JP2000138979A - Home automation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a home automation system that can easily be utilized even by elderly persons. SOLUTION: The user uses a user controller 1 to output a control signal or the like to a device such as a television receiver or a video tape recorder or installation such as lighting fixture or air-conditioner in a form of a radio wave signal. A transmission reception unit 2 receives this radio wave signal and transmits the received radio signal to a device such as a television receiver or a video tape recorder or the installation such as lighting fixture or air- conditioner in a form of an infrared ray signal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a home automation system for centrally controlling a device to be controlled, for example, installed in each room in a house with one remote controller.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various home automation systems have been proposed for controlling various appliances and facilities in a home using infrared rays and radio waves. In such a system, a single (or plural) control device (for example, a remote controller using infrared rays or radio waves, etc.) is used, and home appliances such as a television receiver and a VCR, and further, an air conditioner and the like. In order to be able to control various facilities such as lighting, each apparatus and facility are connected by a control bus. There is known a device having a main control device for transmitting a signal from the control device to each device or facility via the control bus. Devices used in such a system include a receiving unit for receiving a control signal from the control bus.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned home automation system, devices and equipment to be controlled are connected by a wired control bus. Therefore, in order to change the arrangement of the devices, wiring work or the like is required. There was a problem of having to work. In particular, small devices such as television receivers and VCRs may change their layout or move to another room due to room remodeling, but it is difficult for elderly people to perform wiring work. It was causing inconvenience.

[0004] Further, since the conventional system gives priority to multi-functions and is very complicated for the elderly to operate, the present invention provides a system that can be operated relatively easily by the elderly. Is an important purpose.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, there is provided a transmitting / receiving means for performing bidirectional communication between a controlled object and the controlled object; Communication means for performing two-way communication, a control signal to the control object is transmitted from the communication means to the transmitting and receiving means, the control signal received by the receiving means for the control object It is transmitted.

According to the present invention, a transmitting / receiving means connected to a control object and a telephone line and performing bidirectional communication with the control object, and performing bidirectional communication with the transmitting / receiving means Communication means, a control signal to the control object is transmitted to the transmission / reception means via the communication means or the telephone line, and a control signal received by the transmission / reception means is transmitted to the control object. It is characterized by that.

In the present invention, the communication means and the transmission / reception means perform bidirectional communication by radio signals, and the transmission / reception means and the control object perform bidirectional communication by infrared signals. I do.

[0008] In the present invention, the communication means includes a voice input means and a voice recognition means, wherein the voice signal input from the voice input means is recognized by the voice recognition means, and the control object is recognized based on the recognition result. It is characterized by transmitting a control signal.

According to the present invention, the communication means includes an image input means and a first storage means for storing image information input from the image input means.

In the present invention, the communication means displays the image information stored in the first storage means at the time of charging.

In the present invention, the communication means includes a voice synthesizing means and an electroacoustic converting means.

In the present invention, the communication means transmits the control signal by operating a touch panel.

In the present invention, the communication means includes a character recognition means.

In the present invention, the communication means includes a display means for displaying at least information obtained from the control target.

According to the present invention, the communication means receives the electronic mail and automatically acquires the mail address of the sender of the mail.

In the present invention, the communication means receives a telephone call and automatically acquires a telephone number of a caller.

In the present invention, a plurality of the transmitting / receiving means are provided, and the plurality of transmitting / receiving means receive a control signal from the communication means.

In the present invention, the transmission / reception means is provided with a second storage means for storing information on the location of the control target obtained through communication with the control target.

In the present invention, the object to be controlled is a television receiver having means for transmitting character information, and displays or hides specific character information among the character information received by the communication means. It is characterized by the following.

In the present invention, the object to be controlled is a television receiver, which is configured to transmit video information from the television receiver and receive the information to the communication means via the transmission / reception means. When the video information is displayed by the communication means, the video information is not displayed on the television receiver.

