WO2016186106A1 - Electronic apparatus control system, electronic apparatus control method, and communication terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the present invention, an electronic apparatus control device attached to an electronic apparatus acquires the state of the electronic apparatus, and wirelessly transmits the state information to a communication terminal when the acquired state is a prescribed state. The communication terminal, having received the state information, outputs information for accepting input on the basis of the received state information. Then, when user input for the outputted information is accepted by the communication terminal, the inputted information is wirelessly transmitted from the communication terminal to the electronic apparatus control device. The electronic apparatus control device generates a control signal based on the inputted information and controls the state of the electronic apparatus.

Description

Electronic device control system, electronic device control method, and communication terminal

The present invention relates to an electronic device control system and an electronic device control method including a communication terminal that receives a beacon signal transmitted from a beacon device, and a communication terminal applied to the system, for example.

In recent years, electronic devices such as home appliances, which are called Internet home appliances and smart home appliances, have a communication function and are improved in convenience by being linked with other devices, have attracted attention. For example, a method has been proposed in which an electronic device can be connected to a network to perform communication, and a communication terminal connected to the network can control the electronic device via the network or change settings (for example, Patent Document 1).

The technique described in Patent Document 1 is to incorporate (or connect) a communication module that communicates with a communication terminal in an electronic device to be controlled. Then, a command issued by a communication terminal connected to the network is received by a communication module built in (or connected to) the electronic device, and a signal corresponding to a user operation is output to the electronic device according to the received command. . As a result, the electronic device can be remotely controlled from the network side without greatly modifying the control program for the electronic device.

JP 2013-191918 A

In the technique described in Patent Literature 1, when an electronic device is controlled from the network side, a user actively operates a communication terminal to supply a control signal to the electronic device in a home or the like. .

For example, in order for a user to actively operate through a communication terminal such as a smartphone, the user turns on the communication terminal, starts an application for inputting the operation, and inputs the operation. The procedure was necessary and complicated. In addition, it takes time to start an application and to communicate with an electronic device to be operated, which is not convenient for the user.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device control system, an electronic device control method, and a communication terminal capable of remotely controlling an electronic device accurately and timely without requiring a complicated procedure for the user. And

The electronic device control system of the present invention is an electronic device control system including an electronic device, an electronic device control apparatus, and a communication terminal.
The electronic device control device is a state information acquisition unit that acquires state information according to the state of the electronic device, wireless communication between the communication terminal, and a control device side communication unit that transmits the state information to the communication terminal; A control unit that generates a control signal for causing the electronic device to perform a predetermined operation in response to an input from the communication terminal received via the control device side communication unit, and supplies the control signal to the electronic device.
The communication terminal performs wireless communication with the electronic device control device, receives a terminal-side communication unit that receives state information, an output unit that outputs information that receives input corresponding to the received state information, and information that receives input And an input unit that transmits the received input information to the electronic device control apparatus via the terminal-side communication unit.

The electronic device control method of the present invention is an electronic device control method applied to a system including an electronic device, an electronic device control device, and a communication terminal.
In the electronic device control device, a state information acquisition process for acquiring state information according to the state of the electronic device, a control device side communication process for performing wireless communication with the communication terminal and transmitting the state information to the communication terminal, In response to the input received from the communication terminal, a control signal for causing the electronic device to perform a predetermined operation is generated and supplied to the electronic device.
In the communication terminal, wireless communication is performed with the electronic device control apparatus, the terminal-side communication process for receiving the state information, the output process for outputting the information corresponding to the received state information, and the input are received. An input corresponding to the information is received, and an input process for transmitting the received input information to the electronic device control apparatus is performed.

The communication terminal of the present invention performs wireless communication with the electronic device control apparatus, and outputs a communication unit that receives state information corresponding to the state of the electronic device, and information that receives an input corresponding to the received state information. And an input unit that receives an input corresponding to the information that receives the input and transmits the received input information to the electronic device control apparatus via the communication unit.

According to the present invention, the communication terminal that has received the state information according to the state of the electronic device can output information for receiving an input according to the state, and an appropriate operation according to the current state of the electronic device can be performed, The user can do it easily.

1 is an overall view showing a system configuration example according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the connection procedure of the radio | wireless communication by the 1st Example of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the example of the process sequence by the 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the notification table by the 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display with the communication terminal by the 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of operation control of the aroma diffuser by the 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the notification table by the 2nd Example of this invention. It is a state transition diagram according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display with the communication terminal by the 2nd Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of operation control of the food processor by the 2nd Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the notification table by the 3rd Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display with the communication terminal by the 3rd Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of operation control of the food processor by the 3rd Example of this invention. It is a whole figure which shows the system configuration example by the 4th Example of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the example of the process sequence by the 4th Example of this invention.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, an electronic device control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[1-1. Example of overall system configuration]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of an electronic device control system 100 according to the first embodiment.
An electronic device control system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes an electronic device 110 that can be remotely controlled, an electronic device control device 120 attached to the electronic device 110, and a communication terminal 150. The electronic device control device 120 and the communication terminal 150 perform short-range wireless communication by adopting a standard called Bluetooth LE (Low Energy) which is one of the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standards. An example of performing communication according to the Bluetooth LE standard will be described later.

