JP6331109B2 - Remotely operated device, control system including the device, and control method used in the device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a remotely operated device, and more particularly to a device remotely operated in response to control information from another device.

  In recent years, standardization of HEMS (Home Energy Management System) has been promoted. Elements constituting the HEMS include a controller and a device, and it is defined that an open communication specification such as ECHONET-Lite (registered trademark) is used for communication between the controller and the device.

  On the other hand, a remote control device used for setting or operating an electric device is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 describes a technique in which a remote control device transmits operation enable / disable information related to whether or not to allow remote operation of each function of an electrical device to the electrical device, and the electrical device stores the operation enable / disable information. . Further, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for determining whether or not to permit operation instruction information transmitted from a communication terminal to an electric device based on operation availability information stored in the electric device.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-287739

  The electric device described in Patent Literature 1 determines whether to permit or disallow the operation instruction information from the communication terminal based on the operation availability information registered in the electric device using the remote control device. Yes. The operation availability information is information in which operation availability is set for each function of the electrical device, and the operation instruction information from the communication terminal is determined to be permitted or not permitted based on the operation availability information. That is, the technique described in Patent Document 1 only determines whether to permit or disallow the operation instruction information from the communication terminal for each control content of the electrical device instructed by the operation instruction information. Absent.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a remotely operated device that can determine whether or not to perform processing according to received control information using information other than control content.

  A remotely operated device according to the present invention includes a communication unit that receives control information, a main function unit that operates according to the control content included in the control information received by the communication unit, and the communication unit that receives the control information. A control unit that determines a process for the control information, wherein the control unit is identification information of a transmission source of the control information, an operation state of the main function unit at the time when the control information is received, and the control information Whether to perform processing corresponding to the control content included in the control information is determined based on a combination with the control content included in the control information.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to determine whether to perform processing according to the received control information using information other than the control content.

It is a block diagram which shows embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the usage example of embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement of embodiment with a flowchart.

  The embodiment described below exemplifies a case where the device that is remotely operated in response to control information from another device is a device that is used in a house. The technology described below can be applied even to facilities. In addition, the other device exemplifies a controller that communicates with the device. The device includes a communication unit that receives control information transmitted from a controller through a communication path, and a main function unit that operates according to control content included in the control information received by the communication unit.

  In the following, the case where the device is an electric device that operates the main function unit by consuming electric power will be described, but the main function unit mainly consumes gas, the main function unit mainly consumes tap water, etc. Even so, the following techniques can be applied. Since the device described below is an electrical device, energy consumption becomes power consumption.

  The main function unit means a configuration that is controlled in order to exhibit the convenience expected of the corresponding device among the configurations of the device. For example, if it is a washing machine, it means a motor that is a drive source for washing, if it is a power storage device, it means a circuit that charges and discharges a storage battery, and if it is a water heater that uses a heat pump as a heat source, it means a heat source.

  In the embodiment, two types of controllers that monitor and control the operation of the device are provided. One controller is a HEMS controller (HEMS: Home Energy Management System) that centrally monitors and controls the operation of equipment used in a house. The other controller enables monitoring and control of the operation of the device separately from the HEMS controller. Hereinafter, the HEMS controller is referred to as a first controller, and the other controller that is not a HEMS controller is referred to as a second controller.

  The second controller can be realized by causing a general-purpose terminal device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a personal computer to execute an application program. Note that the second controller is not limited to a general-purpose terminal device, but may be a dedicated device.

  Further, in the configuration described below, it is assumed that the second controller is configured to directly communicate with the device. However, the second controller is connected to the device through the first controller. It is possible to employ a communication configuration.

  Further, when the device communicates through a home communication network built in a house and the home communication network is connected to a router that also serves as an access point of a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), the second controller is It may be a wireless LAN terminal device. In short, a configuration may be adopted in which a wireless LAN is constructed by a terminal device functioning as a second controller and a router, and the second controller communicates with a device connected to a home communication network.

  The communication path of the home communication network may be either wired or wireless, and both may be mixed. The communication standard used in the home communication network is an open standard, and it is assumed that ECHONET-Lite (registered trademark) is proposed to be used for HEMS. However, another open standard may be used. The frame used for ECHONET-Lite communication includes the source object, service, property, and property value. The service includes commands such as GET and SET. The property specifies an operation target included in the device, and the property value specifies the content of the operation for the operation target specified by the property. Therefore, the service, property, and property value represent the control content. The transmission source object represents the identification information of the transmission source.