In the present invention, the object to be controlled is a VCR, and data for recording reservation is transmitted from the communication means to the VCR.

According to the present invention, when the data for recording reservation is transmitted to the video deck, and when it is detected that there is no recordable tape on the video deck, this is transmitted to the communication means. Is displayed.

In the present invention, the object to be controlled is a video deck, and data of recording reservation information is transmitted from the communication means to the communication means via the transmission / reception means, and the data is displayed by the communication means. It is characterized by the following.

In the present invention, the control target is an audio component, and an audio signal from the audio component can be heard by the communication means.

In the present invention, the control object is an audio component, and when the audio signal from the audio component is made audible by the communication means, no sound is emitted from the audio component.

In the present invention, the object to be controlled is an air conditioner having temperature detecting means, and the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means is displayed by the communication means.

In the present invention, the object to be controlled is a bath having a fluid temperature detecting means and a water amount detecting means, and the fluid temperature and the fluid amount detected by the fluid temperature detecting means and the fluid amount detecting means are communicated by the communication means. It is characterized by displaying.

[0028]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a home automation system according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a user controller having various functions such as controlling a control target such as equipment and facilities and obtaining various information. Reference numeral 2 denotes a transmission / reception unit for receiving a command from the user controller 1 or transmitting information to the user controller 1. The transmission / reception unit 2 is provided in each room as described later, and Is connected by a telephone line. The communication between the user controller 1 and the transmission / reception unit may use, for example, a 2.5 GHz radio signal.

Reference numeral 3 denotes an object controlled by an infrared signal from the transmitting / receiving unit 2.
Electronic devices such as television receivers and VCRs,
Equipment such as an air conditioner, lighting, and a bath, which are not only controlled in operation by receiving infrared rays from the transmission / reception unit 2 but also configured to enable two-way communication with the transmission / reception unit 2. I have.

Next, FIG. 2 is a simplified sketch of the interior of a house. As shown in the figure, the transmission / reception units 2 are provided one by one in each room and connected to a telephone line in the house. Although the transmitting / receiving unit 2 is mounted on the ceiling in this example, the transmitting / receiving unit 2 may be mounted on a wall according to the structure of the room or a plurality of units may be provided in one room.
The transmission / reception units 2 may be connected using a dedicated line instead of a telephone line.

Further, as shown in the figure, a line switching unit 4 for switching between a telephone line between the inside and outside of the house is provided, and a call is made outside the house using a telephone (not shown). In such a case, a call can be made with the outside via the line switching unit 4. Further, each control target is configured to be controllable through a telephone line outside the house.

FIG. 3 shows the user controller 1
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the appearance of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a liquid crystal monitor having a touch panel on the surface, and the user can operate the display such as operation buttons displayed here by pressing the display with a finger. Reference numeral 12 denotes a microphone, 13 denotes a CCD camera, and 14 denotes a speaker. Reference numeral 15 denotes a connection portion having a charging terminal (not shown), which is used for connection with a charger described later.

The user controller 1 can be used as a so-called videophone using the liquid crystal monitor 11, microphone 12, and CCD camera 13. The instruction to each control target is not made by operating the touch panel on the liquid crystal monitor 11 or character recognition, but by the microphone 12.
It is also possible to use the user's voice input from the user.
Further, the speaker 14 can also provide an operation guide and a warning display by voice to the user.

FIG. 4 shows the user controller 1.
FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram showing the configuration of FIG. In the figure, 2
1 is a voice information input unit including the microphone 12, 22 is a touch panel provided on the liquid crystal monitor 11, 33 is a character recognition unit for recognizing characters written on the touch panel, 2
Reference numeral 3 denotes a liquid crystal display unit constituting the liquid crystal monitor 11, reference numeral 24 denotes an image information input unit including the CCD camera 13, reference numeral 25 denotes an audio information output unit including the speaker 14, and reference numeral 26 denotes an input from the audio information input unit 21. A voice recognition processing unit for recognizing a user's voice, a display signal generation unit 27 for outputting a display signal to the liquid crystal display unit 23, and a voice synthesis process for transmitting a voice signal to the voice information output unit 25 This is a voice synthesis processing unit.