As an example of the electronic device 110, an aroma diffuser is used here. The aroma diffuser is a device that diffuses water containing oil with attached scent called aroma oil into the room to fill the room with scent and humidify it. The use of the aroma diffuser is an example, and the electronic device 110 provided in the electronic device control system 100 may be other various electronic devices.

The electronic device control device 120 has a function of monitoring an operation state of the electronic device 110 and transmitting a control signal instructing an operation of the electronic device 110. That is, the electronic device control apparatus 120 includes a state information acquisition unit 121, receives a state notification output from the electronic device 110, and acquires the state of the electronic device 110.

That is, the electronic device 110 has various sensors built in, and the state of the electronic device is measured by the various sensors. Then, the measured state is notified from the electronic device 110 to the electronic device control device 120. Here, the state of the electronic device 110 may be a state such as an operation mode of the electronic device 110 itself or a state such as a remaining amount of water in a tank in the electronic device 110 (aroma diffuser). Also includes the state of the environment around the electronic device 110 (illuminance, humidity, temperature, etc.). A specific example of the state of the electronic device 110 that is an aroma diffuser will be described later.

The above-described state of the electronic device 110 acquired by the state information acquisition unit 121 of the electronic device control apparatus 120 is supplied to the determination unit 124. The determination unit 124 compares the supplied state of the electronic device 110 with the information in the notification table (see FIG. 4) stored in the storage unit 122, and determines whether or not the communication terminal 150 needs to be notified. Judgment is made. When the determination unit 124 determines that notification is necessary, the state information is notified to the communication terminal 150 via the control device side communication unit 125 by wireless transmission.

Further, when the control device side communication unit 125 receives some input information wirelessly transmitted from the communication terminal 150, the control device side communication unit 125 supplies the received input information to the control unit 123.
The control unit 123 generates a control signal for the electronic device 110 according to the content of the received input information, and transmits the generated control signal to the electronic device 110. When the control unit 123 generates this control signal, the storage information stored in the storage unit 122 is referred to. The electronic device 110 that has received the control signal executes an operation instructed by the control signal.

Here, status notification from the electronic device 110 to the electronic device control device 120 and transmission of a control signal from the electronic device control device 120 to the electronic device 110 may use either wired transmission or wireless transmission. . For example, when direct data transfer is possible between an operation control unit (not shown) in the electronic device 110 and the electronic device control apparatus 120, the above-described state notification and control signal transmission are performed using a cable. Can do. Alternatively, for example, the state of the electronic device 110 may be detected by detecting a lighting state of a pilot lamp attached to the electronic device 110 by the state information acquisition unit 121 of the electronic device control apparatus 120. Further, regarding the transmission of the control signal from the control unit 123 to the electronic device 110, a wireless signal, an infrared signal, a visible light signal, or the like can be used in addition to the transmission using a wired cable.

As the communication terminal 150, here, a portable wireless communication terminal called a smartphone is used. A smartphone is a communication terminal capable of mounting various application programs.
The communication terminal 150 includes a terminal side communication unit 151, a processing unit 152, an input unit 153, an output unit 154, and a storage unit 155. The storage unit 155 stores an application program for device control prepared by the electronic device control system 100.

The terminal side communication unit 151 of the communication terminal 150 performs wireless communication with the control device side communication unit 125 of the electronic device control device 120. Through this wireless communication, the terminal-side communication unit 151 receives the status information of the electronic device 110 and supplies it to the processing unit 152.
In the processing unit 152, information that accepts input such as input screen information corresponding to the obtained state information is acquired from the storage data of the storage unit 155. Information that receives the input acquired by the processing unit 152 is output to the output unit 154. For example, when the information for accepting input is information on a screen for accepting input (input screen), a screen for accepting the corresponding input is displayed on the display unit constituting the output unit 154. Further, when the information for accepting the input is audio information, the corresponding audio is output from the audio output unit constituting the output unit 154.

When the communication terminal 150 outputs information for receiving input from the output unit 154 and there is an input from the user to the input unit 153, the input information received by the input unit 153 is changed to the processing unit 152. Is supplied to the terminal-side communication unit 151. For example, when there is an input by a touch operation such as a button on the screen or an input by a user's voice, the input information is supplied to the terminal side communication unit 151 via the processing unit 152. Then, the input information sent to the terminal side communication unit 151 is wirelessly transmitted to the control device side communication unit 125 of the electronic device control apparatus 120.
Note that the processing in each unit of the communication terminal 150 is performed by executing an application program stored in the storage unit 155.

[1-2. Wireless communication connection procedure]
FIG. 2 shows an example of a connection procedure when wireless transmission is performed between the electronic device control apparatus 120 and the communication terminal 150.
Here, data transfer between the electronic device control apparatus 120 and the communication terminal 150 is performed by short-range wireless communication of the Bluetooth LE standard defined by the Bluetooth 4.0 standard. In this Bluetooth LE standard, since the packet transmission interval is longer than in the normal Bluetooth standard, communication is possible with very low power.