  In the following, it is assumed that the home communication network mixes wired and wireless communication paths. For example, Ethernet (registered trademark) is used as a lower layer when a wired communication path is used, and WiFi (registered trademark) is used as a lower layer when a wireless communication path is used. The upper layer protocol is selected from UDP / IP (UDP: User Datagrum Protocol, IP: Internet Protocol), TCP / IP (TCP: Transmission Control Protocol), or the like. Therefore, IP addresses are used for the identification information of the first controller and the second controller.

  However, the identification information of the first controller and the second controller may use a MAC address (MAC: Media Access Control) or may be set uniquely. In the present embodiment, classification information is given to the first controller and the second controller in order to distinguish the first controller and the second controller. The classification information includes a manufacturer code that specifies the manufacturer of the first controller or the second controller, and a product code that specifies the product, in addition to the above-described communication identification information. The classification information preferably includes a production number in addition to the manufacturer code and the product code.

  The router is interposed between the home communication network and a telecommunication line such as the Internet. In this configuration, the first controller is connected to the home communication network. That is, the first controller can communicate with a device through a home communication network and can communicate with a host device through an electric communication line such as the Internet. The host device means, for example, a server owned by a business operator that provides a service related to power supply to a house.

  In this configuration, in order to request power saving from the house, when the host device notifies information requesting power saving through the telecommunication line, the first controller receives the information. Hereinafter, information for requesting power saving from the host device is referred to as DR information (DR: Demand Response). The DR information includes information on a time period for requesting power saving. The first controller that receives the DR information accepts the DR information and manages the power consumption of the device through the home communication network when the DR information satisfies a predetermined condition for the operation of the device. This condition is, for example, that the power of a device that cannot respond to the reduction in power consumption is ensured during the time period specified by the DR information.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of this embodiment. This configuration example is an example for explanation, and does not prevent the technical idea described using this configuration example from being applied to other configurations. That is, the configuration example shown in FIG. 2 is an example for explaining the technical idea described in the present embodiment, and the configuration can be appropriately changed without departing from the technical idea. In the following, the operation for controlling the device will be described, and the operation for monitoring the device will not be described in principle.

  In the illustrated example, the air conditioner 101, the lighting fixture 102, the water heater 103, and the power storage device 104 are illustrated as the device 10. There is no particular limitation on the type of device 10. The device 10 only needs to be configured so that its operation is controlled in accordance with control information received by communication from either the first controller 21 or the second controller 22. Further, the first controller 21 and the second controller 22 represent a difference in function, not the number of units. Generally, only one first controller 21 is provided in the house 40, but a plurality of second controllers 22 that control the device 10 may exist.

  Here, the first controller 21 is assumed to be a HEMS controller as described above. The first controller 21 can communicate with the device 10. In the illustrated example, a router 30 having a function as a wireless LAN access point is connected to the home communication network NT1. Therefore, the home network NT1 includes a wired communication path CL1 using a baseband signal and a wireless communication path CL2 using radio waves as a transmission medium.

  In the illustrated example, the first controller 21 is connected to the wired communication path CL1, and the second controller 22 communicates with the router 30 using the wireless communication path CL2. In the illustrated example, the wired communication path CL1 is used when the device 10 is the hot water heater 103 or the power storage device 104, and the wireless communication path CL2 is used when the device 10 is the air conditioner 101 or the lighting fixture 102. Yes.

  In the illustrated example, the first controller 21 and the second controller 22 adopt a configuration that communicates with the device 10 through the router 30. However, a configuration in which at least one of the first controller 21 and the second controller 22 communicates directly with the device 10 may be employed. In this case, a configuration may be adopted in which only the first controller 21 communicates directly with the device 10, and the second controller 22 communicates with the device 10 through the first controller 21. In this configuration, the first controller 21 includes an interface unit (not shown) for communicating with the router 30 and an interface unit (not shown) for communicating with the device 10. That is, the latter interface unit performs wireless communication and wired communication.

  Regardless of the configuration described above, the router 30 is interposed between the telecommunication line NT2 such as the Internet to which the host device 31 is connected and the home communication network NT1. In other words, the first controller 21 has a function of communicating with the host device 31 through the router 30. Communication between the host device 31 and the router 30 or the first controller 21 is preferably encrypted in order to prevent eavesdropping and tampering.

  Each of the first controller 21 and the second controller 22 is configured to transmit control information to the device 10 and operate the main function unit 11 in the device 10 according to the control content of the control information. Yes. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the device 10 responds to the communication unit 12 that receives the control information output by the first controller 21 and the second controller 22, and the control content of the control information received by the communication unit 12. And a control unit 13 for operating the main function unit 11. The configuration of the device 10 will be described later.