Further, reference numeral 29 denotes a control / information signal receiving unit for receiving a radio signal transmitted from the transmitting / receiving unit 2,
Reference numeral 30 denotes a control / information signal transmission unit that transmits a radio signal to the transmission / reception unit 2, reference numeral 31 denotes a memory for storing various information, and reference numeral 32 denotes a system control unit that controls the operation of the entire user controller.

FIG. 5 is a circuit block diagram showing the configuration of the transmission / reception unit 2. As shown in FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 41 denotes an infrared light emitting unit which emits an infrared signal to a control target;
Reference numeral 2 denotes an infrared light receiving unit for receiving an infrared signal transmitted from the control target; 43, a radio wave receiving unit for receiving a radio signal from the user controller 1; A radio wave transmitting unit for transmitting, a control / information signal transmitting / receiving unit 45 for performing communication processing with another transmitting / receiving unit connected via a telephone line in the house, a memory 47 for storing various information,
Reference numeral 6 denotes a system control unit.
Controls the operation of the transmission / reception unit main body, including signal conversion such as converting a radio signal received from the user controller 1 into an infrared signal or converting an infrared signal received from a control target into a radio signal.

FIG. 6 shows a display example of the user controller 1 on the liquid crystal monitor 11. The figure shows the layout of each room and various situations in the room. That is, D1 is a lighting mark displayed when the lighting of the room is turned on, D2 is a room temperature mark indicating the current temperature of the room, and D3 is a key mark indicating a key state of the window. The key mark D3 is hatched when the window is locked, but is not hatched when the window is not locked.

Next, D4 is an equipment / equipment mark indicating the status of the controlled object and the like, and is displayed only when the equipment or equipment is operating. Note that the mark is always displayed, and various forms of display are possible, such as turning on the light only when the device or facility is operating.

D5 is a special mark used when the object to be controlled is a bath or the like. In this example, the amount of hot water is displayed on the illustration of the bathtub. in this way,
By applying a special display mark according to the control target, the status of the control target can be confirmed in more detail.

D6 is a group of operation buttons, and the user can use the buttons to select an object to be controlled, to give an instruction to the object to be controlled, and to use various functions such as a videophone. .

With such a display, the operation of the elderly to check the state of each room before going to bed can be easily performed in this system by looking at the display of the user controller. Further, even when going out, if a portable user controller (not shown) is prepared, each state can be checked without entering the house. When an abnormality or the like is found by looking at the display of the user controller, the controller can be operated to easily control the control target. In order to receive the radio signal of the user controller from outside the house, a transmission / reception unit may be appropriately provided at the entrance.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the user controller 1 is being charged. As shown in the figure, the user controller 1 is connected to the charger 5 via the connection unit 15 shown in FIG. The charger 5 has the connection portion 15
There is a concave portion (not shown) for receiving the connection portion, and the connection portion 15 may be inserted into the concave portion. At the time of charging, if a picture of a grandchild, for example, is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 11 of the user controller 1, it can be decorated like a photo stand.

For this reason, a function is provided that allows the user controller 1 to be used as a still camera.
An image can be captured from the camera 13 and the captured still image data can be stored in the memory 31 of FIG.
Then, the user controller 1 automatically detects that the user controller 1 has been connected to the charger 5, and displays the user's favorite image from among the image data recorded according to the detection, or randomly displays the image. May be selected and displayed.

In the system of the present invention configured as described above, the user can use the user controller 1 to install equipment such as a television receiver and a VCR in each room, and equipment such as an air conditioner, lighting and a bath. Can be easily operated, and furthermore, information can be obtained from devices and equipment, and thus there are various advantages.