Referring to the connection sequence shown in FIG. 2, the control device side communication unit 125 of the electronic device control device 120 transmits a first advertisement packet (ADV IND: ADVertising INDication) for accepting a connection request to the surroundings (step S1). . The first advertisement packet is repeatedly transmitted at a relatively long interval. For example, the control device side communication unit 125 transmits the first advertisement packet in step S2 after a predetermined time from transmitting the first advertisement packet in step S1.

Here, it is assumed that the electronic device control apparatus 120 has acquired the state information of the electronic device 110 after transmitting the first advertisement packet in step S2. At this time, the control device side communication unit 125 of the electronic device control device 120 transmits the second advertisement packet including the state information (step S3). The second advertisement packet including this status information is a packet that does not accept a connection request (ADV NONCONN IND: ADVertising NONCONNectable INDication). The second advertisement packet is a packet for notifying state information, and is also referred to as a beacon signal.

When the terminal-side communication unit 151 of the communication terminal 150 that has received the second advertisement packet including the state information transmits input information to the electronic device control apparatus 120, the following procedure is performed. A response packet (CONNECT REQ: CONNECTION REQUEST) is transmitted when a first advertisement packet transmitted from the control device side communication unit 125 is received in step S4 after the second advertisement packet is transmitted in step S3. (Step S5). When the control device side communication unit 125 receives this response packet, the control device side communication unit 125 establishes a connection (GATT connection: Generic ATTribute profile connection) with the terminal side communication unit 151 (step S6).
And the terminal side communication part 151 transmits input information with respect to the control apparatus side communication part 125 in the state by which GATT connection was performed (step S7).
The GATT connection is a communication method defined by the generic attribute profile of the Bluetooth LE standard. In order to form a GATT connection, basically, one device transmits a packet that accepts a connection request, and the other device returns a packet that requests a connection. The first advertisement packet described above is a packet that accepts a connection request for GATT connection, and a response packet is a packet that requests connection. Upon reception of the response packet, the GATT connection state is established. Further, the second advertisement packet described above is a packet that does not accept a GATT connection request.

In this way, status information is notified from the electronic device control device 120 to the communication terminal 150 using the Bluetooth LE standard, and input information is transmitted from the communication terminal 150 to the electronic device control device 120. Is called.
Note that the communication method shown in FIG. 2 is an example of information transmission, and bidirectional transmission of information is performed between the electronic device control device 120 and the communication terminal 150 using other communication methods. You may make it perform.

[1-3. System processing sequence]
FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of processing performed in the electronic device control system 100.
The electronic device 110 (aroma diffuser) includes a sensor that detects the state of the device, and monitors detection data of the sensor. When any change is detected by monitoring the device state, the electronic device 110 notifies the electronic device control device 120 of the state change (step S11).
This state change notification is acquired by the state information acquisition unit 121 of the electronic device control apparatus 120 (step S12). Here, the determination unit 124 of the electronic device control apparatus 120 determines whether or not the acquired state change is a state change that needs to be notified with reference to the notification table stored in the storage unit 122 (step S13). ). Here, description will be given below assuming that the determination unit 124 determines that the state information acquired by the state information acquisition unit 121 is a state change that needs to be notified to the communication terminal 150.

When it is determined in step S13 that it is necessary to notify, the control device side communication unit 125 of the electronic device control device 120 transmits the state information to the communication terminal 150 (step S14). This state information is transmitted, for example, as a second advertisement packet (ADV NONCONN IND: beacon signal) shown in step S3 of FIG. The state information transmitted by the electronic device control apparatus 120 is information coded according to a predetermined rule, and the coded state information includes information indicating the type and type of the electronic device 110. .

The terminal side communication unit 151 of the communication terminal 150 receives the state information (second advertisement packet) transmitted from the control device side communication unit 125 of the electronic device control device 120 (step S15). When the state information acquisition process for receiving this state information is performed, the processing unit 152 of the communication terminal 150 acquires “information for accepting input” such as an input screen corresponding to the notified state from the storage unit 155 (step S1). S16). And the process part 152 performs the output process which outputs the acquired "information which receives input" to the output part 154 (step S17). For example, the display part which comprises the output part 154 displays the input screen which receives applicable input. Or the audio | voice output part which comprises the output part 154 outputs the audio | voice which receives an input.

The user who possesses the communication terminal 150 confirms output information such as display and voice in the output unit 154 (step S18), and performs operation input corresponding to “information for accepting input” if necessary (step S19). For example, a user who has confirmed a screen that accepts input performs a touch operation on the screen. Alternatively, the user who has confirmed the voice guidance for accepting input gives instructions by voice toward the microphone included in the input unit 153.
The communication terminal 150 that has acquired the operation input corresponding to these “information for accepting input” transmits the input information from the terminal-side communication unit 151 (step S20). This transmission of input information corresponds to the transmission of a packet in step S7 in FIG. 2, for example.

In the electronic device control apparatus 120 that has received the input information transmitted in step S20, the control unit 123 generates a control signal corresponding to the input information. At this time, for example, stored information in the storage unit 122 is referred to, and a control signal corresponding to the input information is generated.
And the control signal produced | generated by the control part 123 is supplied to the electronic device 110 from the electronic device control apparatus 120 (step S21).
The electronic device 110 that has received the control signal performs an operation corresponding to the control signal (step S22).