  By the way, the first controller 21 can receive DR information for requesting power saving, for example, by communicating with the host device 31. As described above, the DR information includes information on a time period for requesting power saving. In order to encourage power consumers to save power using DR information, in general, how to give incentives when power consumers respond to requests for power saving, and the unit price of electricity charges during the period of requesting power saving And a method of setting a higher value is proposed.

  In the following, it is assumed that an incentive is given in response to a request for power saving by DR information. That is, the host device 31 transmits the DR information to the house 40 that requests power saving on the morning or the day before that day in the period for requesting power saving. When the first controller 21 accepts the DR information, the first controller 21 restricts the operation of the device 10 during the designated period.

  The first controller 21 selects the device 10 that can operate to suppress power consumption in the time zone specified in the DR information, and supplies the control information including the control content that reduces the power consumption by the corresponding device 10 to the device. 10 to send.

  The operation in which the device 10 suppresses power consumption includes not only stopping the device 10, but also changing the time zone during which the device 10 is operated, selecting an operation state with less power consumption in the device 10, and the like. For example, the operation in which the device 10 suppresses the power consumption includes changing the set temperature if the device 10 is the air conditioner 101 and reducing the light output if the device 10 is the lighting fixture 102. In addition, the operation of the device 10 for suppressing power consumption includes changing a time zone for performing a water heater if the device 10 is the water heater 103, and supplying power from the power storage device 104 if the device 10 is the power storage device 104. . When the set temperature is changed for the air conditioner 101, the set temperature is raised during cooling, and the set temperature is lowered during heating.

  By the way, in this embodiment, in addition to the first controller 21, a second controller 22 that can give control information to the device 10 is provided. The second controller 22 can receive the operation by the user and transmit the control information to the device 10 regardless of the DR information. That is, the user can use the second controller 22 as a remote control device for the device 10.

  As described above, since the control information for the device 10 can be transmitted from both the first controller 21 and the second controller 22, the control contents of the first controller 21 and the second controller 22 compete. there's a possibility that.

  For example, when any device 10 receives control information from the second controller 22 during a period in which the operation according to the control information from the first controller 21 is performed, the device 10 receives the control received later. There is a possibility of performing an operation according to the control content of the information. Therefore, the operation of the device 10 does not correspond to the DR information by the control information from the second controller 22 during the period in which the first controller 21 gives the control information of the control content according to the DR information to the device 10. May be changed.

  The same applies not only when the first controller 21 provides the control information according to the DR information to the device 10 but also when the user has set the first controller 21 to suppress power consumption. is there. That is, the power consumption of the device 10 is increased by the control information from the second controller 22 even though the first controller 21 transmits the control information of the control content for suppressing the power consumption to the device 10. there's a possibility that.

  In the present embodiment, a technique for suppressing an increase in power consumption of the device 10 by the second controller 22 during a period in which the first controller 21 performs power saving by DR information or user settings is described. To do.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the device 10 includes a main function unit 11, a communication unit 12, and a control unit 13. The communication unit 12 receives control information transmitted from the first controller 21 and the second controller 22. The main function unit 11 operates according to the control content included in the control information received by the communication unit 12.

  By the way, during the period when the first controller 21 receives the DR information from the host device 31 and reduces the power consumption of the device 10, the power consumption of the device 10 increases due to the control information from the second controller 22. Such a situation must be avoided. Therefore, the control unit 13 determines whether to control the device 10 according to the control information according to the operation state of the main function unit 11 when the communication unit 12 receives the control information. The condition for evaluating the operation state of the device 10 is hereinafter referred to as a first condition. In addition, the control unit 13 controls not only the operation state of the main function unit 11 at the time when the communication unit 12 receives the control information but also the control content included in the control information as a condition to control the device 10 according to the control information. Determine whether to do it.

  The operation state of the main function unit 11 at the time when the communication unit 12 receives the control information indicates whether the first controller 21 is in a time zone in which power saving is requested by the DR information from the host device 31. Including. However, the device 10 cannot grasp whether or not it is the time zone specified by the DR information. Accordingly, when the control information is given from the communication unit 12, the control unit 13 inquires the first controller 21 for the identification information of the device 10 included in the control information through the communication unit 12, and checks the time zone specified by the DR information. Confirm whether or not. It is also possible to include a power saving time zone in the control information.