For example, in the case where the control target is a television receiver, for example, in a digital television receiver broadcast which has begun to spread recently, information such as a program guide as well as program contents is broadcast station information. However, the characters projected on the screen of the television receiver have blurred outlines, and it is difficult for the elderly to read the character information on the screen of the television receiver.

On the other hand, in the present system, data of program guide information is transmitted from the television receiver to the transmitting / receiving unit 2 in the form of an infrared signal, and this data is transmitted from the transmitting / receiving unit 2 to the user controller 1 at hand. In the form of Based on the data thus received, the program guide is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 1 of the user controller 1.
If you look at it in 1, you can read it in clear characters.

Also, the user controller or the television receiver has a built-in filter function to display only program information of a genre preset by the user.
Alternatively, it may be omitted. For example, by setting a filter to display only dramas and displaying only program information related to dramas, or by using a filter that excludes sports program information and displays it for those who do not want to watch sports In addition, unnecessary information is omitted, and the program guide becomes easy to read.

Next, an advantage in the case where the control object is a video deck is as follows. An operation button or the like for easily setting the reservation recording is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 11 of the user controller 1, and the operation is performed according to these instructions. The recording reservation data can be generated easily and in a short time only by performing the above operation. The data relating to the scheduled recording generated in this manner is transmitted from the user controller 1 and transmitted to the VCR via the transmission / reception unit 2, and the VCR receiving the data is set to the standby mode for the scheduled recording.

If a recordable video tape is not set at this time, information notifying the fact is transmitted from the video deck and transmitted to the user controller 1 via the transmission / reception unit 2. Then, a warning can be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 11, or the warning can be notified by voice from the speaker 14.

If an inconvenient state is detected, such as making a recording reservation that exceeds the recordable time of the video tape or overlapping the recording time zones, this is displayed on the user controller at hand and attention is paid to the user. Should be encouraged.

It is also conceivable to display a list of programs recorded on the tape and control the search and reproduction of desired recorded contents simply by touching the display on the liquid crystal monitor 11.

Further, at the time of reproduction of the VCR, the audio is received by the user controller 1 and subjected to a speech speed conversion process (for example, a speech spoken at a high speed is converted into a speech slowly spoken without a sense of incongruity). From speaker 14
If you output more, you can also listen to the content of the quick speech slowly. This speech speed conversion process is also useful when the user controller 1 is used as a video phone.

Note that, instead of displaying an image on the television receiver, an image may be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 11 of the user controller 1 by a user's selection. When the user selects the image display on the liquid crystal monitor 11, it is also useful to automatically stop the image display on the television receiver and reduce the power consumption.

In addition, when the control object is an audio component, it is possible to listen to music and radio broadcasting with the user controller 1 at hand, as well as various operations of the component. When the user controller 1 listens to music or a radio broadcast, if the sound emission of the audio component is automatically stopped, the neighborhood will not be disturbed by loud sounds and the power consumption will be reduced. Can be suppressed.

The advantages of the case where the object to be controlled is an air conditioner include, for example, setting of the room temperature in a remote room at hand, or stopping the air conditioner operating in a room where no one is present. .

Further, when the control object is a bath, the temperature and the amount of hot water can be known at hand without actually going to the bathroom.

The user controller 1 uses an external telephone line to receive distribution of newspaper information and e-mail on the Internet, and reads out the distributed information by voice synthesis (output from the speaker 14). You can also. The user controller 1 can be provided with a function of automatically registering the e-mail address of the transmission destination of the e-mail, so that the e-mail can be easily issued by voice instructions from the user.

In other words, if the user gives an instruction by voice saying "I want to send an e-mail to grandchild", the part of "grandchild" is recognized, and if the grandchild's e-mail address has already been registered, it is changed. After the call, a message spoken by the user is taken in from the microphone 12, converted into text data through voice recognition processing, and transmitted by mail.