[1-4. Specific operation example of electronic device]
Next, an example of the state of the aroma diffuser (humidifier) that is the electronic device 110 and the notification state by the communication terminal 150 will be described.
The aroma diffuser is a device that diffuses water containing oil with attached scent called aroma oil into the room to fill the room with scent and humidify it. Here, the electronic device control apparatus 120 uses the water level information detected by the water level sensor in the tank in the electronic device 110 and the illuminance information of the installation environment detected by the illuminance sensor in the electronic device 110 as the device state information. Get as.

FIG. 4 is an example of a notification table stored in the storage unit 122 of the electronic device control apparatus 120 in this case.
As shown in FIG. 4, the notification table includes an “electronic device status” item, a “status information” code item indicating the status, an “output information” item, and an “input request” item. And have.
For example, the items of “electronic device state” include a state in which the water level sensor detects a remaining amount of 30% or less, a state in which the water level sensor detects a remaining amount of 0, a state in which the illuminance sensor detects turn-off of a room, Four conditions are set for detecting the lighting of the room. In the “status information” code item, a code assigned to each state is set. In the item “output information”, information (character information) for outputting (displaying) each state by the output unit 154 of the communication terminal 150 is set. Note that “no notification” is set for output information corresponding to the state in which the illuminance sensor detects lighting of the room.

Also, for the “input request” item, information requesting input corresponding to each state is set. In the “input request” item, “no” is entered in the fields corresponding to the state where the water level sensor detects 0 remaining amount and the state where the illuminance sensor detects lighting of the room, and no input request is made. .

FIG. 5 shows display examples of the output unit (display unit) 154 of the communication terminal 150 in each state when the notification table is set as shown in FIG.
For example, when the water level sensor of the electronic device 110 detects the remaining amount of 30% or less and the code “A0001” is notified as the status information, as shown in the upper left of FIG. 5, the notification display 211 and the operation button display 212 Is done. As the notification display 211, “small remaining amount of water is 30% or less. Do you want to stop the aroma diffuser?” Is displayed. As the operation button display 212, “Aroma diffuser power OFF” is displayed. The input unit 153 of the communication terminal 150 receives a touch by the user at the display location of the operation button as an input.

Further, when the water level sensor of the electronic device 110 detects the remaining amount 0 and the code “A0002” is notified as the status information, a notification display 221 is performed as shown in the upper right of FIG. In this case, as the notification display 221, “the remaining amount of water is less than 0% and the aroma diffuser has stopped” is displayed. In this example, since the electronic device 110 detects zero remaining amount and automatically stops the operation, a screen for accepting input is not displayed.

When the illumination sensor of the electronic device 110 detects that the room is turned off and the code “A0003” is notified as the status information, as shown in the lower left of FIG. 5, a notification display 231 and operation button displays 232 to 235 are displayed. Is done. As the notification display 231, “The room has become darker. Do you want to set the OFF timer?” Is displayed. On the operation button displays 232 and 233, buttons for setting the time and minutes of the OFF timer and their set values are displayed. In addition, “OK” and “Cancel” are displayed on the operation button displays 234 and 235. The input unit 153 of the communication terminal 150 receives a touch by the user at the display location of these operation buttons as an input.

FIG. 6 shows an operation control example of the electronic device 110 (aroma diffuser) by the electronic device control device 120 when the input unit 153 of the communication terminal 150 detects input information by a user's touch operation. For example, as shown in the upper left of FIG. 5, when the aroma diffuser power OFF operation button display 212 is touched, the electronic device control device 120 transmits a power OFF control signal to the electronic device 110. Further, as shown in the lower left of FIG. 5, when the operation button display 234 for determining the OFF timer is touched, the electronic device control apparatus 120 performs control to turn off the power after a time specified for the electronic device 110. Send a signal.

According to the electronic device control system 100 of the first embodiment, the user can use the communication terminal 150 to easily and appropriately control the operation of the aroma diffuser (humidifier). In other words, the communication terminal 150 automatically displays a state change notification in conjunction with the state change such as the remaining amount of the water tank of the aroma diffuser and the turn-off of the room where the aroma diffuser is installed. The input information prompting the necessary operation is displayed.

For example, when the remaining amount of the water tank decreases, the communication terminal 150 displays the operation button for “Aroma diffuser power OFF” as described above, and the user confirms the display and simultaneously stops the aroma diffuser. The operation can be performed immediately by a touch operation on the display screen. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to start an application for operating the aroma diffuser, which has been required in the past, and to perform operations in a number of steps for displaying the required operation screen, and it is very simple and appropriate to perform the aroma. You can now operate the diffuser.

<2. Second Embodiment>
Next, an electronic device control system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The overall configuration of the electronic device control system of the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as the example of FIG. 1 of the first embodiment, and the wireless communication connection procedure and processing procedure sequence are also the same. Since it is the same as the example of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 of the first embodiment, its description is omitted. The second embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in that a food processor is used as the electronic device 110.