  The operating state of the main function unit 11 at the time when the communication unit 12 receives the control information is that the user sets a target value in addition to the time zone specified by the DR information, thereby suppressing the power consumption of the device 10. The state of being included is included. That is, the condition for evaluating whether or not the power consumption of the device 10 is limited is the first condition.

  Incidentally, the control unit 13 determines the first condition when the identification information of the transmission source included in the control information is registered in the permission list 23 described later. Since the restriction by the identification information of the transmission source is added, the effective range of the control information given to the device 10 used in the house 40 is limited, and the operation of the device 10 is inadvertently changed by the control information from outside the permitted range. Is prohibited. However, the control content of the control information is limited according to the identification information of the transmission source. For example, only the first controller 21 and the second controller 22 corresponding to the house 40 can give control information to the device 10 used in the house 40.

  The control unit 13 of the present embodiment selects which control information from the first controller 21 or the second controller 22 is to be adopted according to the determination result of the first condition. When the control information from the second controller 22 is adopted according to the determination result for the first condition, the control information from the first controller 21 is also adopted in principle. On the other hand, depending on the determination result for the first condition, even if the control information from the first controller 21 is employed, some of the control information from the second controller 22 may not be employed. Whether or not to adopt the control information from the first controller 21 and the control information from the second controller 22 depends on the control content included in the control information. The condition for evaluating the control content is hereinafter referred to as a second condition.

  The second condition is selected according to the determination result for the first condition. The condition selected when the first condition is satisfied, the condition selected when the first condition is not satisfied, and the first condition are: And a condition selected regardless of whether it is satisfied. In other words, the control unit 13 determines whether to perform control according to the corresponding control information by combining the first condition and the second condition.

  As described above, the control information includes transmission source identification information and control content. The control information output from the first controller 21 includes identification information of the first controller 21, and the control information output from the second controller 22 includes identification information of the second controller 22. It is.

  Hereinafter, specific examples of the first condition and the second condition will be described. The first controller 21 and the second controller 22 are registered in the permission list 23 so that control information is given to the device 10 used in the house 40. In the present embodiment, the permission list 23 is provided in the first controller 21. The control unit 13 provided in the device 10 refers to the permission list 23 of the first controller 21 when receiving the control information, and determines whether or not to perform processing corresponding to the control information.

  In the control information, since the identification information of the first controller 21 and the second controller 22 is usually indicated by a transmission source address, it is only an IP address. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, separately from the IP address that is the transmission source address, the classification information in which the manufacturer code and the product code are combined with the identification information is registered in the permission list 23. Table 1 shows an example of the permission list 23 in which the manufacturer code and the product code are registered.

  The control unit 13 extracts the manufacturer code and the product code from the control information received by the communication unit 12 from the first controller 21 or the second controller 22, and collates with the permission list 23. Here, if the combination of the collated manufacturer code and product code is registered in the permission list 23, the control unit 13 performs processing corresponding to the corresponding control information. The classification information registered in the permission list 23 may include, in addition to the identification information, a combination that considers only the manufacturer code and does not consider the product code.

  The classification information corresponding to the first controller 21 and the second controller 22 may include a manufacturing number in addition to the manufacturer code and the product code as shown in Table 2. The combination of the manufacturer code and the product code is unlikely to be the same within the range of the house 40, but may be the same. On the other hand, if the classification information includes a production number, the classification information becomes completely unique.

  In the present embodiment, the manufacturer code, the product code, and the serial number are set to confirm that the control information received by the device 10 is within the range of the first controller 21 and the second controller 22. Yes. The example shown in Table 1 or Table 2 is a part of the permission list 23, and the permission list 23 includes other information. Other information will be described later.

  Although not shown in Tables 1 and 2, in the permission list 23, an IP address can be registered as a transmission source address that is identification information of the transmission source. When the IP address included in the control information received from the communication unit 12 does not exist in the permission list 23 and the classification information excluding the identification information exists in the permission list 23, the control unit 13 adds the corresponding IP address to the permission list. 23. After the IP address is registered in the permission list 23, the control unit 13 may determine whether to receive control information using only the IP address. However, since the permission list 23 is desirably updated in a timely manner, the control unit 13 desirably updates the IP address at an appropriate time interval even when processing for receiving control information using only the IP address is performed.

  Incidentally, the combination of the first condition and the second condition described above is also registered in the permission list 23. As described above, the first condition is a condition as to whether or not the power consumption of the device 10 is limited, and the second condition is a condition related to the control content.