This automatic registration function can be applied even when an ordinary telephone call is received, and the telephone number of the other party can be automatically taken in. Then, the user can dial the telephone number simply by instructing by voice, "I want to call my grandchild."

The number display service has already been started in Japan, and the number information can be obtained in the same manner as the device corresponding to the service obtains the other party's number information. Information data such as the e-mail address and telephone number of such a partner is stored in the memory 3 of FIG.
1 can be stored.

Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 5, a memory 47 is provided inside the transmission / reception unit 2. This is used for learning what kind of control object exists in which room by repeating the communication between the control object and the transmission / reception unit 2, and storing the learning data. That is, when there is no learning data, when the user gives an instruction from the user controller 1,
Each transmission / reception unit 2 receives this, and the control data for the control target is output from each transmission / reception unit 2 in the form of an infrared signal.

However, if the device or equipment to be controlled is not in the room where the transmitting / receiving unit 2 is provided, a useless infrared signal is emitted. However, when the learning data is enriched, it becomes possible to determine whether or not the controlled object is present in the room where each transmitting / receiving unit 2 is provided, so that it is possible to uselessly emit the infrared signal. Less. When the device or equipment to be controlled is moved or removed, the learning data is updated by performing communication between the control object and each transmission / reception unit.

[0063]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, when the user gives an instruction to the control target using the communication means, this is transmitted to the control target via the transmission / reception unit. The control target can be controlled from a remote place.

The information emitted from the control object can be received by the communication means via the transmission / reception unit.

Further, the object to be controlled can be controlled from outside the home using a telephone line.

Further, since the control object can be controlled by the voice from the user, even the elderly can easily operate.

Further, since image information can be recorded in the communication means, the communication means can be used as a still camera.

Further, since the image information recorded during charging of the communication means can be displayed, the communication means can be displayed like a picture frame.

Further, since various kinds of information can be output by voice in the communication means, it is convenient if the user is notified of, for example, an operation guide by voice.

Further, the control object can be easily controlled by the touch panel.

Further, the control target can be easily controlled by character recognition.

Further, the e-mail address of the transmission destination can be registered from the transmitted e-mail without complicated operation, and the e-mail can be easily transmitted using the registered e-mail address.

Further, the telephone number of the called party can be registered without performing a complicated operation, and a telephone call can be easily made using the registered telephone number.

Further, since the transmitting / receiving means stores the location of the object to be controlled, it is possible to suppress unnecessary emission of an infrared signal.

Also, of the character information such as the program program from the television receiver, only necessary information can be displayed by the communication means at hand, or unnecessary information can be hidden, so that even the elderly can easily see. Become.

When displaying the image from the television receiver by the communication means at hand, the television receiver does not display the image, so that unnecessary power consumption can be saved.

Further, it is possible to easily make a recording reservation for the video deck by using the communication means at hand.

If a recordable video tape is not mounted on the VCR when the recording reservation is made, this can be displayed on the communication means at hand to notify the user.

Further, the status of the recording reservation and the like can be displayed by the communication means at hand to notify the user.

Also, audio signals such as radio broadcasts and CDs received by the audio component can be listened to by the communication means at hand.

Further, when the sound from the audio component is listened to by the communication means at hand, the sound is not emitted from the audio component, so that no loud noise disturbs the neighborhood and unnecessary power consumption is reduced. Can be.

Further, the temperature information from the temperature detecting means of the air conditioner can be known by the communication means at hand.

Further, the temperature and amount of hot water in the bath can be known by the communication means at hand.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a home automation system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a floor plan showing the arrangement of transmission / reception units.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an overview of a user controller.

FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram illustrating a configuration of a user controller.