[2-1. Example of food processor notification table]
FIG. 7 shows an example of a notification table stored in the storage unit 122 of the electronic device control apparatus 120 of this example.
As shown in FIG. 7, the notification table includes an “electronic device status” item, a “status information” code item indicating the status, an “output information” item, and an “input request” item. Have
For example, as the “electronic device state” item, the power ON state, the cooking end state, and the power OFF state are set. In the “status information” code item, a code assigned to each state is set. However, the power OFF state information is a state in which the communication terminal 150 is not notified, and no code is set.
Regarding the item “output information”, output information corresponding to the power-on state is information on the main operation screen, and output information corresponding to the cooking end state is cooking end information.
Further, as an item of “request for input”, an input by menu selection based on the display of the main operation screen is requested. The main operation screen is a screen whose display content transitions according to the user's operation. When the user performs a predetermined operation on the screen, the operation content is sent from the communication terminal 150 to the electronic device control device 120, and the electronic operation screen is displayed. The operation of the device (food processor) 110 is controlled.

[2-2. State transition example of the main operation screen]
FIG. 8 is a state transition diagram when the output unit (display unit) 154 of the communication terminal 150 displays the main operation screen. FIG. 9 shows examples of display screens in the respective states.
The communication terminal 150 displays a main operation screen (first screen) in response to a change in the power ON state (step S31). On the main operation screen (first screen), a notification display 241 and operation button displays 242, 243, and 244 are displayed as shown in the upper left of FIG. In the notification display 241, “Please select a food processor menu” is displayed. In the operation button displays 242, 243, and 244, “today's recommended recipe”, “specify material”, and “power OFF” are displayed, respectively.

Here, when the operation button display 242 of “today's recommended recipe” is touched, the display screen changes to a second screen displaying “today's recommended recipe” (step S32).
On the second screen, as shown in the upper right of FIG. 9, notification displays 251 and 252 and operation button displays 253 and 254 are performed. In the notification display 251, the title of “Today's recommended recipe” is displayed. In the notification display 252, the specific content of “recipe A” is displayed. In the operation button displays 253 and 254, “OK” and “Cancel” are displayed, respectively.
The specific contents of “recipe A” may be received by the communication terminal 150 from the electronic device control apparatus 120 or stored by the storage unit 155 of the communication terminal 150. Or the communication terminal 150 may access an external server and acquire the specific content of "recipe A" like the example of FIG. 14 mentioned later.

When the “OK” operation button display 253 is touched while the second screen is displayed, the communication terminal 150 sends the cooking information of the corresponding “recipe A” to the electronic device control device 120. Then, the operation state (cooking state) of the electronic device (food processor) 110 is set to the one corresponding to “recipe A” by the control signal from the electronic device control device 120 (step S35).

When the operation button display 243 on the main operation screen (first screen) is touched, the display screen changes to a third screen that displays a “material selection screen” (step S33).
On the third screen, as shown in the lower left of FIG. 9, a notification display 261 and operation button displays 262 to 266 are performed. The notification display 261 displays a title “Please specify material”. In the operation button displays 262 to 265, material names “apple”, “strawberry”, “banana”, and “mandarin” are displayed, respectively. The operation button display 266 displays “Cancel”.

In the state where the third screen is displayed, when the operation button display 262 to 265 of any of the material names is touched, the display screen of the communication terminal 150 displays the recipe of the corresponding material name. It changes to the 4th screen to display (step S34).
On the fourth screen, as shown in the lower right of FIG. 9, notification displays 271 and 272 and operation button displays 273 and 274 are displayed. The notification display 271 displays a title corresponding to the selected material such as “recipe using apples”. The notification display 272 displays the specific content of “recipe B”, which is a recipe for the selected material. In the operation button displays 273 and 274, “OK” and “Cancel” are displayed, respectively. Note that the recipe of each material on the fourth screen may be, for example, either when the communication terminal 150 receives from the electronic device control apparatus 120 or when the storage unit 155 of the communication terminal 150 stores the recipe.

When the “OK” operation button display 273 is touched while the fourth screen is displayed, the communication terminal 150 sends the cooking information of the corresponding “recipe B” to the electronic device control device 120. Then, the operation state (cooking state) of the electronic device (food processor) 110 is set to the one corresponding to “recipe B” by the control signal from the electronic device control device 120 (step S35).

Further, when the “Cancel” operation button display 254 or 274 is touched while the second screen or the fourth screen is displayed, the communication terminal 150 returns to the display of the main operation screen of the first screen. .
Further, when the “Power OFF” operation button display is touched while the main operation screen of the first screen is displayed, the communication terminal 150 transmits the power OFF input information to the electronic device control device 120. The electronic device control apparatus 120 that has received the power-off input information supplies a power-off control signal to the electronic device (food processor) 110 (step S36).

[2-3. Example of motion control for each material]
FIG. 10 shows an example of recipe and operation control of the food processor when each material is selected on the material selection screen (third screen) of FIG. The operation control procedure is stored in, for example, the storage unit 122 of the electronic device control apparatus 120 or the storage unit 155 of the communication terminal 150.
For example, as input information, cooking with a recipe using strawberries, cooking with a recipe using apples, cooking with a recipe using bananas, cooking with recipes using each material is set. . And the execution procedure of cooking of the corresponding recipe C, recipe B, recipe D, ... is set as each control content. Further, as the contents of the operation of each control content, the rotation speed (low rotation, medium rotation, high rotation, etc.) of the food processor and the operation time are set to correspond to each cooking.
One of the operation controls shown in FIG. 10 is power OFF.