  When the power consumption of the device 10 is limited by the determination result of the first condition, the control unit 13 invalidates the control information from the second controller 22 except for a specific control content. When the control information from the second controller 22 is invalidated, the control unit 13 desirably returns a message notifying that the power consumption is limited by the DR information to the second controller 22. When the second controller 22 is a terminal device, if the returned message is displayed on the display, it can be presented to the user of the second controller 22 together with the reason that the control is invalid.

  When the power consumption of the device 10 is not limited by the determination result of the first condition, the control unit 13 validates both the control information from the first controller 21 and the control information from the second controller 22. Control information. In this case, the device 10 performs an operation corresponding to the latest control information among the control information from the first controller 21 and the second controller 22.

  When the power consumption of the device 10 is limited by the determination result of the first condition, the control information that is effectively handled among the control information from the second controller 22 is control content that does not change the operation state of the device 10. A control content that does not increase the power consumption of the device 10 is assumed.

  If the control content included in the control information represents a status acquisition (GET if ECHONET-Lite), not only the control information from the first controller 21 but also the control information from the second controller 22 is included. In contrast, the operating state of the device 10 can be returned. In this case, since only the operation state of the device 10 is acquired, the operation state of the device 10 is not changed, and as a result, the power consumption of the device 10 is not increased. Therefore, the device 10 operates according to the control information. Is possible.

  Further, although the control content included in the control information represents an instruction related to the operation state of the device 10, when the power consumption of the device 10 is not increased, the operation of the main function unit 11 is controlled by the control information from the second controller 22. Can be controlled. In the case of ECHONET-Lite, this control content is specified using a property and a property value. Specifically, the control content is such that the set temperature is changed to 28 ° C. when the air conditioner 101 is performing the cooling operation and the set temperature is 27 ° C. corresponding to the DR information. The content is equivalent.

  As described above, when the control unit 13 limits the power consumption of the device 10 based on the determination result for the first condition, the control content of the control information indicates acquisition of the operating state of the device 10, and the device 10. The case where the power consumption is not increased is determined as the second condition. In this case, if the second condition is satisfied, both the control information from the first controller 21 and the control information from the second controller 22 are valid. That is, such a combination of the first condition and the second condition is registered in the permission list 23, and the control unit 13 of the device 10 checks the control information against the permission list 23 when receiving the control information. Thus, it is determined whether the control information is valid.

  For example, if the first condition is satisfied when the device 10 is the air conditioner 101 and performs a cooling operation, the control content instructing to lower the set temperature does not satisfy the second condition. 13 does not accept this control information. Further, when the device 10 is the power storage device 104 and the first condition is satisfied, the control content instructing charging does not satisfy the second condition, and therefore the control unit 13 does not accept the control information.

  As described above, when the communication unit 12 receives the control information in the device 10, the control unit 13 collates the identification information of the transmission source included in the control information with the permission list 23. Further, if the classification information is registered in the permission list 23, the control unit 13 checks the operation state at the time of receiving the control information and the control content included in the control information against the permission list 23, and the first condition And the second condition are also determined. The control unit 13 determines a response to the control information using the result of the collation with the permission list 23.

  In the configuration described above, when the device 10 receives the control information, it makes an inquiry to the first controller 21. Therefore, during this period, the control unit 13 determines whether or not to perform processing corresponding to the control information. Not decided. Therefore, during the period from when the communication unit 12 receives the control information to when the control unit 13 determines to perform processing corresponding to the control information, the device 10 is not controlled according to the control information.

  The information registered in the permission list 23 may be registered before the first controller 21 is shipped, but is downloaded from the host device 31 before or during use of the first controller 21. You may do it. In this case, the permission list 23 is desirably updated at an appropriate time interval. For example, the classification information included in the permission list 23 can be changed as appropriate. Also, the rules given as a combination of the first condition and the second condition can be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, it is desirable that the contents of the permission list 23 can be set by the user.

  With the above configuration, for example, when the first controller 21 and the device 10 are products of the same manufacturer and the second controller 22 is a product of another manufacturer, the second controller 22 causes the device 10 to be The possibility of inadvertent control is reduced. Further, the control information includes control details for changing the operation state of the device 10, and control information for increasing the power consumption of the device 10 from the second controller 22 during a period when the power consumption of the device 10 is limited. Becomes invalid. As a result, when the reduction of power consumption is instructed by DR information or the like, it is possible to prevent receiving control information of control contents that increase power consumption.