FIG. 5 is a circuit block diagram illustrating a configuration of a transmission / reception unit.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of display on a user controller.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a state where the user controller is being charged.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 User controller 2 Transmission / reception unit 3 Control object 4 Line switching unit 5 Charger 11 LCD monitor 12 Microphone 13 CCD camera 14 Speaker 15 Connection part

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page F term (reference) 5K048 BA03 BA04 BA06 BA08 BA12 BA13 DA02 DB01 DB04 DC01 DC07 FB03 FB05 FB09 FB12 HA04 HA06 HA21 5K101 KK11 LL11 LL14 NN01 NN06 NN08 NN16 NN18

Claims (23)

[Claims] A control unit that performs bidirectional communication with the control object; and a communication unit that performs bidirectional communication with the control unit. A home automation system, wherein a control signal for an object is transmitted from the communication unit to the transmission / reception unit, and a control signal received by the transmission / reception unit is transmitted to the control target. 2. A transmission / reception means connected to a control object and a telephone line for performing bidirectional communication with the control object, and a communication means for performing bidirectional communication with the transmission / reception means Wherein a control signal to the control object is transmitted to the transmission / reception means via the communication means or the telephone line, and a control signal received by the transmission / reception means is transmitted to the control object. Home automation system characterized by the following. 3. The communication unit and the transmission / reception unit perform bidirectional communication by a radio signal, and the transmission / reception unit and the control target perform bidirectional communication by an infrared signal. The home automation system according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The communication means includes a voice input means and a voice recognition means, wherein a voice signal input from the voice input means is recognized by the voice recognition means, and a control signal for the control object is obtained based on the recognition result. 4. The home automation system according to claim 1, wherein 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit includes an image input unit and a first storage unit that stores image information input from the image input unit. Home automation system. 6. The home automation system according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit displays the image information stored in the first storage unit during charging. 7. The home automation system according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit includes a voice synthesis unit and an electroacoustic conversion unit. 8. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit transmits the control signal by operating a touch panel.
A home automation system according to claim 7. 9. The home automation system according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit includes a character recognition unit. 10. The home automation system according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit includes a display unit that displays at least information obtained from the control target. 11. The home automation system according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit receives an electronic mail and automatically acquires a mail address of a sender of the electronic mail. 12. The home automation system according to claim 1, wherein said communication means receives a telephone call and automatically obtains a telephone number of a caller. 13. The home automation system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said transmission / reception means are provided, and said plurality of transmission / reception means receive a control signal from said communication means. 14. The transmission / reception unit according to claim 1, further comprising a second storage unit configured to store information on a location of the control target acquired through communication with the control target. Home automation system as described in. 15. The control object is a television receiver having a unit for transmitting character information, and is configured to display or hide specific character information among character information received by the communication unit. The home automation system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein: 16. The control object is a television receiver. The television receiver transmits video information from the television receiver and receives the information to the communication means via the transmission / reception means. 2. The video information is not displayed on the television receiver when the video information is displayed by means.
4. The home automation system according to 4. 17. The video game device according to claim 1, wherein the control object is a video deck, and data for recording reservation is transmitted from the communication unit to the video deck via the transmission / reception unit. Item 15. A home automation system according to Item 14. 18. When transmitting the data for recording reservation to the video deck, if the video deck detects that there is no recordable tape,
18. The home automation system according to claim 17, wherein the information is displayed by the communication unit. 19. The control object is a video deck, wherein data of recording reservation information is transmitted from the communication means to the communication means via the transmission / reception means, and the data is displayed by the communication means. The home automation system according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein: 20. The home automation system according to claim 1, wherein the control object is an audio component, and an audio signal from the audio component can be heard by the communication unit. 21. The control system according to claim 1, wherein the control object is an audio component, and when the audio signal from the audio component is made audible by the communication means, no sound is emitted from the audio component. To claim 14
Home automation system as described in. 22. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control target is an air conditioner having a temperature detecting means, and the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means is displayed by the communication means. Home automation system. 23. The control object is a bath having a fluid temperature detecting means and a water amount detecting means, and the fluid temperature and the fluid amount detected by the fluid temperature detecting means and the fluid amount detecting means are displayed by the communication means. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein
A home automation system according to claim 14.