According to the electronic device control system 100 of the second embodiment, the user can easily and appropriately control the operation of the food processor using the communication terminal 150. That is, a screen for automatically selecting the operation of the food processor is displayed on the communication terminal 150 in conjunction with the power on of the food processor, and the user can select details of the material and recipe based on the screen display. Become.
Therefore, the user does not need to start an application for inputting a food processor operation, which has been necessary in the past, and to perform an operation according to a large number of procedures for displaying a necessary operation screen. The food processor can be operated.

<3. Third Embodiment>
Next, an electronic device control system according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The overall configuration of the electronic device control system according to the third embodiment of the present invention is the same as the example of FIG. 1 of the first embodiment, and the wireless communication connection procedure and the sequence of the processing procedure are also the same. Since it is the same as the example of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 of the first embodiment, its description is omitted. In the third embodiment of the present invention, the lighting device is used as the electronic device 110, and the state of communication between the electronic device control device 120 and the communication terminal 150 is used as the state information. 1 different from the first embodiment.
Note that the lighting device used as the electronic device 110 is controlled by the electronic device control device 120 for lighting ON / OFF and brightness. A lighting device uses a light emitting diode, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence), a fluorescent lamp, or the like as a light source.

[3-1. Example of notification table of lighting equipment]
FIG. 11 shows an example of a notification table stored in the storage unit 122 of the electronic device control apparatus 120 of this example.
As shown in FIG. 11, the notification table includes an “electronic device status” item, a “status information” code item indicating the status, an “output information” item, and an “input request” item. Have
For example, a state in which wireless communication with the communication terminal 150 is possible is set as the item “state of electronic device”. In the “status information” code item, a code “C0001” assigned to a state in which wireless communication is possible is set.
For the item “output information”, output information corresponding to a state in which wireless communication with the communication terminal 150 is possible is information on the main operation screen.
Further, as an item of “request for input”, an input based on an operation instruction to the lighting device based on the display of the main operation screen is requested. When the user performs a predetermined operation on the screen, the operation content is sent from the communication terminal 150 to the electronic device control apparatus 120, and the operation of the electronic device (lighting device) 110 is controlled.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a main operation screen displayed on the output unit (display unit) 154 of the communication terminal 150 when the notification table is set as shown in FIG. The communication terminal 150 displays a main operation screen (fifth screen) in response to a state change in which wireless communication with the electronic device control apparatus 120 is possible. On the main operation screen (fifth screen), as shown in FIG. 12, a notification display 281 and operation button displays 282, 283, 284, and 285 are performed. The notification display 281 displays “Come back, do you want to turn on the lights?”. On the operation button displays 282 and 283, “ON” and “CANCEL” are displayed. The operation button displays 284 and 285 display “+” and “−” buttons and their set values for adjusting the brightness when the lighting device is turned on. The input unit 153 of the communication terminal 150 receives a touch by the user at the display location of these operation buttons as an input.

FIG. 13 shows an operation control example of the electronic device 110 (lighting device) by the electronic device control device 120 when the input unit 153 of the communication terminal 150 detects input information by a user's touch operation. For example, in the main operation screen shown in FIG. 12, when the operation button display 282 for turning on the lighting device is touched, the electronic device control device 120 transmits a control signal for turning on (lighting) the electronic device 110. . When the operation button display 284 or 285 for adjusting the brightness is touched, the electronic device control apparatus 120 transmits a control signal for causing the electronic device 110 to adjust the designated brightness. That is, when the “+” operation button display 284 is touched, a control signal for increasing the brightness by one step is transmitted, and when the “−” operation button display 285 is touched, the brightness is decreased by one step. Send a control signal. The brightness setting value displayed on the main operation screen is increased or decreased in conjunction with the touch of the operation button display 284 or 285. Or the signal (signals, such as a brightness setting value) from the electronic device control apparatus 120 may be received and the brightness setting value displayed on the main operation screen may be changed.

The electronic device control apparatus 120 can use various methods in order to determine whether wireless communication with the communication terminal 150 is possible. For example, the electronic device control device 120 transmits a certain wireless signal at a predetermined interval, and the communication terminal 150 that has received the wireless signal is set so as to return a response packet Ack to the electronic device control device 120. The device control apparatus 120 can determine whether wireless communication with the communication terminal 150 is possible based on the presence / absence of the response packet Ack.