  In addition, when the control information from the second controller 22 becomes invalid in a state where the reduction of power consumption is instructed by DR information or the like, the power consumption is limited to the second controller 22. It is desirable to present information indicating That is, when an instruction is given from the second controller 22 to the device 10 during power saving using DR information or the like, it is desirable to notify the second controller 22 that it cannot be controlled. Even during power saving due to DR information or the like, the control signal from the first controller 21 is effectively handled, and even if the control signal is from the second controller 22, the power consumption of the device 10 If it is not increased, it should be treated effectively.

  An example of the operation described above is shown in FIG. When the communication unit 12 receives the control information in the device 10 (S11), the control unit 13 determines whether or not the source IP address is registered (S12). If the IP address exists (S12: Y), it is checked against the permission list 23 (S13), and the control unit 13 determines whether the control information is valid or invalid by making a condition determination based on the permission list 23. (S14). The content determined by the control unit 13 is returned to the transmission source of the control information (S15).

  On the other hand, when the IP address is not registered in step S12 (S12: N), the control unit 13 collates the identification information of the control information with the permission list 23 (S16), and extracts the classification information including the identification information ( S17). When the classification information exists in the permission list 23 (S17: Y), the control unit 13 determines whether the control information is valid or invalid by making a condition determination based on the permission list 23 (S14). If the classification information does not exist in the permission list 23 in step S17 (S17: N), the control unit 13 invalidates the control information (S18), and returns that the control information is invalidated to the transmission source of the control information. (S19).

  As described above, the remotely operated device 10 in this embodiment includes the communication unit 12, the main function unit 11, and the control unit 13. The communication unit 12 receives control information, and the main function unit 11 operates according to the control content included in the control information received by the communication unit 12. The control unit 13 determines processing for the control information received by the communication unit 12. Further, the control unit 13 is a combination of source classification information including identification information of the transmission source of the control information, the operation state of the main function unit 11 at the time of receiving the control information, and the control content included in the control information Based on the above, it is determined whether or not to perform processing corresponding to the control content included in the control information.

  According to this configuration, this embodiment can limit the transmission source device based on the classification information. Further, in the present embodiment, not only the transmission source device but also the operation state at the time when control information is received, the control content included in the control information, combined with the classification information, and the process corresponding to the control content included in the control information It is possible to determine whether or not to perform. For example, when the device 10 is the power storage device 104, the control information can execute a monitoring request for operation during charging or discharging as the control content, but switching between charging and discharging is performed. Can be prohibited.

  When the communication unit 12 receives the control information, the control unit 13 is configured to refer to the permission list 23 and determine whether to perform processing corresponding to the control content included in the control information. It is desirable. The permission list 23 includes a combination of source classification information including identification information of a control information transmission source, an operation state of the main function unit 11 at the time of receiving the control information, and a control content included in the control information. This is associated with whether or not to perform processing corresponding to the control content included in the control information.

  That is, when receiving the control information, the control unit 13 can easily determine whether or not to perform processing corresponding to the control content included in the control information by referring to the permission list 23. In addition, if the contents of the permission list 23 can be changed, it is possible to flexibly change the devices (for example, the first controller 21 and the second controller 22) that receive control information.

  For example, when communication with the device 10 is standardized using an open communication specification such as ECHONET-Lite, in addition to the first controller 21 that is a HEMS controller, a second controller 22 such as a smartphone is provided. May be provided. Even in this configuration, the permission list 23 is set so as to prevent the operation state of the device 10 whose power consumption is suppressed by the first controller 21 from being changed by the control signal from the second controller 22. Is possible.

  Moreover, the control part 13 should just perform the process corresponding to the control content contained in control information, when the control information which the communication part 12 received is the control content which does not increase energy consumption. According to this configuration, for example, during the period when power is saved by DR information, it is possible to prohibit control information including control contents in a direction in which energy consumption increases by control information, and to maintain a power saving state. Become.

  On the other hand, if the control information received by the communication unit 12 is control content that increases energy consumption, the control unit 13 responds to the control content if the classification information of the transmission source of the control information is specific classification information. You may make it perform the process to perform. According to this configuration, even if the control information increases energy consumption, if the control information is from a specific permitted device (for example, the first controller 21), the corresponding processing is not prohibited. I do. Therefore, for example, even during power saving, sufficient energy can be secured for the required device 10.

  Here, in addition to the identification information of the transmission source of the control information, the classification information preferably includes information on the manufacturer of the device that is the transmission source and the type of product. With this configuration, it is possible to use such as prohibiting a general user from giving control information to the device 10 and permitting an operator who performs maintenance of the device 10 to give control information to the device 10. That is, it is possible to provide convenience during construction and maintenance of the device 10.

