der ist, dass die PLC-Vorrichtung von ihrer Hauptstromquelle bestromt wird, die eine Batterie der PLC-Vorrichtung zur gleichen Zeit lädt, und/oder dass ein Chip der PLC-Vorrichtung sich in einem Modus maximalen Stromverbrauchs befindet; und
    der Schlafzustand der PLC-Vorrichtung der ist, dass die PLC-Vorrichtung von ihrer Batterie bestromt wird und/oder dass der Chip der PLC-Vorrichtung sich in einem Standby-Modus befindet.
     


    Revendications

    1. Procédé de commande d'un appareil de communication sur ligne de puissance, PLC, comprenant :

    l'acquisition d'un état de fonctionnement et d'un état réseau de l'appareil de communication PLC, et

    la commutation de l'état de fonctionnement de l'appareil de communication PLC en fonction de l'état de fonctionnement et de l'état réseau de l'appareil de communication PLC,

    dans lequel la commutation de l'état de fonctionnement de l'appareil de communication PLC en fonction de l'état de fonctionnement et de l'état réseau de l'appareil de communication PLC comprend : la commutation de l'appareil de communication PLC vers un état de sommeil lorsque l'état réseau de l'appareil de communication PLC est au repos et l'état de fonctionnement de l'appareil de communication PLC est normal.


     
    2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel, avant l'acquisition de l'état de fonctionnement et de l'état réseau de l'appareil de communication PLC, le procédé comprend en outre :

    le démarrage d'un temporisateur et l'acquisition de l'état de fonctionnement et de l'état réseau de l'appareil de communication PLC lorsque le temporisateur arrive au bout de son délai.


     
    3. Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel la commutation de l'état de fonctionnement de l'appareil de communication PLC en fonction de l'état de fonctionnement et de l'état réseau de l'appareil de communication PLC comprend en outre :

    la commutation de l'appareil de communication PLC vers l'état de fonctionnement normal lorsque l'état réseau de l'appareil de communication PLC est occupé et l'état de fonctionnement de l'appareil de communication PLC est en sommeil.


     
    4. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel l'acquisition de l'état réseau de l'appareil de communication PLC comprend :

    la détection d'un état de connexion physique entre l'appareil de communication PLC et le réseau, où, lorsque l'état de la connexion physique entre l'appareil de communication PLC et le réseau est normal, l'état réseau acquis de l'appareil de communication PLC est détecté comme étant occupé et, lorsque l'état de la connexion physique entre l'appareil de communication PLC et le réseau est déconnecté, l'état réseau acquis de l'appareil de communication PLC est détecté comme étant au repos, ou

    la détection d'un trafic de données réseau traversant l'appareil de communication PLC, où, lorsque le trafic de données réseau traversant l'appareil de communication PLC est supérieur à une valeur prédéfinie, l'état réseau acquis de l'appareil de communication PLC est détecté comme étant occupé, et lorsque le trafic de données réseau traversant l'appareil de communication PLC est inférieur ou égal à la valeur prédéfinie, l'état réseau acquis de l'appareil de communication PLC est détecté comme étant au repos.


     
    5. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel :

    l'état de fonctionnement normal de l'appareil de communication PLC est que l'appareil de communication PLC est alimenté par sa source principale d'énergie qui charge en même temps une batterie de l'appareil de communication PLC et/ou qu'une puce de l'appareil de communication PLC se trouve dans un mode de consommation maximale d'énergie, et

    l'état de sommeil de l'appareil de communication PLC est que l'appareil de communication PLC est alimenté par sa batterie et/ou que la puce de l'appareil de communication PLC est en mode d'attente.


     
    6. Appareil de communication sur ligne de puissance, PLC, comprenant:

    une unité d'acquisition d'état de fonctionnement, conçue pour acquérir l'état de fonctionnement de l'appareil de communication PLC,

    une unité d'acquisition d'état réseau, conçue pour acquérir l'état réseau de l'appareil de communication PLC, et

    une unité de commutation, conçue pour commuter l'état de fonctionnement de l'appareil de communication PLC en fonction de l'état réseau de l'appareil de communication PLC obtenu par l'unité d'acquisition d'état réseau et de l'état de fonctionnement de l'appareil de communication PLC obtenu par l'unité d'acquisition d'état de fonctionnement,

    dans lequel l'unité de commutation est conçue pour commuter l'appareil de communication PLC vers un état de sommeil lorsque l'état réseau de l'appareil de communication PLC est au repos et l'état de fonctionnement de l'appareil de communication PLC est normal.


     
    7. Appareil de communication PLC selon la revendication 6, comprenant en outre:

    une unité de temporisation, conçue pour démarrer l'unité d'acquisition d'état de fonctionnement et l'unité d'acquisition d'état réseau lorsque s'écoule une durée prédéfinie.


     
    8. Appareil de communication PLC selon la revendication 6 ou 7, dans lequel,
    l'unité de commutation est en outre conçue pour commuter l'appareil de communication PLC vers un état de fonctionnement normal lorsque l'état réseau de l'appareil de communication PLC est occupé et l'état de fonctionnement de l'appareil de communication PLC est en sommeil.
     
    9. Appareil de communication PLC selon l'une quelconque des revendications 6 à 8, dans lequel,
    l'unité d'acquisition d'état réseau comprend : une unité de détection d'état physique conçue pour détecter l'état de la connexion physique entre l'appareil de communication PLC et le réseau, ainsi qu'une première unité d'évaluation conçue pour déterminer que l'état réseau acquis de l'appareil de communication PLC est occupé lorsque l'état de la connexion physique entre l'appareil de communication PLC et le réseau, détecté par l'unité de détection d'état physique, est normal, et pour déterminer que l'état réseau acquis de l'appareil de communication PLC est au repos lorsque l'état de la connexion physique entre l'appareil de communication PLC et le réseau, détecté par l'unité de détection d'état physique, est déconnecté, ou
    l'unité d'acquisition d'état réseau comprend : une unité de détection de trafic réseau conçue pour détecter le trafic de données réseau traversant l'appareil de communication PLC, ainsi qu'une seconde unité d'évaluation conçue pour déterminer que l'état réseau acquis de l'appareil de communication PLC est occupé lorsque le trafic de données réseau traversant l'appareil de communication PLC, détecté par l'unité de détection de trafic réseau, est supérieur à une valeur prédéfinie, et pour déterminer que l'état réseau acquis de l'appareil de communication PLC est au repos lorsque le trafic de données réseau traversant l'appareil de communication PLC détecté par l'unité de détection de trafic réseau est inférieur ou égal à la valeur prédéfinie.
     
    10. Appareil de communication PLC selon l'une quelconque des revendications 6 à 8, dans lequel,
    l'état de fonctionnement normal de l'appareil de communication PLC est que l'appareil de communication PLC est alimenté par sa source d'énergie principale qui charge en même temps une batterie de l'appareil de communication PLC et/ou qu'une puce de l'appareil de communication PLC se trouve dans un mode de consommation maximale d'énergie, et
    l'état de sommeil de l'appareil de communication PLC est que l'appareil de communication PLC est alimenté par sa batterie et/ou que la puce de l'appareil de communication PLC est en mode d'attente.
     




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    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description