According to the electronic device control system 100 of the third embodiment, the user uses the communication terminal 150 by approaching the lighting device or the electronic device control device 120 while holding the communication terminal 150. It is possible to easily and appropriately control the operation of the lighting device. That is, it is transmitted from the electronic device control device 120 that detects the establishment of wireless communication in conjunction with the user approaching the electronic device control device 120 and the possessed communication terminal 150 entering the radio wave reachable range of the electronic device control device 120. Based on the status information, the communication terminal 150 automatically displays a screen for selecting the operation of the lighting device, and the user can select the operation of the lighting device based on the screen display. For example, if the electronic device control device 120 is arranged in the home, the lighting device in the home is turned on when the communication terminal 150 that the user returns home and enters the radio wave reachable range of the electronic device control device 120 It is also possible to automatically display the operation screen.
Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to start an application for inputting the operation of the lighting device, which has been necessary in the past, and to perform an operation according to a large number of procedures for displaying a necessary operation screen. The lighting equipment can be operated.
As an embodiment other than the above-described example, the electronic device control apparatus 120 may always transmit the code “C0001” as the state information at a predetermined interval. Even in such a case, the communication terminal 150 receives the code “C0001” by entering the radio wave reachable range of the electronic device control apparatus 120 and displays the main operation screen of the lighting device in conjunction with the code “C0001”. Therefore, the user can operate the lighting device very easily and appropriately.
In the display example of FIG. 12, the operation buttons of the lighting device are displayed. However, in addition to the operation buttons of the lighting device, other devices (such as an aroma diffuser and an air conditioning device) that are likely to be operated when returning home are used. The operation buttons may be displayed simultaneously on the same screen.

<4. Fourth Embodiment>
Next, an electronic device control system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The electronic device control system 100 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is configured such that a communication terminal 150 ′ communicates with an external server 160 to acquire necessary information. That is, in the fourth embodiment, the server 160 performs some of the functions performed by the communication terminal 150 in the first and second embodiments.
In FIGS. 14 and 15 described in the fourth embodiment, parts corresponding to those in FIGS. 1 and 3 described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[4-1. Example of overall system configuration]
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the electronic device control system 100 according to the fourth embodiment.
An electronic device control system 100 shown in FIG. 14 includes an electronic device 110 that can be remotely controlled, an electronic device control device 120 attached to the electronic device 110, a communication terminal 150 ′, and a server 160. The electronic device 110 and the electronic device control device 120 have the same configurations as the electronic device 110 and the electronic device control device 120 shown in FIG. 1 in the first embodiment. The electronic device 110 here may be any of the aroma diffuser described in the first embodiment, the food processor described in the second embodiment, or any other electronic device.

For example, a portable wireless communication terminal called a smartphone is used as the communication terminal 150 ′. The communication terminal 150 ′ includes a terminal side communication unit 151 ′, a processing unit 152, an input unit 153, and an output unit 154.

The terminal-side communication unit 151 ′ of the communication terminal 150 ′ performs wireless communication with the control-device-side communication unit 125 of the electronic device control device 120. Further, it communicates with the server 160 via a predetermined network. For example, the communication terminal 150 ′ communicates with the server 160 through a network via a wireless telephone line. When the state information is supplied from the electronic device control apparatus 120 to the terminal side communication unit 151 ′ of the communication terminal 150 ′, the terminal side communication unit 151 ′ sends the received state information to the server 160. The server 160 stores a notification table that stores the correspondence between status information and output information (information for accepting input). For example, the configuration shown in FIG. 4 can be applied to the notification table.

The server 160 generates output information (information for accepting input) based on the status information transmitted from the communication terminal 150 ′, and returns the output information to the communication terminal 150 ′. And the output part 154 outputs the output information (information which receives an input) which terminal side communication part 151 'of communication terminal 150' received. The input information received by the input unit 153 of the communication terminal 150 ′ is supplied to the terminal side communication unit 151 ′ via the processing unit 152 and wirelessly transmitted to the control device side communication unit 125 of the electronic device control device 120. This is the same as the communication terminal 150 in the example of FIG.

[4-2. System processing sequence]
FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram illustrating a flow of processing performed in the electronic device control system 100. In FIG. 15, the processing of steps S11 to S15 and the processing of steps S17 to S22 are the same as the processing of steps S11 to S15 and steps S17 to S22 described with reference to FIG.

In the example of FIG. 15, after the communication terminal 150 ′ receives the state information transmitted from the control device side communication unit 125 of the electronic device control apparatus 120 in step S <b> 15, the received state information is transmitted to the server 160 (step S <b> 31). ). At this time, information for identifying the communication terminal 150 ′ is added to the status information and transmitted.
The server 160 receives the status information transmitted from the communication terminal 150 ′ (step S32). The server 160 that has received the status information refers to the notification table and acquires output information (information for accepting input). Then, the acquired output information is transmitted to the communication terminal 150 ′ (step S33). The communication terminal 150 ′ receives this output information (step S34).
Thereafter, the process after the output process of outputting the acquired “information for accepting input” to the output unit 154 is the same as the example of FIG.

As in the fourth embodiment, the external server 160 stores the notification table, whereby the communication terminal 150 ′ does not need to store the notification table, and the burden on the communication terminal 150 ′ is reduced.
As described in the first embodiment, the example in which the communication terminal 150 stores the notification table and the example in which the server 160 stores the notification table described in the fourth embodiment are combined. It may be. For example, a process for accepting a relatively simple input such as power OFF according to the state of the electronic device 110 is performed using a notification table stored in the communication terminal 150 itself. For example, the external communication terminal 150 (150 ′) stores the external server 160 for the process of accepting input by displaying a relatively complicated selection screen or the like as described in the second embodiment. You may make it refer to a notification table.