  The control unit 13 preferably has a function of storing identification information of a transmission source of control information received by the communication unit 12. Further, when the control unit 13 does not store the identification information of the transmission source included in the control information received by the communication unit 12, the control unit 13 inquires the classification information to the transmission source of the identification information, and if the classification information is specific classification information. For example, it is desirable to store identification information.

  In this configuration, when the control unit 13 receives control information from an unknown device in which identification information is not registered, the control unit 13 inquires the transmission source for classification information, and stores the identification information if it exists in the permission list 23. Therefore, even if the identification information is changed, the control unit 13 can determine whether or not to perform processing corresponding to the control information.

  In the configuration example described above, the configuration example in which the permission list 23 is provided in the first controller 21 and the first controller 21 is inquired when the device 10 receives control information has been described. You may employ | adopt the structure provided with. In this case, the device 10 has the permission list 23 without setting the conditions for each device 10 in the permission list 23 in the first controller 21, thereby reducing the processing load on the first controller 21. In addition, the amount of communication between the first controller 21 and the device 10 may be reduced.

  Moreover, the control system illustrated by HEMS mentioned above is a control system provided with the controller (1st controller 21, 2nd controller 22) for controlling the apparatus 10 and the apparatus 10, for example, Comprising: Transmits control information including control contents for controlling the device 10 and identification information of the controller. The device 10 receives the control information transmitted from the controller, and the communication unit 12 receives the control information. Main function unit 11 that operates according to the control content included in the control information, the classification information of the transmission source including the identification information of the transmission source of the control information received by the communication unit 12, and the time when the control information is received Corresponding to the control content included in the control information based on the combination of the operation state of the main function unit 11 and the control content included in the control information And a control unit 13 that determines whether to sense.

  The control method used in the device 10 is, for example, a control method in the device 10 including the main function unit 11 for operating according to the control content included in the received control information. A first step of receiving control information including identification information, classification information of the transmission source including identification information of the transmission source of the control information received in the first step, and main information at the time of receiving the control information Based on the combination of the operation state of the functional unit 11 and the control content included in the control information, a second step of determining whether to perform processing corresponding to the control content included in the control information is included.

  Moreover, the apparatus 10 may be configured to include software in addition to hardware. That is, the device 10 may include a processor and a memory and be configured to execute a program. The program according to an aspect of the present invention, for example, sends the control content and the transmission source identification information to the processor in the device 10 including the main function unit 11 for operating according to the control content included in the received control information. The first step of receiving the control information including the classification information of the transmission source including the identification information of the transmission source of the control information received in the first step, and the main function unit 11 at the time of receiving the control information A control process (control method) including a second step for determining whether or not to perform the process corresponding to the control content included in the control information based on the combination of the operation state and the control content included in the control information ). Further, the program may be recorded on a recording medium and distributed or distributed. For example, by installing the distributed program in the apparatus and causing the CPU (processor) of the apparatus to execute the program, it is possible to cause the apparatus to perform all or part of the control processing (control method).

  The above-described embodiment is an example of the present invention. For this reason, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made according to design and the like as long as the technical idea according to the present invention is not deviated from this embodiment. Of course, it can be changed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Apparatus 11 Main function part 12 Communication part 13 Control part 21 1st controller 22 2nd controller 23 Permitted list

Claims (11)

A communication unit for receiving control information;
A main functional unit that operates according to the control content included in the control information received by the communication unit;
A control unit for determining processing for the control information received by the communication unit,
The controller is
When the communication unit receives the control information, refer to the permission list , determine whether to perform processing corresponding to the control content included in the control information ,
The allow list is:
A combination of the classification information of the transmission source including identification information of the transmission source of the control information, the operation state of the main function unit at the time of receiving the control information, and the control content included in the control information, Corresponding to whether or not to perform processing corresponding to the control content included in the control information.
Remotely operated equipment. A communication unit for receiving control information;
A main functional unit that operates according to the control content included in the control information received by the communication unit;
A control unit for determining processing for the control information received by the communication unit,
The controller is
Based on a combination of the classification information of the transmission source including the identification information of the transmission source of the control information, the operating state of the main function unit at the time of receiving the control information, and the control content included in the control information Determining whether or not to perform processing corresponding to the control content included in the control information,
When the control information received by the communication unit is control content that does not increase energy consumption, processing corresponding to the control content included in the control information is performed.
Equipment to be far-interval operation. A communication unit for receiving control information;
A main functional unit that operates according to the control content included in the control information received by the communication unit;
A control unit for determining processing for the control information received by the communication unit,
The controller is
Based on a combination of the classification information of the transmission source including the identification information of the transmission source of the control information, the operating state of the main function unit at the time of receiving the control information, and the control content included in the control information Determining whether or not to perform processing corresponding to the control content included in the control information,
When the control information received by the communication unit is control content that increases energy consumption, if the classification information of the transmission source of the control information is specific classification information, processing corresponding to the control content I do
Equipment to be far-interval operation. A communication unit for receiving control information;
A main functional unit that operates according to the control content included in the control information received by the communication unit;
A control unit for determining processing for the control information received by the communication unit,
The controller is
Based on a combination of the classification information of the transmission source including the identification information of the transmission source of the control information, the operating state of the main function unit at the time of receiving the control information, and the control content included in the control information Determining whether or not to perform processing corresponding to the control content included in the control information,
The classification information is
In addition to the identification information of the transmission source of the control information, information on the manufacturer of the device that is the transmission source and the type of product is included.
Equipment to be far-interval operation. A communication unit for receiving control information;
A main functional unit that operates according to the control content included in the control information received by the communication unit;
A control unit for determining processing for the control information received by the communication unit,
The controller is
Based on a combination of the classification information of the transmission source including the identification information of the transmission source of the control information, the operating state of the main function unit at the time of receiving the control information, and the control content included in the control information Determining whether or not to perform processing corresponding to the control content included in the control information,
A function of storing the identification information of the transmission source of the control information received by the communication unit;
When the identification information of the transmission source included in the control information received by the communication unit is not stored, the classification information is inquired to the transmission source of the identification information, and the classification information is specific classification information. For example, the identification information is stored.
Equipment to be far-interval operation. The remotely operated device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
And a controller for controlling the device to be the remote control
Control system. A control method in a device including a main function unit for operating according to control content included in received control information,
A first step of receiving control information including control content and source identification information;
Upon receiving the control information in the first step, with reference to the permission list, looking contains a second step of determining whether to perform the processing corresponding to the control content included in the control information,
The allow list is:
A combination of the classification information of the transmission source including identification information of the transmission source of the control information, the operation state of the main function unit at the time of receiving the control information, and the control content included in the control information, A control method associated with whether or not to perform processing corresponding to the control content included in the control information .   A control method in a device including a main function unit for operating according to control content included in received control information,
  A first step of receiving control information including control content and source identification information;
  Included in the control information, the classification information of the transmission source including the identification information of the transmission source of the control information received in the first step, the operating state of the main function unit at the time of receiving the control information A second step of determining whether to perform a process corresponding to the control content included in the control information based on a combination with the control content;
  A third step of performing a process corresponding to the control content included in the control information when the control information received in the first step is control content that does not increase energy consumption.
  Control method.   A control method in a device including a main function unit for operating according to control content included in received control information,
  A first step of receiving control information including control content and source identification information;
  Included in the control information, the classification information of the transmission source including the identification information of the transmission source of the control information received in the first step, the operating state of the main function unit at the time of receiving the control information A second step of determining whether to perform a process corresponding to the control content included in the control information based on a combination with the control content;
  When the control information received in the first step is control content that increases energy consumption, if the classification information of the transmission source of the control information is specific classification information, it corresponds to the control content A third step of performing a process to
  Control method.   A control method in a device including a main function unit for operating according to control content included in received control information,
  A first step of receiving control information including control content and source identification information;
  Included in the control information, the classification information of the transmission source including the identification information of the transmission source of the control information received in the first step, the operating state of the main function unit at the time of receiving the control information A second step of determining whether to perform a process corresponding to the control content included in the control information based on a combination with the control content,
  The classification information is
  In addition to the identification information of the transmission source of the control information, information on the manufacturer of the device that is the transmission source and the type of product is included.
  Control method.   A control method in a device including a main function unit for operating according to control content included in received control information,
  A first step of receiving control information including control content and source identification information;
  Included in the control information, the classification information of the transmission source including the identification information of the transmission source of the control information received in the first step, the operating state of the main function unit at the time of receiving the control information A second step of determining whether to perform a process corresponding to the control content included in the control information based on a combination with the control content;
  When the identification information of the transmission source included in the control information received in the first step is not stored, the classification information is inquired to the transmission source of the identification information, and the classification information is specific classification information. If so, a third step of storing the identification information is included.
  Control method.

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