<5. Modification>
In each of the above-described embodiments, the signal transmitted from the electronic device control apparatus 120 to the communication terminal 150 is a signal transmitted according to the Bluetooth LE standard. On the other hand, a signal to which another communication method is applied may be used. For example, the packet may be transmitted using a wireless LAN. Or you may make it perform communication between the electronic device control apparatus 120 and the communication terminal 150 by an infrared signal or a visible light signal.

Further, the communication terminals 150 and 150 ′ operated by the user are examples applied to a smartphone. On the other hand, the present invention may be applied to other communication terminals as long as the communication terminal can receive a signal from the electronic device control apparatus 120. For example, the present invention may be applied to a tablet terminal or a personal computer device.

The example of the electronic device 110 is also described in the aroma diffuser (humidifier) described in the first embodiment, the food processor described in the second embodiment, or the third embodiment. Each of the luminaires is an example, and other various electronic devices may be applied.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various other application examples and modifications can be taken without departing from the gist of the present invention described in the claims.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration of the apparatus is described in detail and specifically for easy understanding of the present invention, and is not necessarily limited to the configuration including all the configurations described. .
Further, the signal flow lines in FIG. 1 and FIG. 14 as system configuration examples indicate what is considered necessary for the description, and do not necessarily indicate all the lines necessary for the apparatus. Actually, it may be considered that almost all the components are connected to each other.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Electronic device control system, 110 ... Electronic device 110 ... Electronic device control apparatus, 121 ... Status information acquisition part, 122 ... Memory | storage part, 123 ... Control part, 124 ... Determination part, 125 ... Control apparatus side communication part, 150, 150 '... communication terminal, 151, 151' ... terminal side communication unit, 152 ... processing unit, 153 ... input unit, 154 ... output unit, 155 ... storage unit, 160 ... server

Claims (10)

1. An electronic device control system including an electronic device, an electronic device control device, and a communication terminal,
   The electronic device control device includes:
   A state information acquisition unit for acquiring state information according to the state of the electronic device;
   A controller side communication unit that performs wireless communication with the communication terminal and transmits the state information to the communication terminal;
   A control unit for generating a control signal for causing the electronic device to perform a predetermined operation in response to an input from the communication terminal received via the control device side communication unit, and supplying the control signal to the electronic device;
   The communication terminal is
   A terminal-side communication unit that performs wireless communication with the electronic device control device and receives the state information;
   An output unit for outputting information for receiving an input corresponding to the received state information;
   An input unit that receives an input corresponding to the information for receiving the input and transmits the received input information to the electronic device control device via the terminal-side communication unit;
   Electronic equipment control system.
2. The electronic device control system according to claim 1, wherein the information that receives the input is a display screen including an input element that receives the input.
3. The electronic device control system according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs information indicating a state of the electronic device corresponding to the state information.
4. The electronic device control system according to claim 1, wherein the state information indicates at least one of an operation of the electronic device, a state of the electronic device, and an environment around the electronic device.
5. The electronic device control apparatus monitors a communication state of wireless communication with the communication terminal,
   The electronic device control system according to claim 1, wherein the state information indicates a communication state of wireless communication between the electronic device control apparatus and the communication terminal.
6. The electronic device control device includes:
   A storage unit that stores in advance notification conditions including the state information and a criterion for the state information;
   A determination unit that determines whether the acquired state information satisfies the determination criterion based on the notification condition;
   The electronic device control system according to claim 1, wherein the control device side communication unit transmits the state information to the communication terminal when the state information acquired by the state information acquisition unit satisfies the determination criterion.
7. A database that stores the state information in association with information that receives an input corresponding to the state information;
   The electronic device control system according to claim 1, wherein the output unit acquires information for receiving an input corresponding to the received state information with reference to the database.
8. The control device side communication unit transmits a first advertisement packet for accepting a connection request in the Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy standard at a predetermined interval.
   At the time of transmission of the state information, a second advertisement packet that does not accept a connection request in the Bluetooth Low Energy standard including the state information is transmitted.
   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the terminal-side communication unit receives the first advertisement packet and transmits the input information using a connection established by making a connection request to the electronic device control apparatus. Equipment control system.
9. An electronic device control method applied to a system including an electronic device, an electronic device control apparatus, and a communication terminal,
   In the electronic device control apparatus,
   Status information acquisition processing for acquiring status information according to the status of the electronic device;
   A communication process in the electronic device control apparatus that performs wireless communication with the communication terminal and transmits the state information to the communication terminal;
   In response to an input received from the communication terminal, a control signal for causing the electronic device to perform a predetermined operation is generated, and a control process for supplying the electronic device is performed.
   In the communication terminal,
   Communication processing in the communication terminal that performs wireless communication with the electronic device control device and receives the state information;
   An output process for outputting information for receiving an input corresponding to the received state information;
   An electronic device control method for performing an input process of receiving an input corresponding to information for receiving the input and transmitting the received input information to the electronic device control apparatus.
10. A communication unit that performs wireless communication with the electronic device control device and receives state information corresponding to the state of the electronic device;
    An output unit for outputting information for receiving an input corresponding to the received state information;
    A communication terminal comprising: an input unit that receives an input corresponding to the information for receiving the input and transmits the received input information to the electronic device control device via the communication unit.

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